The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-01-30
Political Impressions in England.

. Since the commencement Of the rebellion
! the American people have, until recently. had
reason to believe that tie sympathies of Eng
land-lts government-its aristocracy-i
merchants and manufacturers-in short, all
classes-were strongly enlisted in favor ,t
the rebels and against the cause which the
North is engaged in defending. The London
Times, and nearly all the leading journals
have been against us-abusively so, while
they have openly defended the South. Most
unexpectedly to US, We have received within
the last few weeks, the most cheering evil
dence that great change is taking place in
English sentiments. Meetings have been
held in various cities and towns, numerousy
attended, for the purpose of expressing SYM
pathy for the American government and peo-
pie, in their efforts to put down wicked re
belliOn. Several members Of parliament, in
addresses to their constituents, have defend
ed the north amidst enthusiastic cheers. The
working men of Manchester have united in
an address to President Lincoln, expressing
"their deep and heartfelt sympathy in his en-
deavors to preserve the union of that great
and free country over whose destines he has
been elected to preside" A similar address
has been adopted in Birmingham and other
cities in England.
The Liverpool Post, which one year ago
spoke disparagingly of our cause, uses the
following language in relation to the London
Times.
"THE ULTIMATE OUTRAGE.-The Times
for long period has supported the southern
cause by every argument ingenuity could
suggest and by every statement an easy and
sanguine credulty could adopt. Southerners
themselves have been startled bv the vehe
mence ofthe Times advocacy and the strength
of its assertions At length it has gone be-
. yond bounds and overreached itself King
' public will suffer his royal earth to be abused
: good DEAL but there are things to which h.
e will not hearken, and which he must resent
: The Times has actually gone the length o.
advocating slavery, or at least asserting thai
Christianity and the bible say nothing against
it and this has proved too much for the
mental stomach Of the English people. Or
all sides indignant reputation are heard
Nearly the whole press has raise its voice
y in denunciation of this Goddess and illiteratt
:. doctrine. Unless ace greatly mistake the sign
f of the times, a eaction uW set in from thi!
- point. Men will begin to ask themselve.
> what amount of confidence need be placed il
t journal which, at its clients bidding, goe
so far as to cast aside British prejudices il
favor of freedom, and to Justify slavery al
- most as boldly as Mr. Stephens, the Vice
: President of the southern confederacy, coult
n do"
n The London Patriot, in relation to tn,
It Times article, says, "A hiss of reprobatio:
|. will rise up through the length and breadth
: Of Christian England"
The London Morning Star of Jan 10 says
"There are signs that in England the forces
Of moral power are coming round strongly t.
. the side Of the government that has dared t.
confront the Slaveocracy even in the loya
states"
We are not so credulous as to believe thai
these sentiments are held by the aristocrac,
: Of England to any considerable extent, O.
II that the wealthy manufacturers and merchant
: of the Kingdom, as class, participate il
Il these expressions; but we believe that thu
y popular sentiment, as expressed by the mid
die and laboring classes, together with thu
n now almost unanimous views of the mem
$ bers of the dissenting churches, will exert ar
J. influence upon Parliament, at its approaching
lie session, that will be fruitful of important re
n suits, favorable to the American Union.