Year: 1863

the British Secretary Of State for Foreign Affairs,
in his reply to the note of M. DRoUYN DE LHUYs,
suggesting mediation ON the part of the Courts
Of Great Britain, France, and Russia in pending
political and military complications, declined to en-
tertan the proposition at that time ON the ground
that public sentiment in this country was not ripe
for the favorable consideration of such preferred
interpostion. To this effect, Earl Russell held
the following language


"Ie the end proposed attanable at the present moment
by the course suggested by the Government Of France
Such ia the question which has been anry care


fully examined By her Majesys Gorernmcn After weigh
ing all tho information which has been received Anne
rca her Maesys Government led to the conclusion
that there is ground at he present hope at


me Federal Government couid accept tho proposal suggested
and refusal from Washington at the present time would
prevent any speedy renewal Of the ofor.


Her Maestys Government think, therefore, that it
would Be better g soaeh carefully Ae progress Of opinion
dmestcs az there appears to hope it may
be found tc have undergone may undergo hereafter
any change the three Courts might then anal themselves
Of sach change TO cGr their friendly counsel with greater
contending parties.


Her Msjesty's Government will COMMUNISTS to that
Of France any intelligence they may receive from Wash
'ngton or Richmond bearing on this important subject"


Such being the attitude of the British Cover
ment it is obvious that all discussion or agitation
among Us tending to create public opinion in
the United States favorable to foreign mediation,
will be "watehed carefully" in London and duly
reported to the Government at Paris, as serving to
bring about the " change" of which "the three
Courts may avail themselves" /" so far as to cffer
their friendly counsel with greater prospect than
now exists of its being accepted BY the two con-
tending parties"


And it is in this light that much Importance will
doubtless be given to the recent demonstration
which has been made in favor of foreign media
tion" by potential organ of the present Admin
istration. We alude to the New York Tribune,
which, in its number of last December 27th for
mally broke ground in support Of this policy. That
journal then said


"Ifa Government notorously free from partality or
from sinister impuses-hat of Switzerland for example
10 tender to Its coed Offices to bring about re-
coBcliaon between and herebeld should urge that
the proposition be met frankly and cordially.


Whatever its result should regard the profer it.
self act of genuine kindness. Give intelligent
capable, upright tribunal and we should urge that our
should accept and appear before prepared
TO prove at the union Of all States geographical
and political necessity that the North cannot possibly te


fighting to subjagate the South seeing that the Govern
mept che fights for is that which has generally secured the
sway o the South and that slavery nothing but slavery
seeks the dissolution snd overthrow of the American Re-
public. Only secure capable and candid tribunal and
we should be willing to submit without fear it's arbra-
tion ;"
The "prs ssure" brought to bear on the
President by the political influences of which
the Tribune is a recognised exponent, were
sufficient, in the end, to constrain the adop-
tion of the policy of emancipation by proclama-
tion after the President, in his appeal to the
Representatives from the Border States, had indi-
Gated his personal repugnance to that policy by
asking them to "relicve him aud the country
from this pressure" tits, therefore, not uureason.
able that shrewd observers Of current events judg
ing the future by the past, should now jump to the
conclusion that similar success will attend the eff.
forts of those who are seeking to concliate favor
for foreign mediation, against the originally de-
clared purposes of the Administrator And as
Earl Russell intimated that equal weight would be
given to "any intelligence bearing on this impor-
tant subject" whether coming from Washington
or Richmond, it is natural and proper that those
who in the Loyal States have broken ground in
favor of foreign mediation should seek to reinforce
their proragandism for peaceful arbitration" by
initiating, if possible, an auxiliary movement on the
part of the insurgents Hence we suppose the real
pertnency if not the design, of the following OBJ
servatons, with which the Tribune follows mp its
plea for "foreign mediation" and "arbitration -


"Is there no possibility Of peace


We answer, Yes, certainly but let those who began
the make the first overlures looking 10 peace They
not sss I'd with peaceaby takng they rushed to
bombarding and when they want peace they surely
cay Until they do all clamor for il at the North is
simply giving encouragement to the rebellion.


Should the insurgents propose to settle differences
by friendly and unfraneed arbitration, scouid piady
ehe met conciiiatogy spirit True we could
not consent to submit differences any monarch who
has evinced disposition adverse to the Unon and espe
cay to who HIS the strongest personal
wishing to prove republican Institutions impraccable and
failure On the other hand the rebels would doubtless
object to the arbitration of the Emperor of Russia because
he has evinced decided pariaiy for the Of
the Union. He other fair and feasible
that Cc hagc already suggesedan unresped reference Of
all ferences 10 ihe intelligent pure and nnambous
Republic Of Sutherland which has thus far betrayed
partstits, which has selfish end to advance and which
must naturally desire such soluton Of our difficulties
will rebound to the credit and perpeuity Of republican
Institutions When the rebels shall be rsady to propose
peaceful arbitration, stand prepared apor sc
hare oready suggssfed bur until some proposition
Of that nature Is made from Richmond we trust there will
be further overtures for peace the part o the Unon
That is, the Tribune is willing to accept two
fold humiliation of the national dignty--6rstly, in
L r. ~ ~ Il. - - f. n -, Ii