The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-25 00:00:00

NEWS PAVER
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Mr. Baxter, M.P. for Montrose, in the course tql.
a speech delivered at the Grocers' Benevolent Society
in Dundee on Wednesday last, thus adverted to the:
American question:—" It is all very well and very--
true to tell us that the question of free trade versus
e 11;,,h protective tariff is, and has always been, a
bone of contention between the South and the
North. No doubt that and other causes of dif-
ference have helped tobring matters to their present
pass ; but slavery is the real culprit, the root
of bitterness which troubles them, the funs et ()rig°
mall. (Applause.) And I would not have the
people of this country—however exasperated by
the language of New York mobs and their organs ;
however inclined, out of a feeling of natural gene-
rosity, to take the weaker side ; however dissatisfied
with the soldiership of the Federal army, or the
measures of the Federal politicians—l would - net
have them cverlook one or two considerations
which, amid the exciting incidents of conflict, are
apt to be forgotten. The first—and ever to my
mind the foremcst—is that this Southern confede-
racy is the child of treason—that this scheme was
hatched by men who, at the time of doing so, were
holding offices under, and were in the pay of, the
United States Government, and who made use of
their position and influence basely to betray their
trust. There may be a difference of opinion as to
their right to advocate a severance of the union
merely because their party, which had been too
long dominant, had been fairly beaten in a con-
tested election ; but there can be none among well-
regulated minds as to their conduct in secretly plot-
ting against the flag under which they served. Then,
don't let us run away with the idea that the South
is more friendly to England than the North. My
personal experience is "that the reverse is nearer the
truth. The German and Irish mobs in the North
unquestionably are hostile to us, and the poli-
ticians chime in 'with them too often, to gain popu-
larity and votes, but I do not belie7sl.hat the
great mass of the iniustrotts popltition, the
native Americans, the men who-. :146 too
little part in polities, but whO a:O4 and , ..,:.•-_ , • '
again have saved the commonwealth—cherish any
such sentiments. (Great applause.) On the con-
trary,
my firm conviction is that they entertain
towards us the same feeling of amity which we
entertain towards them, mixed, perhaps, with a
little less consideration for our feelings, but a little
more respect for our character. In ordinary times
these people are too busy to-attend to public affairs
—in times of danger, last month, for example, their
influence has never been wanting. I should like to
know who are the representatives of this class down
South. It may suit the purpose of the Confederates
to use honeyed phrases for the present. Tell me,
do you think that there are many in the Congress
of slaveowners who do not hate in their hearts that
England whose name is a pleasant sound to the
black man all over the world ? Tremendous ap-
plause.) Besides, lam not sure that there exist in
the South the elements which go to form a nation;
I know not which of the peculiar customs, either of
life in the drawing rooms of New Orleans or life on
the plantations of Carolina, deserve a particle of our
sympathy. Has not slavery blighted society in all
these States, stunted the intellectual growth, and
debased the nature of the white man, whilst it bruta-
lises the negro? There are sights and sounds there
to be seen and heard which I cannot think of still—
though it is several years since I was in these States
—without a shudder; and sorry indeed should I be
were Great Britain to step one foot out of her way to
assist, or prematurely to recognise, such a confede-
racy. It is reported that pressure is being brought
to bear upon us by France to resist the blockade of
the Southern ports, on the ground that it is ineffec-
tive. But are we to jump to the conclusion that,
because some vessels have run it, it should not be
recognised ? Have not all blockades been occa-
sionally run by daring skippers ? The question is
whether this blockade is as complete, or nearly so,
as is usually the case; and I submit that there is no
evidence to the contrary. Then, with regard to
forcing a supply of cotton, surely for us to advocate
the opening of Charleston or Savannah for this pur-
pose would be very short-sighted policy. If we are
ever to be independent of these States, now is the
time for us to try the experiment; and better for us
to be a little short of our great staplefor six months
longer, that its growth in India, Africa, and the
West Indies may be encouraged, and so, at a little
temporary inconvenience, the cotton manufacture
benefitted in all time coming, -whilst a blow is dealt -,-*''' ---
at American slavery which it never can recover.
The only other matter to which I shall refer is that
strange announcement in the Observer newspaper,
that England and France, acting on the precedent
of Greece, are about to interpose for the pacification
of Amerita. It cannot be that a statement so ill-
timed—not to say offensive in its terms—has the
sanction of her Majesty's Government. We are
always too apt to intermeddle in the concerns of
foreign nations. At present, in all conscience, we
have enough business of this sort on our hands als
ready. It will be time enough for us to step in be-
tween the two contending armies on the Potomac
when asked to do so by the parties themselves, and I
hope that our rulers know too well the sentiments
of the middle classes of this country, and their re-
presentatives in the House of Commons, to embark
in a policy which can only end in embarrassment
and humiliation. (Applause.) Ido not venture to
touch upon topics so delicate and difficult as the
probable termination and result of the civil war,
the effect of the financial difficulties in the North
upon the contest, and the present remarkable atti-
tude of political parties at Washington ; but I
should be ashamed of myself were I either to feel
or express any satisfaction at the probable disrup-
tion of a republic in which there are at least as
many things to admire as to censure, and which,
but for causes totally unconnected with the working
of free institutions, might have gone on prospering
for a great while to come. (Applause.) Ladies
and gentlemen, I owe you an apology for occupying
so much of 3 our time with this political talk ; but
f, out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh,"
and surely it is not unprofitable for us, met to pro-
mote a work of quiet beneficence, to 'think for a
moment on the condition of out brethren less
happily circumstanced in Europe and America, and
to wish them out of all their troubles a happy
issue. (Great applause.)

