Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-09
REUNION BY EXPANSION"

Mr.. Elihu Burritt, popularity known as "the
Learned Blacksmith" and who it seems is now
sojourning in London, has recently propounded
from that city plan for the termination of the
present war and for "re-annexation" Of the
Seeded States to the American Union, no longer,
however, as integral members of that Union, after
the manner of the Loyal States, but as distinct
political community, to be joined with Canada and
Mexico in forming around the Federal Government
"Nation's Union" embracing them all in a
limited political fellowship.
1t would be difficult to conceive of scheme
more ideal or impracticable than this, and yet it
is gravely promulgated by its author as affording
solution Of the American problem. He in
vtes for it the " thoughtful attention of Ameri-
can readers, and expresses the conviction that
many Of them may be prepared, by the experiences
of the last two years, and by the aspects Of that
future that to threaten US, to give more Sc
rious consideration to this plan Of restoring peace
and of reconstructing the Union, not only sst was,
but such as multitudes of all sections aspired TO
see it in the old days of American patriotism and
prosperity
In order to exhibit in its full proportion the
amiable delusion under which Mr.. Burritt laboIs
in proposing such an impossible plan, we cite its
leading features, as sketched by him, in the follow
ing terms:
deerentaly propose, is this That concede to the
Confederate States the same footing which we would
readily admit into union with us the Mexican Repub-
lie and the British provinces; that we concede to them
their own Congress- and all those prerogatves of group
legislation which might be exercised without mpairing
the united action and attitude Of the United Nations OF
America towards foreign Powers This relationship the
Confederate States would doubtless readily and gladly
cept They would be worth much to in that rela
tonshp as the that existed between Immediately
before their rebellion 1t will be only twisting the dozen
separate cords which connected their several States
with us into national hawser, retaining all their
strength. II will be nominal instament of that indie
pendence for which they have made snch prodgous efforts
and sacrifices 1t will them from that utter and
mtiQated humiliation which their pride will impe them
to resist to the last bitter end of complete exhaustion 1t
will be reconstructng the Union basis Of mutual Volt
ton and interest instead of holding it together with the
| erappling-ron Of military force.
Suppose the Confederate States should succumb and
give up the struggle the first of june and back
into the Union they have endesvored to destroy and be
readmtted precisely their old footing, under the Con-
stuton u.s. and as it was in the beginning Is there
thing in the to prevent those States from
or Montgomery provided their legislation did not infringe
upon the prerogatves Of the National Government at
WashinQton For instance, as C0nedoracy, they have
large and heavy debts at home and abroad
carry on the against the North. When the war is
over can force them, BY act of Congress- to repud
ale the debts due their citizens foreign bondhold
ersf If not we, under the Consultation it Is"
prevent their annual meeting Confederate Congress to
devise ways and for Gquidatng these debts pro-
vded always that they do not trench upon the customs
and other financial preserves Of the National Gov
ernmenti Have any right power to prevent or dis
solve any sectional confederation of States organized to
the particular interests Of North, South West
provided the action Of such confederation did not on
croach upon the prerogatves Of the National Government
"Then, If after all the blood and treasure which will
still be required to reduce the Confederate States,
should be willing that they should retain innocuous
form Of confederation when the over, why not
cede TO them at the limited nationality which they
would gladly accept and which would form the basis and
beginning OF tks Uned Nations Of Americaa Union that
should ultimately embrace the whole continent and
stitute Power in the world which should realize the
legitimate aspirations Of patriotism and philanthrophy
The defect in Mr.. Burritt's "plan" is that
neither Canada, the United States, the so-called
Confederate States, nor Mexico, are likely to ac-
cept it, ever to hear Of it as other than the vision
of dreamer. Ifit could be tried, tho experiment
would prove only that "reunion by expansion
was scheme for multiplying the points Of contact
between aicnated and heterogeneous nationalities.
1t is lawful to construct such politics in the Ne
phelococcygia Of the Grecian dramatist but the
real everyday world Of men in the flesh has no
room for them.