Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-06-30

The cowardice of European powers in respect to
the American struggle is one of the most striking
circumstances of the war, and will hereafter be re-
garded as one of the strangest phenomena in histo
ry. The war itself has disclosed physical power
In the belligerents which neither of them dreamed
before that they possessed; and the awe of Europe
has increased with each new development of the 81
gantc resources of the contestants The time was
when recognition would have been hattering to the
feelings Of the South, and would have implied gen.
erous impulse in:the foreign power; but that time
Is long ago passed by. Recognition is no longer
matter OF desire with the South All the substan-
sla advantages OF the measure already secured.
Inc success of her arms and the heroism of her peo
pie nave brought our country conspcuously be-
lore the world and extorted so universally the ad-
miraton of mankind that general recognition now
oy foreign powers would be, except for the mere
eonVenences of diplomatic intercourse, superhuous
and ridiculous. 1t could impart to us no superior
consideration no higher respectabity than, is al
ready enjoyed
Diplomatic recognition of us, and intercourse with
us, might, in the early stages of the controversy,
nave been of great service to foreign powers in en-
aollng their governments to escape some of the er
rors and mistakes into which their correspondence
with a man so unscrupulous and mendacious as
seward has led them but it could scarcely have
been OF any decided advantage to ourselves; the
contrary, we might have deceived ourselves into
posing greater reliance upon foreign nterpostion
than was consiStant with prudence ; and if that
lance had proved false as would have been most
probable our cause might have fallen into desperate
stralghts or If it had proved well grounded then
we should have had the infelicty to our inde-
2endence to the bounty of strangers wishing to be-
come taskRasters rather than to our own selEreli-
ant exertion.
Foreign governments have done us a good tdfn
6y declining the courtesy the act of justice and the
.uty, OF recognizing government; but it is very
doubtful whether their policy will prove equally
advantageous to themselves The result has demon
strated that no honor would have been lost nor
reputation for Sagacity compromised by vouchsa-
ting an early welcome of this Government into the
family of nations; and the power which had been
most promptin the matter, might have secured COM
merclal advantages and established business rela-
latons with the South of incalcuable future value
and importance
But they listened to the specious reasonings of
Seward, and were terrified by the penny whistle
of Exeter Hail. international law declares that the
recognition OF new government implies no cause
OF quarrel WITH and juStifies no complaint from,
that with which the new one is at war; The great
powers OF Europe were simply afraid to exercise a
right asserted by reason and guaranteed by the
international code. Their sympathies were with
the South, their convictions ware in favour of the
righteousness OF her cause, while their commercial
interests powerfully inclined them to her side Yet
they allowed their fears to preponderac over every
consideration. They hated, the Yankees; apd vir-
tuaLy became their allies. They sympathized with
the South; and supplied arms, countenance and
support to her enemy. Never was there an apostacy
to convictions ofrght shameful as that OF foreign
powers in regard to the South. 1t concerned their
selfrespect no less than their interests to enact
measure of public justice; and to exercise privilege
conferred by international law, in spite of any
clustering from the North End they had before
been indifferent to the measure that very hectoring
on the part of the Yankees rendered it imperative,
as an act of selfrespect, that they should take
step to vindicate their independence of mind, and
to show their defiance Of Yankee inSolence
The time will come when these governments will
regard with shame the attitude they held to the
respective belgerents in this war and history will
record that Europe sacrificed interests and honour
alike to fear.-EIamiaer