France and Russia.
In the Northern papers brought by the flag of truce boat from Fortress Monroe the day before yesterday, it is stated that these two powers were negotiating for a recognition of the Southern Confederacy, and that there was a general belief in European commercial circles that a speedy recognition would ensue.--To us this appears extremely doubtful, since no reason exists now for recognition that did not exist many months ago. We have so often indulged in hope, with regard to this subject, that we are afraid to encourage it any longer. We see no intimation of the sort in the London Times, which is proverbially keen sighted and sharp-scented on all such occasions, and feels instinctively the least symptom of a changing wind. It might be supposed that the failure of England to substitute her India cotton for our Sea Island and Uplands, might have the effect of inducing her to break the blockade; but recognition by no means implies breaking the blockade, unless the Yankees choose to make it a pretext for war.--But what should induce Russia and France to recognize us at this particular juncture we cannot conceive, unless it be the gigantic energy and vast resources which our country has displayed in the war. Russia, particularly, is the last country to which we should look for recognition, since the Yankees have always claimed Alexander as their particular friend, and alleged that he was horribly inimical to the ‘"rebels."’ They even went so far, a short time since, as to proclaim that he was on the point of paying Old Abe a friendly visit. All this may have been but so many Yankee lies, for aught we know — the latter part of it certainly was. Still, since the recognition of the Confederacy by France and England might possibly engage those two powers in a war with the Yankees, and since such a war would be of the greatest advantage to Russia in her designs on Turkey, we can hardly believe that the Czar would pursue a line of policy which might tend to lessen the chances of its occurrence.We hope our Government and people will not be tempted to relax their exertions, from a belief in the actual existence of these negotiations. We must cut our way out of our difficulties. There is no other hope for us.
