The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-02-27

in the United States. h, stility to this coun.
try was cherished and stimulated to the ut
most degree by some of the very leaders in
the present insurrection. With regard to
the Alabama, in America they say, l know
not how truly, that she is a ship of war
which was built by member of the British
Parliament, furnished with guns and ammu-
milton of English manufacture, manned and
sailed almost entirely by Englishmen; that
the facts were represented to the collector Of
customs in Liverpool, who pooh-pooh'd them;
that he was requested to send up the facts
to the Customs in London, whose solicitor
was not very wise man, and was probably
in favor of breaking up the Republic; that
later MIR Collier, counsel for the Admiralty,
investigated the matter, and distinctly stated
his opinion that what was done at Liverpool
was a direct infringement of the Foreign
Enlistment Act, and that the customs au-
, thoritles at that port would be responsible
for the consequences. When this opinion
was taken to the Foreign Office they were
rather astonished; but their law officers
| opinion conceded with Mr. Golfers and then
after those delays which always take place
when there is anything to be done by Gov
ernment office, a telegraph message was sent
to Liverpool to stop the vessel, but the mes
, sage arrived too late. She has never been in
Confederate port
She hoists the English flag when she wants
to come alongside any ship, sets the ship on
fire by night, and when any other vessel comes
down 10 help it she seizes it also, and after
wards burns and robs Il. Well, if we were
citizens of New York, it would require little
more calmness than is shown in this country
on foreign questions to look upon that as
matter with which We have no concern.
But there are Ministers in our Cabinet as
resolved against treason to freedom on this
question as | am, and there are numbers of
the English aristocracy of the very highest
rank W no hold the same opinion as do: but
We have had every effort made that money
and malice could devise to stimulate in Lanca-
shire, among the suffering population. an
opinion in favor of the Slave States. They
have not been able to get it, and honor tha,
population for their fidelity to their principles
and to freedom, and say the conduc, they
have pursued ought to atone, in The minds Of
the people of the United States. for miles of
leading articles wtitten by the London press.
by men who would barter every human right
to serve the party with which they are a>so-
ciated
How, | ask, comes It thai on the continen.
of Europe there is not liberal newspaper or
liberal politician that burst say. or ever
thought of saying. one word in favor of that
portentous and momentous shape which now
asks to he received inro the family nj nations :?
The late Count Cavour had no difficulty in
deciding on this point. Ask Garibaldi (cheersl
ask kossuth, whether slavery has nothing
to do witt. this strife. Ask Victor Hugo. the
poet of freedom and exponent of the vearn-
lngs of all mankind for the better time ask
any man in Europe who opens his lips or in
dites a sentence for freedom, on which side
your sympathles should lie. UIear) Whv.
in all parts of the world except this island.
famed for its freedom you 10 not find one
man speaking in favor of the South and why
is that done here iii tell YOU the reason.
Our London press is mainly in tie hands OF
certain West End classes. 1t acts in favor of
those classes.
One of the most eminent statesmen in this
country, although not an official statesman,
said to me, " had not an idea how much in
fluence the example of the Republic was hay
ing upon opinion here until discovered the
universal congratulations on the prospect of
that Republic breaking up but maintain,
after all, that the people do not err. Free
States are the home of the working man. In
fifteen years 100000 of our countrymen
and countrywomen have left us for .he Uni
ted States, every one of whom, speaking gen
orally, is in much better position in point
of comfort than if they bad remained here. as
if, as one of Americas own poets had said ::
For her free latch string was never drawn in
Against the poorest child of Adams kin
In America there are no six millions of
grown lnen excluded by the Constitution from
political rights there is a free church. free
school, free hand, a free vote, free career
/ for the child of the humblest. No. country
men who work for your living, remember
that there will be one wild shrek of freedom
to startle all mankind if that Republic is
overthrown. Slavery has been the huge foul
blot upon it fame; it is a hideous outrage
against human right and divine law; pride
and passion of man will not permit its peace
able extinction the slaveowners of our colo
nies, if they had been strong enough, would
have revolted too. | believe there was no
mode short Of miracle more stupendous than
any recorded in Holy Writ which would in
our time, or in century, have brough. the
abolition of slavery in America, but the sui
eide which the South has committed and the
war they are now waging.
1t is measureless calamity. l said the
Russian war was measureless calamity.-
Did not many of your leaders tell YOU that