Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-28
MR.. CAIRD ON AMERICA.

At Dumterline, on the Both ult., Mr..
Caird. member OF the British Parliment,
made speech on American affairs, from
which we quote as follows:
This suffering to which we are exposed by the want
Of employment in the factory districts, serious
though II Is, cannot for moment be compared,
In the expense it would cost the country, TO the
enormous expense which would be incurred in
event Of with the Northern states Of Amer
ics. Taking the very lowest ground, It would be
jar cheaper for Us to support these people on
half work. or altogether idle, than to 90 to the
enormous snd wasteful expense-both Of money
and hfe-of war. But our interference would at
once stop any trade which has been left to US
with the Northern states by their protective tar
if; and Was glad TO hear, by accident to-day.
from an American gentleman here making pur-
chase from your manufacturers, that that pro-
tective tariff would not really prevent q good
trade being done II peace were only rs-astablish-
ed in their own country.
Now,-remember Il Ia not the South that takes
our goods. The poor slaves have no money to
buy clothing. They are clothed in the very scsnt-
lest and coarsest fashion. They are not the pur-
chasers Of the Manufactured goods Of this country.
The rich and the free North, whose energies are
employed in raising from . rich and fertile soil
the gifts Of nature. and who have no time to turn
their attention to manufscturing-they the
people who are the great consumers Of our manu-
factures. That is q material consideration. IL we
20 10 war We lose that trade entirely. Then, too,
a circumstance of great importance arises, which
has not yet, think, been publicly mentioned A
var with the Northern States would close TO rs
the supplies Of corn upon which We At present
greatly dependent.
have seen, with astonishme1t, the circulation
of a rumor that the French Emperor had deter
mined to interfere in this quarrel and blockade of
the Southern States. l have no belief In that
wise man. He knows from the great scarcity Of
corn this year in France that be cannot get suf-
6cisnt supply. The great source from which he
has hitherto got his supply Is the Northern States
Of America We know that. and be knows il. II
we keep peace with the North, We have two mil
lions Of people put upon short time; whereas IL
we interfere in this quarrel and break the block
sde, the Northern States will turn against u.s. and
we will have in this country thirty millions Of
people put upon short commons, and thirty-six
millions in France, by the stoppaSs Of the impor-
tation Of corn from these States, which would bs
greater loss to rs than the loss We are present
experiencing.
The heart Of the North is with as Look at The
reception of the Prince of Wales last years re-
ception Oh the part Of the North even moro en-
thusisstic II possible than IL would be here where
revere our Queen; and the only place where
anything spprosching insult wAs offered to the
Prince was at Richmond, in the South. We have
been told that it Is the wish Of the South TO have
peace and friendship with US. Gentlemen, do
not believe it, for have been in both parts Of the
country, and know that such is not the fact
But so far as my own synpsthiss are concerned, l
have many friends in the North; Gen. Mcclellan.
the commander Of the Federal forces. I have the
pleasure Of calling Q personal friend. 1 scent
some time with him In America, and he was kind
enough TO 20 with me part of the -sy down the
Mississippi. found in him exosedinsly In
tslligcnt, exceedingly we'll informed, and ereeed-
ingly useful companion.
found in him those qualities which. trust,
have merited for him the high position hs has
been called upon to occupy. he was the least
boastful man ever met with In that country.-
He had had considerable experience .s an
engineer officer. He had been appointed
a commissioner to visit the Crimea, and
he had there examined the French, En-
glish and Russian camps, and reported to
this country, which reports may have been the
means of obtaining for him the high position he
now occupies. Of his military capacity was no
Judge, and had NO opportunity of judging Of il if
we're, but hope and trust be will distinguish
in his present important position. I know others
Of the generals, and formed very high opinions
of these, and trust that they will make good ia
their career tho opinions which at least formed
Of them.