Year: 1861

rOREIaN INTERFERENCE.


The suggestion that Esgland will go to war
With us, or even recognize the independence Of
the Southern Confederacy, for the sake OF get
ting cotton, does not appear to be at oil prob
able.


It is, in the first place, exceedingly doubtful
whether England would not be quite pleased to
be assured that not another pound would ever
be raised in tie United States. Cotton is an
article which can be raised within wide ranges
of latitude, and most bountifully within the
colonial possessions Of England. If the culti-
yaton of cotton has not been enlarged In those
possessions 1t ia because It has been cultivated
cheaper quality considered) in the United
States England has observed this fact with a
chagrin which she has not attempted to con-
ceal, aud has been devising means for many |
years to remedy the circumstances which have
placed her colonies land we refer particularly
to India) at disadvantage as compared with
the United States How can II happen, then,
all at once, that England should contemplate
otherwise than with satisfaction, the occur
renee of condition of things likely to impair
the producing power of a commercial compe-
ttion and rivalf


As manufacturer of cotton for the world,
England is not interested in the price of the
raw material, unless 1t lie go greatly enhanced
as to restrict the consumption Of the articles
fabricated from It.


But even if it be conceded that England has
become so suddenly and 30 strangely desirous
of obtaining cotton from America, 1t il not
clear that her best chance Of obtaining 1t is
not to remain entirely quiet and to await
events. Merely to recognize the independence
of the Southern Confederacy, will produce no
other effect than to protract the war. To do
anything effectual, England must interfere by
force of arms and such an interference, for the
purpose of getting cotton, involves every spe.
cies of absurdity. War Is very poor COM
mercial operation. England could transport
to Australia and other colonies her entire pop
ulation engaged in the manufacture of cotton
at cost far less than that Of war with us
The temporary support of go much of that pop
ulat on as may be thrown ont of employment
until India and other places are able to suppl.
the cotton heretofore produced In America
would be an expense absolutely insigni6can
compared with that Of war. England canno
afford to fight for cotton, and especially nov
with nation to which she is looking for soms
thing far more indispensable than cotton, an
that is bread.


If there is any danger of English intervel
ton against our national interests, it does nj
arise at all from the commercial question
cotton. The danger, such as there is, (and "
do not believe there is much, and especially v
do not believe that it is anything more than
remote danger0 consists in the undoubted ia
that British statesmen and politicians, of a
shades Of opinion in other respects, have Co
temDlated the growth of this country in all ii
elements of power, with apprehension ar
would be glad to see us weakened by division
That is the whole story plainly told by Sir
Lytton Butler, in a recent dinner speech, al
which the world did not need to be told l
anybody.


We may depend upon ii, that whatever
positions exist, or can be excited in the Go
ernments Of England or France, to intervene
American affairs will be stimulated by eve
conceivable profFer from the leaders OF the
bellicn.


We may believe it, not merely because tn,
tell rs So but because it consists with the n
ture Of the case, that rather than submit to Il
re-established power of the Union, they wou
gladly become the cOlonia! appanage of ar
European power strong enough to prote
them.


And furthermore, 1t is probable that the
rebel leaders are not merely willing to submit
the colonial condition, II they cannot do bett,
and as an alternative more endurable than tn
of being driven into exile as the consequeu
of falling in their present enterprise but th
they would positively prefer the colonial &C
dition to that of an independent nationality.


The great slavebolding aristocracy OF
cotton States have no love for republican
stirutions, and no aversion to aristocratic a
monarchical FORMS They are surrounded wi
dangerous population Of "poor whites"
whom they stand constantly in fear, and
repress whose possible enterprises, they ne
the strong arm of some imperial authorit
And while this authority could be felt at hor
by its military arm, the farther it Was remov
US me dispenser Of patronage, the better


would suit them because II would be mo
completely under their Influence. The gre
shareholders would prefer to have Paris,


London, as the centre around which they cou
revolve as courtiers, than any place on II
continent, which would be more accessible
those popular impulses, of which they hs
never concealed their dislike.