The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-05-15
The Cause Of the Visit Of The French
Minister 20 the Rebel Capital.
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WAsHIEorcS, Monday. NAV


WAsHISorcx, Monday, May 5. I
The recent visit OF the French Minister
10 Richmond has occasioned some specu. !.
lation on the 2sI. Of the public. but roth
ing like what its extraordinary character
won Id have justified. among people more
skilled in S'atecrah than ours. Such an
event could no, have occurred under like
circumstances in Europe. without absorb.
ing the attention Of all the Cabioet, and
leading to immediate explanations on the
part Of those engaged Suppose. for 10
stance, Ireland 10 state Of rebellion. and
the French Minister at ST. James WISHING
the headquarters Of the insurgents in the
midst Of the fray. Would not England
know why Ire went. at all events, before
he returned and renewed bis amirabIe re.
latioD 10 the English Government?
The speculatioDsof your cotemporares
on N Merciors visit have, SO far been
extremely superficial and absurd, His
mission had a far deeper import than any
one has yet publicly indicated, and il Is
we'll to let the people have correcI idea
Of it. that they may be prepared TO meet
the political necessities oflheirs position
And first, NJ. Mercier did no, visit
Richmond to look after the yrench Gov.
ernment's tobacco. Cor he is not cem-
mercial agent, but diploma,ist.J su'
Secondly, NJ. Mercier did not 20 to
Richmond in the interest Of The rel els
He could not. as an. honorable man. have
gone through the Union lines on d mis-
siOn uufrisndly to tho Union; and he cod
not. as the representative CT an honorable
tGOvernmsnl remain at Washington plot
ting adversely to The Government TO which
he is accredited. .ts .s4 r afO
Then what did the French Minister GO
10 Richmond for? The answer is ,bis:--
To assure tile rebels that tie Emperor Of
Ithe French does NOT recognize Them as a
Powsr onaoag the nations: that England
aud France. by recognizing them as bel
ligeren,s, did althst could be expected
Oh the part Of neutral Governments; that
the blockade of their ports is e(ectual
that they are fairly beaten 10 arms, and
their independence as nation impossible;
that continuance of bostililies. BY the
threatened destruction Of the cotton and
tobacco crops of their citizens would on
ly be wan,on injury to the commerce Of
the world. injuring France and Eogland
; more than the United States. and that a
: resort 10 guerilla warfare. as proposed,
e when their armies are destroyed. would
!, demoralize society, and be simply re
d turn to barbarism. rs re
g The rebels have BEEN admonished there
fore. that q cessation of hoslilitles is
,e duty they owe themselves ard to tn
!, world, which all civilized nations vii
q unite in requiring of them. els tra
! At the same time, to save their homo
and their existence as free people thu
o French Emperor has assured them tha
IS civilized. Europe will not approve the en-
q forcemeDt OF any bard terms ou them BY
the United States; that their society shal
lie not be disOrgauized, their industry shal
not be overthrown; THEN families shall
re not be impoverished by general aid in
ciscriminats con6scation Of their pI operty
s and that MIR. Lincolu's administration
&c will be held to faithful observance o
g. the programme with which he appealed
10 to Europe for forbearance at the outbres
rs Of the rebellion, to,wil A restoration o
n. the Union on the basis Of the Constitu
5e ton. with the Inherent rights of all th
n States preserved. ..I.t.-.. ,...,
g The adoption by Congress Of Mr.. Lin
ID coins policy of gradual and voluntar
he emancipation by the slave States them
We selves with the CO operation Of tie Ma
o. lional Government, satisfies the conscl
ut ences Of European governments, and lb
ot Immediate overthrow Of the institution
he of the South by National power. is con
NJ demned on the same ground as they con
at denim the destruction Of the present crop
OF of cotton and tobacco by the rebels then
ar selves. 1t is contrary 10 the highest ir
e. terest Of commerce, civilization and tru
nd philanthropy. , .l....
That NJ. Mercisr would not make a
Oh important Communication to the Reb
to Confederacy without instruction OF Il
nd Emperor is certain. That the EmperC
raj would not have such communication mac
b. without the knowledgs and consent OF Il
ew President and Mr.. Seward is also re
in tain. It follows, that the mission OF
his Mercisr 10 the Confederate Government
led a voluntary effort oi the Emperor O Il
As French for the restoration of the Unio
for on the basis laid down by the Preside
= and Mr.. ward, and gIoriOus'y ylndic
'rd ted by the armies Of the Union. T
st. President could no: but consent and a
to prove Of N. Mercier's ommunication, B
j cause it involved no armistiee on o
raj part, no abatement Of the demands OF I
Or United States Government for the uuco
ra- ditiopal submission of the rebellion. b
was sustained the President 10 his defense
But the Constitution and Union in their orl
OK, inal spirit. letter and integrity. ~.
nee When NJ. Mercier returned ftoni ma
nan ing Lis communication AZ Richmond m'
he significant events followed. He W
borne 10 Washington on a French wa
Tier vessel, the deck Of which is the "soil
ven France" This is the 6rst time in his
- ry Of the close meeting Of tile Two SOY
ths reigutes. The Presiden, and Mr., Sc
all. ard received NJ. Mercier at the Ma
no Yard on his approach to the Capitol
for distinguished honor and when the Pr
and ident stepped on dech Of the Gdssendi,
Its, was welcomed by salute equal in hol
EN-, TO that accorded to the Emperor, r
was not a tribute to the head Of a {
IL. NlLL--L- u u. L -. :.