Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-06
Oar Commissioner in Europe.

The policy Of epiny Commissioners abroad has
been SO much discussed in the public prints as Wsh as
IN Congress, that il may look little pre-ump-
tuous for us 10 IereW the subse. With the hOFe Of
altering the determination Of Government frem s
apa,rently axed purpose but time has thrown new
lights upon the question, and Congress will again
NEE, next moa,h, We propose 10 make feW additional
observations on this very delicate and portSntmA tsr
A. tas period OF the Inauguration of our Government,
when the wissst among US thought that all that
neeessy 10 ess4bl sh our Independence to app
before the world with all she forms of the neWy Of
EaulIsd ConfedsrAcy-When tie belief that TIE North
you'll listen the voice Of pride and fay ID make var
upon u rather than pursue the e0unsl OF moderation
ard sefinteFest laughed at, and scorned as the
Wild shimera OF short-JghIed and dis;empered mind;
when forgetting the lessons taught BY the history OF
all civil eOmnotiOns, that power is never willingly re-
signsd-When lAbourei uader the iniAtua.iOn that
Cotton was King, and when we expected that the SCI
emn expression of opinion 70 the renewal Of
the shave trade would secure to the symTa
Ihies Of all Europe; il natural thas Ne should
hurry 10 Dispatch Commissioners there, hoping to
have them received al Oace q. all the Courts, as the
accredited Ministers OF Independent people. to en-
ter Immediately upon che great business OF regulating
our iusurs relations with them. Men Of large expert
enoe in public Aflrs of dou It'd ability and Of el,
waited positions where chosen for this purpose ntary
three years ego. Afterwards, when Me-. Mason 70
EagTand he was very politely received first, de
tngaished American ctz and admitted tOPrsVats con-
ferenees With Ministers bat without any admission OF
his authority. After waiting in their antsohAmb.T
an humble begsar OF English favor without any 0is-
position Of the rulers to cOHeesoend to n0tc3 as
prsssncs "a O0nfedelae Safes Commissioner and I'd
wiling IRON bis naive dguiiy Of character and Tor tie
honor OF hls country in5ultsd through him,
aay longer in this hanii4dng position, be LAST
allowed 60 SithdiaH and 10 abstain from further in
pruning thu English Cabinet. As he accomplished
nothing, iiltlJ Vs5 expected from the ttieT HisioLs
except that 10 France and We come lo az Cncs. John
Sidei who was sent there, repu,ed to be crafty
and profoundly skilled in diplomacy; praetsed ani
learned in tae art Of ruling men and direeiog their
acts 70 the attainment Of his ends, and POSSESSING
knOWlsdged 6nancering ability Of 10 mean order. he
vas accompanied BY his family, who we're counted
upon to eon.ribut3 hot q httls TO his success -
Mrs. sRds.l being woman Of superior intellect higoy
accou pished and OF personal attractions, she
vas e. peeted to represent Southern Society," southern
Allurins and favorable Bght. He uas received With
lha. marked eiVity and aabiity mich tarScter.Es
the French people. There soon sprang uPa sort o.
eaBlaradsris between him and the Great Bohemian,
Louis Napoleon, which extended itself not only to un
reserved personal interviews but eVea tot.e "iejeuuers
. IA Ioarehette" in the private apartments OF tho e.
ueror as which we're discussed the important question
of his mission and where be received, doubt, the
renewed assurance Of the warm sympathes of the 9
tinguished head of the nation. These cheering indeI
tons Of French eOrdiAlity e,refuly circulated
thropgl our journals exciting the hopes Of the hone
and good-natared people OF the South, who received
them as uumstakoab!e sgas of the policy Of nterven
ton, by force il need bs. Ia the time all fur
thor demonstrations were avoided and whilst the pro-
mise offusure help KEEP: concealed in the mystery
Of state secrets aud state necessity it adrOi.y
hiAts9 al and We were given 10 understand that il
would reveal Itself a, the proper tine, and that the
occasion needed was not very distant.
We we're also encouraged by the proposal made by
Napoleon to England TO tender their joint mediation
fos the settlement Of the difficulties between the North
and 1hsSOuth. What g.sater evidence was wanted of
she interest felt by &he nperor for clusee When
az liH We became impaten. of delay, it was no ss
mysssriously intinated that there certain ten
tsuts between gland and France, sin the interest
of European peace and balance Of power" that their
action should OF be separate Again our Cagerntss
vas checked aud aPpeased, and our hopes deferred;
this too a. time when it believed throug cut
the 'ooniederacy that the most favorable proposal
which could be made of commercial advantages TO
France, had been made by our government. The de
sunsfs we're uninterrupted Not long afterwards the
Me1icau scheme was determined upon, and has since
been carried out Writers of ability in France, tup-
Dosed 10 be in the interest and secrets of NapoeeD
preparsd articles 'iuspirsd" BY him, il was said,
planning his obi ct and policy, aud usying the great
and expensive expedition 70 that distant land, not only
N obt.n redress for Frereh ella mants and 10 arrest
thu disorders of chat unfortunate nation, bus to add
nswiEOsy to ,hs name of Franeeand to increase her
power and her prosperity. Ia these writings and
pamphlets We WDre toll that to make bis plan OF con-
quest certain, aud 10 insure the establishment OF
stablo government in Msxeo, Napoleon would seek,
By recognition, TO eoncia.e the South to his views,
aud to aterpose the Confederate States friendly pow
e. OafWsen his possessions and she Uaited States
new breathing spell And now expectation Is tip
tOe-tAatas sOOu as Macmillan shall have mounted the
Mexican throne he viii recognise us, and be backedby
France Let Us not forget past disAPpOintnents and
llusonsl
w teHeVs that European recognition, and assist
anoe from that quarter, il falaoiOus hope, oy which
cur people have been led the most fatal errors and
deusOas and that we making ourselves contempt
Die in the eyes Of all nations BY suppcAOns which are