Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-06

believe We have rushed into war merely
or negro slavery This is the belief o.
the great mass of the European people.
There are many wise statesmen who un.
derstsnd our cause properly, but they can,
not openly advocate it, because of the anti.
slavery prejudice that besets it among
their people. There are a few men whe
defend us despite that prejudice, but theil
influence expends itself fruitlessly upou
that rock Of prejudice. The Emperor OF
the French correctly understands our sys.
tenn OF slavery, but he will not jeopardize
this dynasty by doing violence to the anti.
slavery sentiment of his people. The min.
lstry OF England are anti slavery in ssnti.
ment, and hence they will not aid OF
recognize nation whom they believe foun.
ded upon negro slavery.
The heroism and euduranes of our strup.
8leJ despite tn1s pt1j lyafn1t aIaybSrJ =,
has won for our people the undisguised
admiration of the world, but has not and
will not mollify that prejudice, or dispose
the nations to recognize Us with slavery,
as they understand our cause, the corner.
stone of our system.
If we would reap the rich blessings to
which our heroic struggle entities US, if we
would crystalline that admiration into acts
of aid and comfort, we must convince the
world that we are fighting for the self
government of the whites and not the slas
very of the blacks; that the war has been
forced upon US by our enemy, for the pur-
pose of spoliation aud subjugation; that
the freedom of the negro was no part of
the purpose of our enemy, but that com
mercial vassalage and dependence prompt
ed and impelled their cruel war.
If it be necessary to convince the Dorld
that we are fighting for the self govern
ment of the whites, that We should liberate
the negroes, and if that liberation can be
made TO secure our recognition and the
guaranty of England and France to our IN
dependence, we believe that the people of
these States would not hesitate to make
the sacrifice. In such light only do we
understand the following declaration of
the Richmond Sentinel.
"We think that our late adverses have
done much towards preparing the minds
of our people for the most extreme sacri-
fees if they shall be adjudged necessary
to the success of our cause; and in truth
they are not sacrifices at all when com.
pared with our situation if subjugated. 1t
is question simply whether we shall give
for our own uses, or whether the Yankees
take for theirs.
"Subjugatiou means emancipation aud
confscatiOn. All our servants and all our
property yielded up to assist in defense of
our country, would mean no more; bat it
would be far more glorious to devote our
means to our success than to lose them as
spoils to the enemy. Our situation, too,
stripped of our property, but master of the
Government, would be infinitely better
than if despoiled by the enemy, and wear
ing. his bonds. These views have long re-
cetvsl the theoretical assent of our people.
"They are now our practical realizing
conviction. A thousand prejudices;s thou
sand concentrated dogmas, are now ready
to be yielded at the bidding of necessity.- =
Any sacrifice of opinion, any sacrifice of
property, any surrender of prejudice, if
necessary to defeat our enemies, is now
horror that embraces all other horrors,
and adds enormous calamities of its own.
The people see this. They have vivid
perception of it. They are ready on their
part for the duties which it implies"
If we have given to our contemporary, a
broader Interpretation than the writer de-
signed, we de not believe we have misrep-
resented the determination of our people
The consequences of emancipation would
fall upon the unfortunate negro, and God
would hold responsible those who had for
ced upon us the act. 1t is one of necessity,
and not choice. An act taken against our
judgement and our convictions, bat to
save US from the horrors of q prolonged
war and the disgrace, ruin and destruction
involved in the success of our enemy.
If France and England will enter into a
treaty with these Confederate States re-
cognizing our nationality and guarantee
ing our independence upon the abolition
of slavery in all these states, rather than
continue the war we should be prepared
to urge the measure upon eur readers
We believe such opposition would be
favorably received and acted upon by
those nations, and it ought to be made to
them.