The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-13
Proposed Mediation Or Arbitration.
Concurrent Resolutions In the
Senate. .iga.s

4 g. q
Concurrent Resolutions in the
Senate. :iu.4-
An Emphatic Protest Against In-
terferenee.
.-...... i, WAsHMorox, March 1.
The following are the concurrent joint
resolutions reported by Senator Sumner,
from the Committee on Foreign Relations,
to whom was referred the message of the
President of the United States, communi-
eating, in answer to the resolution of the
Senate, the correspondence on the subject
Of mediation, arbitration, or other meas
ures looking to the termination of the
present rebellion: ... -f...
Whereas, It appears from the diplo-
matte correspondence submitted to Con-
gress that proposition, friendly in form,
looking to the paci6cation through foreign
mediation, has been made to the United
States by the Emperor of the French, and
promptly declined by the President; and
whereas, the idea Of mediation and inter
vention in some shape may be regarded by
foreign governments as practicable, and
such governments through this misunder-
standing may be led to proceedings tending
to embarrass the friendly relations which
now exist between them and the United
States; and whereas, in order to remove
for the future all chance ofmisunderstand-
ing on this subject, and to secure for the
United States the full enjoyment of that
freedom from foreign Intervention which
is one of the highest rights in independent
States, it seems fit that Congress should
declare its convictions thereon; therefore,
Resolved, the House of Representatives
concurring, That while in times past the
United States have sought and accepted
the friendly mediation or arbitration of
foreign powers for the pacific adjustment
of international questions where the United
States were the party of the one part and
some other sovereign power the party of
the other part; and while they are not
disposed to misconstrue the natural and
humane desire of foreign powers to aid in
arresting domestic troubles, which, widen
ing in their influence, have afflicted other
countries especially in view of the circum-
stance, deeply regretted by the American
people, that the blow aimed by the rebel
lion at the national life has fallen heavily
upon the laboring population of Europe
yet, notwithstanding these things, Con-
gress cannot hesitate to regard every pro-
position of foreign interference in the
present contest as so far unreasonable and
inadmissable, that its only explanation will
be found in a misunderstanding of the true
state of the question and of the real char
acter of the war in which the republic is
engaged.
Resotred, That the United States are
now graphing with an unprovoked and
wicked rebellion, which is seeking the de-
struction of the Republic, hat it may build
new power, whose cornerstone, accord
ing to the confession of its chiefs, shall be
slavery that for the suppression of this
rebellion, and thus to save the Republic
and to prevent the establishment of such
power, the National Government is now
employing armies and fleets in full faith that
through these efforts all the purposes of
conspirators and rebels will be crushed;
that while engaged in this struggle, on
which so much depends, any proposition
from a foreign power, whatever form it
may take, having for its effect the arrest
of these efforts, is, just in proportion to its
influence, an encouragement to the rebel
lion and to its declared principles, and in
this account is calculated to prolong and
embitter the conflict, to cause increased
expenditure of blood and treasure, and to
postpone the much desired day of peace
that, with these convictions, and not doubt
ing that every such proposition, although
made with good intent, is injurious to the
national interests, Congress will be obliged
to look upon any further attempts in the
same direction as an unfriendly act, which
it earnestly deprecates to the end that
nothing may occur abroad to strengthen
the rebellion or to weaken those relations
of good will with foreign powers, which the
United States are happy to cultivate.
Resolred, That the rebellion from its
beginning, and far back even in the con-
spiracy which preceded the outbreak, was
encouraged by the hope of support from
foreign powers; that its chiefs frequently
boosted that the people of Europe were so
far dependent upon the regular supplies OF
the great southern staple, that sooner or
later their governments would be con-
strained to take side with the rebellion in
some effective form, even to the extent of
forcible Intervention, if the milder form
did not prevail, that the rebellion is now
sustained by this hope, which every propo-
sition of foreign interference qulckens
anew, and that without this life-giving sup
pert it must soon yield to the great and
paternal authority of the national govern
ment; that considering these things, which
are aggravated by the motive OF the re-
sistance thus encouraged, the United States
regret that foreign powers have not frank
ly told the chiefs of the rebellion that the
work in which they are engaged is hateful,
and that new government such as they
seek to found, with slavery as its corner
stone, and with no other declared object
of separate existence, is so far shocking to
civilization and the moral sense OF man
kind that it must not expect welcome or
recognition in the commonwealth OF ma
tiOns. --.gH t'.-, ..--i
Resolred, That the United States, con-
fident in the justice of their cause, which
is the cause everywhere among men, anx-
ious for the speedy restoration of peace,
oh ,l,o ,oo,,u<, o,,or;1;<xy on6