DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. 179 sioned to represent the Confederacy at an artful appeal to British trading intercertain foreign Courts, have been recent-ests, with which the Message concluded: ly seized by the captain of a United States ship-of-war, on board a British steamer, on their voyage from the neutral Spanish port of Havana to England. The United States have thus claimed a general jurisdiction over the high seas, and, entering a British ship, sailing under its country's flag, violated the rights of embassy, for the most part held sacred even amongst barbarians, by seizing our Ministers whilst under the protection and within the dominions of a neutral nation. These gentlemen were as much under the jurisdiction of the British Government upon that ship, and beneath its flag, as if they had been upon its soil; and a claim on the part of the United States to seize them in the streets of London would have been as well founded as that to apprehend them where they were taken. Had they been malefactors, and citizens even of the United States, they could not have been arrested on a British ship or on British soil unless under the express provisions of a treaty, and according to the forms therein provided for the extradition of criminals. But rights the most sacred seem to have lost all respect in their eyes. When Mr. Faulkner, a former Minister of the United States to France, commissioned before the secession of Virginia, his native State, returned in good faith to Washington to settle his accounts and fulfil all the obligations into which he had entered, he was perfidiously arrested and imprisoned in New York, where he now is. The unsuspecting confidence with which he reported to his Government was abused, and his desire to fulfil his trust to them was used to his injury." To this appeal to British pride was added a remonstrance on the subject of the blockade, which it was a special effort of the Confederates to exhibit to the naval powers of Europe as ineffectual, and calling for their interference. On this subject, it was said, with "In conducting this war, we have sought no aid and proposed no alliances, offensive and defensive abroad. We have asked for a recognized place in the great family of nations, but in doing so we have demanded nothing for which we did not offer a fair equivalent. The advantages of intercourse are mutual amongst nations, and in seeking to establish diplomatic relations, we were only endeavoring to place that intercourse under the regulation of public law. Perhaps we had the right, if we had chosen to exercise it, to ask to know whether the principle that. ' blockades, to be binding, must be effectual,' so solemnly announced by the great Powers of Europe at Paris, is to be generally enforced or applied only to particular parties. When the Confederate States, at your last session, became a party to the declaration reaffirming this principle of international law, which has been recognized so long by publicists and Governments, we certainly supposed that it was to be universally enforced. The customary laws of nations are made up of their practice rather than their declarations; and if such declarations are only to be enforced in particular instances, at the pleasure of those who make them, then the commerce of the world, so far from being placed under the regulation of a general law, will become subject to the caprice of those who execute or suspend it at will. If such is to be the course of nations in regard to this law, it is plain that it will thus become a rule for the weak and not for the strong. Feeling that such views must be taken by the neutral nations of the earth, I have caused the evidence to be collected which proves completely the utter inefficiency of the proclaimed blockade of our coast, and shall direct it to be laid before such Governments as shall afford us the means of being heard. 'But, although we should be benefited by the enforcement of this law so solemn ly declared by the great powers of Europe, we are not dependent on that enforcement for the successful prosecution of the war. As long as hostilities continue, the Confederate States will exhibit a steadily increasing capacity to furnish their troops with food, clothing, and arms. If they should be forced to forego many of the luxuries and some of the comforts of life, they will at least have the consolation of knowing that they are thus daily becoming more and more independent of the rest of the world. If, in this process, labor in the Confederate States should be gradually diverted from those great Southern staples which have given life to so much of the commerce of mankind, into other channels, so as to make them rival producers instead of profitable customers, they will not be the only or even chief losers by this change in the direction of their industry. Although it is true, that the cotton supply from the Southern States could only be totally cut off by the subversion of our social system, yet it is plain that a long continuance of this blockade might, by a diversion of labor and investment of capital in other employments, so diminish the supply as to bring ruin upon all those interests of foreign countries which are dependent on that staple. For every laborer who is diverted from the culture of cotton in the South, perhaps four times as many elsewhere, who have found subsistence in the various employments growing out of its use, will be forced also to change their occupation. While the war which is waged to take from us the right of self-government can never attain that end, it remains to be seen how far it may work a revolution in the industrial system of the world, which may carry suffering to other lands as well as to our own. In the mean time we shall continue this struggle in humble dependence upon Providence, from whose searching scrutiny we cannot conceal the secrets of our hearts, and to whose rule we confidently submit our destinies. For the rest we shall depend upon ourselves. Liberty is always won where there exists the unconquerable will to be free, and we have reason to know the strength that is given by a conscious sense not only of the magnitude but of the righteousness of our cause." Various complaints having been made of the successful efforts of rebels in the recovery of their fugitives slaves at Washington, by the aid or connivance of the officers of the army, the following order, addressed to General McClellan was on the 4th of December