The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-28
Mr.. Secretary Seward and Earl Russell
on the Rebellion.

the Rebellion.
In connection with the very able and import
ant letter of Mr.. Secretary Seward, OF the 2Sth
of May last, to Mr.. Adams, our Minister at Lon
don, for the information OF the British Cabinet,
in reference to our Southern rebellion, we re
publish this morning the brief. captious, equi-
vocal and disingenuous reply Of Earl Russell of
July %.
The general argument of Mr.. Seward is d.
rectcd to tie great object of showing that the
material interests of England, France and OTHER
European States are largely dependent upon
the speedy suppression of this rebellion and the
restoration of our Union in its integrity, not
withstanding the existence of a dominant
European opinion" which "has practically
favored the insurgents and encouraged them
with ephemeral sympathies and unreal expecta-
tons of foreign intervention" protracting
the war to the present time. While
our government at the beginning assumed,
and has constantly insisted, that the Union could
must and should be preserved" the European
nations, doubtisg or disbelievng this great sal
walton, set themselves to the task Of convincing
us of the advantages of peace even at the ex-
pense of our national dissolution. Mr. Seward,
however, frankly informs Earl Russell that
'this government and the American people are
even more confident Of the preservation of the
Union now than they were year ago, and are,
therefore, even less likely now than they were
then to accept peace with the inconceivabls
pains and perils OF dissolution
Mr. Seward next proceeds to ':the contrast
between the position which the federal govern.
ment held year ago and Its present situation;"
and the simple facts which re presents in this
illustration would be suficieni J, carry the con-
viction to any unprejudiced aud fair minded
European statesman that the cause Of JEFF. Davis
and his rebellous coniederates against the over
whelming forces and resources Of the Union is
as hopeless, without foreign Intervention, as
would be rebellion in Scotland or Wales
against the supreme authority Of the island of
Great Britain. This array Of facts presented
by Mr.. Seward, Earl Russell found it i'm
possible to answer at the time according to his
desires and SO he confesses in his reply that for
more than a month he had been waiting, like
Micawber, for something to turn up" to the
prejudice of our cause.
Lqudiiy anu CouNlHCLHB W tuc
impartial mind must be Mr.. Stewards exposi-
ton Of the magnanimous, humane and conser-
vative policy pursued by our government in
this war in regard to the Southern institution of
African slavery, and the fearful dangers which
menace it from the prolongation of this war.
These dangers threaten not only the vio-
lent overthrow Of the institution itself, but
ia rba,,
if fully developed in servile war, it can
only at last result in an entirely new system of
trade and commerce between the United States
and all foreign nations" The conclusion fol-
lows inevitably that, as the great interests of the
Western nations of Europe in our Southern pro-
auctions and Southern trade can only be re-
stored with the restoration Of the Union, our
cause should command the respect and moral
support of ell nations concerned Mr.. Seward
closes bis case with the simple declaration that
his views are thus submitted from strong
desire Of the President that the.true condition
of the present strife may be everywhere fully
understood"
Surely the object, the facts and the ar
gument Of this communication thus pre-
.ented were entitled to the respectful con-
sideration Of the British government. But
what kind OF an answer is accorded
to this candid, respectful and important letter
of Mr.. Seward by Earl Russells His answer Is
no answer at all. He does not attempt an
honest answer. With the conventional forms
of respect, be betrays the satisfaction which he
derives from the disasters to our army in front
n. a.. r,o -.
the Confscation bill, scowls at the "pioclama
tons Of General Butler" growls at our rigid
blockade, fppantly dsmisses the slavery ques
ton, pompously pleads the plea of honest neu
trality, avows, with long face, that her Majes
| ty's government have nothing more at hear
than to see this war brought to "a speedy ant
satisfactory conclusion and winds up with tb,