Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-02-27
Ey- The London Post makes a lengthy

part Of our Confederacy.
Eg The London Post makes lengthy
comment on President Davis message, CIV
ing him great credit for a dispassonate re-
view of the course of foreign nations. In
regard to the right to recognition. as SOW
of the several States, the Post
takes false premise and argues to an un-
just conclusion, which seems the more
strange from previous admission Of the
Post that Under the American Constitution
the States had the right to secede. We
cannot see how they could have seeded
without they had been considered by that
Constitution as independent sovcreignties,
and that being the case, how they are pre-
cluded now, more than at the time spoken
of, from recognition at the hands Of Eu-
ropean nations. AS for a recognition, we
have long since ceased to care, prefer
ing to rely upon the brave arms Of the
South to force it from the United States it.
self, and only desire to call attention to that
clause of the article appended
The elaborate and comprehensive review
which in his message to congress, Pres'i
Davis has taken of the foreign and domestic
relations of the Southern confederacy dur
ing the past two years, must command the
admiration of ereay one. 1t is, in truth, a
remarkable production. With terscness,
with vigor, but at the same time with a
calmness which not even the sincere convic-
ton of having been unjustly treated by the
great Powers of Europe can for one instant
disturb, the Chief Magistrate of the anJant
republic relates the trials and the vicissitudes
which oyershedow its fortunes. the obstacles
which were cast in its path by the power of
its foes and by the apathy Of strangers, and
the constancy and patience with which those
trials and vicissitudes were borne, and the
indomitable courage and perseverance by
which those obstacles were overcome. We
may .disapprove Of much that is contained
in this State document. We may deny the
business of many Of the differences which are
drawn, but we cannot refuse to accord to
those who prepared it the merit Of having
advanced their impeachment of European
neutrality with temper and with fairness,
and of having supported their charges actth
a consunan,ate ability which will doubtless
carry conviction to the minds of many.
X X i
The governments Of Great Britain and
France, being those especially interested in
the American war, took the initiative in all
action respecting that contest !; and Mr.. Da-
Wis does not err when he says "that by
some understanding, express or tacit. En-
rope had decided" to allow them to do So
Great Britain and France are perfectly
willtng to take the responsibility Of the
course they adopted, and which they by
their example recommend to the other Eu-
ropean Powers. The first objection taken
to their policy by the Southern President
is that they refused to treat the Confederacy
as an independent government. If we
were independent States, the refusal to en-
terrain with us the same international iu-
tercourse as was maintained with our enemy
was unjust and injurious in its effects, what
ever may have been the motive which
prompted it," tits, in fact, on the con-
tipgency with which this extract begins,
and the meaning which is to be given to
the word independent" that the whole
question turns It will not be necessary tc
follow Mr.. Davis through the precedents
and the arguments by which he demonstrates
that in entering into the American Con.
federation the several States composing il
did not part with their sovereign rights =
We agree with him to the fullest, and haut
always been Of opinion that secession colo
be justified both by the letter and the spiri
of the american constitution. But althoueI
each several State in America may be SOW.
ereign and independent. it by no means
follows that it is entitled at any time, and
under all circumstances, to receive from
foreign powers the recognition of that in.
Dependence Before entering into Ma,
Confederation uA,cA has ao,o been so rough.
ly dissolUed, the several States composing
1t might. If they had so pleased, haze de-
manded recognition and established diplo-
matte intercourse with other Independent
Powers They did not do So They COL
unfairly ,caired their rights, and created a
Confederate government whose recognition
as representing all, was acknowledged by
other nations. The time came when Ger.
tain Of the States thought proper to retire
from the confederation, and to demand the
recognition Of their independence, whilst
simultaneously the Confederate government
denied their right to secede, and proceeded
to enforce submission by force Of arms. At
this juncture what course was indicated to
neutral States by international law? For
eign Powers knew the confederation as an
Independent Power duly accredited; but
they did not know that the States composing
it were independent, because they had new
er demanded recognition as such, and they
conld not constitute themselves the inter
prefers Of that constitution when gave the
confederation a distinst existence. They
we're consequently obliged to treat the Sc
ceding States in the same manner as ma
ton in revolt against the constituted author
ity, and patiently wait till they had estab-
lished their claims to recognition by proving
that they were able to maintain their inde-
pendence.
Nor are the objections taken TO the neu-