This proves more that Semmes was thousands of miles from home in waters populated with Union ships, and that he was in search of common friends and a friendly port. His words were very diplomatic for the time and since the Confederacy had not been recognized by any nation he was certainly trying to win support.

If it is the his actual personnal view of the war and slavery then it is not surprising, for a few rich Southerners did take this view. But the popular view of the time was that the First Secession was over slavery and the Second Secession and the War was over Lincoln's need to move militarily against the South and Southern fear of invasion and occupation by the North.
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David Upton