Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-11
OUR POSITION BEFORE OTHER Ma.



The correspondence between Lord John
Russell and Mr.. Bancroft puts the former so
completely in the wrong, convicts him so
clearly of having fastened to act an unfriendly
part toward this country in its dire distress,
that If Mr. Bancroft has never been markedly
popular amongst his countrymen, the heart of
the nation cannot help warming toward him
now. His successful maintenance of MS po-
s1tion in convicting the British premier of
having done what he could to compass our
ruin, was all that was wanting to set matters
.exactly right; and able hereafter to count pre-.
cisely on the measure of friendship to be
reckoned on in any future troubles we NAV
encounter, involving the life of the nationality,
no one need be deceived in regard to any
prospective hypocritical protestations of spe-
cal regard for our unity and prosperity.
1t is well, in another respect, that this cpl,
sode has occurred, and that the correspond
ence In regard to it has been made public.
so many important events have transpired
amongst ourselves since We were called upon
to consider the sudden hostility of England to
our existence as one people, that we were in
some danger of forgetting the course of the
London Times and the ready inability of Eng
land to enforce her neutrality laws" of for
getting that the ocean was redeemed with the
flames lighted by her Alabamas and Shenan-
doahs and Floridas, the productions of her
ship yards and foundries.
The truth is, a nation may count upon the
esteem or friendliness of other nations ONLY
in the ratio of their enforced respect; and the
experience we have gone through from the
beginning of the great conflict even to the
present hour in this regard, should-apart
from the lessons of our sufferings in other re-
spects-teach the nation the importance of
peace and unity at home
Nothing is more plain to the observer of
public events, now, than the fact-that even
yet we are-in the eyes of the official repre-
sentatives of foreign powers at Washington.
not yet a nationality restored and "recon-
structed;' and however we may assert to these
representatives from abroad that our difficult
ties are only temporary, and that speedily the
''eleven States will be once more represented
in Congress, they persist in considering it all
as colored by our hopes; and that really, We
will never be what we once were-one people.
And such strong hold has this idea taken of
the officials in question, that it is not doubted
by those best posted with the tendencies of
foreign diplomacy, that this late conviction
has had the effect of retaining Macmillan in
Mexico. He was ready-so the story goes
before the meeting Of Congress. to leave
Mexico; not doubting-himself or his adj
vlSers-that the Government would speedily
be IN condition to dictate his exit. Bat
permitted to notice the progress Of the radical
scheming to keep the States in disorganized
condition, knowing, apparently, that home
disputes would call off attention from his
doings, he has plucked up boldness to remain,
satisfied in his own mind that it will be years
before there will be peace and unity amongst
our people to that degree that it may threaten
his position in Mexico, compelling him to
leave
England Tor the present-to recur to the
Bancroft and Russell correspondence-is salts
ned that although not entirely reconstructed"
yet that we are too nearly united to permit of
her trli1lng with or imposing further upon us
at present. English StaJeauIu1 very we'll kuu,
that such was English perfdy toward both the
North and South, separately, that nothing
would tend more quickly to our complete re.
union, than any act of aggression or wrong
DONG on her part, which would permit both
sections to heartily join and pay off old scores.
1t is possible that in our Astounding strength
ard demonstrated military and financial re-
sources, we can afford in the interests of de-
SHINING politicians, to go along in this half way
cmdltlon OF restoration for years. But, are
TIE people satisfied with such prospect; will
tlHy consent that after the splendid attitude
Hnch should be ours by our demonstrated
anhty as first class power, that by our di-
vSons we must forfeit it all, and more-ex-
Gle the pity or something worse of second or
thrd rate powers, when we might compel the
respect of all?
Then, If for no other reason, our rulers and
statesmen should do all that is nossible to mt
an end to dissensions. to permit us to take our
Old attitude before other nations. Assert. in
words, our strength, as we may; talk as we
nave benin the habit of doing of the gran
oeur and power ola government of the people,
yet II we continue to show ourselves disunited:
II We haVenot power to control the dema-
5ogues who cast frebrands amongst us 10
serve their own purposes, the world will take
ne case IN rs most apparent aspects. With |
states unrepresented in a popular government.
he conclusion will inevitably be that they are
lot participants in matters of government.
hat In fact the "UniteF' States are some.
hing other than what that title implies.
All these are grave facts for the people to
consider, and to pronounce upon; because the
onger we remain estranged, the more danger
here is of seeing permanent estrangement.
,artles may triumph, indeed; but if the unity
+ the nation is endangered further, none can
'ell congratulate themselves upon those bles-
lngs which we enjoyed in the past, and which
was hoped with the return of peace. would
e made perpetual.