The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-10
THE FRENCH PROPOSITION.

The very intelligent correspondent of the Sa
Vannah Republican, writing from Richmond, says
! "The Federal authorities have declined to ac
upon the Emperor's suggestion, and in so doing
/ In effect, refused to treat with the Confederat,
Government upon any terms short Of an abandon
ment on its part of the contest. Under these cir
j clmstanccs, what course is Louis Napoleon likel,
to pursued! He must either give up all idea o
paclhcation follow out his policy to its logica
sequences, and recognize our Independence
" hich of these alternatives will he adopt?
! The answer to this question nsay-I do not sa,
does-depend upon the action Of the Confederate
reason to believe has very recently been submitted
to it. OF the exact nature of this proposition
| am not informed, but am led to believe it hal
some reference to the French occupation o
Mexico. Under the supposition: though without
the knowledge that such is the case the question
occurs whether it would be to our interest to ac
cept recognition ut the hands of France coupled
with the raising of the blockade aud the use o.
the French navy, and perhaps alliance
, offensive ard defensive regards this continent
upon condition of abstaining, now and here
after, from all interference with the Emperor:
plans in Mexico.
Without undertaking to discuss so grave a mat
ter this, with the limited information at my
command, L cannot refrain from expressing the
hope, that the idea Of future acquisitions Of ter
ritory from Mexico will have no influence whatso-
ever upon our government in coming to a resou-
ton. The free gift of the whole of Mexico would
be a curse rather than blessing, if we were re-
quired to accept its mongrel population along
with it. These wretched people are the vile
amalgam resulting from the indiscriminate CO.
habitation of the Spaniard the Indian, and the
negro, and they partake all the vices of each of
fhosa races Vithout of ifs Tn addi
tion to this, the inhabitants as bitterly op-
posed to our system Of labor as the people of New
England The supremacy, therefore,. of the
French, or of any other race, except the Puritan,
could hardly be disadvantage to other nations.
What we need is homogeneous population, a
compact territory, and uniform institutions. We
have territory enough already, and what we have
would be all the better if it were differently
shaped and bounded. Let us rather improve
what we have, restrict the elective franchise and
the right to hold real estate to the people, and
their descendants, who were living in the Con-
federate States at the beginning Of the war, and
those who have adhered to cause and assisted
in the establishment Of our independence, and dis
courage immigration from all countries, especially
the United States, not having similar institutions
to our own Do this, and we shall have house
not founded on sand, or divided against itself.
AS between Mexico and the States oe the North
WcSC, oHe well Ue eACuSeu lOT
the latter. Indeed, reunion with the North
west is not without its advocates here, amongst
whom may be numbered some Of the ablest men
in the country.
But to return from this DEPRESSION: The refusal
to accept the suggestion of Louis Napoleon argues
great ignorance of the strength and resolution of
the Confederate States on the part of the Federal
Government, or strong desire to provoke the
Intervention of foreign Powers. In the latter
event, Mr. Lincoln may hope to keep his people
united prevent any further secession of States,
and preserve the dignity of his Government, even
while conceding our independence under the
pressure from other nations.
The government, it is said, has received from
Europe within the last two months, two millions
yards Of military cloth, enough to furnish.
suit to every man in the army. But this should
not stop the spinning wheels and looms at home.
One suit of clothes will last soldier, who has to
march in such weather as this, and to fight in the
woods aud swamps, and on rugged mountains but
short time: The last remaining hope our enc
mics have of suhiugating us, is based upon our
tsupposed) limited supply of food and clothing.
if the men will furnish the former, there need be
no doubt that the women will provide the latter.
p. W. n.