Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-16


Frepeb pTediatIou-Important Correspond
euee-Conferenee between North and
South Ursed and Rejected.
The country was assured by telegraph,
very few days since, upon the apparent
authority of the Secretary Of State, that
No nrofer Of mediation between the Fed
eraI Government and the rebels had been
received or entertained by cur Government.
But directly following that announcement
comes its refutatiOn, in the shape of an
extended and highly important diplomatic
correspondence between Secretary Seward,
Minister Dayton and the French Foreign
Minister. This correspondence was sent
10 the Senate on Thursday, in response to
q resolution Of inquiry by that body, rela-
tive to such correspondence. This CORES
pondenoe shows that the French Govern
ment has made an offer of mediation, diff
ferent from that in which France request
ed England and Russia to interfere. tits
proposition that commissioners from the
contending sides meet at some convenient
point and discuss the difficulties and the
bearings Of the question and endeavOr to
arrive at some settlement which shall avoid
further blOodshed. To do this, it is urged,
need not involve suspension of hostili-
ties, but the armies might continue in the
field. This proposition is contained in
dispatch Of the French Minister of the 9th
Of January. Mr.. Stewards reply is dated
February 9Th. In it he declines the prop
osition Of the French Government and
gives most conclusive and patriotic reasons
therefor. To scceptOf If, he argues, would
be for Government engaged in an effort
10 sustain its own authority, TO enter into
negotiations with the insurgents whom it
was endeavoring to quell, as to its right
to defend its own life and authority. In
thus replying to the mediation proposition,
Secretary Seward has touched the popu-
lar heart, keenly alive to q sense Of ma
tionaI honor He has expressed, in slo-
quent and convincing words, the senti-
merits Of the people, who utterly repudiate
compromise with rebels in arms. 1t is
no question of personal or party strife in
which we are engaged. 1t is the cause Of
the country; the destiny of America, Has
our country the inherent power to exist?
If it has, then the designs of its fathers
and founders will be realized, and America
will stand as it has done, giant among
nations if not, then from the moment
when the fact is acknowledged, our down.
ward course commences. No fact can be
more patent; no true American but utterly
refuses to make that acknowledgement to
the wOrld2 To appoint a conference with
the rebels with a view to a settlement
would be to make such acknowledgement.
From the inception and beginning of the
war. the terms Of the Federal Government
have been before them-a return Of the
rebels to their allegiance. This is simple
and adequate. To admit of any other
terms is to deny the right of the Govern
ment to have made this the alternative
It's, doubtless, with these very views that
Napoleon looks at the case. To be sure, his
mechanics sndoperaives are suffering, but
he himself is suffering with jealousy and |
ambition to greater extent than they are
with want. America is the great cotton
and grain-grOwing country. sOlOng as she
remains intact, she has the old world at
her feet, with the power to make them re-
spect her rights. Let her be divided, and |
she would be at the mercy of any first class
power which chose to force its own terms
upon her.
In this correspondence with the French
Government, Secretary Seward has added
to the evidences of his splendid diplomatic
ability, of which so enduring monument
was erected in his correspondence with
Earl Russell.