Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-18
"a eresford Hope. NJ. p, on the INDIE
pendenee of the South
TFr0m dc London CHRONICLE, NOrsmber 20.l


From the London Chronicle, November 20.I
a lecture was delivered by A. J. B. Beres-
ford Hope, Esq., member of Parliament, to
the members of the Rundown Library, on
the subject of the civil war in America.
After reviewing the history of the struggle
Mr.. Hope said Three hundred years ago
Holland achieved its independence of Spain
against even greater odds than the South has
to contend with and though there are twen-
ty millions in the North against ten millions
in the South, yet the singieness of purpose
with which the latter seem to act gives them
great advantage over opponents whose coun-
sells are divided. 1t was at one time fancied
that slavery would be, an element of weak
ness to the Sou th, but SO far from the slaves
rising into a sereile Instruction. they are &C.
tually right arm of strength to their own
ers, and much as we may wonder at it they
seem to be working hard for the very men
against whom it was supposed they would be
the first to turn their hands. For the snub-
hing which the President gave. Fremont in
the matter of his proclamation declaring the
emancipation of slaves, praise Lincoln, for
the horrors of war would be Increased a
thousand-fold were seryile rebellion fos-
tered. But what will be the end of the
struggle?
One thing appears perfectly certain-the
North cannot conquer the South. They may
deyastate it, they may sacrifice millions of
treasure and host of men, but they will
never permanently subjugate the South
against its will. The struggle, in fact, at
present is, to decide whether the Border
States shall hereafter belong to the North OF
the South. If you look at the map, it APP
pears to be the inevitable design of Provi-
dence that the country should be divided
into five great divisions which l mentioned
before. And this division would be we'll for
North America itself. At present it is con-
scious not of strength but of numbers, and
the United States hectored and bullied other
powers because it had nobody to keep 1t in
| order. Its only neighbOrs are Canada in the
North, and the weak Republic of Mexico in
the South. Once divided into a number of
States, each would be check upon the other,
and each would fall into the position of an
European nation. Each would have to main
tain its frontiers, to keep up standing army,
to have watchful Foreign Office. Well and
good. Would that be any great hardship?
Every other country in the world does the
| like and it is time that our bumptious cous-
| ms, now that they have become men aud &C.
| uuired bone and sinew, should assume the
responsibilities Of life, and no longer display
| that childish petulance which may have been
excusable in the young days OF the Re.
| public.
| Such division would be good, too, for the
| blacks themselves, because the slayeowners,
| untettere0 Dy the lntrlgueS OF large party
| playing fast and loose with this question, aud
| another smaller party preaching immediate
emancipation, another name for immediate
starvation, would, for their own selfinterest,
make such arrangements as would lead TO
| the gradual abolition of slavery. We can
not help seeing that the North, with all its
civilization, is the hotbed of anarchy, and
that the South, in spite of the dark blot
which stains its escutcheon, ia fighting with
one feart and mind for its independence from
hateful thraldom. We cannot help seeing
that, while Abraham Lincoln is an incapable
pretender, Jefferson Davis is a bold, a daring,
vet polite statesman. We may wish to zee
the American States peacefully separated in
TO the great divisions marked out by nature
we may wish to see bloodshed cease and
peace restored; but Icrntend-and know
the majority of thinking men in this country
agree with me, though they are too mealy-
mouthed to say so-that the best and readi-
est method towards that end would be the
establishment, as soon as possible, of the com.
, plete Independence of the Confederate States
Loud Cheers.]
The lecture was listened to with the great.
est interest, and the audience expressed their
approval of the sentiments expressed by fre
quent applause.