New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-10
GEORGE THOMPSON.

About the silliest and least excusable, the
most graceess and baseless, of the popular
fal.eho6ds persittently kept afoat, because they
are supposed to promote the interest Of the
uttersrs, runs thus: "Tho British AristOcracy
" fo;hented the Abolition excitement in this
" county in order to distract us and break up
"tSe Union: Now that they have effected their
" FIRST purpose, they side with the slaveholdlng
u rebels, in order to complete our National
ruin" The simple fact that the British Aris-
tocracy nerer did favor Abolition dsPoses OF
the whole fabrication. There arc liberal Arts.
tocract., just as there are white negroes; but
the Arstocracy, as class, never busted
themselves in any way with American Slavery
Even the emancipation of the slaves 10 the
British West IndIes-in which Mr.. Calhoun
affected to discern plot for our overthrow
was wholly mpelled by the Commons-t was
suggested struggled for, aud carried by the
arguments, contributions cntreaties, votes, OF
the great Middle Glass, and prominently by
the Dissenters, who were in good part hostile
to Slavery far in advance Of even respectable
handful Of the Arstocracy. The Government
was finally constrained to yield to these demo-
cratic influences which, under the newly re-
formed Parliament, it was not strong enough
to defy and persistenty defeat; hence the act
of Emancipation which has reflected SO much
unfadiDg glory on the British name. the
smallest share of credit for that noble act
Al. ~ 70 ~ han rQsIa At
ance could no longer avall--is all that is due
TO the Aristocracy.
George ThompsOn was one Of the early apos-
ties Of Abolition among US, and was llbeled,
always of the mos. advanced Liberal school oi
British politicians, he was roundly abused
when among US as a tool of the Aristocracy-
which was about a. sensible as TO style Lloyd
Garrison or Wendell Phillips al emlssary OF
the shareholders.
Mr. Thompson recently gave Lecture on
the American struggle at Leeds, England,
wherein he eyinced more knowledge Of the sub
jet than any British speaker or writer of the
tme--a knowledge that is explained BY his inti-
mate personal acquaintance with this country.
He eyiuces throughout the most entire and ar
dent sympathy with the NatIoa 10 its grapple
with the Rebellion: but this is not all; hls
views and statements are characterized BY
great caution and moderation. Witness the
following extrsct-from hs Lecture:
81 DO not believe tina. the South will any s,sse o. tho
war sunsnde or when subm TO the authority CT
the North. Ono might seatly change the ssect OF
Affairs, Tha, would be tho entire abolition Of slavery In
the South fhser Til. would n.ce.stse the Inauguration
Of wholly Of things sud deprive the rebels OF the
south which they gone for which the
s hshng which they will contend TO the lat
Why then It may DO asked does not Mr Lincoln proclaim
emancipation IT, Of course, impossible To- NO to state NJ
Lincoln. for doing bu, may conjecture some
Of lilo think that such act would alto
eher transcend his co1s Itoosl powers lie may thina
would lose him the support he 10" receives nom the
slave States which yet ia the UuOn, but s.t be driven
out OF Il by .uch lie think II would be al
set Injustice 70 the Unioni,s within the seeded States lie
may think also that be would ALLEVIATE large numbers OF per
.n, In the North who while earnestly supporting INN IN
syus tic declared objects Of the war voat not 'n'ho
him In OF Wholesale aud universal smsncPsion-
Or Mr. Lincoln may seoas doubts both regards the
ptscc ability aud .sfy OF that MEASURE which, doubtless
many in the United State, would rejoice TO him sdopt IL
sincere and Incorporating smous the Abotonss Of the
United State. option that though the war not oste
.b, ard 9eclird for the abolition OF slavery IL Ia A. pFact
eay sud really abolition II II had been otcaiy de-
car,i 70 he one while At the time. the IN s pro
.-. sud educating the people Of the Moth iuto
the conviction that he interests Of the county wei 40 the
claims Of humanity and tice require tho utter ertPA'ion .
slavery from tho .oil or their couGtry"
This. surely, is not the language OF fanatic,
of a narrow minded bigot. but of sensible,
moderate, conslderate statesman. Aud such
has been the spirit evinced by the great body
of British Aboltionst, and advanced Liberals.
They have spoken good word for us when all
other voices we're blended in ono common howl
of hostility and aversion; they have declared
onr cause that Of humanity and Civilization
when Ministers and leading journalists con
.pired to kttray the pubic mind with irreie.
van, statements and tho interposltloo Of false
and misleading issues. Whatever the future
may hayo in store for u.s. we shall remember
the British Abolltionists AS tho iirmest aud
most consternc OF tho Europcn defenders OF
our National cause.
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