The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-11
'r1olland," in Philadelphia Press.

"Ho1land" in Philadelphia Press.
In the fail of 1861, President Lincoln
sent Archbishop Hughes, Of New York,
Bishop McIlvaine, of Ohio, and Thur
low Weed to Europe as personal repre-
sentatives, semi-ofiicial ambassadors,
that they might meet and stay the
efforts of the representatives, of the
Confederacy to secure recognition Of
the Confederacy by Great Britain and
France.
The day after this embassy sailed,
Mason and Slidell were brought as
prisoners Of war to New York. The
British steamship Trent had been
stopped on the high seas by an Amer
lean warship, and these two commits
sioners from the Confederate states
taken from her, after which she was
allowed to proceed. Mr.. Lincoln and
his secretary of state were made very
anxious by this act, although 5he
North, not seeing at first behind 1t, was
rejoiced.
But the president and Mr.. Seward
knew we'll that in the temper Of the
ruling men of Great Britain the act
would certainly create great danger Of
war, and would probably make newt
acy. Mason and Slidell were not worth
that great risk, nor was the technical
international question involved in their
capture important enough to raise and
maintain, if war with Great Britain
or even the recognition of the Con-
federacy came as a result of the rais-
ing of it.
The ocean cable was laid then. bat
1nI lNl., A..
years. The administration at WASH
ington could only send Mason and Sill
dell to military prison and wait.
WAR SEEMED IMMINENT.
On the day after the special embassy
landed on The other side the Trent
came to port, bringing a story that set
Rll England atlamc. Perhaps it was
veil that the cable was then lfeless
and "manana" is sometimes the peace
maker. War with civilized nations
only follows ceremonies of diplomacy
and diplomacy must wait on the mails.
Mr.. Weed and Archbishop Hughes
were called to Paris instantly, having
heard that it was the purpose of the
emperor at his New Years Day meet
ing with the corps legislatif to an
nounce that he should recognize the
Confederacy and raise the blockade OF
the Southern ports maintained by the
United States. The story of the diplo-
macy that caused Napoleon to strike
that paragraph from his address has
recently been told in this correspond.
ence.
Having succeeded in France. Mr.
Weed and Archbishop Hughes hastened
,,,it i-tA ~.
Charles Francis Adams, very despond-
cnt. The situation was grave, he said
Lord Palmerston was clearly for war
Nothing but the most abject apology
the most complete disavowal of the af.
fair of the Trent, and the release OF
Mason and Sldell, perhaps. with hon.
ors, could avert war, and PalmerStoT
did not intend to allow the United
States the opportunity, except at the
cost of humiliation no self-respcctinc
nation would submit to make tn
apology and reparation. The ministry
was with Palmerston, and by far tht
greater part of the ruling class, while
the Commoners, many Of whom hat
been friendly to the North were now
angered by the insult, which, they be
lieved, the United States had done L
tuc bllllSH IdS
PREPARING \ NOTE.
Palmerston was known to he prepar
ing a note to be sent to Mr. Seward
following the first one that demande,
explanation from the United States
and it was known that this note woulC
be so offensive in terms, so arbitrary
so humiliating to the United States
that it would be impossible for Nj
Seward to take any notice of it eXcep
to acknowledge its receipt 1t was t,
be a note written in the expectation
that after il would come a declaration
of war.
Thurow Reed while this note wa
in preparation that involved some days
called upon Lord Russell. The Ameri
can was of such humble birth that no
one of the lads of his day who hat
any home at all knew better than n
the humbling power of poverty. Rus
sell was bred in luxury. When Weec