Year: 1863

natural and humane desire of foreign Powers
to aid in arrestng domestic troubles, which,
| widening in their influence, have afflicted 9TH
er countries. especially in view of the crcum.
stance, deeply regretted by the American peo.
pie, that the blow aimed by the rebellion at tho
nations life has fallen heavily upon the labor.
ing population of Europe, yet notwithstanding
these things, Congress cannot hesitate to re-
gard every proposition of foreign interference
in the present contest as so far unreasonable
and inadmissibe, that its only explanation will
be found in misunderstanding of the true
state Of the question, and of the real character
Of the war 10 which the Republic is engaged.


Resolved, That the United States are now
struggling With an unprovoked and wicked re-
bellion which is seeking the destruction Of tho
Republic. that it may build up new Power,
whose cornerstone, according to the confess
sion Of its chiefs, shall be slavery. That for
the suppression of this rebellion and thus to
save the Republic and'to prevent the establish.
ment of such power, the National Govern
nent is now employing armies aud fleets iu full
faith that through these efforts all the pur.
poses of the conspirators and rebels will be
crushed that while thus engaged in this
struggle on which so much depends, any pro.
position from foreign Power, whatever form
it may take, having for its object the arrest Of
these efforts, is just in proportion to its inhu-
ence an encouragement to tbs rebellion aud to
its declared principles, and on this account 10
calculated toproloDg and emb;tter the conflict,
to cause increased expenditures of blood and
treasure, and to postpone the much desired
day of peace. That with these convictions,
aud not doubling that every such proposition
although made with good intent, is injurious
to the national interests, Congress will DO
obliged to look upon any further attempts in
the same direction as an unfriendy act, which
It earnestly deprecate to the end that nothing
may occur abroad to strengthen rebellion or
to weaken those relations of good will with
foreign Powers, which the United States are
happy to cultivate


Resolred, That the rebellion from its begin
ming, and far back even in the conspiracy
which preceded its outbreak, was encouraged
by the hope of support from foreign Powers
that its chiefs frequently boasted that tho
people of Europe were so far dependent upon
regular supplies of the great Southern staple.
that sooner or later their Governments would
be constrained to take sides with the rebellion
in some effective form, even to the extent Of
forcible Intervention if the milder form did not
prevail that the rebellion is now sustained
by this hope. which every proposition of for.
eign interference awakens anew, and that,
without this life giving support, it mast soon
yield to the just and paterDa authority of the
National Government. That considering
these things, which are aggravated BY the mo-
tves of the resistance thus encouraged, the
United States regret that foreign Powers have
not frankly told the chiefs of the rebellion
that the work in which they are engaged is
heartful, and that new Government, such as
they seek to found, with slavery as its acknowl-
edged cornerstone, and with no other declared
object Of seperate existence, is so far shocking
to civilization and the moral sense of mankind
that it must not expect welcome or recognition
in the commonwealth Of nations


Resolrcd, That the United States, confident
in the justice of their cause, which is the cause
also of good government and human rights ev-
erywhere among men; anxious for the speedy
restoration Of peace, which shall secure tran
guilty at home and remove all occasions OF
complaint abroad, and waiting with wellas.
suyed trust the fual suppression of the rebel
lion, through which ell these things, rescued
from present danger, will be secured forever,
and the Republic. one and indivisible, tri,
umphant over its enemies, will continue to
stand an example to mankind, hereby "a.
nounce as their unalterable purpose shat the
war will be vigorously prosecuted according
to the humane principles Of Christian States.
until the rebellion shall be suppressed, and
they reverently invoke upon their cause the
blessings of Almighty Con. -,


Resolred, That the President be requested
to transmit a copy of these resolutions through
the Secretary of State to the Ministers of the
United States in foreign countries, that the
declaration and protest herein set forth may
be communicated by them to the Governments
to which they are accredited.