WILLS AND BEQU LS2S.

The will and codicil of Harriet, Lady Arbuthnot, relict
of Lieut.-General Sir Robert Arbuthnot, K.C.8,, late of
Portlandx
Plonaacei were proved in the London Court, the
unominated being Sir Alexander Ramsay, Bart. ;
Captains e tor s n
'Hugh Smith Baillie and Duncan James Baillie
executors
(two nephews of Lady Arbuthnot, the testatrix) ; also, the
Rev. Marmaduke Vuvasour, M.A., Hon, Canon of Peter-
borough, Rural Dean and Vicar of Ashby-de-la-Zouch,
Leicestershire. The personal property was sworn under
£BO,OOO. Lady Arbuthnot died possessed of a very large for-
tune,consistin g of realty as well as personalty. Her will,which
is of considerable dimensions, contains numerous directions
and bequests, the principal recipients being her Ladyship's
nephews and nieces. To her nephew Captain Hugh S.
Baillic she has devised the estate known as the Tops of
Spotland and Grimes, Lancashire, for the joint lives of
himself and wife, Viscountess Glentworth, and afterwards
to his issue, and has bequeathed to him also one-fourth
of the residue of her general estate in like manner. To
her two nephews Captain Duncan James Baillie and
Alfred William Baillie, Esq., she has devised the
estate of Hunter's Hall and ether estates in Yorkshire be-
tween them, and to each of them a fourth of the residue.
To her niece Ellen Matilda Ramsay an estate in Lancashire is
devised for life, and afterwards to her eldest son. To her
niece Frederica P. Perceval she bequeaths her jewellery,
furniture, carriages, &c., together with a fourth of the resi-
due. Her ladyship has left liberal annuities and legacies
to her servants and bequests to some individuals she occa-
sionally employed. The will bears date in 1857, and the
codicil in November, 1860.
The will of 'William Vaughan, Esq., of Courtheld, Here-
fordshire, and Gloucester-etreet4,Portman-square, has been
proved in London by his son, Lieutenant-Colonel John
Francis Vaughan, the sole executor; Mr. Vaughan (the
testator) has left to his son, the Right Reverend
William Vaughan, all his stock of wine at his town resi-
dence, also a small pecuniary legacy ; and after bequeath..
ing legacies of £lOO and £5O to two of his female attendants
as an acknowledgment for their long and faithful services,
and also bequests to four of his other servants, has appoin-
ted his oldest son to be also the residuary legatee of the
whole of his properly.--111iistraw how" Arno.