Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-02-25
Es- h. IS "a
Creneh Mediation.

yress On this subject and the letter Of Mons Drouyn
ie Lhuys, Napoleon's Prime Minister, to Mons
4eroc;r, French Minister 1t Washington and the
reply Of Mr.. Seward have appeared 10 the Southern
dsilies. These letters, regret, .re too lengthy
for our columns but we give such analysis Of them
as will enable the reader to judge of their Import
The letter Of the French Minister is dated the 9Th
Of January last, and starts out With the assurance
that the Emperor Of France is prompted in making
this overture by the highest considerations Of friend
ship for the United States and desire for s1ros
perity. Mons Drodtn de Lhuys Gays;
worse Than ev Comparable to The most terrible dstrac
tions Of the ancient republics aud whose dsassrs mus
the belligerent parties develope" ''-.~
He then proceeds to argue, that the acceptance
Emperor, could not compromise the dignity or honor
Of the United States and fattsrs Lincoln with the
suggestion, that it is well known that the North
does not despair of ultimate success nor has it ex
hausteS its resources He further suggests that in
yielding to bis proposition hostities need not cease
illustrating his position By. reference to the history
Of the first American revolution, and then distinctly
states his proposition in the following terms:
Nothing therefore, would hinder the government Of
the United States without renouncng thu which
believes it sttan by the continuation Of the war,
from entering upon informal conferences with the Cpfede.
rates of the South they should show themselves
disposed thereto. Representatives commissioners Of
the parties could assemble at such point it should
be deemed proper to designate nd which could for this
purpose be declared neutral Reciprocal complaints would
be examined at this meeting In place Of the
tous which North and South mutually cast upon each 9TH
At this tme would be substituted argumenative dis
nvOf AivtAS fha.n
by Of we'll ordered and profound debera
ons whether these interests ate nde6nnvey irrecunc
hee 10 MSeaner Is o. which can
whether the ties Of any kind which of the North
and Of the South Sole and whole derave State and
not powerful than the which have placed
in the hands Of the two populations. negotiation the
object Of which would be thus determna!e would not
involve Of the objections raised against the diplomatic
Of Europe and without giving birth to the
hopes the immediate Conclusion Of arnstice
Why therefore, should combination which respects
s the relations Of the United States obtain the srProba-
ton Of the Federal Govenment Persuaded on our part
that it in conformity with their true interests we do not
hesitate recommend it their attention. and not hsv.
ing sought in the project of mediation OF the maritime
Powers of Europe vain display of Influence We would
seiEsseem the opening of negotiation which would in
vitI the populations DISCUSS without the opera
tiun Of Europe, the solution Of their differences"
Mr. Seward, in his reply, admits the confidence
which his government has in the friendship Of France,
and that the proposition has been seriously consid.
cred; but proceeds to show that the French Empe-
in forming bis opinions of the status Of the quar-
rel has not been governed by the facts contained in
his correspondence with the French government
but by information from other sources not very
friendly to the United States So Gar from relaxing
its efforts to subdue the rebellion, or being dscour-
aged, he arms that the North has at all times been
cheerful and confident and thst what it has already
done in taking ports &c, shows prowess and ab-
ity not surpassed by any other power. He claims
to have conquered half of Virginia, North Carolina
and Mississippi, twothirds of Louisiana and Arkan
gas, and one third of South Carolina. The letter is
highly characteristic of the source whence it ema-
nates boasfu ingenious and well spiced with faise
hood as if he sure Of being successful in throw
ing dust in the eyes of the French Emperor: Sew
ard would still persuade him that the rebellion is
small affair,
The proposition is, however, declined in plain
terms and he reaffirms the purpose Of Lincoln to
maintain at all hazards, the integrity of the coun-
try, and lsbors to show that the proposition
constitutional, and would result in accomplishing
nothing The only forum for the South, he insists,
to debate the questions of difficulty, is in the North
ern Congress, where the loyal people of the South
already have their representatives.
| The Richmond Ezaminer, in noticing the CORES.
pondencs, says:
stew viii rise from their perusal without the conviction
that there will be pesce cessation Of warfare be-
tween the Southern Conedsacy and the Unised States,
d'rpg Abraham Lincon's term u Office, which will ye
endure two full years"