The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-16

you twice to act with me. You refused. My
necessities will brook of no more delay. | re-
eognize the Southern Confederacy. My peo-;
pie are starving. | must have cotton" Our,
blockades will be broken after short pause,
allowing time to England to follow the exam
pie France viii haye set her. 1t is for this
purpose-the breaking Of the blockade that
France has several o.: her tremendously pow
erful plated frigates in our waters. She had
no need of them for the inland expedition to
Mexico. She we'll knew that, as the Mexicans
have no navy. her armored vessels were of no
use in the Gulf, save as regards any emergen-
cies which might arise in case of !. recognition
by France Of the Davis Government.
We must not expect that fear of the cohse-
quences viii deter France from an alliance
with the Southern Confederacy. We have,
up to. the present moment, proved incapable
of putting down the rebellion, and as a ma
tural consequence, Napoleon will feel assured
that, strengthened by his aid, Davis would
prove too strong for us. The disastrous de-
feat at Fredericksburg will add to the prdba-
bililites Of this conclusion, and only make Ma
poleon deem himself the more secure in his
movement against us. He will reason from
facts, as he has an undoubted right to, and
will judge that we are incapable of subduing
his forces, com bined with those of Davis We
must not expect him to Judge us as We Judge
ourselves, nor that he should be aware Of cur
entire resources: and thus we must admit that
were he TO interfere, events would seem tlgive
him reason. We are divided upon questions
of vast import to the life Of our Union, and
make to the world sorry spectacle.
Another inducement to Napoleon to inter-
fere will be the decree of emancipation. He
will understand that air chances for cotton
crops are at an end until that question is set
horrors will follow the workings Of that de-
cree throughout the South !: that servile insur-
rection, upon scale to terrifyall mankind will
soon arise, and he will make humanity a rea-
son for interference ard we much fear that
here he will be met in a like. spirit by Eng
land, both seeing that their supplies Of cot
ton will be cut short if the negroes are to be
freed From Russia we may continue. to ex-
pect friendly relations. She mas no immense
interests at stake. pushing her on to interfere
in our struggle; the emancipation decree
will not prove to her the bugbear il will to
France and England. She has Just set the
example of an extended and vast emancipa-
ton, and will more than likely sympathize
with Mr.. Lincoln'sdecree. Be that as it may,
we are assured that France and England will
deem it fearful blow at their commerce, and
that from motives of self-interest they may
feel all the more inclined to aid Davis.
The French Ministers at Washington, it is
said, openly states that during this month his
government will mediate in favor of the South.
This assertion of nj. Mercier's if true, puts
all doubt upon that question at an end. We
must and are doubtless preparing to meet
with energy and determination the coming
eventual;ties which menace all we hold dear.
The people will ca1l to severe account
those having the management of our. affairs.
if, at this hour Of peril, they neglex their
manifest duties. We must prepare to battle
for our constitution and laws-for our great
and glorious Union. There is not moment
to be lost. Let our immense resources be
fully developed, and above all, let party
sqaabbIes and the intrigues of politicians
cease in this, the moment Of great danger to
our beloved country. There must now be a
united movement. We must, prepare to sus-
tain, at all perils, the integrity Of our repnb-
lic.s