The Portland daily press., 1863-03-09

A RESPONSE FROM ENGLAND.-The Man
chester Examiner and Times OF February 10
gives an account of the arrival of the ship
George Griswold. freghted with food for the
Lancashire operatives. After speaking of the
intrinsic value of the cargo, it says:
''It is not in this light, however, that we dis
cern the full value of these proofs OF Ameri-
can generosity. We are thankful for them as
the means of helping TO feed our needy pop
ulaton; but they possess, in our eyes, an i'm
measurably higher significance as demonstra-
tions of national friendship,-a friendship
which has stood the stress of perilous events,
which has had to weather many storm of
suspicion and imagined wrong, and which now
shows itself to be undimmed, undiminished
and unchanged The weakest point in the
, conduct of the British government since the
war began was undoubtedly its deferring, till
II was too late, to take measures for stopping
the Alabama.
e"Why do we recall these facts, which seem to
have no relation to the George Griswold, and
only jar the harmony which she inspires? We
do so because this vessel comes to us from
New York, and because the first movement
toward raising funds was made by the New
York Chamber of Commerce. We do not
wish to be sentimental but it is merely just to
recognize the nobleness Of this conduct. The
delays of the British government in reference
TO the Alabama might have been expected to
raise such "howl' of indignation as would
have been fatal TO any intended demonstra-
ton of sympathy with Lancashire distress.
But it happens that the very body of merchants
which felt itself charged with the duty of de-
nouncing an outrage permitted, If not perpe-
trated, by our government, on American com
merce, was also the first TO establish the In
ternational Relief Fund for the aid of our
suffering workpeope.
From this noble act we are justified in draw
ing some most important and acceptable infer
ences. A nation which can show itself capa-
BILE of this generosity at time when events
inevitably tend to produce so much irritation
and ill-will cannot in its heart be hostile TO
England. We have never for moment be-
lieved the contrary, but since national senti-
ment acts good deal on a system of retalia-
ton, and as To believe oneself hated is the
surest provocation TO hate, we are bound to
do all we can TO spread the conviction far and
wide that our kindred on the other side of the
Atlantic are neither eager to witness our
downfall, nor thrsting for our blood. They
feel toward US as brothers should feel. They
recognize the family tie. The malignant flip
pancy of wicked tongues has not been able
to displace or disturb the deep-seated attach
ment which binds them to the birthplace of
their ancestors. Violent leading articles and
angry speeches may be quoted to confute us,
but they no more represent the sentimen. of
the nation than the mad speech of Sir Robert
Peel, the other day, represented the convic-
tions and sentiments OF the English people,
| The Americans have never yet lost an opportu-
nifty, apart from politics and diplomacy, of
showing the respect and attachment they cher
ish toward England. To be an Englishman
mas always been passport to their good Off
ces, and their reception Of the Prince of Wales,
an event of which the cheering augures have
been clouded by sad misfortunes, was held
forth to the world by themselves as token
of the respectful admiration in which they
held our Queen. Despite the unlucky acci-