The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-01-28

ent Cabinets of Europe, in which they as
sumed the attitude Of being sovereign over
this Confederacy, alleging that these inde-
pendent States were in rebellion against
the remaining States Of the Union, and
threatening Europe with manifestations Of
their displeasure if it should treat the Con-
federate States as having an independent
existence. Ii soon became known that
these pretensions were not considered
aoroad 10 be as absurd as they were known
to be ut home, nor had Europe yet learned
what reliance was to be placed on the Off
cal statements of the Cabinet at Washing
ten. The delegation of power granted by
these States to the Federal Government to
represent them in foreign intercourse had
led Europe into the grave error of suppos-
ing that their separate sovereignty and in
dependence had been merged into one
common sovereignty, and had ceased to
have distinct existence. Under the in
fiuence Of this error, which all appeals to
rrasun and historical fact were vainly used
to dlspel, our Commissioners were met by
the declaration that foreign governments
could not assume to Judge between the con-
flictlng representations Of the two parties
as to the true nature Of their previous mu-
tual relations. The governments of Great
Britain and France accordingly signifed
their determination to eonfne themselves
to recognizing the self-evident fact Of the
existence Of a war. and to maintaining a
strict neutrality dsring its progress. Some
OF the other powers Of Europe pursued the
same course Of policy. and il became appa-
rent that by some understanding. express
or tacit. Europe had decided to leave the
initiative in all action touching the con-
test on this continent to the two powers
just named, who were recognized to have
the largest interests involved. both by rea-
son Of proximity and of the extent and init
macy Of their commercial relations with
the States engaged in war.
II is manifest that the course of action
adopted bv Europe, while based on an ap-
parent refusal to determine the question,
or to side with either party, was in point
Of TACT an actual decision against our rights
and in favor Of the groundless pretensions
Of The United States. 1t was refusal to
treat Us as an independent government. IL
we we're independent States, the refusal to
entertain with Us the same international in
tercourse as was maintained with our en- e
nv was unjust, and was injurious in its eff
fects, whatever may have been the motive
which prompted it. Neither was il in ac-
cordance with the high moral obligations of
Al Il l.. af
ton is the conscience Of sovereigns and
the public opinion Of mankind, that those
eminent powers should decline the per-
torrance of duty peculiarly incumbent
on them, from any apprehension OF the con-
sequences to themselves. One immediate
and necessary result Of their declining the
responsibility OF decision which must have
been adverse TO the extravsgant pretenslons
Of the United States. was the prOlongatisn
Of hastiliiies to which our enemies were
thereby encouraged, and which have result
ed in nothing but scene, Of carnage and
devastation on this continent, and of mise
ry and suffering on the other. such as have
scarcely parallel in history. Had those
powers promptly admitted our right TO De
treated rs all other independent nations,
none eau doubt that the moral effect Of such
action would have been 70 dlspel the delu
sinn under which the United States have
persisted in their efforts 10 accomplish our
subiugation. To the continued hesitation
o! the same powers in rendering this act Of
simple Justice towards this Confederacy is
stll due The continuance Of the calamities
which mankind suffers from the Interrupt.
tion Gifts peaceful pursuits, both in the old
and the new worlds.
There are other matters in which less
than Justice has been rendered to this peo-
pie by neutral Europe, and undue adyan.
tage conferred on the aggressSrs in wick
ed war. AT the inception Of hostilities the
inhabitants Of the Coniederacy were alaost
exclusively agriculturists; these Of the
United States to great cxtenl mechanics
and merchants. We had no commercial