Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-05-12

States whose separate and independent
sovereignty wac recognized by treaty With
France and Great I'ritaiu III Il e last cell.
fury, and remained unqnestinned for near
~ three generations. Yet these very gov
er,,,nents, in disregard of duty and treaty
obligations which bind them to recognize
as independent, Virginia and other Con-
federate S ates. persist in countenaucing,
Ivy moral influence, if not aiding by unfair
and partial action. the claim set mp by the
Executive OF Foreign Government, to
exercise <'espotlc sway over tie States
this recognized. and treat the Invasion Of
them by lileir former limited and specia.
agen*, az though il were the attempt of a
sovereign to suppress rebellion against
lawful authority. Uugenerods 40 vantage
has been taken Of our present cnDdirion,
and our rights have been violated, our
vessels Of war detained iii ports to which
they had been invited by pr"clamations
Of neutrality. and in oue instance our flag
also ipsulted where the sacred right Of AS
ylHin was su,pused to he secure while
one Of these Governments has contented
Itself by simply depreca'ing, 4sv deferen-
tlal representations, the ct'nducfeof our Ell
emy in the constantly recurring instances
"r his c"ntemptuous disregard ot nentral
rights and fragrant violations "f public
law. It may be that foreign Governments,
like our enemies, have mistaken our de-
sire for peace, unreserveily expressed for
evidence Of exhaustion, and have thence
inferred the probability OF success liz the
etfrt 10 snbjngaTe or exterln'nate the mill
ians OF human beings who, In these States,
prefer any tate to submission 70 their saw
age assa,lants. l see no prospect Of an
II II,
sued by these Governments hut when
this delusi"n shall have been dispelled,
and when our independence, by The valor
:snd torlitude If our people, shall have
been won against all the hostile influences
be ignored 10y open foes or protessed nen-
,nemuries a record of many wrongs, which
IT may not uIisbtcoliie lis 10 forgi. .e-sone
TOR wh hich we may not properly fprbear
.rom demanding redress. In tire mean
siiue it is enough for Us To know that eve
~ avenue nt negoiaiion is closed against
rs ; that onr euemy Is making renewed
aud strenuous efforts for our destruction
ana that the sole resource for us, us "a peo-
pie s.cire III tile justice ct our cause. and
noldlng our liberties t. be more precious
''"' "' >''S' Sf<''''J P'o9SS'c''s 80 ~
c"mbi"e and apply every available ele>
mem of power Tor their defence and pres
ervatiun.
On the snlject of the exchange Of pris-
oners | greatly regret TO be unabie 10 give
you satisfactory Information. The gov
eminent ot the United States, while per
sis ing III failure to execute the terms Of
me cartel make occasional deliveries ct
prisoners, and then suspend action without
apparent cause. | confess my inability
c"nprs hend their policy or purpose.
the prisoners held by us in suite of I'M
name care, are perisil:ng from the inevifa I
Die effects Of imprisonment and ..omesck
ness produced by rhe hopeessness 81 re
lease from confinement. lAe spectacle ot
ihelr suffering augments our longing dc
>.re to- relieve from sllnIia.r trials our own
brave men, wio have spel. So many Wea~
y inuntls In i cluel and useless nprlson
inent, endured with herplc coi,si ancy |
The delivery. after a Suspension OF sonle
weeks, has Just been re- suned 10y the ene-
my but asthey give no assurance of in
teat To carry out the cartel, ali iaierrup-
ton OF the exchange may recur at ANY
The reports of the Departments, here
with Submitted, are referred TO far tull IN
formation IN relation 20 the matters apper-
rauing tt, each. There are two af Ill e,n
on which deem 1t necessary to make spe-
cial remark. 4sts@ sa M !
The report If the Secretary ofthe Treas
nry statesaacts instifying tile. conclusion