Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-08
THE MISSION OF THE FRENCH
MINISTER TO ENGLAND.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES.

a matter Of much speculation on the part
Of the American press, and various
shrewd surmises have been made. Until
quite recently the public mind had pretty
settled down upon the belief that
the visit had reference simply to the in
terest of the French Government in the
tobacco crop, and TO protest against its
destruction. The Washington
correspondent of the New York Times,
however, declares in positive terms, that
the visit had a broader purpose and sig
nifcance,--it being no less than formal
withdrawal by the Emperor, of the recog-
milton of the rebel government as bel
ligerent power. The letter in the Times
is so important that we lay it before our
readers this morning in full
The speculations Of your contemporaries
on M. Mercier's visit have, SO far, been
extremely superficial and absurd. His
mission had far deeper import than any
one has yet publicly indicated, and it is
well to let the people have a correct idea
of it, that they may be prepared to meet
the political necessities of their position.
And first, NJ. MERCER did not visit
Richmond to look after the French Gov
ernment's tobacco, for he is not COM
mercial agent, but diplomatist.
Secondly, Nj. MERCER did not 60 to
Richmond IN the interest of the rebels
He could not, as an honorable "a. have
gone through the Union lines on mission
unfriendly 10 the Union and he could
not, as the representative of an honorable
Government, remain at Washington plot
ting adversely to the Government to
which he is accredited.
Then what did the French Minister 60
to Richmond for? The answer is this ::
To assure the rebels that the Emperor of
the French does not recognize them as a
Power among the Nations that England
and France. by recognizing them as bel
ligerents, did all that could be expected
on the part of neutral Governments that
the blockade of their ports is eaectual !;
that they are fairly beaten in arms, and
their independence as nation impossible;
that continuance of hostilities, by the
threatened destruction of the cotton and
tobacco crops of her citizens, would only
be wanton injury to the commerce of
the world, ipjuring France and England
even more than the United States and
that resort to guerrilla warfare, as pro-
posed, when their armies are destroyed,
would demoralize society, and be simply
return to barbarism.
The rebels have been admonished,
therefore, that cessation of hostilities is
a duty they owe to themselves and to the
world, which all civilized nations will
unite in requiring of them.
A. the same time, to save their honor
and their existence as free people, the
French Emperor has assured them that
civilized Europe will not approve the en-
forcement of any hard terms on them by
the United States that their society shall
not be disorganized, their industry shall
not be overthrown; their families shall
not be impoverished by general and indis-
criminate confiscations of their property
and that Mr.. Lincolns Administration
will be held to faithful observance OF
the programme with which he appealed
to Europe for forbearance at the outbreak
Of the rebellion, to wit: A restoration
OF the Union on the basis of the Consti-
tuition, with the inherent rights of all the
States preserved.
The adoption by Congress of Mr.. Lin
coins policy of voluntary and gradual
emancipation by the Slave States them
selves, with the coopertion of the Nation
al Government, satisfies the conscience of
European Governments, and the immedi-
ate overthrow Of the institutions of the
South by National power is condemned
on the same grounds as they condemn the
destruction of the present crops Of cotton
and tobacco by the rebels themselves. 1t
is contrary to the highest interests Of COM
merce, civilization and true philanthropy.
That M. MERCER would not make an
important communication to the rebel
Confederacy without instruction from the
Emperor is certain. That the Emperor
would not have such communication made
without the knowledge and consent Of the
President and Mr.. Seward is also certain.
1t follows, that the mission of M. Mercier
to the Confederate Government is vol
untary effort of the Emperor of the
French for the restoration of the Union,
on the basis laid down by the President
and Mr.. Seward, and gloriously vindica-
ted by the armies of the Union. The
President could not but consent and APP
prove of NJ. Mercier's communication,
because it involved no armistice on our
part, no abatement Of the demands of the
United States Government for the uncon-
ditional submission of the rebellion, but
sustained the President in his defence of
the Constitution and Union in their origi-
nal spirit, letter and integrity.
Whao M Morc;or voturnod from, IN :