Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-19
THE FRENCH PROPOSITION.

The reader will find in another part of to-day's
lntelligcncer copy of the correspondence which
has taken place between the Government Of the
United States and the Government of France on
the subject of mediation or other measures looking
to the termination of the existing civil war. These
papers were laid before the Senate on Thursday
last, in response to resolution calling for them,
adopted by that body on the 10th instant.
From the despatch Of M. DRoUYN DE LHuYs,
under date of the 9th ultimo, it will be seen that
the proposition of the French Government limits
itself to the simple aud friendly suggestion that,
without any cessation of hostilties, Informal
ferences should be opened at some neutral point
between authorized representatives of the two
tending parties to our civil war, in which their
reciprocal complaints and purposes could be made
the subject of discussion and review. The advan-
tages which in the opinion Of the French Govern
ment might be expected to result from such con-
ference are thus stated by M Drouyn dc Lhuys:
Reciprocal complaints could be examined into at this
meeting In place OF the accusations which North and South
mutually csst upon each other at this time would be sub
stutsd argumeDtatve die cusson OF the interests which
divide them They would seek out, by means of we'll
ordered and pro deliberations whether these
are defDitively rreconcabls; whether separation is
extreme which longer be avoided, whether the
memories Of existence whether the ties of any
kind which have made OF the North aud Of the South
whole Federaye State and have horns them to high
degree OF prosperity, not more powerful han the
which have placed arms in the hands Of the two
populations"
This proposition is rightly supposed by the
French Government to avoid the objections that
lie against foreign intervention for in its terms it
excludes the idea of any such intervention by sug-
gesting the opening of negotiation which would
invite the two populations to discuss without the
cooperation of Europe, the solution Of their differ
ences." Taking into account the legitimate sensi-
biities of the American people, the French Gov
ernment expressly declares that it (" does not at all
question the right of the Federal Government to
decline the cooperation of the great maritime
Powers of Europe in the settlement Of our inter
nal dispute. The proposition in: question is sub
mitted to the favorable consideration of our Gov
ernment as being one which it could honorabIy
accept.
1t is impossible to overlook the frank and friend
spirit which breathes in these respectful repre-
sentatons They are evidently inspired by con-
siderations at once of humanity and of just regard
for the honor and welfare of the American people.
If there was time in the worlds history when one
nation looked with complacency the sufferings
and misfortunes of another with view to take ad-
vantage of those misforunes, that time has passed
away under the sway of those influences which now
make the inter-communion of nations a bond Of
mutual sympathy, welded by relations Of mutual
interest Natisns now thrive in proportion to the
| pro IF nd L.
to reap profit from the desolations which, in visit
ing single member of the Commonwealth of States,
spread suffering aud loss throughout that entire
Commonwealth.
The SECRETARY OF STATE, in declining, on tho
part of the Executive to accede to tbe.Eacompcn-
dation Of the French Government, $sys full homage
to the generous and humane spirit in which it is
conceived, while at the same time he frankly
Acknowledges the considerations which, apart from
motives of friendship, may be said to Justify the
solicitude naturally and necessarily cherished by
the Emperor of the French,in view of the fact that
"the people Of France are known to be faultess
sharers with the American nation in the misfor
tunes and calami,ies of an unhappy civil war"
The objections which are urged by Mr.. SEWARD
attach will be secn rather to the form than tic
substance of the French proposition. He argues
that conference such as is suggested, if held for
the discussion of complaints and purposes that have
on one side and Ia one event a dissolution of the
Union as possible eventuality, would be without
constitutional sanction, and that the results of this
conference could have no binding effect on either
Of the contcnding parties. The only manner in
which the parties can come together for cousuta-
tion involving such important national interests,
should be sought, he holds in the return of Sens-
tors aud Representatives from the revoltcd States
to their vacant seats in Congress- where they can
not only discuss and take binding acttn on the diff.
ferences existing, but call Convention of al the
States for altering and remodelling the Constitu-
tion of the United States. Attention is called to
the fact that Senator's and preventative, of Ten
nessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia, and
Maryland, and parts Of Louisiana, States claimed
by the nsurgcnt authorities are already present n
that body, and are taking part n the discussion Of
the troubles which affiict the country.
We cannot doubt that the French Government,
in common with the American people, will concur
In the propriety not to say the necessity, of the