April 8, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
The evil effects of a dissolution of the Union of the United States, upon the North, are apparent, not only in the paralyzing of trade in the Northern States and cities, but in the new aspect presented by Foreign Powers. But yesterday, the Union–the Northern States united with the South– against the world. We were the dictators on this Continent. With the powerful commercial and economical necessity of cotton in the hands of the United States, they could threaten and command the policy of European nations. But, now, the Union is divided; and the North is impotent. The grand element of command is with the South. The Northern States have scarcely one element of trade with European nations, excepting grain, which is sometimes available. They are the rivals of France and England in navigation and manufactures. The Confederate States, on the contrary, do not stand in competition with the great European nations in their productions. They are agricultural States, and produce cotton, rice and tobacco– commodities essential to the industry and necessities of European nations. In this state of things, these nations are called upon to choose their allies. Will they support the United States, their natural rivals and enemies, or will they go with the Confederate States, their natural friends? No one but a Black Republican bigot could, for a moment, doubt their determination. They will, beyond question, recognize and support the Confederate States; and this being their determination, they are about to send fleets to this Continent, to see that their policy is carried out. They do not intend to submit to paper blockades. They do not intend that our cotton shall be kept from their looms. They will have it, and to this end they will recognize the independence of the Confederate States, within six weeks from this time; and anticipating that some obstacles to this policy, with its accruing advantages, may be put in their way by the United States, they send a fleet to enforce it. If the United States acquiesce in a peaceful separation of the States lately composing it–the precaution of having a fleet on our coasts will be useless; but if a blockade of our ports is to be attempted–if war is to arise– the fleets of France and England will be necessary to protect their commerce.
Besides blockade, privateers are rather lawless in their operations. Every sea will swarm with the privateers of the Confederate States. The most active sea hunt will take place that the world has ever witnessed. Already, the Governor of South Carolina has had offers and applications for letters of marque and reprisal from Northern ports. The Spanish galleons, which of old tempted the sea adventurer, were nothing to the rich prizes which the California steamers and European packets will afford. New York will blockade New York. We have but to legalize and let loose their own sea robbers and adventurers upon their commerce and to accomplish its speedy annihilation. New York and Boston now furnish the men, capital and ships which now carry on the African slave trade, in defiance of all laws. The fleets of nations on the coast of Africa have in vain tried to defeat their cunning and desperate enterprise. They are ready to pursue a far more lucrative and honorable calling, under the flag of the Confederate States, and to sweep the Northern shipping from the ocean. France and England wisely prepare for such a contingency; and enter on the scene of enterprise to see that their navigation is protected. Spain will be too near the hunting grounds not to fear complication. Her fleet rightfully comes to protect her interests.
The Northern people see these demonstrations with anger and dismay. It is but the beginning of their mortification, losses and sorrows. They have broken up the noblest fabric of free government the world has ever seen, and must bear the righteous retribution which must follow their fanaticism, rapacity, bad faith and folly. In vaunting presumption and tyranny they have thrown themselves in antagonism to the wants and interests of the whole civilized world, and they only will lament if they are humbled and crushed by the world.
They may busy themselves in warlike demonstrations and naval equipments, hoping to produce abroad the impression that they are about to coerce the seceded States. It is all labor lost. They will fail to influence European nations. Their ambassadors and envoys will be snubbed, and in six weeks we predict the recognition of the Confederate States.