The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-20
REBEL DIPLOMACY.
Secret History Of Confederate Diplenasas
Operations Abroad.


political movements OF the Confederates during that
colossal contest and the historian has been able 70 view
the causes OF the struggle. its rise, continuance and
close with full knowledge Of oil the hidden springs OF
action that brought into play on either side from
the inception 10 the elimination OF the conncL me
pens Of some Of the principal actors on Inc booay
stage have given US q wealth Of records Official and
personal bearing the great events OF the war,
and storehouses Of knowledge are likely TO DO
still moro enriched by the contributions yet TO come
While the student thus amply supplied with historical
facts relating the efforts Of the socaed confederacy
to acquire its independence by the sword at home we
have sought vain for any detailed and connected ac-
OF the attempt made abroad to obtain foreign
recognition Of its claims to Independent nationality
through Diplomatic channels We know that at an
early stage rebellion authorized agents were sent
abroad 10 negotiate with foreign Powers for the much
desired concession, we'll as to enlist the sympalnies
OF European nations for the South. Occasionally
during The read dispatches from those agents
intercepted by QUE blockaders; but they conveyed
merely brief and abstract chronicle Of the acts and
OF tho day. and gave clear idea Of the
breadth and com prehensiveness OF the scheme to
enlist European aid against government. We
knew that rebel agents swarmed in the great
capitals Of Europe and labored earnestly and with
considerable effect to attach the monarchies OF the
Old World to the doubtful fortunes Of the Southern
experimental republic in the New. What subtle argu-
mcnts used, and to what extent they had weight
in European cabinets we have but little knowledge OIL
We observed some effects but we did not know all tho
causes and waited long and patiently for the
wished for e1pose We need wait longer. Our
clever enterprisng and entertaining contemporary the
Citizen, knowing the wants Of the public, is now
engaged in supplying them and is publishing series
Of articles the ''Secret History OF Confederate
DipIo Ahraad bu d,vin DO Iaon one Of
agents Of the coafcderacy in Europe during the
entire war. Tho writer, therefore, is thoroughly
acquainted with the subject of which he treats,
and as he enters upon his labors with deter
minaton TO write bis revelations without FEAR,
favor affection snG equally without malice preju
dice, we have right to expect to gain complete ana
valuable insight into the secret movements OF the ioregn
agents abroad, and clearing up OF all the CLOUDS o.
doubt and uncertainty that hide the motives OF some OF
the great Powers In their interference WIN american
affairs during the rebellion. Mr. 10 Leon had held the
post OF United States Consul General to Egypt for two
terms at the breaking out OF the rebellion Educated
Calhoun school of State rights he resigned his
position when his state, South Carolina, went out OF the
Union, and fastened home to give his time and talents
TO the secession From the beginning be regarded
foreign aid and foreign recognition all essential 10 the
of the Southern cause and pressed his opinions
upon Mr.. Davis aud Messrs. Hunter and Benjamin,
Secretaries OF state. He up programme Of
foreign policy which was adopted IN Richmond, and
early in 1862 he was despatched TO Europe to
and in carrying out tho proposed programme, one fea
turo OF which upon public opinion abroad
through the agency of the press and by publication
OF pamphlets bearing upon great question then in
STOW process Of solution Throughout the contest Mr.
De Leon performed his duties the hes. OF his ability,
but with what success has long been known He failed,
as did tho Confederate programme. Yet the details OF
his efforts possess high Importance as showing the
ebb and flow Of cabinet aud puoiic opinion aud the
OF the schemes Of France and England aid
reoc lion and disrupt Union. In the early chap
tors OF his revelations Mr. De Leon gives clear and
rapid sketch Of that foreshadowed the great at
tempt OF the Sou IN TO break up tho government the
part taken by Mr. Davis in the plotting and planning OF
the rebeion ia which he gives hitherto unpub-
shed letters, showing tina, Mr.. Davis was unwilling to
accep. the conclusion that by the election OF Mr. Lincoln
tho disruption Of the Union must follow He was "the
crest OF mighty Southern sentiment surgng
beow him, and not only poworless to calm but
o, ten guide the swell OF its swollen waters' The
then proceeds explain the OF the general
opinion OF Europe OF America and Americans, which was
cerainiy generally uniavorabe 10 us, with the single
exception Of Russia England dslkcd us for variety
o! asons and the history OF intercourse with her
shows Tong series OF disputes, often threatening
on boundary, hsheries and ether subjects We con-
tsnually ated Of whipping the old country and our
rtadiu6 ~ 10 do u again, which England did not like
The, our institutions were offensive to the upper
classes, and growing commercial interests endan.
