The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-07-03
BRITISH DupL1CrTY.


The recent action of the British gov
ernment in reference to the existing
rebellion in this country shows that the
rulers of that country are essentially
selfish and double dealing in their pol
icy. While protesting the utmost
regard for our government, and the
United States in general, the Queens
cabinet go to work and frame procla-
nation the only design Of which seems
to have been to give aid to the rebels
by acknowledging them as belligerents,
and entitled to the rights of nations in
war. This was but one step short of
acknowledging the independence of the
Southern Confederacy, and was an act
of fragrant outrage upon the govern
ment at Washington. and an insult to
this Republic.
We had right to expect better
things of the English; and, indeed. the
people of England are liberal towards
America. aside from Slavery. and would
so resent any insult or indignity offered
as, as to render 1t necessary for an
offending Ministry a. home to resign.
Il is reported that the recent action Of
the Queens council raised such a
strong feeling of indignation among the
people Of the Kingdom, that nothing
but the precarious health of Victoria
saved the Cabinet. The people love
their Queen. and since the death of her
mother. she is reported to have shown
signs of insanity; and it was feared
that the Reconstruction of the Ministry
at this time would seriously affect her
system, and probably hasten an unfor-
tunate crisis. and so the matter rests at
present. liable to be brought up at any
time. This may or may not be all true;
but the fact that the report is circulated,
shows that there is disaffection among
the people of England, and that they
are not disposed to see our government
or people insuited or injured by British
influence.
But that the British gcvernmen.
should take SO strange stand when
she is more liable to find herself in the
same condition than any nation on the
face of the earth, is passing strange
Here is Canada Immediately on our
borders, with strong lies Of affinity
which naturally draw her towards the
Union yonder is Australia, a remote
province, with thousands of disaffected
people. large number Of whom have
been banislied from the mother country
and forbidden to return for a long
period or for life and away of in the
orient are her possessions in InGia,
where millions of people only want a
show of a chance to rise again and throw
Cd the British yoke. Suppose that any
of these countries should revolt, and
our government, aud other governments
should give them aid and comfort by
acknowledging them the rights of ma.
tionality SO far as the war was concern
ed. what must be the result? It is
exceedingly doubtful whether England
could conquer or retain single one of
her foreign dominions.
Here is Canada by our side, with
commercial Interests almost identical
with our own, aud united to us by rail-
roads and nayigable wasers-evidentlx
BY natural situation much more a part
of US than Of Britain. How easy it
will be for us to retaliate. should our
neighbors Of the north conclude 10
assert their independence! We could
at once regard them as beliigerants and
England could not open her mouth; for
she sets us the precedent. And to give
the Canadians the benefits Of such an
acknowledgment on our part would be
lan.amcunt TO insuring their indepen-
ience; and it is not at all unlikely that
he memory Of the present times will
lot pass away before the British GOV.
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