Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-14
Europe and the Confederacy THE Question of
Recognition with the Abolition OF Slavery.

Europe and the ConfederacY THE Question of
Recognition with the Abolition OF Slavery.
The London Times discusses belief, which it
has seen recently expressed in Southern journals,
that slavery is the only existing obstacle to the re-
cognition Of the Confederacy by European Powers.
1t says:
That sacrifice is contemplated as possible, and pro-
posed as polite measure. The Southerners have
carried long step forward the idea which the en-.
ployment of negroes in their armies seems to have
originated The plan Of arming negroes as ameas-
ure of defence has made it still more familiar. The
arguments for and agains. such measure the nee
essity for it and the value the negro would attach
to freedom the reward of military service, must
be perfectly well known to the white population of
the Southern States. On these points they cannot
easily be deceived, but as to the effect of an offer
to abandon Slavery its present form in ropitia.
may easily deceiUe hsmselUes. To any scheme of
emancipation effected by the South ITSELF England,
q nation, would certainly offer no word Of oppos
ition; on the contrary, we should rejoice in the
change, and wish it every success. But we know
well that slavery is not the only cause of the seces
sion of the Southern States nor is emancipation
the real object of the North in carrying the war
so persistently. The negro and his condition we're
only one among many causes of the rupture
The tendency Of the republic to separate existed
from the day it was constituted, was SEEM dreaded,
and under certain conditions, predicted by its first
founders. InoSe conditions nave Oeen Drought
about and fierce civil war is the consequence
The negro was introduced into the quarrel by an
afterthought Let the Southerners offer to emanci-
pate their slaves Immediately, and propose it to the
North as the sacrifice by which they are ready to
purchase its recognition of Southern independence.
The offer would be rejected as valueless, and sab
mission and return to the Union would be insisted
on as the only conditions of peace. Every State of
Europe acknowledged the republic when 1t was
governed by Constitution permitting slavery as
fully rs the Southern States permit it now. Why
should its abandonment by the Confedsracy buy =
recognition that is uithheld for many other reasons
Dwelling on this theme, the Southerners have in.
dulged in specuations which induce a doubt
whether they do not dream dreams and see visions.
That they would prefer, in case of the worst, to
submit to any government than that OF the North,
We can well understand; but "protectorate' Of
England, France or Spain can be only strong
mode of expressing hatred of " the Yankees."-
We knoW Of no European POWsr likely to accept
such an improbable Offer. England would certainly
refuse the gift France, with its recent Mexican
experience would, we think, "decline, with thanks
And the idea of prOpitiating Spain, the most OBJ.
stinste slavery supporting government IN the world
by proposal to abolish the SYSTEM is eccentric
as to throw doubt the reality of the whole dis
cussion.