Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-12
A Fun length portrait ofEngIand.

AFun length portrait of England
A London correspondent of the Philadel-
phia Press discourses as follows:
"What are the real sentiments of the Eng
lish people as to our affairs 2" This was q
question which, previous to leaving America,
1 had frequently heard asked, and to which
very different and contradictory answers were
given.
1t was admitted on all hands that, under
whatever pretense of neutrality disguised, the
government and aristocracy were decidedly
hostile in their feelings to the national cause
but by many it was contended that the great
majority of the British nation-its bone and
sinew, its working, mercantile, and even edu-
Gated and wealthy classes under the nobility,
and especiallyithe religious portion of the COM
munity--were our warm and decided friends.
/ had seen this latter sentiment reiterated time
and again by the foreign correspondents of
many Of cur most influential journals, and es-
peciallysthose of the religious press.
When l arrived in England, now several
months since, determined to keep the object
of discovering the real sentiments and feelings
of its people on this subject steadily in view,
and employ every means in my power for the
accomplishment Of that purpose. Since then
/ have mixed freely with all the different class
es of society in which could obtain access
workingmen, traders, mechanics, ministers
physicians, barresters, artiEts, naval and mill
hotels, private residences, shops, warehouses
offices, and places of public resort. In order to
draw them out, have introduced the subject
wherever propriety would admit, and express
ed my own views without reserve, as well as
endeavored by statement, inquiry and discus
sion to elicit theirs. If there were any great
differences of opinion, l might still be in
doubt, and express my opinions without reserve
and hesitancy. But as far as l can discover,
et,C,h1 axyi11 haN
ceplions and that in some places they may be
numerous, is not disputed, but the general
statement now about to be made may, l think,
be relied upon with the utmost certainty.
The sympathies of the English people are
with the so-called Southern Confederacy.
They cordially desire its ultimate triumph,
and firmly believe in it. Ten out of every
twelve with whom 1 have conversed have Ell
Their openly avowed or strongly indicated such
sympathy, and uttered such opinion. MANY
of these declared that, during the early stages
of the conflict, they were strongly with the
North, but their feelings and views had under
gone a complete change, and this was the case
with large number of their acquaintance
and friends. have heard this from anti-sla-
very men, formerly of the most decided type,
from ministers of the Gospel, and even from
members of the Society of Friends, whose tes-
timony heretofore has been SO consistently
fessed that it was mystery which l could not
understand as TO the reasons of their Southern
proclivities. In reply various grounds were
assigned at different times, and by different
times, and by different persons. That the South
was the weaker, was, by some, considered suf.
fcient reason. 1t was natural tn at their synn-
pathies should be aroused in Vehalf of the
weaker against the stronger, and, indeed, il
was unavoidable. let with a strong inconsis-
tency, it was by no means admitted that the
South had proved inferior in skill or strength,
and it was confidently asserted that it was i'm
possible to subdue her. Indeed, / have heard
it broadly affirmed by those who ought tc
have known better, that in every conflict
where the conditions were anything like equal
the Southern arms have proved victorious.
Again the English people cannot be made
TO beneve That the slavery question has any
thing to do with this contest. They assert
that it is altogether a question of tariff and
territorial supremacy. Many in conversation
with me, have gone so far as to say that they
believe slavery would be sooner abolished in q
recognized Southern Confederacy than if thi:
war should end in a reconstruction of the
Union. When pointed to the acts of the
present Administration accomplishing its i'm
mediate cur.aiment, and looking to its ulti-
mate destruction, they reply that this course
has unwittingly been forced upon it, and il
only Intended as bid for the sympathy and
cooperation Of foreign nations. When the
declarations of the Southern leaders, strongly
indorsing the system of slavery and making
it the acknowledged cornerstone of their DO
litical fabric, are repeated in their hearing
they doubt or deny them altogether, or say
that they are merely the expression of indi-
vidual sentiment, and are not to be taken as in
timating the animus of their Government. 1,
is, indeed, singular how incredulity, and in
genuity IN distorting every occurrence to
their favor and our detriment prevail.
There are some who come out at once with.
out concealment or circumlocution, and &C.
knowledge that they would like to see the
United States humbled and curtailed in hel
power and resources, as she has always been
arrogant and unjust toward England, and
sympsthizsd with her enemies in the Crimear
war and the Canadian instruction.
All these different classes, when asked tc
assigned their reason for the belief in the ulti.
mate success of the South, inform us thai
they are united and desperate; that six
millions of people can never be conquered
and if compelled to submit for the present
they viii watch every opportunity to avenge
themselves; that the expense Of keeping
them in subsection will utterly impoverish the
North, etc, etc.