The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-01-13
S4aslyrillR alnipn.
southern news.
From the Richmond Examiner, Jan. 2.
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FOREIGN INTERVENTION.
Let US not be misunderstood. The
Interests at stake for us and for the
country are too vital and momentous
70 be prope " dealt with after the
ordinary manner Of some ofthe young
mems debating societies whether
Cesar OF Hannibal was the greatest
man; whether colonial vassalage be
better than subjUgation by the Yam
KEGS; whether it would be a good bar
gain 10 secure the material aid of Eng
land and France by formal sacrifice
Of the institution Of slavery; whether
the human species Is progressive, retro
grade, or stationary ali these cues
tions are quite interesting, in a specula
tive point of view, and afford many
opportunitiesa5f excellent defamation
on the one side or on the other of each
proposition, only that they are not
practical nor applicable to the pres
ent state of the country, and Of the
four questions above pTopoUnded any
one is as practical and applicable as
any other
Recollect that the matter before US
now is not to prove a theorenl, but to
solve a problem not 70 establish the
most rational conclusion upon some
question OF ethics or history, but to
save our own lives, our own houses,
and TO transmit to our children the
heritage Of freedom and indepen-
dence.
QUESTION USATsWERED.
II we are asked whether or not CO.
lonial vassalage be preferable to subiu-
CATION by the Yankees, we say yes
Infinitely preferable Better for Us
and ours not only that we should sink
back into coIoniots, but that we should
all die where we stand, than be re-
duced TO the ignominious condition Of
vassals 10 the Yankee nation.
But II happens that neither the cues
ton, nor tie answer is anything 10 our
present purpose, and if we are asked
a9hcther tgs lg0uld or 1ouh not purchase tie
Dldteria. aid u England and France IN our
present slrpagLc u alaHdoaia5 slqve7y IN
5tantly and ~ nle spot, ace say ggQin yes
sgithost one a0Hicrts hc5ifatiou or consiaera-
ton. THAT IS % say, an other cords, ne
5Sould sacTLlcc TIC uCyro race 10 insure our
cigrl tndlDel0czics But it happens here
again that the alternative Is not pre-
scented to as. We are not asked to
choose between the two except by some
essayists.
"a lew days ago we called attention
70 the fact tnatOur prOpo sails to 90 back
into a colonial relation with England
or France would be extremely unac-
ceptaJle 20 those nations, because If
they acceeded 10 our wishes It would
be full admission that we are on the
point Of sCtjugation; 20 that i would
be inviting them 10 take up G quarrel
which We feel no longer capable Of
maintaining, on the doubtful specula-
ton Of making Us profitable depend
ents IN the end
No man who has the most elementa-
~ knowledge Of the policy and exigen-
ole8 Of those two European nations
would ever form or give utterance to
such q project J. was shown at the
same time that an officer on the mart
OF these states 10 buy support in Eu-
rope by concerning 10 abolition, al
though It would be exceedingly crate
tul TO English aud French pride. though
Il would be tIcmpeted over Europe as
a mighty triumph OF the rights Of man
End g O4usatly celebrated in all the
pbIlan ropic funny magaz. mes, would be
not only no reason 20 aid us, but would
be n additional reason for abandon
ing Us TO our fate and encouraging our
enemies TO complete their conquest
It's said that We are adverse 10 di-
plomaCy. BY no means. Diplomacy
is q highly respectable kind of agency
for the transaction OF international
affairs, but we have observed that there
Is not a 80 Jlsiaciory diplomacy between
two nations, one Of which il begged for
favors and the other sues IN lorna pau
psris, one Of which has entirely the
front door % al the courts Of the
world, and the other has to creep up
the back stairs at imminent risk Of be-
ing kicked out
One writer suggests that there is
tTeachery in advice 10 rely solely upon
our own strength and to disregard and
neglect the aid Of diplomacy. Perhaps
this sagacl0us writer can tell US where
there Is anything else for us to rely up
on than our own strength, and what
diplomacy is open 10 Us, and with
whom?
The Confederacy has never had any
other reliance than its own native
strength and resolution; has none other
now, either actual or possible, and this
being the truth, we hope there is no
treachery in plainly saying so As to
those who are now urging upon the
Confederate States that they should
offer TO Return TO colonial dependence,
or abolition Of slavery, 10 England and
France, on condition of receiving their
material aid, we impute no odious in
tentlon TO such advisers. What we
mean to say is, that the counsel comes
from panic; that 20 follow il would be
an admission OF inevitable defeat and
ruin, which, we thank Heaven, It is
quite too soon 10 confess.
ANOTHER DENUSCIAuOS OF JEFF. DAVIS.
The Examiner also closes a furious
military review OF JEFF Davis's manage.
ment Of the waras follows-aftsr speak
ing Of Hoods disaster it closes:
But all this was superhUous. The
evil was slready done The enemy had
success and the last year of war had
not arrived Those are unpleasant
"reminiscences, but we must study the
past 10 understand the future. To
forget what Is oiserreeable to remem-
Der will not assist our judgment IN
events TO come.
The people Of this country can only
preserve their lives and liberties by
efforts 10 prevent the repetition of that
conduct which has caused their dis
ssteTS 1t is the duty of Congress 10
take some decided steps TO prevent our
means OF defence from being thrown
away any longer st hap.hazagd. and al
the worse than hazard iancies, especial.
ly Of one unlikely man. Common
place eKpcdieuts for filling up !he
ranks are worse than useless.
The military affairs of the Confed-
erGcy must be controlled by more
judgment and better sense. Although
the condition of these affairs il not
now what we had q right % expect
they would be so this time, they are not
lrrerieFaoly lost The Confederacy is
still able b make ana indefinite resist
Ence and successful defence against all
its enemies, but ouly on condition that
It's efforts are guided by some cain wis,
dom and conducted on s. consistent
plan