The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-03
NO.. 49,.

they had treacherously seized before the
strife actually began, and even before it
was seriously apprehended. So many OF
the States and districts which the insur-
gents included in the field Of their pro-
jected exclusive slave holding dominion,
| have already been re established under
the flag of the Union that they now re-,
tain only the States of Georgia, Alabama.
and Texas, with hall of Virginia, half of
North Carolina, two-thirds Of South Car
olina, half of Mississippi, and onethird
respectively of Arkansas and Louisiana.
The national forces hold even this small
territory in close blockade and siege.
This government, if required, does not
hesitate to submit its achievements TO the
test Of comparison, and it maintains that
in no part of the world, and in no times,
ancient or modern, has nation, wien
rendered all ready for combat, by the en-
joyments of eighty years of almost un-
broken peace, so quickly awakened at
the alarm Of sed;ion, put forth energies
so vigorous, and achieved successes so
signal and effective, as those which have
marked the progress of this contest on
the part of the Union. NJ Drouyn
d'Lhuys, fear, has taken other light
than The correspondence Of this govern
ment for his guidance in ascertaining lis
temper and ability. lie has probably
read of divisions of sentiment among
those who hold themselves forth as or
gans of public opinion here, and has Civ,
en- to them an undue importance,
1t is TO be remembered that this is
nation OF thirty millions ciyilly divided
into forty.one States and Territories,
which cover an expanse hardly less than
Europe, that the people are peace de-
mocracy, exercising everywhere the ut
most freedom Of speech and sufIrages
that great crisis necessarily produces
vehement as well as profound debate
with sharp collisions of individual, local
and sectional interests, sentiments and
convictions, and that this heat of contro-
versy is increased by The Intervention Of
specuations, interests, prejudices and
passions, from every other part Of the
civilized world. 1t is, however through
such debates, that the agreement of the
nation upon any subject is habitually at
tanned, its resolutions frame |, and its pol
icy established. While there has been
much difference Of popular opinion and
favor concerning the agents who shall
carry on the war, the principles on which
il shall be waged, and the means with
which it shall be prosecuted NJ. Drouyn
d'Lhuys has only to refer to the statute
book of Congress, and the executive or
dinances, 10 learn that the national ac-
tiyity has hitherto been aud yet is as ef-
fectual as that of any other nation, what
ever its form of government ever was,
under circumstances Of equally grave
import 10 It's peace. safety and welfare
not one voice has been raised any where
out of the immediate field Of the insur-
rec,ion, in favor Of foreign Intervention,
or mediation, or arbitration, or OF com.
promise with the relinquishment of ore
acre of the national domain, or the SUR
render of even one constitutional fran.
chise. At the same time it is manifest
10 the world that our resources are vet
abundant, and our credit adequate to the
existing emergency.
What NJ. Drouyn d'Lhuys suggests,
is, that this government shall appoint
commissioners 10 meet on neutral
grounds. commissioners Of the insur-
gents. Tie supposes that in the confer
ences to be thus held, reciprocal COM
plants could be discussed, and In place
of the accusations which the Norlh and
South now mutually cast upon each oth-
or. tie conference would be engaged
with discussions Of the interests which
divide them. lie assumes further, THAI
the commissioners will seek by means Of
we'll ordered and profound deliberations.
whether these interests are definitely ir-
reconcilable, whether separation is an ex
treme that can no longer be avoided, or
whether the memories OF common eN.
istepee, the ties Of every Kind which
have made of the North and the South
one whole federative safe. and have
borne them on to SO high degree Of
prosperity, are not more powerful than
the causes which have placed arms in
the hands OF the two populations
The suggestion is not an ex'raordina-
~ one aud ii may wei have been thought
by the Emperor Of the French in the
carncstness Of lis benevolent desire for
the restoration of peace, a feasible one
But when NJ Drouyn d'LhuYs shall