The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-03-29


European statesmen, msled by the analogy
of kingly government, and unable or un-
! willing TO appreciate the situation of States
under Federal constitution, 10 imagine
that the secession movement was ip fact a
rebellion and that j, was the duty of for
eign powers, until the rebels had made
good their ependence, to recognizes the
original government as still retaining its
authority over the whole of its former ter
rtory. Bot the crcum stances of The pres
eni election have dispeled any such illu
sious. II is formally declared that not cer-
tain persons in tho Southern States, but
those States themselves as corporate enti
ties and in their sovereign capacity have
separated themselves from the Union, and
are no longer entitled TO participate in its
privileges. In rejecting the vole OF Stale
oVerrun and occupied by Federal armies
Congress has recognized the secession of
that State. Now, since it is admitted that
the States in their sovereign capacity have
broken from The Union, the position o! Eu-
ropean diplomacy is no longer, even in ap
pearance, ienable. That position was this
that we decline TO Judge the merits of the
quarrel but awaited the result of the war
before recognizing the seeded States. But
il the States in their corporate character
have seeded we must, by our action, pro-
nounce judgment one way or the other. If
we decline 10 recognize them we pro-
nounce that States, whose sovereignty and
inde pendence we ourselves by treaty have
acknowledged, have forfeited or sbdicaied
their sovereign rights, and have not legally
the power 10 separate themselves from their
late confedefaies If we recognizes them,
we pronounce lEat, as toward ourselves at
least, they retain their character. As a
matter OF TACT, every one knows that this Is
the case
In entering the Union Virginia expressly
reserved The right OF quitting il at pleasure,
aud il her sister Ststes did not do the same,
it was because they did not conceive that
there could be any doubt upon the point.
In refusing 10 recognize the Confederate
States, now thai Congress has expressly ac-
knowledged the Tact of their secession, we
are pronouucing ajudgmenl which we, and
all the world know 10 be false
To :reat Mr.. Lincoln as President over
the Southern States, in virtue OF the recent
election, is 10 commit ourselves TO a whole
tissue of absurdilies. If those States are
portions of Ihe Union, he has not been
elected at all for that can be no election
from which one third oil The constituent
body is excluded. If they are portions OF
the Union, Congress could have no right TO
exclude or dispense with their votes II
they no longer belong to the Upion, then
Mr.. Lincoln has no authority over them,
and his present enterprise is an attempt 10
conquer an independent nation, not 10 sub
due rebels. 10 a word, either the election
is valid, in which case the eleven Confed-
eTale States are not members or :he Union,
or it is Invalid, and the Union has no gov
ernment Whatever. II Mr. Lincoln be law
fully President OF The Union, the secession
OF The South is legal tact and Mr. Davis
IS legally President OF the Confederate
SAFES. If we recognize The present Gov
Sihmoh' va p0 Cu''eu Otd'oS d. dh we 40
By implication recognize the independence
OF the South. We have of course no hope
that any such argument will influence the
policy OF The Administration With that
policy neither justice nor reason has any
thing to do. II is CO The comparative
strength not on the diplomatic or legal rights
Of the two conIederacies that the action OF
Her Maiesiy's government depends. But
there is melancholy pleasure in stripping
away the last shred of excuse that has hid
dem rom England the unwouhiness of the
par she has been made 10 play, and expos,
ing TO all eyes The naked hypocrisy of Lord
RusselI's "S,ricl and impartial neutrality" ;"