Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-29
dWOttester 4ailp Spy.
Correspondence of the Worcester Daily Spy
Letter from London

WhdU olllel topics temporarily ABSORB the pup
lie mind, it concerns itself always about the
American question. The horrid war furnishes
a constant feast of blood, for which the En-
gish mind thirsts though will do the justice
to say that this maudlin sentimentality exists
almost exclusively among the lower orders of
English society who would fain mingle with
blood their poisonous gin, and who are al
ways ready to make any sacrifice for the sake
of seeing bloody war; or wretched female
prisoner dangling by her neck in mid-air. In
ancient Rome the execution of a maiefactor
was the occasion of an exciting pastime for
the public. Christian England perpetuates the
institution and occasionally gives to the gin
drinking rabbe bloody pastime of the high
est order. As several years have elapsed
since the public execution of woman in En-
gland, the blood seeking plebians had a rare
treat on Monday week, on the occasion of the
execution of Catherine Wilson for murder by
poison Bear in mind that in England the
gallows are erected in the open street, and the
whole ceremony of the execution may be seen
by as many brutes as can congegrate within
sight of the scatfold. Eight o'clock in the
morning is always the fatal hour, but the pre-
vious night witnesses the assembling of the
show. On this occasion many hundred flock
ed to the scene Of the tragedy, on Sunday ev-
ening, anxious to secure places as near the
fatal trap as possible though the rain poured
IN torrents all the while. When the wretch
ed culprlt emerged from the door of the pris-
on, and marched firmly across the platform.
leading to the gallOws, the coarse laughter and
ribald jests, that proceeded from the besotted
crowd. indicated the racy nature of the enter
tainment, and caused the more enlightened
witnesses to blush with shame for human ma
ture. windows commanding a view of the
scene readily let at remunerative prices while
noblemen are said to have offered brides
for positions within the prison where the fatal
procession passed. During one whole hour
Gas always the lifeless body swung over the
pavement to be viewed by any who might
pass by accident or design. Now that the ex-
ecution is over, some journals are vainy en-
GeavOring to excite a discussion upon the
probabilities of the innocence of the unfortu-
nate woman, and the brutality of the exhibi.
ton is causing the British pulse to throb fe-
verishly. Yet, as | have said, the American
war continues to occupy the uppermost posi-
ton in the public mind, What the public
policy is in reference to it, it is difficult to say.
That it is dictated by selfishness l need not
say,-at least the government policy.-for |
NSAhS'S hiOob AHlSllCdlo llluh 81. DelOGG,
however, so severe Judgment is given, the
strlctest scrutiny should be observed Sell
hshness would engender wish that the north
might conquer the south, and hold the subu-
gated provinces under the sway of the sword,
weakening the power of the north by
the immense tax upon her military re-
sources required to sustain immense garri-
sons throughout the whole south, while in
case of a future war, England would have
ready at hand twelve millions of the most
powerful allies the world could produce, en-
Uttered against their invaders by years of
suffering and oppression, and ready to rise in
arms against them on the first intelligence of
external aid. Selfshness would cause the
government to desire an indefinite continue
ton of bloodshed, even to the humiliation of
one or both sections, and the consequent de-
structlon Of their military power. And what
position has the English government occu-
pledT One Of the strictest neutrality, not
outstanding Liverpool merchants, like the
French merchants, have carried on a contra
band commerce with the enemy from the COM
mencement Of hostilities, in spite Of the. proc
lamation of the queen and the after threats of
Palmerston. l am for justice in all cases and
at any sacrifice, and if Capt. Wilkes was
wrong in the Trent affair, as the American
government have decided, England could not,
in justice to herself or her neighbors, do diff
ferently than she did, or she would have
brought upon herself eternal opprobrium and
shame.
She should have waited until the war was
over before demanding reparation some say
But consider that during the war only was
danger Of a repetition apprehended, and had
not England demanded immediate PREPARATION,
the commerce of the world would not have
been safe single day. 1t is well to examine
the actions Of others dispassionately and with
charity. Americans abuse England and the
English. Such are not men of liberal senti-
ments and generous minds But without put
ting myself forward as the champion of the
English government, will suggest that you
may imagine any conceivable course that the
English government could possibly adopt in
relation to American affairs, and you cannot
imagine any course of action that cannot be
distorted so as to indicate any state of feeling
on the part of the government which each in
terpreter of their acts may wish it to indicate,
from the vilest selfishness and malignity to
the most elevating philanthropy and maligni-
ty. What would you have us do? she asks.
Some answer, BLOCKADE yoUr ports so that
contraband cargOes cannot reach the rebels"
Do you not blockade your own ports? and
does the English government complain when
English contraband cargoes are legally seized
and sold by the United States government?
Cannot merchants and others evade with i'm
punity the laws of neutrality, and is there a
possible remedy in the hands of the govern
ment? Cannot thousands of ships of all
kinds, and with all sorts of cargoes, get
clearances for all kinds of ports, in all quar-
tiers of the globe, and turn their prows to
rebel ports? Where one ship takes a cargo
to the sonth, fifty ships go to the north. One
northern vessel loads with muskets for the
xvor whiln another waits IN Snap m, onv
southern vessel that may put to sea on a
similar errand. One federal fleet brings
over the wheat of the north, while an
other forbids the confederates from sending a
single bale of cotton. The southerners say
that while England accords them encourage
ment and admiration she puts weapons in. the
hands of the north to eXterminate them, say
ing to the south all the time "Bravo! Bravo!
Pitch into him my brave boyp There is only
room for this illustration. Review other acts
in the same spirit, and expect not too much.
But people will not exercise reason; or pas
sion sways the popular mind; or ignorance
predominates over good sense. The English
government | presume, however, is not so
much abused in America as the English sup
pose. The multtudinous TRADES of abuse
that appear in American newspapers, are the
staple literary importations of the press here,
and presume vice versa. Thus the people
of the two countries, as little understand each
either, as do the people of the north and
south, and when any such international ignor-