Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-21

Lpovn. he pressed the English Govern
TneDt to ioin him in intervention, but with
ont success. In October last he made
formal proposition to England and Russia
10 the same effect which wac rejected. Not
content with this, nor discouraged
by it, he has renewed his etorts-not
by the proffer of mediation. but by
sitg0estinq to our Government the course 1t
should pursue to end the war. What rea-
son is there to suppose he will stop with
tbis7 The very fact Of his persistence
nroves that be will still persist. He is not
3 man lightly to abandon designs he has
once cherished, or to reverse policy on
which he has once entered. He often
changes his means, but rarely his ends
What he fails to accomplish in one way,
he is quite certain to seek in another. he
has set his heart, in the first instance, on
obtaining cotton for the mills of France
Il is we'll known that very large purchases
of cotton on French account have been
made in the Southern States, and we have
already been distinctly warned that
during the coming spring, this cot
ton must be delivered. The Language Of
his special end immediate organs IN Paris,
the declarations Of the newest among
them, La Nation; the tenor of the Moni-
teur, the general tone Of the Ministerial
journals, and the recently changed Ian
euage of the liberal Press, combine to
show that this is the policy which the
French Emperor has resolved TO carry
ont. nThere remains nothing for us to
do saws a recent number of La Nation,
q but to present ourselves to the people Of
the South to buy the cotton which they
only consent TO deliver into our hands,
and with the certitude that it will not
fall into those of the Federals. To pre-
sent ourseLUes Nth money and cannon the
money to pay, and the cannon to force cur
a0ay, if any one should pretend to bar the pas
sa0e-that is the solution In our judg-
ment, that is precisely the solution we
shall very speedily be called on to meet"
There is apparent reason, certainly, for
these conclusions. And, whether they are
prophetic or not, the lesson which they i'm
press is one to be needed. Our means for
defense must be pushed with the utmost
energy; every iron-elad and battery and
fort should be put in complete order col
ored troops should be at once raised and
drilled, to garrison the, e,cOast Notifications
and the House of Representatives should
without the delay which may prevent &C.
ton at this session, pass the Senate bill
authorizing the President to issue letters
of maroue and reprisal. We shall want all
these, if France goes to war, and now is
the time to prepare for them.
With this danger before US, another ne.
cessity presses more strongly than ever
the necessity Of speedy victories at the
South. Richmond is Of less account now
than Charleston, Savannah, Mobile and
Galveston on the coast and Vicksburg and
Port Hudson on the river. The coast ports
must be opened for double purpose-tO re-
lieve the blockading vessels and to complete
the chain of national defenses. Charles
ton is said to be now considered impregna.
BILE; let the Union forces once get posses.
sion and it will be equally formidable
against French navies.
A war with France must put a stop tt
coast commerce. Hence the absolute ne,
cess1ty of opening the Mississippi, to pre-.
serve the Communication with New Or
leans for the transmission of supplies, and
to enable the guubosts and rams to go to
the defense of the mouth of the greai
river.
France has sent vast reinforcements to
the army in Mexico, under pretense oil
making good the losses by disaster and dis
ease. Texas will be an easy prey for their
forces if it is not secured to the Federal
flag. Butler cannot too soon return tC
New Orleans to relieve Banks for his Texas
campaign.
Every consideration demands immedi-
ate and energetic action which shall tell
for the Union cause.
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