Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-02-19

hanu, as nave already intmated, this govern.
nent has not the least thought of relsnouishina
the trust which has been confided to it by the
nation, under the most solemn of all political
sanction and ii it had any such thought, il
would have still abundant reason to know that
peace proposed at the cost of dissolution, would
be Immediately, universally and Indignantly re.
jected by the American people.
II is great mistake that European states.
men make, II they suppose that this people are
demoralized. Whatever, in case of an insur-
rection, the people Of France or Great Britain
or Switzerland or of tho Netherlands would do
to save their national existence no matter how
ihe strife might be regarded by. or affect for
egn nations. just 50 much, and certainly no
less, the people of the United States will do If
necessary, to save Tor the common benefit the
region which is bounded by the Pacific and At
lantic coasts, and bv the shores of the gulfs of
ST Lawrence aud Mexico, together with the
fte and common navigation of the Rio Grande.
Missouri Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, St.
lhwrei ce, Hudson, Delaware, Potomac and
oiher national highways, by which this land,
wlich to them is at once Il land of inheritance
AID land of promise, is opened and watcred.
iveE 1t the agents OF the American people,
hus exercising their power, should through
gar of faction, fall below this hight of national
tirtue, they would be speedily, yet constitution.
ally, replaced by others OF sterner character
and patriotism.
must be allowed to say also, that NJ Drown
d'Lhuys errs in his description of the parties in
the present conflict. We have hers, in pa.
trlotic sense, no North no South, no northern,
no southern states. We have an insurrecion-
airy party. wAo is located upon, or is chiefly ad-
iaeent to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and
we have on the other hand loyal people, who
constitute not only northern states, but eastern,
middle, western and southern states
have on many occasions heretofore, submit
ted to the French government the presidents
views OF the interests and ideas which lie at the
bottom ct the determination of the American
government and people to maintain the federal
Union. The president has done the same thing
in his messages and Other public documents
l refrain, her fore, from reviewing that argu-
ment in connection with the existing question.
VI. Drouyn d'Lhuys draws to his aid the IN.
ferenceN which took place between colonies and
Great Britain in our revolutionary war. He
will allow me to answer that action in the crisis
OF nation must accord with its necessities,
and therefore can be seldom conformed to pre-
ccdentS. Great Britain, when entering on that
negotiations had manifestly come to entertain
doubts OF her ultimate success. and it is certain
that the councils OF the colonies could not have
failed To take new courage, il not TO gain other
advantage when the parent state compromised
80 Tar as to treat of peace on the terms of con-
cedng their independence. 1t is true indeed
that peace must come sometime, and that con-
ferenceS must attend if they are not allowed to
precede the pacfcalion There is however a
better form for such conferences than the one
which NJ d'Lhuys suggests. The latter would
be palrably in derogaton of the constitution
of the United States, and would carry no weight,
lprauSp nj hp
bind either the loyal or dsloyal portions of the
people. On the other hand, the Congress of
the United States furnishes a constitutional
forum for debates between the acnated par
ties. Senators and representatives from the
loyal people are there already fully empowered
to confer. and seats are also vacant and inviting
the senators and representatives of the discont-
ed party who may be conslitutionally sent th.re
from the states involved in the Instruction -
Moreover, the conferences which can thus he
held IN Congress have this great advantage
over any that could be organized on The plan Of
VI. Drouyn d'Lhuys, viz that Congress if it
thought wise could call a national convention to
adopt lis recommendations and give them all
the solemnity and binding force of organic law,
such conferences between the alenated parties
may be said TO have already begun. MARYLAND,
Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri,
states which were claimed by the insurgents
are already represented in Congress, and are
submitting with perfect freedom and in proper
spirit, their advice upon the course best calcu
lated TO bring about in the shortest time, a
firm, lasting and honorable peace. Reprcscn-
Rtves have been sent also from Louisiana and
Others are understood to be coming from Arkan-
sas. There is prepondernting argument in
favor Of the congressional form of conference
over that which is suggested by NJ. Drouyn
d'Lhuys, viz: that while accession 10 the latter
would bring the government into conference
with the insurgents, in disregarding and setting
aside an important part OF the constitution of
tie United States, and would be of PERM
cious example, the congressional conference on
the contrary, provides and gives new strength
TO that sacred instrument, which must continue
through future ages the sheet anchor of the re.
public.
You will be at liberty to read this dispatch to
NJ. Drouln dLhuys, and to give him copy if
he shall desire ii, to the end that you may be
informed of the whole case, and transmit q copy
of NJ. Drou,n d'Lhuys' dispatch.
am sir, your ohedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.