The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-08
Mtisteuaneolrs.
Lord Palmerston on Mediation.

of Commons on mediation in America. AS
the whole matter was disposed Of on the
principles laid down by Lord Palmerston,
who appears to have been generally approx.
ed by the English press Of oil shades, we con-
tent ourselves with giving his speech entire,
Us follows boston Journal.
Lord Palmerston-I should hope after the
length of this debate that the House would
be disposed to come to decision tonight
(IIear, hear.) The subject Of this debate is
one Of the highest importance, and one OF
the most delicate character. cannot think
that u postponement Of the conclusion OF the
debate until next week can be attended with
any beneficial result one way or another
(Iiear, hear.) confess regret very much
that my honorable friend (Mr. Lindsay has
thought it his duty to bring the subject un.
der discussion in the House In the present
state of things. There can be but one wish
in this country with regard to the war, and
that is that 1t should end. (lear, hsar,)-
But much doubt whether the only end
which can satisfactorily be looked for-name.
ly, an amicable arrangement between the
two parties-is likely to be accelerated by
animated debates in this house. (lIear, hear
We have had the American war waged to-
night in words by tho champions OF both
sides. 1t isquito true that many things have
been said which must be gratifying to the
feelings of both parties now fighting in Amer.
lea, but on the other hand things have been
said in the warmth Of debate which must
tend to irritate and wound the feelings Of the
party against whom they have been lcycllcd; !;
and 1t is in human nature to think more of
things that arc offensive than Of things that
are gratifying and friendly. (llear.) ]
therefore confess that regret that this de-
bato has been brought ON, and should earn
estly hope that the house would not agree to
the motion Of my honorable friend, but would
leave 1t in the hands Of tho government to
deal with the future, content as believe the
country is with the manner in which the past
has been conducted by them. (lIear, hcar)
do not ask this on the ground Of confidence
in the government Of the day, because think
whatever party might have the rule in this
country, whoever might be sitting on these
benches, il would be wise and expedicnt in
the House to leave matter of such difficulty
and delicacy and of such immense import
ance, in tho hands Of the responsible govern.
lnent of the day to deal with, according to
the varying circumstances OF the moment
and not by resolution debating and point
ing outsa specific course to tie up their hands
and tako upon tho house the responsibility
that properly belongs to the government in
Office ut the moment. 'lCheers.)
Tho motion Of my honorable friend points
to two things-to mediation and to acknowl.
/ Ia.~ ,.aI
and well argued speech from the right hon.
orablc gentleman opposito upon tho question
of acknowledged merit. He has argued that
which am not going to dispute, namely,
that If this country thought It right to do 80,
we should be perfectly justified in acknowl.
edging the Independence Of the Southern
States, provided only that that independence
had been in the words which he used "frm-
lly and permanently established" And,
moreover, quite concur with him tha, the
fact of our acknowledgment Of that inde-
peudence. il we thought 1t right to make 1t,
would be no Just cause Of war on tho part OF
the Northern States-would be no just cause
of offence on the part of the Northern States
as against this country. The cases which
the honorable gentleman cited, and more es-
pecally the case OF the South American re-
publlcs, were cases totally different from that
which is now presented for our considera.
ton. The South American republic was not
acknowledged till great many years after
theysfairly achieved their independence
The contest was begun between them, and
Spain, separated by the wide Atlantic from
her reyolted subjects. and unable with any
degree of power to re-establish her authority
over them-and believe 1t was nearly Is
years-it was certainly great many years
before the acknowledgment took place.
(Hear, hear.)
But what was the state Of this matter till
the date of those uncertain rumors which
we received this very day? 1t was not q
fortnight ago that it was doubtful whether
the Conicderates or tho Federals would be 10
possession of Richmond. (Ilear, hear.) 1t
was but few days ago that we imagined
that the whole course of the Mississippi was
in the hands Of the Federals. (Ilear) We
knew that New Orleans and possibly Char.
lesion was in their hands. ] contend that
up to the present moment whatever may be
the opinion which anybody may entertain Of
the great determination Of the Southerners
to 6Sht to the very last for the maintenance
Of their independence, practically the con-
test has not yet assumed that character which
would justify this country in assuming that
that independence was permanently and firm.
ly established. (Hear, hear.) But then
many people who talk Of acknowledgment
seem to imply that that acknowledgment II
made would establish some different position
between this country and the Southern States.
Il would establish none unless it was follow.
cd up by some direct and active interference.
(lIear. hcar.) Neutrality, as was well ar
cued by the right honorable gentleman, Is
Ieriectly compatible with acknowledgment.
iIIoar, bear.) Womay DO neutral in war
between two countries whose independence
we never called in question. Two long os-
tablished countries 60 to war and we ac-
knowledge the independence Of both. but we
are not on that account bound to tako part
in the contest.
The right honorable gentleman argued that
wo had taken stop toward acknowledgment
by admitting that the Southerners had bel.
lirercnt right. Why, Vattel and all the
bes, authorities upon the law Of nations hold
that when civil war breaks out in country
that is firmly established, other nations have
a right to deal with the two parties as bel.
licerents not acknowledging the independence
oil the reyoltcd portion Of the country. but
admitting that the war has been established
upon such footing that each party is entitled
to bo regarded by other nations as bellig.
erent. (IIcar, hear.) Therefore the mere
fact Of our having Acknowledged that these
two parties were belligerents in tho proper
international sense Of the word does not i'm.
ply q step toward acknowledging them rs in.
dependent States. tHlear. Nobody can