The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24
FOREIGN, CORRESPONDENCE
LONDON, ItLu 4, 1856.

LONDON, July 4, 1856.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The most important event of the week has
been the discussion of the American question
in the House of Commons, and the triumph OF
the Palmerston Cabinet. On Monday night,
Mr.. Moore, member for Mayo, brought forward
motion censuring the Government for its
management of the enlistment operations in
America. He was begged to postpone it, OF
drop it altogether, by men of all parties but
would not consent. Mr.. Moore made strong
speech, in which he criticised with great severi
ty the conduct of the Government at home, and
its agents in America. The Attorney General
defended the Government, and declared that
there had been no Infringement of United States
law by Mr.. Champion or the Consuls. This
was certainly rather bold ground for the Attor.
ney General to take, when the American Courts
and Government have decided to the contrary.
Who is most capable of judging2 And why
should he give his opinion, now that the Gov.
eminent has at least submitted to the decision
of the American Government?
Sir b. Thesiger, one of the ablest lawyers in
the Kingdom, supported Mr.. Moores motion
and declared it his opinion that not ouy
American law, but the law of nations, had
been violated by the Government in their en-.
listment operations. The debate continued I'm.
til late hour, and then was adjourned over to
Tuesday night. Mr.. Miner Gibson made the
ablest speech on Tuesday night, and bore down
strongly against Lord Clarendop's American
dispatches. He was also severe in his remarks
upon the conduct of the Administration through.
out the whole affair. Mr.. Gladstone revie wed
searchingly the whole dispute, and censured the
Government; but, for other reasons, he should
not vote for the motion. At late hour, the dis
cussion was brought to close, and the motion
defeated By a Government majority of 1874.
The casual observer might suppose, from this
vote, that the House of Commons, by great
majority, justify Mr.. Champions conduct in
America, and stand ready to defend that con-
duct, even at the peril of war. Such is far
from the truth. The men who introduced and
supported the motion had no intention that it
should succeed, but wished to elicit an express
sion of opinion on the part of some of the ablest
members of the House, which should not only
have an effect upon the future conduct of the
Government in the settlement of the Mica
rsguan dispute, but also upon the American
Government and people. This was accom-
plished by the discussion. Scores of members
we're at least in agreement with Mr. Moore's
motion, who could not ct this juneture consent
to ministerial change. Had the motion sue
ceeded, of course the Palmerston Ministry
would have resigned; and who could for day
succeed them, in the present state of the Com.
mons? Like the Louis Napoleon dynasty,
they are accepted at present as the inevitable
occupiers of place, to save the people from
something worse.
One important reason why the Government
was not censured, l have not mentioned. 1t
had accepted the dismissal of Mr.. Champion
without retaliating upon Mr.. Dallas, and there
fore was entitled to the sympathy of those
members who condemn Mr.. Champions con.
duct. Besides, Mr.. Dallas and Lord Clarendon,
it was understood, were commencing negota-
tons upon the Central American difficulty, and
to overthrow the Government would break off
these negotiations for time.
There is one remarkable feature in the dis
cussion-which is, that the Government did
not dare to grapple with the real merits of the
question. Mr.. Gladstone's mastery speech, and
analysis of the published correspondence, was
not replied to by any Government member, and
could not have been answered successfully.
The truth is, that the House of Commons and
the people of England feel that they were wrong
in the enlistment business, and therefore they
endure the humiliation of tie dismissal of Mr.
Champion. 1t ia no inault when viewed in
that light, but Is an unpleasant affair which
can be borne. Did the country really believe
Mr.. Champion fully in the right, it would sup.
port the Government in resenting his dismissal
in almost any spirited manner. Mr. Dallas
would have been sent home at once, and Brother
Jonathan given to understand that he could not
trif1e with his ancient enemy. But ! am CON
WINGED, ~ what see and hear, that England
is not prepared to yield hair beyond the line
of Justice in the Nicaraguan dispute. It is
generally felt that she has been Inundated in the
Champion dismissal; and the temper of the
people is such, that they will not abate from
what they really consider their Just rights in
Central America-not to avert war. I con.
clnde, then, that either the whole matter will
be referred to q third party, by Messrs Olaren.
don and Dallas, or that the latter will not gain
vast deal of glory from his share in the nego-
tiations in America.
Lord Lyndhurst questioned Lord Clarendon
in the House of Lords, a night or two since, re-
speeding the Italian question. He gave the
steseotyped reply, that any discussion would
surely make matters worse, and he therefore
deprecated it. The reply is very unsatisfactory
to the friends of Italy. The condition of that
unfortunate country is growing worse and worse,
until the people cannot bear up much longer.
Revolution must come, IN such en- event, Is
England prepared to see Austria support the
vile oppressors of Italy against the Just indig.
nation of the people? We hear again and
again, from Lord Clarendon, that Austria and
France have exposed willingness I'd evacuate
that country upon certain conditions. It is
probably true Of France, but it is a hollow lie
as far as Austria is concerned. She is strength.