Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-04-29
Foreign ConsuIs.

The following just and cogent observations are
extracted from a London newspaper of the 18th of
March:
1--WE trust that in the debate which may be ex-
pected to ensue tonight in the House of Lords, on
Lord Campbelrs motion, attention will be directed
to one consideration of the subject of recognition,
which has heretofore been salmost entirely over
looked We refer to the fact that during the pres
ent anomalous condition of the relations of this
country with the Confederate States, the large mum.
Der 6 British subjects resident in those States and
the ilpmense amount of British property located
thereE are dependent for protection at this time,
whCn.prQtection is most needed, upon the ferbear-
ance alone of the Confederate government. The
appointed protectors Of the rights and property of
their ellowcountrymen in foreign countries are the
Consuls, of whose office this is the most important
duty. The British Consufs who discharge this duty
in the Confederate States accredited to, and re.
ceive the permission to exercise their functions
from, a government with which the Confederate
States are at open war. For two years they have
continued at their posts solely by the toleration of
the Confederate government liberation, be it re-
marked quite inconsistent with the strict theorati-
cal construction Of absolute Dc taeo indeRendence.
this Inconsistency, weary of retaining this only re-
naming vestige of a repudiated authority, should
decline any longer to recognize the official status of
functionares whose erequaturs and presence are
contradiction Of its rights and powers. A PROPOSE.
tion to this effect viz: to dismiss all foreign Con-
suls not accredited to the Confederate government
ON the 6rst of May next is actually before the Con-
federate Congress The number of British subjects
and the value of British property thus left without
consular protection in q country engaged in of
the fercest wars on record, must be reckoned by
tens Of Thousands Of persons and scores of millions
Of money. We do not mean to imply that the Con-
tederate authorities would seize this occasion to
~lx,sv a.. ~,
so unprotected. Far from it. On the contrary, we
feel assured that every care would be taken to nit
igate the evil and to relieve individuals from the in
conveniences caused BY public necessity. But if
Copsuts are deemed necessary to the protection of
personal end property interests abroad in time Of
profoBAd peace and Of uninterrupted and rapid IN
ternstiohdi Communication, taey can scarcely be.
dispensed With It time and in = country where
general e0nscrption laws convert the whole popua.
tons into armies, when military conAagrations COM
plets or anticipate the work of retreating advsn
cling hosts, when death, in many shapes, stalks
over the land, and when in fact every part Of the
social and political fabric is strained in an agony Of
desperation 1t is at such times and in such places
that the foreigner most needs the advice and assis
lance Of his ceuntry's representatives, and these
alone can prevent or relieve much grievous individ-
ual loss and suffering.
1t is this humane consideration which has in
duced<he oontedsrate government to fosbear where
forbearsnse from any other motive would have i'm.
piled wsnt Of selfrespect Its right to dismiss
summarly from within its Jurisdiction all consuls
exercising their functions by virtue Of an erequatur
1t ID undeniabe, aso that were it today to enforce
this right no one could justly accuse it Of lack Of
moderation in the enforcement II has given the
other governments of the world two years to con-
slider upon the proprety, expedieney, OF conve-
nience pf establishing with It tn usual relstions
which obtain among governments II sfter two
years consideration, the otbor governments con.
cude such relations to be improper, inexpedient
and mesnsen1ess, va.cousd not we'll blans the Con-
federates for accepting the conclusion a nal, and
refusing in their turn that convenience Of relations
which is refused to them. As matters now stand,
the forbearance Of the Confederate government al
foras to foreign nations I'll the essential advantages
resulting from recognition, without reciprocity
The dismissal Of the foreign consuls although not
place all parties on the same footing. Sooner or
later il recognition is indefinitely delayed the Con-
federate government will be forced to this moisture.
contemporary, in q very able article upon
recognition, on which we commented in our last
impression states IN substance that the chief reason
why the Confederate States have not been admitted
into the family of nations is that their non sdmis
SIGN had not heretofore been felt as serious in
convenience "If, for instarsce" says orr contem.
porary, by way of illustration, the Alabama or
Florida should accidentally or wilfuIy destroy a
British merchant ship, our government. would be
obliged as affairs now stand, to apply for compen:
sation to the government of the United States; and
in the event Of its being refused. which it very
probably would be, make reprisais on the Federal
marine, and declare war on the United States. On
the other hand, if the ConfedeIasy verss ackpoxl
edged as an Independent State then the demand 70,
compensation would be made to its governmsot .no
under the circumstances, supposed it would be I'M
mediately s.cquiesced. IN"
. It would be most ungracious perverseness 70 rs
gard this passage as friendly hint to Captains
Semunes ard Mafht, bat if the positisn Of the no!
ming Post be well taken, as wefbelie' it to De.
may soon ftrce tssf upon the .serons ccrslaeraeo
Of the Conf .dera,e sovernmsht, whether sound Po
icy does bot require that should avail itself Of
honorable an d 1eysimAte means 70 make other nj
tiops feel the sauas which, through
fault Of ~ .. IN. Aa nsas by thsn 70 sxpsf''no