issued by Mr. Seward from the Department of State: "General,-I am directed by the President to call your attention to the following subject: persons claimed to be held to service or labor under the laws of the State of Virginia, and actually employed in hostile service against the Government of the United States, frequently escape from the lines of the enemy's forces, and are received within the lines of the army of the Potomac. This Department understands that such persons, afterward coming into the city of Washington, are liable to be arrested by the city police, upon the presumption arising from color, that they are fugitives from service or labor, by the fourth section of the act of Congress, approved August 6, 1861, entitled an act to confiscate property used for insurrectionary purposes, such hostile employment is made a full and sufficient answer to any further claim to service or labor. Persons thus employed and escaping are received into the military protection of the United States, and their arrest as fugitives from labor or service, should be immediately followed by the military arrest of the parties making the seizure. Copies of this communication will be sent to the Mayor of the city of Washington, and to the Marshal of the District of Columbia, that any collision between the military and civil authorities may be avoided." THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING. 181 is now manifested, and it will crush out that treason, that it shall be known henceforth only in ignoble history. The enemies of a true liberty will not be suffered to prevail." A similar fervor was mani among which no word carried a deeper sense of gratitude than that spoken by Governor Charles Robinson, of Kansas. Recognizing the dangers to which that frontier State was exposed from an invasion of the enemy or incursion of the savages, he expressed his thankfulness that the latter inuch-dreaded evil had as yet "taken no more substantial form than their fears." While mindful of the famine of the previous season, he desired The usual national Thanksgiving held in November was this year generally celebrated on the 28th of the month, by the loyal States. The proclamations of the governors appointing the day, tempered with a feeling sense of the calami-fested in the other western proclamations, ties of the war, breathed the most earnest patriotism. Among these public papers was one from Governor Pierpont, of Virginia, from Wheeling, joining heartily with the rest in commending the day to the people as one "Of humble and fervent prayer, that He will, in more abundant mercy, bring to a speedy end the heart-burnings and civil strife which are now desolating our country, and restore to our Union its ancient foundations of brotherly love and a just appreciation."" to acknowledge to the bounteous Giver Governor Hicks, of Maryland, reminded the people that "while they were learning the art of war, they should not forget the arts of peace; but devoutly pray that this great nation may again become a united, loyal, constitution-loving and law-abiding people." Kentucky joined in the observance of the day, and Governor Magoffin, confining the language of his proclamation to the religious motives of the occasion, invoked the prayer of the people," that ascending to Heaven as the dews of earth, will return in showers of mercy, and span our beloved land with the rainbow of God-given peace." The West everywhere echoed this language of religion and loyalty. Said Governor Austin Blair, of Michigan: "Our liberties, civil and religious, still remain to us. The rude shock of war has not so much as touched our borders. The free republic, founded by our fathers, after heroic sacrifices and struggles, still bears aloft the national flag, and grows daily stronger in the hearts of the great body of the people." Governor Alexander W. Randall, of Wisconsin, with emphasis, declared that "with a firm reliance upon God's long-suffering and forbearance, and upon his just judgments, the majestic power of the nation of the sunlight and the rain, that abundant increase which had followed the labor of the husbandman; the last year's drought and the winter's snows having prepared the earth for a bounteous harvest, verifying the proverb, that much bread is grown in the winter's night.' Governor Morgan, of New York, in a few significant sentences briefly reviewed the prominent circumstances of the oppressive conflict, and found abundant matter for thankfulness in the spirit and unanimity with which the national cause had been sustained. " Though a suicidal war, stimulated by leaders of faction, and waged with all the power of a great and misguided people, weighs like the hand of death upon the National energies, and throws its dark shadow over the land; though this nation, so recently prospering under Heaven's brightest smile, and advancing with gigantic steps toward greatness and power, has been arrested in its progress, and is suffering the deep humiliation and blighting influence of a murderous civil war, yet we have infinite cause for thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God. Disease has been stayed from the fireside and from the camp; internal order has prevailed; plenty has abounded; liberty of conscience remains unabridged; ordinary pur suits have been uninterrupted; our National rights are respected; partisan animosities are fast burning out, and the spirit of fraternal affection has been beautifully manifest throughout a wide extent of our common country. Though composed of the representatives of many nations, a general calamity has revealed our strange homogeneity, has served to obliterate prejudices, has moved all alike by the same patriotic emotion. All alike have responded to the call to save our imperiled institutions. The marvelous energy which the crisis calls forth proves our national spirit to be unabated, our vigor unwasted, and gives promise, under the blessings of God, of a higher position in all that constitutes true national greatness. Though evils follow the train of armies, yet for these we have a great compensation in the fact that the exposures and expenditures incident to war will necessarily counteract the tendency of the age to effeminacy and luxury." 