, 1863-07-16
THE AMERICAN QUESTION
I'm PARLIAMENT.
Important Debate on the Recognition
OF tho Confederate States.

ne we'll Knew l1e importance OF Inc mOllon.
aud the obloqay to which he was exposing
himself, for he was acting against those who
considered themselves the talt Of the earth,
amt no one had right to discuss question or
conduct. In spite Of this ho adopted this
course, because he believed 1t was for tho
honor and interest Of this country, and ho
therefore appealed to the honor and Impair
tiAlity Of the House to support this motion
for negotiations, with . view to the recognI-
tion Of the Confederate States. Some eighty
Jears ago the American colonies reyolted,
they were resisted BY q narrow:minded King,
but they succecJed In establishing their inde-
pendenca-
These, then, established two doctrines Of
internat.onat isW-firbt, the right Of rebellion
or accession, second, the right Of foreign
IT. TO 1esolts ste.
rate bound b these doctrines. Ho then
ekctched It's progress Of secession. which
Union writer's had persuaded Europe WAS
cansed BY slavery. He praised highly the
cnurage and virtue Of the South, and de.
pocrlsy, tor they would riyct s1ayery to.mor-
row on the necks Of the blacks II the South
would come back, but they would not, and
he rejoiced to think 10. Their prosperity had
been such, that # things had gone on as they
vers, they would have been the bullies Of the
like Colossus, while NC, petty men crept
between It's legs, scarce dceinlng our souls
our own.
The next question was, had tho time ar.
riyedf Then the South offered D boon such
as tho world had never known. but it WAS
| would soon use its cotton and create interests
which ii would have to protect wheL the war
ecascd. He explained that with Mr.. Lindsay
he had gone to the Emperor Of the French to
clear up ths reports spread by Go'ernmens,
which would spread any 1eports to suit its
purpose. He mas told that the Emperor h2d
changed hts mind, but all he could say, and
he pledged his word for It, was that the Em-
leror had authorized him to aay In the House
u Commons that he had intrusted Baron
Gsos 10 propose negotiations to the English
Government, ..-.
The Emperor also complained that his Con.
federnte Commission TO the English Govern
uent With rcspect to a mediation last an-
tnmn, had been shown to Mr. Seward, but
stated that he desired to act with England In
America. The Emperor also said that he
ftared for The state Of his manufacturing dis
tiicts next winter, and In his [Mr. Roebnck's)
opinion it wns tho duty Of the English Gov
efnment to shoT some consideration for the
eufftriDg districts Of England. In conclu-
tion, he moved that an humble petition be
presented to Her Mnjesty, praying that she
will be gracIouslJ pleased to enter into nsgo-
tiations with the great powers Of Europe for
the purpose OF obtaining their cooperation
III tuG TtEGTlul4oA u tu0 EpGNQGACG u LILO
Confederate States Of America,
Lord R. Montague moved, as an amend
ment. that this House earnestly desire that
the impartial neutrality should continue to
be maintained by Her Ma5estJ's Government
ses 5gs IF sp eaep{H ssnfst ssas T. to ne
man In sympathy and admiration for tho
South, but they were now on tho point Of
working out their independence, snd they
ought not to be interfered with. He also OBJ
lecied to s9y interyontlon; H., The % o1tsr Of Il
ard while it could lead to no good, might In
yolyc serious difficulties.
Mr. Clifford seconded the amendment.
The Chancellor Of the E1chequer eaid 1t
was the duty Of every. responhlhle adviser Of
considering such question as this, and to
regard facts alone In forming calm and de-
libcrate INDIGNANT. Few who had observed
the heroic deeds ofthe South could withhold
that sympathy; but on tho other hand, the
noble lord conceived visions Of extended do
mihton to which they clung With pasdoaable
tenacity. such 3 question - this must be
argued, not as the basis Of British interests,
tr that British interests were threatened By
ths prospects of the American Union he
believed that the policy Of strict neutrality
and non-interTentlon WAS the only ono TINT
would have been approved by the country,
and In tho spirit OF that policy Government
AtiH desired to act.
lie did not believe that tho restoration Of
fhe Union vas aftainahle. and tbIa Tss tho
reneral opinion Of the country. regarded In
The Urht that there could BE- no lonbt Of tho
Issue. No practical benefit could result from
recognition at present, There was no case in
which euch a recognition had taken nlnca
without being followed By wnr, and admitting
the evils Of fhe war, they must take care that
In remeayiDg one evil they did not fall into a
greater. A recognition would deprive thiA
country Of the Character and weight OF im-
rn1tiality, When time for intoryention did
nftiye this country had MANY traditional rs-
1ntions and interests, France, by her action
iu Mexico, had engagements Which preyented
ler recognition ef the South vithnut fncnr-
ring tannt Of Impartialitv or selt-interest f.
tal to their interest 6r1d authority.
Tradltionally and naturally America affected
70 be fndepcDdent of Europcan opinion: but
they had more filth In the gentle acs OF ttat
oplnlon than in diplomntic scts, but action
would be DESTROYED by q recognition of the
South. It would also rouse in the North that
spirit Of patriotic resistance which had h1sh'
cf1o oeen the great secret Of Southern success
! and Northern interiorlty, and 1t would check
any reaction that might be going on In the
! minds Of American citizens IN favor OF peace:
For these reasons he trusted the House would
Eupport the Government in resisting tho mo.
| tlon.
MT: Forster referred to the dsclaratton OF
E.ari Russell, In another place, contradicting
] the statements Of Mr.. Roebuck. With re-
epcct to the views Of the Emperor OF the
snough h Of diplomatic action on such Qucs-
tlons With the Emperor OF the French. In
conjunction with the Emperor Of the French
| we had driftpt into the Crime.n wnr-there