The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-28

The Americas Qusstion In the French
Legislature-very Important Facts and
OPtnions.
The accounts which we publish to-day OF
certain late proceedings in the French Corps
Legislatif ON the Mexican question and our
Southern rebellion are Of more than ordinary
interest and importance.
The debate upn the blockade Of the Southern
coast, which resulted in the withdrawal by NJ.
Armand Of hi proposition to apply to this
blockade "ths principles Of maritime law
solemnly proclaimed in the Treaty Of Paris, !" Is
very suggestive. But in the little speech Of
Viscount Aratols Lemeroer the whole question
of the true policy Of France towards this coun-
try Is embraced in q nutshell. The Viscount
repudiatss the idea that the recognition Of
Southera coniederacy would put an end to the
misery Of the working classes Of France as II
by enshantment as deluslon, and says that "the
separation Of tho Northern and Southern States
is contrary to tho interests and traditions Of
France" He says, further, that England, on the
othsr hand, desires this separation, "but she
wishes the belligerents to be more weakened
by the present contest before 1t takes place."
We have not the slightest doubt that this idea
completely covers the objects and designs Of
England's neutrality. She is helping the rebels
meantime in every possible undsrhsnded way
to prslong the contest. in order so 10 exh aust
the loyal States that they will be compelled to
recognize Southern confederacy, and in order
hat hcth Horki ho INV fho
struggle - to be powerless to defeat her Interior
designs Of appropriating to herself some of tho
broken fragments Of q nation which, unless
broken to pieces, will inevitably wrest from her
the dominion of the seas and the commerce Of
the world.
policy Of England in reference to the United
States. A recognition Of the nationality Of the
so-called Confederate States" as the Wis
count forcibly expresses it, is desirable to Eng
land, because its ultimate effects would proba-
bly, be to "destroy the maritime power Of the
United States, and to remove rival to England,
contrary to the interests Of France" He next
reminds the French government that when
Louis XVI. signed his treaty of alliance with
the United States che laid It down as prin-
cipal condition that no separation (of these
States) should take place without the consent
Of France;" that Napoleon the First expressed
himself to the same effect" and that sit was to
remain faithful to that principle that he gave
up Louisiana to the United States" And why
SOL Clearly in order that great Independent
nation might be here established on this CONT
nent as q permanent balance Of power against
the ambitious designs Of England.
As with few touches Of . masters pencil,
Viscount Lemercier portrays the disastrous
consequences to both sections, and especially
to the South, which would follow division Of
the Union and he bravely and sagaciously says
that 20 pacifcation on other bases must, there
fore, take place" and that "Frdncs should let Il
be ,oeu understood By the South that It ,oiA not be
acknowledged as separate State" In these
opinions viscouut Lemsrcier il, we dare say,
supported by the predominatlng public senti-
ment of France. Nor do we think it at oil i'm
probable that these views may be soon pro-
claimed by the Emperor himself Mr.. Stewards
Congressional peace conference affords the
necessary initial point from which Louis Napo-
leon may shape his course as paciicator to a
decisive result In the restoration of the Union.
The interests of France are so clearly idenH-
fed with the maintenance Of tho American
Union, and the power Of Francs-with the CO
operation of Russia, which would be sheerfully
given-is 50 manifestly sufficient to restore
peace as suggested by Mr.. Seward, that, with
this aforesaid significant speech in the French
Legislature before us, we may begin to count
upon the solution of this contest through a
satisfactory form Of French Intervention.