66 In the same spirit, Governor Holbrook, of Vermont, recapitulating the blessings enjoyed by the land, recommended the expression of thanksgiving, "that at the first note of alarm, the loyal American people of all professions, pursuits, parties, and opinions, so spontaneously rallied in defence of our beautiful and beloved country as to give assurance that, with the blessing of Providence, they will emerge from the struggle bringing their institutions with them, firmly established, and standing before the world a full demonstration of the power and stability of a free government." Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, looked beyond the present hardships of the struggle to the new national life in the future. "To maintain our rights," said he, "against the combined powers of rebels, to reestablish this government upon the foundations of righteousness, and to open the way for this whole people to engage again in the avocations of peace, will cost us time and treasure and life. It will carry sorrow into many a But we may rejoice in confidence that God, who holds the destinies of nations in His hands, has no attribute which can take side with the oppressor; that He is with us in this struggle for right and justice; that the privations and losses which we now suffer will be abundantly rewarded by the richer, purer, and higher blessings of liberty which shall be permanently enjoyed by future generations." In strong scriptural phraseology blending the motives of religion with the duties to the State, Governor Curtin, of Penn-heart and grief into many a family circle. sylvania, besought the blessing of Heaven on behalf of these United States, that our beloved country may have deliverance from these great and apparent dangers wherewith she is compassed, and that the loyal men now battling in the field for life may have their arms made strong and their blows heavy, and may be shielded by His divine power, and that He will mercifully still the outrage of perverse, violent, unruly, and rebellious people, and make them clean hearts and renew a right spirit within them, and give them grace that they may see the error of their ways and bring forth works meet for repentance, and hereafter, in all godliness and honesty, obediently walk in His holy commandments, and in submission to the just and manifest authority of the republic, so that we, leading a quiet and peaceful life, may continually offer unto Him our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving The most characteristic document, however, which made its appearance on this occasion, was one from the pen of Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts. Filled with instructive pious emotion, and overflowing with that outspoken eloquence with which the old Puritans supported national duties and trials with religious consolations and sanctions, it sets before us in a vivid manner the sacred enthusiasm, the earnest patriotism, which sent forth so many of the GOVERNOR ANDREW'S PROCLAMATION. noblest spirits of the land to bleed and die in the cause of the country. This noticeable State paper ran thus: "The example of the Fathers, and the dictates of piety and gratitude, summon the people of Massachusetts, at this, the harvest season, crowning the year with the rich proofs of the Wisdom and Love of God, to join in a solemn and joyful act of united Praise and Thanksgiving to the Bountiful Giver of every good and perfect gift. "I do, therefore, with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint THURSDAY, the 21st day of November next, the same being the anniversary of that day, in the year of our Lord sixteen hundred and twenty, on which the Pilgrims of Massachusetts, on board the Mayflower, united themselves in a solemn and written compact of government, to be observed by the people of Massachusetts as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise. And I invoke its observance by all people with devout and religious joy. 'Sing aloud unto God, our strength: make a 'joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. 'Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 'Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 'For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.'-Psalm 81, vs. 1 to 4. 183 "For the measure of success which has attended the enterprise of those who go down to the sea in ships, of those who search the depth of the ocean to add to the food of man, and of those whose busy skill and handicraft combine to prepare for various use the crops of the earth and the sea : "For the advantages of sound learning, placed within the reach of all children of the people, and the freedom and alacrity with which these advantages are embraced and improved: "For the opportunities of religious instruction and worship, universally enjoyed by consciences untrammelled by any human authority : 6 "For the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory.' "And with one accord, let us bless and praise God for the oneness of heart, mind, and purpose in which He has united the people of this ancient Commonwealth for the defence of the rights, liberties, and honor of our beloved country: May we stand forever in the same mind, remembering the devoted lives of our fathers,. the precious inheritance of Freedom received at their hands, the weight of glory which awaits the faithful, O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice and the infinity of blessing which it is 'of his praise be heard: 'Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not 6 our feet to be moved. 'For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried " us, as silver is tried.'-Psalm 66, vs. 8, 9. "Let us rejoice in God and be thankful; for the fulness with which He has blessed us in our basket and in our store, giving large reward to the toil of the husbandman, so that our paths drop fatness : "For the many and gentle alleviations of the hardships which, in the present time of public disorder, have afflicted the various pursuits of industry : "For the early evidences of the reviving energies of the business of the people : our privilege, if we will, to transmit to the countless generations of the Future. "And, while our tears flow in a stream of cordial sympathy with the daughters of our people, just now bereft, by the violence of the wicked and rebellious, of the fathers and husbands and brothers and sons, whose heroic blood has made verily sacred the soil of Virginia, and, mingling with the waters of the Potomac, has made the river now and for ever ours,-let our souls arise to God on the wings of Praise, in thanksgiving that He has again granted to us the privilege of living unselfishly and of dying nobly, in a grand and righteous cause : |