, 1863-12-25
RRIIISKz FEELING.


BRITISH FEELING.
Wewcre beginning to forget how hostile
tie voice Of the British nation had been |
towards Us since the war began, when the
matter Of the Chesapeake at Halifax recalls !!
it all. We have been well disposed to for
get that hostility in our satisfaction at the |
stoppagc Of the rams, and especially since |
MIR. Beccher returns with the assurance that |
the feeling is all right since his speaking
in Exeter Ha1l Probably the Chesapeake
af1lir will blow over without any consider
able difficulty. And yet, it is an index Of
the real feeling, not alone among the Blue
Noses, but Of the ration with which they
nrc connected. For in getting ut the state
Of the vital organs in the body, we can !
1ca1n it as well, If not better, by feeling the
pulse at the extremities, as By more d.
rect examination.
It is well for US to understand the state |
Of the case, and to know, proximately at
least, how far we may rely on British friend |
ship. For allowing Mr. Beeeher all the
credit he may claim for his great services
in setting the case right with John Bull, we
hare no idea that he has converted the
whole British nation TO our cause. He un-
doubted1y impressed his audiences there
with his power as speaker, and perhaps
gave sundry Of them new ideas as to points
in the controversy which they had failed
TO understand; Jet without doubt many Of
them were in the same condition with some
Of his hearers at home, who think them
selves brought into love with religion by
hearing him preach, when the truth Is, they
are only brought into the lore Of hearing
him, and in reality love religion no better
than before. Probably good many
who heard him in Exeter Hall were
very content with the speaker, who now
love us no better than they did before hear
ing him.
There arc two grounds upon which the
British people arc led to side with the re-
bcl1ion. One is political; the other COM
nletcial. The first affects the aristocracy;
the second the middle, manufacturing and
trading classcs. The enmity Of the aris-
tocracy is undying. It comes Of difference
Of nature. It is like that which exists be-
tween man and lion. They feel them
selves to be at enrnity Of necessity, so soon
as made aware Of each others presence.
The nobility Of Great Britain hate this Gov
c1nment because it is bred in democratic
idcas; and democratic ideas are ever MAX
ing necessary war On aristocratic institu-
tionB, whether they aim to do it or not.
But the nobility are not the fools to be
always exhibiting their true feeling. In
times Of peace they Keep it out Of sight,
and try to persuade themselves that no
trouble will come to them Of the democ-
racy, ut least in their dag. But 80 soon as
the war endangers the integrity Of this na-
ton, the feeling that is within them breaks
out They would give their right eyes to
have this nation crippled or broken, and
thus free themselves from future danger.
And though the nobility Of Great Britain
consists Of comparatively q few persons,
they are somewhat like our former slave
holders in their influence. They control
the press, and giye voice to the nation, far
beyond their title as nnmerical question.
But the manufacturing and commercial
classes have separate reasons for siding
with the rebels. They want market for
their goods. The United States, as one
people. buy largely Of them, it Is true; but
they are In fear Of losing this custom, be-
cause the Northern States arc manufac-
turcrs too, and they enact Morrill, tariffs,
which threaten further to increase their
productions While united as one nation,
the North supplies the South
But now that the war has broken out, If
the American country can only be violently
divided, as theresu1t Of it, the North will
lose the South as Its customer. But who
shall have it? Who but Great Britain,
stepping in with friendly voice to cheer
them On IN the war? And twelve millions
ofpeople, among whom manufactures, with
slave system, are impossible, constitute q
customer for a1l time not to be sneezed at.
This motive was one which, as soon as
our trouble began, was felt with such pro-
digious force that 1t swept the British na-
ton from its feet. What though 1t had
been anh-s1ane7y, and had abused us with
out stint, because the nation had upheld
the system? The benefits Of that system,
which had been so powerful with us, would
now enure to them. And was it any worse
for them to uphold slavery than it had
been for us to do it? We had stood the
abuse and grown rich; could not theyf
And now as to the change which has
come over the British nation in regard to
our affairs. Let us not misunderstood The
Cause Of it. Doubtless the British Govern
mcnt wns moved to stop the rams By the
fear Of war will us, which, oven with
our difficulties at home, they did not care
to undertake. But tie thing which has
moved upon the English mind, and set
them to hedging the future, is the fact that
the REBELLION IL bcing put do,en. Even war
with England would not change that And
this consideration is ono which avails with
all classes And sonobi1ity, uadcsmcn and
manufacturers may as well keen friends
with us, as far rs they can. Even Mr.,
Bcechcr's effort, 50 far as it awaited, did so
mainly By lis use Of this fact. He showed
them that we meant to quench the rebel
lion; that we felt ourselves able to do it.;
That VIC were actually doing it, and should
complete It. And that Has sort of iufor-
nation which, though rclished by John
Bull as cats arc said to relisl, warm eoap,
was extremely useful to him in helping
him 10 get his cue.
But that he feels good in his mind to-
wards us rs yet, We do not believe. Nev-
crthslcss, the commercial and mnnufac-
turing enmity will doubtless soon recover,
seeing the chance which was to crafty Its
sesdabucaa is gone Wbeo Liverpool secs