New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-19
H. MERCIERS VISIT TO THE CONFED-
CRATES.
From The London Economist.


The Journey Of VI. MERCER, the French Minister
q, Washington, TO Richmond, the present seat of the
Confederate Government, has doubtless a grave
political Intention though what intention, or whose
intention, it is not easy 10 know. Very probably
d. Merc1er has precise or definite instructions
from Lis Government on the subject. 1t IA under
stood that lie has several occasions asserted that
his Government has intrusted him with ample
discretion, and ii may not mprobably be that he is
q, present acting in the exercise Of that discretion
The French Emperor well knows the occasional i'd
vautagrs of a convenient yaguenes,, and we do not
doubt that H. MERCER we'll knows what the
wishes Of his Government, though he nay not have
precise AID authoritative intimations respecting
them. Up TO the present time M. MERCER has al
way been very popular st Washington, aud has 81
ways used language friendly 10 the Unon cause
Even now we believe be has intimated that lie only
wishes 10 explain 70 the Confederate, the strength
Of their enemies, and the necessity OF some
submission; but how far such language
10 to be literally and entirely believed is
be said If it were respectful 10 ray it. There
can be DOUBT that the French Emperor would
gladly The American civil war ended If it were
possible. We should all be glad to see it ended. All
Europe, with trivial exception, believes that the
present struggle have no good end; that il is at
the beat and according The statement Of its nost
authoritative and intelligent expou nders an ATTEMPT
TO perpetuaie by force Union which can in truth
be maintained only by good will We are suffering
great evils from this struggle; about to suf-
fer much greater; we are about-though as yet we
hardly realize the fact-tO suffer much more acutey
and much more extensively than we nave suffered
for years. We do 30 from IN attachment TO moral
principle and conscientious adherence to interna-
tional law. Bot we not equally sure that these
motives would be equally Influential on the other
side of the Channel. The French cotton nanuiac-
ture is not comparable 10 ours but it lie, neverthe-
less. very considerable and important. much
smaller amount OF commercial uneasinees pro-
duces in France more political uneasiBess than
N understood here. The foundations OF
political society very much weaker, aud
svery one has there the mrcbievous habit OF expect
ing Government 10 intervene IN every calamity and
70 DO something in every misery. IL any practicable
Intervention Of the French Government would ei-
fectnslly close tbe American civil war, and assuage
the French suffering which that war causes and
Aresiens 70 cause, sooner later that Govern
men. would intervene. The Emperor would, per-
maps not be disincined 10 it, and the people would
D"Psin. But ia there any such pTacticaDie, ehsy,
conclusive, Intervention 7 We fear not. 1t IL GER
tainiy possible for the French Emperor to send q
neel winch would open the cotton ports, whlch
wouu protect the coasts OF the South from the expe
oiuohe OF The North. But would that conclude The
"ioBgief That fleet could not remain there ior
.'e' IL eouio not calm the passions now aroused
- "Vt HibbNt, tucuIi IL mlbnt ihtcHnhy 'n""''
a. coon rs 1t 10 Withdrawn the same Ison would
@hnd opposed as before with the same deadly en-
mites III Tie same circumstances. Would not the
war break out sfreshi Would not the Intervention
cave at iis close keener hatred and q more angry
fnggie than 1t found ut its commencement In
ace OF th'. plain difficulty do not expect that the
.'sne1 Emperor will really intervene in the
,atuene.m civil war, though we should not
"se ~ hazard confident prediction on a
, S.Aer 20 very dificalt. But we have no doubt he
void IKE TO be busy in tho matter. The French