The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 3, September 1864: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 3, September 1864: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
'At page 614, in this same note, speaking of the effect of the
Proclamation of Emancipation, he says: 'The attention of publicists
may well be called to the withdrawal of the four millions of men
from the cultivation of cotton, which, is the source of wealth of
the great commercial and manufacturing nations of Europe.' That is,
he suggests this as a ground for interference in our affairs on the
principles of _his_ international law. He further adds that this
cultivation of cotton is 'by nature a virtual monopoly of the
seceded States;' that is, nature preordained the negroes to be
slaves in the seceded States to raise cotton; and hence natural and
international law require emancipation proclamations to be put
down. Did Stephens ever go farther? Again, on the same page, he
says: 'The effect on the United States, _in the event of the
reestablishment of the Federal authority,_' without the
Proclamation in force, etc., 'would be _seriously felt_, in its
financial bearings,' etc.--'abroad as well as at home.' Not
satisfied, therefore, with suggesting a justification of
intervention, on the basis of international law, he appeals to the
cupidity of foreigners as well as natives, by hinting also that
financial ruin may follow the triumph of Freedom and the Federal
armies. What a shame that an American editor should use the great
name of Wheaton to give dignity to such suggestions in foreign
countries.' He then gives--all in the same interminable note (page
614)--an extract from _The Morning Chronicle_, of May 16, 1860, of
which I give you this delicious morsel: 'No blacks, no cotton, such
is the finality.' At page 609, he speaks of the 'incompatibility of
confiscation of property with the present state of civilization.'
At page 609, he quotes, with evident delight, the sanctimonious
despatch of Lord John Russell about sinking ships in Charleston
harbor, which his lordship calls a 'project only worthy the times
of barbarism;' and the American annotator, who could use page after
page to degrade his own Government for emancipating slaves, of
course could not be expected to refer to any of the precedents that
would have silenced Lord John, and have justified the United
States; and he therefore passes on with no reference to them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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