The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1898-06-09
R.pui..d European Powers.

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ie vantage Of having Secretary Of State say
the New York Times. MIR. Seward va
y learned aud ssgseious, He attended Csb
~ net meetings. and shared fully 10 the bus
10 ness transacted, 1t the foreign relation
y OF the Govern ment which during the civl
l. war were OF such moment and delioscy a
10 call for the exercise OF the highest sbll
y ty IN their direction, he showed firm
u grasp OF the Fundamental principles o
i American policy,
W ben the diplomatic representatives o
. the siI Elropesn powers visited the Pres
dent 10 o body The ether day and submit
{ ted to him joint uote or address bearing
: their signatures and delivered under il
= slructions from their Foreign Offices 81
home, the Times took occasion to express
the hot that no President OF the United
States would ever again consent to receive
: the Ambassadors OF the European powers
except sIngly.
An illustration OF the true American
, policy 10 this respect is to be found 10
the course pursued by Secretary Seward
10 1861, sn account OF which was given by
, the Hon. Frederick W SawaTd-who was
Assistant Secretary OF State during his
fathers eight years service at the head Of
the department in the Butterfied Lee
ure Couree upon American diplomacy at
Uninn College. The lecture from which
We quote was delivered ly Mr Seward 10
November, lS92:--
"Esrly in the war it was learned
through the legation at ST. Petersburg
that Great Britain and France bad 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
svowej by NJ. Thouyenel, the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs. This alliance
for Joint action might dictate it's own
terms. Flom q joint announcement Of
neutrality it would be only step to Join;
mediation or Intervention. and it was
hardly to be anticipated that the Wash
ington Government, struggling with sn In
surrection which had rent the country
ssuuder, would be willing to face also the
combined power Of the two great empires
Of Western Europe, To the minds Of
French and Euglish statesmen the project
was even praise-worthy, 1t would 'stop |
the efIusiJn OF blood" aud increase the
supply OF cotton. 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 jane
scene occurred at the State Department
which had more iLfnenoe on The fortunee
OF the Union than ever q pitched battle.
The Secretary was sitting 1t bis table read
ing dispatches when he messenger sn
nounced:
The British Minister is here to see you,
Sir, and the French Minister, also,
Which came frst2
Lord Lyons, Sir; but they say they
both want to see you together
Seward nstinotiyely gue.sed the motive
for 20 unusual diplomstio proceeding
He paused moment and th soid
Show them both into the Assistant Secre
tsry 3 room. and will come in presently.
few minutes later as the two minis
ters were seated aide by side on the sofs
the door opened and the secretary entered
smiling and shskinR his head he ssld
No, DO. mol This will never do. can
not see you in that way,
The miDisters rose TO greet him.
True, said one it is unususl, bnt we are
obeying instructions. =
And at least, said the other, you will sl
low us to state the object OF our yisiI'
No, said Mr.. Seward. we must start
right about it, vhs, ever 1t is. NJ.
Mereier, 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 II Lord Lyons will step into my
room with me now We will discuss what a
be hss TO say to me.
II you refuse TO see Us together, began
he French Eovoy, with q courteous smile
md shrog.
Cer,sibly, | do reinse to zee you TO
,ether. though will see either OF you
eperstsly, with pleasure, here or else
where.
30 the interviews we're beld severslly e
10, jointly; and the papers sbich they p
lad been instructed tU jointly pttsent and q
orm.lly read TO him were left Tor bis 10 .
ormai inspection, A very bfiei ersmips 81
100 Of them oply vs., necessary TO enable t.
lin to ssy eourteously, bnt With decitiop, ei
bat be declined 10 hear them read or 10 .,
ooeiye official ice Of them. Writing /,
o the Uaried SIAtes ministers ht LJudon D
nd Psii', be said a
Fe shall insist, 10 thls s 10 all others, 90 Al
ealing with each o. these power. sl9be. 81
I'd their agreement 10 aot together will I,
ot At slI IF Ct the course We shall pur
ue. this government Is sensible Of the tn y
,ottauce Of the stsp ii takes Ia declining /,
o receive the CON uulicstion 10 ques .
100. o