Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-03
our FORETGN RELATIONS AND
RREECV-

= OAD HS2EE0N re ~ hESAN1 1A-aS
POLICY.
As the foreign relations of the United States
become more complicated and entangled, cur
grow every day more satisfactory and en-
couraging. The South commenced this war
without the friendship Of any one of the power
ful nations Of Europe, and, indeed, under a
moral ban that followed the unjust imputation
Of an intention on the part of her leading states
men 20 Immediately reopen the African slave
trade, so long interdicted by the old Federal Con
s~titution. The United States, on the contrary,
whilo yet in the unrealized and ~incipient stale Of
governmental ACKNOWLEDGMENT, was respected,
feared and favored by nearly every first class
nation on the face Of the globe. The naughty
pretension Of the Lincoln Cabinet, that affected
to look upon the southern struggle for indepen-
dence IL the light Of a local rebellion, was
rather encouraged than otherwise, and but few
foreign journals were found bold enough 10
question the correctness of Mr.. Stewards views
in his letter to Minister DAYTON pronouncing
upon the utter impossibiIity of such a result as
a dissolution Of the American Union.
But with the close Of a nine months cam
paign, and the dawn Of the new year, 1862, we
find matters wonderfully revoluionized. The
liberal principles and policy Of the Coniederste
States, which it is presumed they viii permanent-
ly adopt upon a declaration of peace, and the
high-toned chivalry Of southern character, as
developed by the metaIlurgy Of war, have won
the good viii of foreign diplomats and powers,
and fully demonstrated our capacity to maintain
the political independence which we have so
f~aariessly asserted But, in the meantime, the
folly, fsnatieism and laundering stupidity Of the
Washington government, have alenated from it
the friendly feelings Of one-half of Europe, and
It now stands, ike an I~sraelite, with its hand
lifted thTa2teningly against The world, and the
worlds against il.
Under such advantageous circumstances, the
policy Of our government IN the premises is per-
fectly plain. It should DO everything, not in
consistent with national interest or honor, to
strengthen TINS growing feeling of benevolence
towards US, and stil further entangle ana CON-
pfcate, if possible, the enemy's foreign relations.
France, England and Spain are ready to-day to
recognize US as an independent nationality, and
viii no doubt take favorable action in the matter
within the next thirty days, after which viii fol-
low increased dissatisfaction at the ineficiency
of the Federal blockade. To precipitate this re
suit the Confederate Congress can do much by 8
single act Of legislation. Let them make ar i'm
mediate declaration Of free trade during The aoaT,
by sbolishing the tariff on importations for that
length Of time. If this had been done at Mont
gomery eight months ago, our foreign relations
would have been far more satisfactory than they
are at present, nor can we appreciate the states
manship which has obstinately refused the adop-
ton Of this policy. Since the Inauguration Of
the government, we have had q stupid tariff,
averaging fifteen per cent, foisted upon US,
which has incurred the odium of our friends in
Europe without having probably realized the
pitful sum of one hundred dollars since the
passage Of the act creating it. 1t certainly has
done much harm, as much for us as the Morrill,
tariff biz, with its thirty per cent. taxation, has
done for the North. But who can point to one
bit of good ever accomplished by it, Has 1t
secured the friendship Of any nation, or any
class9 Has it brought anything into the
national treasury, and thus effected the sole de-
sign which dictated it,
These are pertinent queries, and if properly
answered are so many reasons which argue for
the repeal Of the act. and the declaration of free
trade. Remove this embargo on commerce, and
a brisk foreign trade viii spring up along our
coast in q very few weeks, despite the efforts Of
the Federal feet to interdict it. The risk Ofrun-
ming the blockade at present, considering the
high tariff, is too great, and comparatively but
Few are wiling to encounter the losses that are
%sasN4af follow the experiment. Repeal the tax
on importations, ard additional Inducements are
at once offered to trading vessels, hundreds Of
which viii then find their way to New Orleans
Mobile, Savannah aud Charleston, where tens dc
SO now. Nor could a more appropriate time be
chosen for this course than while the British
mind is yet inhamed with indignation at the late
insult offered their flag in the affair Of the Trent
This portentous war cloud, it is true, which, in
the opinion Of some, promised such %stupendous
results awhile ago, has almost disappeared, but
It's hidden thunder, red with immortal wrath, yet
fingers awaiting for another occasion to discharge
its deadly voIey on the luekless head of the Of
fender. The blockade is the powder, and free
trade the spark whose combined influence is to
produce the explosion of the thunderbOlt.
Il is earnestly to be hoped that the statesman
ship of the next Congress-if not that Of the
present one-wil be equal to this emergency,
aad pursue at once a policy which every con-
s'deradon Of national interest imperatively de-
mands.
U~A report has obtained circulation, to some
extent, that Brigadier-Gcneral Cheatham had
resigned his position in the Confederate service.
We are glad to be able to contradict the rumor