, 1863-02-21
Bane and Antidote-Rival British journals

Bane and Antidote--Rival British Journals
With us, as with yourselves, we are split in
opinion on every point connected with the mo-
mentous struggle you ale now carrying on. Some
of your readers will say that am telling them
nothing new-that am. in fact repeating what is
very stale to which may answer that know
that very WE'LL but that there are many things a
journalist must repeat again and again, if he hopes
10 impress truth upon the world Now the truth
wish to establish is this, that il is hardly Just
the part of America to visit upon the heads of the
British people in general the antagonistic opinions
expressed against America by a portion of the
British press only-opinions that are upheld by
very small section of the British people, and are
certainly not actively favored by the British Gov
ernment Here, again. | may say is an apt illus
tration of that perplexity referred to in the be-
ginning of this letter as beggotten of the "mul-
titude of counselors." Our Tory prints blame the
Government for giving all its support to the Fed
eral cause, and accuse Lord Russell of prolonging
unnecessary and useless contest, by the encour~
agement he affords to the War party in the North
through this moral support Take up the Star or
the DAILY .NeIoS, and you find our Minister, point
blank accused of giving all their moral support to
the Confederate cause ard they are blamed with
tacitly encouraging the war through the counte-
nance lent TO the South. In this latter vice | am
sorry to notice that the Northern papers generally
concur, while Southern organs Just ready
to abuse England on the other tack. Now | would
ike to ask, can both accusa ons be correct Is it
not great deal more probable that the very per-
plexities of the case NAV have induced the British
Government, and the majority of the British peo-
pie, to steer middle course, and to endeavor by
maint aiming, honestly as possible, strictly neu-
tral course, so as 20 avoid giving offenSe eitEer
side OF course Britain does not suceesd in pleas
ing either while Il e heat of the contest lass. She
may well exclaim "A plague o. both your houses -
but she must make up her mind for al that to be
abused by both. 1t is indeed, as Mr.. Trollope in
his recent work America remarks, Just the old
story over again of he matrimonial quarrel and
there are faults on both sides, and they advise
Americans to talk over matters among themselves
and try to make it up, They get no thanks for
the advice. The South demands that England
should take side, e. recognize il,)and the North
importunes her for sympathy it never showed
any readiness to extend to England itself when
she was at war. At the same time England knows
well in what perplexing situation the American
people are now placed, and every allowance is
free Y made for that perpleXity-an allowance
that leads Englishmen to overlook much of the
strong language addressed to them. | will not
assert that there is no party in Britain desrouS
of seeing the the Union broken mp, but this hold
myself perfectly free to say, that if the con-
tending parties themselves in the States can come
to an arrangement for reconstruction of the
Union, and should ask the friendly offices of the
British Government 10 ralifiy and consolidate, or
in any way to aid that arrangement such friendly
offices will not be withheld, and will meet the
willing support of the vast majority of the British
people. Zr r0 .-
International Courtesies---John Bull and
n
1t is pleasant to turn from the consideration of
political perplexities and chickering's to note more
genial Illustrations of the real good feeling that
underles all this display Of apparent animosity.
Some attention has been attracted in this country
to proceeding on board the Europa steamship, on
her last voyage from New York to Liverpool. on
which occasion the Prince of Waless birthday
was celebrated by the passengers. Among the
British people it is hailed an omen of good that
a request was made by the Ameriaps on board
that their spokesman should be allowed 10 propose
the health of Queen Victoria, and it was frankly
allowed that Samuel Bowles of Springfield, Mass,
did as much justice to the toast would have
been done by the most loyal Of her Majesty S own
subjects II has been always been a matter of
conviction in this country that the educated and
travelled American has rarely failed TO recognize
the fact that Britain has genuine and strong SYM
it is honestly believed that the heart of America
clings yet to the "old country" however the pas
sIons of the hour may seem 10 belle the fact. That
the name of Victoria is honored and respected
througout the the length and breadth of the vast
Continent Of the West is fact of which all ale
aware, though Engshmen are none the less glad
to be reminded Oft by Mr. Bowles. This respect
for Victoria is one tie, among many, to bind the
two peoples. But that the two nations are kindred
in something more than descent S point not so
oftsn referred to as It might be. Let it be re-
membered how many hundred thousands of the
sons and daughters of Britain have of late years
made their homes in America, and it may be seen
at g ance how close must be the tie that should
connect the two countries, when so vast number
of the members of the same households are ci-
zens in each. Few, indeed are the families in
Britain who have not some connection in America;
and strange, therefore, would it not be If public
Of this country did not recognise the paramount
duty of avoiding, as far as possible. any msun-
derstanding with the Great Republic, or did not
hail with pleasure such evidence of friendly feel
ing, as afforded by the American passengers
of the Europa. 1t is only pity such instances
Of the interchange Of frinedly sentiments are not
more frequent, and it is surely the duty of every
journalists, American and British to do his best in
giYing prominence to every occasion of nterna-
tional kindness and good will.-London Cores
pondent S. f. Bulletin ..
AssEssING.-Mr. H NJ. Hodges, county