Year: 1862




Washfmgton.


From the London Times, Dec. 2al


anythlng we've wanting to show that tho course
taken by the British Cabinet the sanction Of Europe
an opinion would be furnished by the circular which
the French government has addressed 70 its diplomatic
agents abroad The purport Of this circular s we
told 70 declare that arrest OF Messrs Mason and
sde was contrary TO the principles which are regarded
as essential TO the security Of neutral flags, and to an
nounce that the Emperor has deemed necessary to
submit this opinion TO the Cabzet Of Washington in
considers indispensable. This act of the French gouers
ment s'u g.re great saideon to the English people at the
After tins important declaration Of the French govern
ment we can afford to smile at the III humor OF small
portion OF the French press Two three organs at the
most have taken the part of opponents and indeed
the Paris journals have been nearly a.
own But the Opinion Nctssale, which is now said to
% the organ Of Prince Napoeon is anxious to assert the
hewy acquired independence Of the French press. It
mas an article which may point the best justi
cation OF English policy during the present generation,
ana PROOF Of the really good understanding which
lists between and the several continental nations II
s wei known that Prince Napoleon visited the Northern
states some time SINCE and that he formed opinion
which events have not justified respecting the speedy
triumph Of the North and the reconstruction
OF the old Union. In faa. The Prince, TAX
ing ne vdesOs Of the toar 0hich thoS around
him pointed out, came to the conclusion that Ftance
should giue sodrm encouragement to the federal government
ana look upon the Confedeaes as rebels doomed to de-
ieat and punishment. These opinions have certainly
made very little impression the French government,
which, like our own. has resolved strict neutrality





zeal which had been excited in the Prince himself by
Northern hospitality However, he is still supposed to
sympathize with the federal States and the Opinion Ma
ond OF course, exaggerates and burlesques the sen
nents OF its patron But ut this momentous crisis what
the worst that an unfrendy writer say Of us? Not
That we are in the wrongnot that have shown cap
tousness or arrogancenot that have failed in Of
the duties OF neura-no that shall overstrain
rights by declaring this outrage TO be Of war; but
simply that the natural enemies of France and
that 1t is the duty of enchmen to hate and thwart
to all eternity
We have referred to this article because is gratifying
to find that, in capital where
and know how much depends making out fair case,
writer who enters the field against find abso
utely nothing to say on the merits Of the dispute II
was stated some time since that Prince Napoleon
understood to be preparing speech for the Senate in
which he would make the apology Of the North In such
speech the relations between the American republic
and England could not fail TO be noticed. We know not
after the Em eror's remonstrance at Washington the
Prince will persist in this advocacy but should 1t be SO
we have no fear Of uncharitabe construction Of
our acts II s plain that both sides of the channel
the defenders Of the North the last extremity
that the moderation Of conduct and the Justice Of
our claims too clear for the utmost ingenuity Of
enemies.