The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-01
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
Repulsed European Powers.

the advantage of having Secretary of
State says the New York Times. Mr.,
Seward was learned and sagacious.
He attended Cabinet meetings and shar-
ed fully in the business transacted. In
the foreign relations of the Government
which during the civil war were of such
moment and delicacy as to call for the
exercise of the highest ability in their
direction, he showed a firm grasp of
the fundamental principles OF Ameri-
can policy.
When the diplomatic representatives.
of the six European powers visited the
President in body the other day and
submitted to him a joint note or ad.
dress bearing their signatures and de-
livered under instructions from their
Foreign Offices at home, the Times
took occasion to express the hope that
no President of the United States
would ever again consent to receive
the Ambassadors of the European pow
ers except singly.
An illustration of the true American
policy in this respect is to be found
in the course pursued 10y Secretary
Seward in 1861, an account of which
was given by the Hon. Frederick W.
Seward-who was Assistant Secretary
Of State during his fathers eight years.
service at the head of the department
in the Butterfeld Lecture Course
upon American diplomacy at Union
College. The lecture from which we
quote was delivered by Mr.. Seward in
November, 1922
"Early in the war it was learned
through the legation at St. Petersburg
that Great Britain and France had
agreed to take one and the same course
on the subject of the American war,
including the possible recognition of
the rebels. Later this understanding
was distinctly avowed by M. Thouven-
ell, the French Minister of Foreign AT
fairs. This alliance for joint action
might dictate its own terms. From
Joint announcement of neutrality it
would be only step to joint mediation
or Intervention; and it was hardly to be
anticipated that the Washington Gov
eminent, struggling with an insurrec-
ton which had rent the country asund-
err, would be willing TO face also the
combined power of the two great
empires of Western Europe. To the
minds of French and English states
men the project was even praise
worthy. 1t would "stop the effusion of
blood" and increase the supply of cot
ton. 1t would leave the American
Union permanently divided, but that
was contamination that European
statesmen in general would not grieve
over.
'On the morning of the 18th of June
scene occurred at the State Depart
b;oh hal int tha
fortunes of the Union than even
pitched battle. The secretary was sit
ting at his table reading dispatches
when the messenger announced:
"The British Minister is here to see
you, Sir, and the French Minister,
Also"
(Which came frst?"
Lord Lyons, Sir; but they say they
both want to see you together"
Seward instinctively guessed the mo-
tive for so unusual diplomatic pro-
ceeding. He paused moment and
then aaid
"Show them both into the Assistant
Secretarys room, and l will come in
presently"
A few minutes later, as the two min
listers were seated side by side on the
! sofa, the door opened and the secretary
entered smiling and shaking his head
he said:
''No, no, no! This will never do.
cannot see you in that way"
The ministers rose to greet him.
True" said one, sit is unusual, but
We are obeying our instructions"
sAnd at least" said the other, "you
will allow US to state the object of our
visit?"
NO." said Mr.. Seward, eve must
start right about it, whatever it is. M.
MERCER, will you do me the favor to
come and dine with me this evening?
Then we can talk over your business at
our leisure. And if Lord Lyons will
step into my room with me now we will
discuss what he has to say to me-"
"It you refuse to see US together"
began the French Envoy, with cour-
teous smile and shrug.
Certainly, 1 do refuse to see you to-
gether, though l will see either of you
separately, with pleasure, here or else
where"
So the interviews were held severallY
not Jointly; and the papers which they
had been instructed to jointly present
and formally read to him were left for
his informal inspection. A very brief
examination of them only was necessa-
ry to enable him to say courteously,
but with decision, that he declined to
hear them read or to receive official no.
tice of them. Writing to the United
States ministers at London and Paris,
he said: "We shall insist, in this as
in all others, on dealing with each of
these powers alone, and their agree
ment to act together will not at all af-
feet the course we shall pursue. This
government is sensible of the impor-
lance of the step it takes in declining
to receive the communication in ques-
tion."
The projected Intervention, thus
thwarted in the first year of the war,
was again and again attempted in some
different form during each succeeding
year. At one time the plan was seri-
ously discussed in the imperial coun-
ellis at Paris of putting forward some
small power like Belgium, to pick a
quarrel with the United States, and
| then the two great empires. suddenly