The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-11 00:00:00

Henry Vincent's Visit to America.

We learn that Henry Vincent sails in the Scotia
for New York on the 25th of August next; and
remembering that he has devoted his life to the
cause of social, moral, and political progress
throughout the length and breadth of England,
and that all the wise and beneficial legislation in
this country for the last 25 years has been power-
fully aided by his eloquent and earnest advocacy,
we are glad of the opportunity of wishing him a
pleasant and prosperous voyage, and in due time a
safe return.

A s our readers are well aware, on the breaking
out of the American war, Mr. Vincent at once took
the side of the North. He lectured night after
night during the whole conflict in all parts of the
kingdom to immense audiences, and roused a per-
fect enthusiasm on the Constitutional side. Ile
defended the North on political grounds ; not only
declaring that the North would abolish slavery,
but maintaining that the North was defending
order against anarchy—law against violence—
liberty against aristocratic conspirators, —and that
the Federal armies were fighting the battle of Free-
dom all the world over. He goes to America to
study her wonderful people, their vast resources,
and their great institutions. He also intends to
deliver lectures in the United States on questions of
public interest. On his return to England we hope
he will be able to spread through his native land the
impressions he has received ; for we are sure they will
be most instructive—since no large-hearted man can
pay a visit to America without being favourably
impressed with the people of that almost illimitable
continent. We know he carries with him the love
of good Liberals and of thousands of personal friends
—and with the utmost confidence we commend him
to the generous care of our American brethren. As
an illustration of Mr. Vincent's estimate of the
United States, and of her future destiny, we quote
an extract from one of his lectures delivered in
Bedford at an early period of the Slaveholders' Re-
bellion :

"I have heard shallow men speak of the failure
of American institutions I Gentlemen, the failure
begins with slavery, and it will end there. (Great
applause). All nations have their peculiar difficul-
ties. England has been severely tried by many
combats. From the conflicts of the Heptarchy—
through the era of the Norman kings—in the revolt
under John—through the storms of the Reformation
—through the wars of the Roses—through the stu-
pendous struggle between the Parliament and King
Charles—in the days of gigantic Cromwell—
through the vile reigns of the second Charles and
James—to the glorious revolution of 1688—she has
marched in the upward career of freedom and glory
—shaking all her difficulties, by God's great mercy,
like dust from her feet. (Loud applause.) Who
will dare to talk of the failure of English institu-
tions ? (Loud cheers.) America is apart of ourselves.
(Applause.) It is the weakest drivel to suppose that
America will not survive her constitutional crisis.
She will do it—she must do it. (Renewed ap-
plause.) Out of this conflict she will come stronger
in her moral and intellectual life—more worthy of
her Anglo-Saxon origin—more worthy of her in-
dustrial power and of her political liberty. (Loud
applause.) I lift my prophecy, arrogant though it
may seem, against all comers—against dilletante
politicians, slaveholders, and conspirators against
human freedom—against time-servers, dandies, and
weak-minded believers in reaction' against the
progress of the world. (Great applause.) I be-
lieve in God : therefore I believe that slavery must
fall I I believe in Christianity ; therefore I know
that the Southern rebellion must fall. (Renewed
applause.) Failure of American Institutions ! Yes,
they who have thus drivelled have a hard file to
bite Igo further ! The whole earth is filled with
a commotion—a clashing of opinions, a movement
of mind, indicating the steady decline of super-
stition and despotism, and the rapid growth of
intelligence and liberty ; and in America, it shall be
seen that a Republic can not only be founded and
upheld, but that that Republic can triumph over the
foulest treason, and vindicate by its successes the
cause of justice and the rights of men."