The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-02
National Mistakes,

1t seems from the confession of FAvRE to
BISMARCK that lie at least has hoped that
France would be succored by foreign inter-
vention. lie was not alone in this hope.
Many of the leaders Of the French people,
il not they themselves, placed their faith in
foreign princes, Republicans though they
were. They vainly thought that the inter-
national relationships Of Europe rendered
1t necessary that France should not be HUI
INFLATED to the attitude Of a second-clasS
power, and that she should not be dismem-
bered. They have been sadly disappointed.
A great change has been wrought in the
political relations of the world by the dis
covcries of science and the improvements
in mechanical agencies. Impulse and am
btion are now held in check by motives OF
prudence, and cold, practical estimates OF
cost, and of dangers unknown in the days
before the active employment of steam rs u
motive power. The French have sad lesson
and warning on this point, and will be all
the wiser for it.
In this matter Of trust in political atiini-
ties and repulsions amongst nations the
late Southern Confcdcracy in this country
had its severe lesson. Hundreds of its
prominent men looked to the intervention
of England and France as almost certain.
General PENDLEToN represents General LEE
as having stated that his only hope of the
independence of the Southern Confederacy
was in help from abroad. 1t was that alone
that achieved the independence of this
caSptry in the Revolution of rs. 1t was
nv nd Reans a wild and visionary view of
policy of nations that considered it 70 be
the interest of leading o9es.H Powers to
cut this Republic in Two in order to pre-
vent the establishment on this continent Of
Power so great as to be terror to the
world. We in the South wanted separation
in order to escape everlasting interference
in our domestic affairs, endless imposition
upon our industry; and we thought it
clearly the interest Of the leading nations
in the world to give such countenance to
our efforts at independence rs would crown
them with success.
We were rs greatly disappointed rs
France. And in both instances we have il
Illustrated the overriding influences and
only put check upon the qualification of
political ideas and impulses by resorting to
the terrible trials Of war according to these
DAYS, but will diminish the number of wars.
Fortunately in our case, the end of war
was the end of the institution which main
ly caused those distinctions, social and po-
litical, which led to war. Had the Federal
Government wisely considered the result !;
had it recognized the abolition Of this main
source of national feuds rs the means of
ending those feuds, and there rested, all
would have been well in brief period.
But with blind prejudice and bigotry-
with knavish scheming for party advan-
tage, new source of trouble and alena-
ton was created by the use which was
made of the late slave. Had he been placed
on probation until he had time to tit him.
self for bis new relation to society, and the
people Of the South had been promptly and
wisely restored to that equality in the Gov
eminent without which there can be no
such thing as a republic, we should now
have thoroughly united country, all sec.
tions bound in feeling and in interest in up
holding the power and dignity of the
General Government, and rapidly advan-
cling 1t to that prominence which it was
beyond question the interest of Europe to
impede, and if possible Illustrate.
But while we, as well as France, have
learned the folly Of putting faith in princes,
let us hope that our own Government will
not be too stolid to discern also lesson
as to the impolicy of inficting pains, dis
qualifications, and punishments upon the
people upon whose fealty and patriotism
1t must rely for good order, contentment,
and prosperity, and In time Of danger for
protection and for victory.
The lesson to the South is not lost. There