Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-04
ceyre.vondsnes Of the whis.

Correspondence Of the whis.
"YANKEE MDIcNATIoN AGAINST ENGLAND"
To The Editor of The Wig:
Permit me, through your paper, to enter protest
against the spirit and tone Of an editorial article in Fri
day mornings Dispatch on English policy towards the
South. The writer charges England with having long
sought the destruction of the Union OF plotting nsd-
ously and perseveringy and at length successfully by
means OF Abolition emssaries, to infsme deadly dssen-
sion between the two sections OF following her interest
always in all she does without the least principle to
guide or restrain her. and in pursuit OF this policy OF
purposing recognize the Confederate States and give
her influence to the to the South in utter indifference to
all questions of right Involved in the quarrel As sort
of apology for this selfish and unprincped course he
alleges that all Governments act equally from interest,"
unchecked aud unprompted by higher considerations
give merely the substance not having the paper by
me.
From these views totally dissent; for there is not
the least to suspect that the English Government
has in any whatever fomented the Abolition
element of the North and know nothing in English
history justify the belief that that great power would
even to gain any object, descend to such diabolca
intrigue Doubtless there is large class Of English cit
liens who ympathize with the restless malignant body
of Northern fanatics and whose influence has been ex
erted in that direction but this has nothing to do with
the conduct of the Government and is but incident
OF that personal liberty of speech and action which, with
all the partial evil it produces, is an Engshmans best
birthright.
The charge of acting always from low calculation of
interest is wholly groundless. No doubt England, like
all other nations has too often sacrificed justice and
good faith to policy; but in comparative estimate of
her character with the character Of any other nation
whatever it will be that she is in the front rank
only of power and civilization, but of all the great
virtues that dignity nature. The abolition of slavery
in the British West India Islands is instance at hand
of conduct not prompted by interest That, it may be
said the work of fanaticism acting without proper
intelligence of the subject and bringing nterminsble evils
ia its train but still it was interest," it was no sord
calculation Of profit and loss, which led the nation to in
cur debt of twenty millions sterling, if | remember
rightly to give British slaves freedom. may here re-
fer to a discussion between Messr5 Stephens and
T0ombs, of Georgia, seven or eight months since, in
which the latter called the English Government the best
earth, aud Mr.. Stephens gave it the second place.
claiming the first for our own but could these high
toned gentlemen have thus regarded it, if in their opinion
it systematically stiasd every generous sentiment and
acted solely with view to gain?
To say that every nation has eye to interest alone
is perhaps still more censurable; for if ALL then of
the South among the rest and consequently, instead
OF being inspired by conscience and patriotism to the
defence of our liberties acting from the same
base motives which charge upon the North, with this
accidental difference, that chance be right in fact
though that is not rule of our action.
do rot forget that there is better sense in which
right and interest Identical and wrong ia blundCr
but that differs as much from the codbooded seshness
the writer ascrbes to England the pleasure of benevo
lence does from that of revenge and is evidently not
sort Of interest of which he is speaking
1; may not be amiss to refer you the impolicy of
such remarks those of the Dispatch By its action in
reference TO international questions the Federal Govern
meut has very adroitly entanged itself in its own
meshes. 1t has constantly recognised de facto govern
ments waving de re questions it has refused abo
i,h priyateering and insisted the right of prvateers
to carry prizes into neutral ports has claimed
ry for enemies goods in neutral SHIPS and for neutral
goods in enemies ships has resisted the right Of
search under every possible preteIt; and, finally,
l.ss the London Times is in error it has asserted the
principle that nation cannot blockade ports claimed to
be its own. All these positions it has maintained and
vndicated as to make them part of its own inter
national charter. The English government then, apart
from interest, and even from sympathy with brave
people struggling for independence against despot.c
force, might well recognise these principles of the Uu
ted States government bill Of rights passing to
national heritage. But if Engapd is nsulted by the
inputaton of such unworthy motives, what is more
likely drive her from and induce her. in proud vim
dioaton OF her position to refuse recognise those
beigerent rights which are so important to in the
present struggle? A CITIZEN.