rerod tho supremacy OF Great Britain on tho seasabun
dInt causes we imagine, without abiding to Others
to prevent England from being active friend SYM
pathizcr lie United States France Notwithstanding
the empty phrase oi traditional friendship not and
indeed is not true friend OF A,nerica She had
not forgotten General Jacksons demand Tor an indem
nifty from LOUIS Philippe, nor was she ignorant Of the
cause OF the display OF sympathy Tor Russia during
the Crimcan war. SPAN feared and hated because
coveted the Queen Antilles Cuba Austria, too
wei remembered Kosz,a case and Prussia had dis
cased too long the question OF the right OF exparation
with Cover ment 10 wish success. All the gov
ernments. with the honorable exception of Russia,
sec,cy dasIred downiall during the rebellion; but
The democratic party OF france Germany and Italy, and
tie reiormiss OF England remained only friends
the beginning the end Of the struggle, and aided
preventing recognition OF the South The two great
Powers, whose lead followed by Europe, were
France and England. We all know where English SYM
pa,hes pointed throughout the war; and inclined to
credit her with eeaseless activity in advancing the
Southern IN continental COURTS but all do not
beIeVe, Nhat many knes tna' tne most otter CRAFTY
aud dangerous enemy OF all of the United satos was
Napoleon. lie was not so open as Engiand but he was
lar more DANGEROUS NJ ana o hur.iail and the
tins conviction. The Empress regarding the conflict
WITH the preIudces Of nfr religion and from
the nrsi favorable 10 ths South. Ihe Dac de Morny
aud Due de Persgnv confidential coulseors OF the
Emperor, also inclined towards the Confedsrates.
has closest AID dearest influences about Empe.
against us, though Prince Napoleon and ".
IhouyeBel directed theirs on the side OF the North.
Prince Napoleon made Tue Tsais Royal the headquar-
Union party III France. and placed himself
tie head of that element and susia ned government
throughout tho conflict The opposition IN the Corps
Legsiath was OF course, decidedly in favor of the
una- side aud by s abe. consistent and vigorous op
rosir to Nap blooms schemes tended to prevent that
WHY iegnarch from carrying them out. Mr.. ID Leon
gives tery clear aua5 sis o. the opposition party In bis
NorS.
her proclamation OF neutrality, Issued hastily before
Mr.. adans had arrived al his post, that they should
combine 10 She adoption or more decided policy that
o. joint mediation or drec; intervention IN American
ar.rf England declined this proposal and did the
Cned by oil ia s1eh manner az 10 leave tue subject
open Russia slsrs replied IN decided tone, and In
way lcse no doubt OF her unaterable sympathy with
ou cdnniry aud her opposition to any scheme of inter-
ference that should result in the disruption OF the
nation
Thus far he's Mr. De Leon proceeded in his history.
We are ncw 10 obtain ccat view Of the diplomatic
machinery OF The Coaledcratos it, engineers and assist
ants aad shat doubt be 10, med precisely what
hopes Of the cabinets Of Europ held out to the
confedracy 10 buoy them AMI iuducs Il en- TO struggle
the last waiting for foreign aid. The zeal bearings
of the Mcxsan expedition on the rebellion III doubt
less be developed ~ this revelation aud sha.' kaow
Wlat definition Napoleon Places upon the diplo,. tatc
rhrase of traditional friendship" which he has alwA VS.
u whom he has been working for overthrow. Mr..
ne leon writes in clear, sucenct manner, exhibits
great familiarity With his subject aud wide knowledge
OF the people with whom he laborsd.
BY III, publication OF those interesting pcpArs the
cdi,ea has taken ylgo,cus '6ss Ei S5se Of M con
terporarea Niles aei.5 has shown his gencralship |
on this a. " .7o1y occasion where enterprise, talent
ana avpy knowledge Of the wants OF the community
arc required 10 add tho popularity and value Of his
paper