Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-03-18
GREAT BRIrAINs AMERIoAN PoLloY.

Il
necine struggle. From the first moment Of the seces
son Il was plain that the Southern States would not be
snbdued save by terrific slaughter involving the ut
tor destruction of the liberties and financial prosr arity
of the whole country. The progress Of the war has
demonstrated that the sacrifices may be made and the
end no Neither party can subdue the other and
the Federal pride precudes the possibility OF voiun
e-y cessation OF the conflict say Federal pride, not
nationa because it ia federation, and not nation,
which Is In question In this position Of affairs, it is the
very pedanlry of non-nterventon for the Powers of
Europe TO stand by with folded arms, aud cay, sight
| it oul" France, which has always been the political
friend of America, proposes amcable interpretation;
England which stands in the light of political rival
refuses. Is it surprising that America suspects Us OF
contemplating Der lf-destructon for own aggran-
dizement1
|
Has England no treaty right in the American ques-
ton? Why what is the very foundation OF the United
States as Federal Union bus recognition Of the
Independence Of the several States? True it may be
said the independence was de deO estab shed before
So was the partition Of Poland before the treaty of VII
emma If the act of the Allied Powers in recognizing
the Russian Sovereignty, gives them title to see the
agreement carried out fortiOr does recognition
of the American Independence giVo title to be heard
on the meaning and spirit Of that transaction. This ia
point which appears to have been strangely over
looked IL goes 10 the bottom OF the existing quarrel
in America. For the cession OF tie South is not
Rebellion In the ordinary sense of the word. 1t is the
assertion of sovereign rights relirquished or in
allegiance The Southern States ASSERT that they not
and never subject States Their case il, that by
the Of Independence, each State is sovereign pow
err; that the Union voluntary confederation, ter
minable q: the pleasure Of the several States and that
certain OF them have nov, by the legitimate action of
their several Legislatures, Withdrawn from the old ALI
ance aud entered into another The is as far as
possible from that part of nation hIoEing of an ac
kpowledged sovereignty and setting up for Itself 1t
closely resembles that OF ration changing It's sove-
| reign.
In this latter uniformly recognize the ra-
/ tiona without delay. We did so in the ca es of
/ Louis Philippe and of the President--now Emperor
/ of the French. Why are TO act otherwise towards
President Davis? Simply because President Lincoln
denies the legality Of his appointment and the existence
/ of his Oonfederaey. But in admitting that denial we
taking on ourselves to decide the very point at issue
in the We are no longer neutral; we are allies
OF the North against the South. The North, indeed is
in possession OF the seat of Government and is repre-
| sented by the American Minister accredited TO our
Court Bu both received Oh behalf OF all the
| States of America while large number Low declare
their authority Withdrawn respec them,elSes Iii
impossible TO escape giving judgment Ia this case. In
recogniz ng the Washington Government as the eXcu-
tive of the whole States, are interfering in the in
tenal concerns OF America, quite much We should
be recognizing Mr.. Davis az the President OF the
South In the former case we practically decided that
the States are not sovereign Powerf; the latter that
they are There is no avoiding tie alternative.
further: Eogland Is Of all powers the entitled
4
what Il was that we recogn z,d the American Union.
We know that il not nation, or part OF ma ion,
but number Of colonies OF our own founded at dieT
enL times with varying constitutions, and possessing no
mutual connection tu their common allegiance 10 tie
British Crown. We know that they voluntarily unit I'd
for the purpose OF repudhtrg that allegiance aud
became first united provinces, and then united States.
England knows OF her own knoWledgs that their iutc-
tegral exsterce separately derived from herself was
distinct as that OF Canada and Australia. She governed
Il - Ali. tha iDOan lnUar
meut, the crea ion tf the States, now step In before
them and cay, You are to know nothing about Ne but
/ what We tell you
But, further, do We aid both parties alike The
/ North wants arms aud tuppy them; the South
would buy ships and ree-traders deny the right
sell Them Government incurred defeat in the Court
| OF Exchtquer 10 attempting TO stay the Alexandra;
they have nterposcd again TO deprive the South Of their
steam rams. The columns OF the Tines overflow with
subeties which would be amusing they we're not m-
moral Lord Russell tries his hand at BargoWre with
no better success. IL would be unlawful 10 dispatch
brigade OF artillery from England TO Din either army
but it is quite lawful to send the guns ship uoder
tee name Of merchandise and the gunners In another
with the designation of emigrsIt IL Is aS1ul-so It
| seems to be agreed-to pursue sim lar couree
| with chips and their aimaments.
This Il all sad work This commercial hair splitting
does us 10 credit. If cannot lawfully help the
South in what il needs We have no right to supply the
| none The credit aud honor OF tbs country demand
that cur prudish neutrality should at least be genuine
Do not let our diplomacy be corrupt we'll sq1eam-
Fish Let the expiration OF all stores and implements
Of war to America be rightly prohibited. Let the pro
visions of the Foeign enlistment act against recruiting
be rigidly enforced. Let the subjects, well the
Grown OF Great Britain be tuy neutral if We have not
| the heart to be something better.
For cur own part, we trust that the something bet
ter" will ire long bcattempted. We should be sorry
to Franc, Outstrp England in the of huma,i
| ty and be the sole pr1serSer OF American liberty
The time is ripe-it has long been ripe-for an united
mediation the part OF taese great Powers; Of
which the first ttep should be the joint recognition OF
the Confederate States the secoad the proposal OF
amis ice and third if required, the enforcing that
proposal by disregard of the blockade, and Of the
state of war neray, carryin, relations with each
in defiance OF the other. Let all Europe if necessary
be invited TO join in protest against the having
no sufficient pretext baTbArous and ntolerable and
| the world will be rid of it.
| CURE FOR CoBPuLENUE.-A phianthropist has late
" laid bis story before the public and although the
cord may provoke Passing smile, yet no one who
reads can doubt the correctness and sincerity Of the
writer or his hearty desire TO benefit his feO S-crea
| lures Il Is simply the narrative OF a man who was
tr mendousy fa who tried hard for years years 10
thin himself aud who was at last successful He wished
to le, the world know how he Iqlshed his terrible
enemy and how at last the demon of corpulenoe fed
from him. This is really great kindness, and nan
1 who without fear of rid cule ard simply from benevo-