The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-19

:
ner on this interesting topic, We make the
following extracts, which will show his
opinions on several important points, and
his manner Of treating the whole subject:
UNFRrENDLINEss OF ENGLAND.
There is one act of the British cabinet
which stands foremost as an omen of evil
foremost in time7-foremOSt, also in the
magnitude Of its consequences. Though
plausible in form, ii is none the less injuri-
Gus or unjustifiable. OF course, I refer TO
that ineonsiderate proclamation in the
name OF the Queen, as early as May, 1861,
which, after raising rebel slayemongers to
an equality with the National Government
in belligerent rights, solemnly declares
ord neutrality between the two equal par
ties; as if the declaration of equality was
not an insult to the National Government,
j and the declaration of neutrality was not a
moral absurdity, offensive to reason and
all those presidents which make the glory
of the British name. Even if the proclaim
alton could be otherwise than improper at
any stage of such rebellion, it was worse
than blunder at that early date The ap-
parent relations between the two powers
were more than friendly. Only a few
months before the youthful heir TO the
British throne had been welcomed every
where throughout the United States-ex-
cept in ISehmond-as in the land OF kins-
men. And yet, Immediately after the IT,
dings of the rebel assault on Fort Sumter,
before the National Government hadsbegun
to put forth it's strength and even withou
waiting for the arrival Of our newly ap-
pointed Minister, who was known 10 be at
Liverpool on his way to London, the proc
lamation was suddenly launched. tt
j doubt if any we'll informed person who
has read Mr.. Dallass dispatch of I'd May,
1861, recounting a conversation with the
British Minister, will vindicate II in point
of time. Clearly the alacrity of this conces-.
sion was unhappy, for II bore an ar OF de-
+ fiance, or at least of heartlessress towards
an ally of kindred blood engaged in the
maintenance Of It's traditional power
against an infamous pretension.9 But it
was more unhappy still that the good ge-
Mus Of England did not save this historic,
nation, linked with so many triumphs of
freedom, from fatal step, which, under
the guise OF Neutrality was a betrayal Of
civilization itself. ..
1t is difficult to exaggerate the conse-
guences OF this precipitate, pnfriendly and
immoral concession, which has been, and
stin is, an overfiowing fauntain Of mischief
and bloodshed-hae Jonte derjvdta clades;
first in what it vouchsates to rebel slave
mongers on sea and in British ports, and;
secondly in the ilnpediments which it
takes from. British subjects ready to make
money out of slavery; all of which has
been declared by undoubted British author
ity. Lord Chelmsford-of professional re-
nown as Sir Frederick Thesiger-an ex-
chancellor, used these words recently in
the House OF lIOrOS: Cne SOItleTn 3COn-
federacy had not been recognized as bel
ligerent power he agreed with his noble
and learned friend lord Brougham) that,
under these circumstances, if any English
man were to fit out privateer for the pur-
pose Of assisting the Southern States
against the Northern States, he would be
guilty of piracy But ali this was changed
by the Queens proclamation. For the re-
bel slavenonger there is the recognition
Of his flag; for the British subject there is
the opportunity of trade, For the rebel
slave monger there is fellowship and equal
ity. For the British subject there is a new
customer to whom he may lawfully sell
Armstrong guns. and other warlike NUM-
tions of choicest British workmanship, and
Lord Palmerston tells u.s., even ships of
What was unlawful is suddenly made law
full, while the ban is taken from an odious
felony. 81 o
II seems almost superf1uous to add that,
such a concession, thus potent in its reach,
must have been direct encouragement
and overture to the rebellion. Slavery it.
self was exalted when barbarous pretend
ers-battling to found new power in its
hateful name-without SO much as single
port on the ocean where a prize could be
carried for condemnation-Were yet, in the
face Of this essential deficiency, swiftly &C
knowledged as ocean belligerents, while,
as consequence, their pirate ships, cruis-
ing for plumber in behalf of slavery, were
acknowledged as national ships, entitled to
equal privileges with the national ships of
the United States. This simple statement
is enough. 1t is vain to say that such a
concession was necessity" There may
have been strong temptation to it, con-
shutting, perhaps, an imagined necessity,
as with many persons there is strong
temptation to slavery itself. But such a
slavery, can be vindicated only as slavery
isYindicated. AS well undertake to de-
clare neutrality between right and
wrong-between good and evil-with a
concession to the latter of belligerent
rights and then set up the apology OF 'ne-
cessity.' @ar
= It is natural that an act so essentially
unfriendly in character, and also the alac-
rity with which it was done, should create
throughout England an unfriendly senti-
ment towards US, easily stimulated to a
menace of war. And this menace was not
wanting soon afterwards, when the two re-
bel emissaries on board the Trent were
seized by patriotic, brave commander,
whose highest fault was, that, in the alb
sence of instructions from his own Govern
ment he followed too closely British pre-
cedents. This accident-for such it was and
nothing else-was misrepresented, and
with an utterly indefensible exaggeration,
was charged by the British nation, backed
by the British Government, into cdstts
belli, as if such an unauthorized incident,
which obviously involved no question OF
self-defence, could justify war between two
civilized nations. And yet, in the fact Of a
positive declaration from the United States
that it was an accident, the British Gov
eminent made preparations to take part
with rebel slavemongers, and it fifty be-
gan such ignoble preparations by keeping
back from the British people the official
dispatch Of Both of November, 1861, where
our Government, after announcing that
Captain Wilkes had acted without any in
structions," expressed trust that 1.-The
British Government would consider the
subject in friendly temper" and promis-
ed the "best disposition on our part 1t
is painful to recall these things. But now
they belong to history, and we cannot for
get the lesson they teach"
Mr.. Sumner then proceeded to illus
trate the tendency of England to espouse
of fha Soufh h oi. a.