Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-06-12
RESPONSE OF PREsHDENT LINCOLN
TO THE LONDON mEETTNc or JAN
uJsnV QDrnH.

RESPONSE OF PREsHDENT LINCOLN
TO THE LONDON MEETING or JAN
URIax 2DTIE.
The last mail from Europe brought tho fol-
lowing reply on behalf Of President Lincoln to
an address which was adopted at a meeting held
inLondon, on january 29ih, received by the
chairman of the Emancipation Society through
Minister Adams
TO tie Citizens Of London vlo src,c convened ia
Erctor HdN on Uc2 29M Of Jaaudyylast;
DffAnrMrsr or SrArr, WAsHmoroN,
April 25th, 1868.
The proceedings Of meeting Of British sub
jects, citizens of London, in Exeter Hall, on the
29th of January last, which were transmitted to
the Undersigned have, in compliance with re-
quest contained therein, been laid before the
President of the United States.
IL would have been most gratifying 10 the
| President if the insurrection which 10 existing
IN the United States could have been confined
within such bounds as TO prevent il from dis
turbing the prosperity or otherwise engaging
the attention of friendly nations. Fully con-
vinced that any State which suffers itself TO be-
come dependent on the aid or even the sympa-
thy of foreign Power, is equally unable aud
unfit to live, the President has been especially
careful 10 refrain from making any appeal TO
friendly States and even from seeming to at
its of the present conflict further than has ap-
peared 10 be necessary to avert ill-considered
and wrongful Intervention. At the same time
the President has neither questioned the right of
other nations and communities TO form and ex-
press their opinions concerning the results of
the questions raised by the insurrection and the
policy which the Government has adopted in
suppressing il, nor has he complained Of the
manner in which that right has been exercised.
On the contrary, he believes that the ultimate
and impartial judgment of mankind upon all
such questions is entitled TO universal respect
and acquiesccnce.
Circumstances which neither this Govern
ment nor that of Great Britain created or could
control have rendered it unavoidable that the
cause, character, tendency and objects Of the in
surrection should be discussed in that country
with scarcely less freedom and earnestncss than
in our own. The results of that discussion if it
shall continue TO be conducted in Just and inn
partial spirit may be taken as foreshadowing in
| some degree the ultimate judgment of mankind.
1t is therefore, with sincere satisfaction that the
! President learns from the proceedings now un-
| der consideration that a large, respectable and
intelligent portion of the British people have an
| unprompted investigation arrived at the eonclu-
sion that the existing rebellion violates the prn-
ciples of political justice, and that they protest
against it as wrong 10 the human race because
it seeks TO dsplace a Government which is based
on the rights of man. to make room for the es-
tablishment Of another which is to rest upon hui
man bondage as its cornerstone.
The President would not do justice TO his ha-
bitual sentiments if he were to omit TO express
also the satisfaction with which he has found
that, in all cases. those who arc most Just in their
sentiments toward the United States arc also
the most earnest in their desire for the preserva-
ton ofinlernational peace and friendship The
circumstance supplies to the Government new
motive for adheTing 10 its determined policy of
peace, justice and friendship toward all nations,
and especially toward Great Britain. / have
the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Signed WILLIAM H. SEWARD.