New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-11
JOHN BRIGHT ON THE REBEL.
LION.

Whether we regard Mr. Brights address to
his felow-townsmen in Rochdale (Which we
copy in fun on another page) as far ex-
position of the origin of the rebellion-an expo
siton sadly needed in EDgland-or as tine'y
warning to his countrymen against the banelul
teachings of portion of the press; whether
we look at the historical references so carefully
and truthfully presented to illustrate tho prl-
mary source of tho evil which has eliminated
in this desperate and unnatural rebellion, or
follow the English statesnan's reasoning, as he
usfolds the necessary consequences which must
follow the triumph of treason, in contrast with
the success of the cause Of freedom and of
justice-the speech is equally powerful. and, to
any but prejudiced minds, convincing. We
care not, any more than Mr.. Bright seems to
have cared, for any dissection Of the special
grievances which recently aggravated tie Bit
terness OF English feeling in connection with
the rebel Commissioners. The speaker had
broader principles to deal with in addressing
himself, temperately aud wisely, to the people
of England. His text had reference not to
special interpretations of maritime rlghts, nor
to the elimination of precedents determining
the laws of neutrality; lie proposed to himself
to yindicate the rights Of mon--whether these
rights involved the redemption of people like
those of Italy from political slavery, the emancl-
patton of the negroes of the South from domestic
bondage or the assertion of its just and lawful au-
thority BY free and Constitutional Government.
That the hostile press Of England viii lis
ten TO Mr.. Brights remonstrances we canno'
say; but this much may be ayerred the peo'
pie of England can only shut their ears to the
justice of their countryman'S appeal, when
they have forgotten all that is most worthy OF
remembrance in their own history. Well may
Mr.. Bright ask, What would be thought If the
serfs of Russia were held to bondage within a
certain territorial division Of the Empire, and
if rising by the hereditary mobiles TO stay the
progress Of Emancipation and thwart the aspi-
rations of the Emperor should invoke the SYM
patty of the press aud the statesmen of En-
gland Could such an unnatural peryers0n OF
sentiment occur in the history of any people
Boosting OF the condition of frcemen : And yet
the indulgence Ct such sympathy aud its ex.
preston in the brOadcst aud most offensive
terms could be no greater crime against the
cause of human progress and the rights of hui
mainly than the ill.conccaled disposition which
has marked the conduct Of large portion OF
the English public N estimating the justice of
tue cause for which our people are at this
moment contending. Mr. Bright may well pre-
diet that his voice of warning will be heard
hereafter, if it is not now. And he speaks
ike stout and honest Engshman when he
says: % If all other tongues were silent, mine
" shall speak for that policy which gives hope
"to the bondmen Of the South, and tends to
generous thoughts, and generous words, and
" generous deeds botvvoon tho two great ma
/" tons who speak the English language, aud
{" from their origin arc alike entitled to the
" English name"