Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The news of the almost unanimous election of the Union ticket reached here on the 21st, and has made a profound impression here and throughout Europe. It is received and commented on by the public press and in political circles in accordance with sympathies for or hostile to republican institutions. While the organs which represent the latter feeling consider and deplore this result as giving assurance of a prolongation of the war, the representatives of more liberal sentiment hail it as a triumphant vindication of the principles of self-government, and an assurance that the Union has passed safely through its greatest trial, and is to stand as their great exemplar through ages.
[Page 265]I enclose some of the comments of the newspapers here on the receipt of the news, and would call your attention to an article from the Journal de Gaud, also enclosed, as a fair rendering of the enlightened liberal sentiment of the country. As Ghent is the great centre of cotton manufacture of Belgium, this journal may be supposed to speak authoritatively, in so far as this country is concerned, for that class in favor of which the sympathies of the world have been so loudly invoked, by reason of the war.
The deep interest with which our struggle is regarded in Europe, both by the party of liberal progress and those hostile to it, becomes every day more apparent, and the causes of that interest are more openly admitted. The former see in our success the vindication of the principles they profess, and the reasons for the reforms they are struggling for. The question of slavery seems to them now, so far as my observation extends, however much at the outset it seemed to enlist their sympathy, but of minor importance. While desiring, on the broad ground of philanthropy, that it should be extirpated, they do not appear to consider its extirpation or existence as likely to have any practical bearing on this side of the Atlantic; while, on the other hand, the safe issue of the “grand republique” from this tremendous struggle would, they assert, have a profound and far-reaching influence in the world; that from it would date a new era of progress and reform in Europe, while its fall would be likely to have a contrary effect, and to cause a reaction from the present liberal tendencies of the age.
Their opponents, on the contrary, seem to dread our success as likely to prepare the way for trouble and revolutions in Europe, as did the successful result of our revolutionary struggle in 1776, and to think that no effort should be spared to avert it; and hence the bitter, unscrupulous, and mendacious course which their organs in the public press have pursued toward us.
It would do much for the right understanding of our cause abroad if we had in some journal in Europe a recognized organ, which could give authoritative information touching the war, our finances, and the general progress of the country. Such a journal ought to be independent of local politics. The newspapers which now give the best information on our affairs are organs of the liberal party, which, except in Belgium, is generally in opposition to the government, and their character for impartiality is, therefore, likely to be called in question. Its appearance would be opportune at this moment, when the popular belief in the unfavorable termination of our war has been so rudely shaken by the result of the presidential election.
While the determination thus evinced by the people of the United States to put down, at any sacrifice, the rebellion, must have great influence in determining a favorable policy of European governments towards us, that result would be likely to be more certain if we made an effort at this time for the enlightenment of the public in the direction indicated.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.