Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-10-28
Earl Russei's Speech on American Affairs.

We make the following extracts from speech
recently delivered by Lord John Russell, at Blair
gowrie, Scotland, on American affairs:
"Well gentlemen, come now to another ques-
tion-a question interesting to ala question on
which must beg for your attention, because wish
to explain some circumstances in which the charac-
ter of this country think has been maligned. I
am speaking of what has occurred in what a few
years ago were the United States of America A
few years ago we were exuting in the prosperity Of
that country; we were happy to see people de-
rived from the same ancestors as ourselves enjoying
free institutions, enjoying apparent harmony among
before the civil war broke out, hardly difference
a difference only with regard to the small island
called St. JUAN and which we had proposed to refer
to the arbitration Of the Swiss republic
This was the state of affairs when that which we
certainly had no part in broke out when, if re-
member rightly, nine of the Southern Statess of
America declared that they would form an indepen-
dent republic Our course on the subject has been
attacked and blamed in the bitterest terms-blamed
sometimes by the federals and sometimes by the
Confederates. The first offence was felt by the.
federals. They said we had no right to grant-so
far as we are concerned-to the Confederates the
rights of belligerents. WE'LL now, gentlemen, that
question of the rights of belgerents is question of
fact put it to you whether, with five millions of
people, 5000 900 Fmean of free men declaring them.
selves in their several States collectively an inde-
pendent State, we could pass over that as petty
rebellion. Our admirals asked whether the ships
they met bearing the Confederate flag should be
treated as pirates or If we should have treated
them as pirates we should have been taking part
in the contest. (Cheers) It was impossible to look
on the uprising of a community of 100000 people
as q mere petty insurrection-(hear, hear, ,)-or as
not having the rights which at all times are given
to those who by their numbers and Importance, or
by the extent Of the territory they possess
titled to these rights. (Cheers)
Well, it was said we ought not to have done that
because they were community Of slaveholders.-
Gentlemen, trust that our adherence of slavery
is not in the least abated or diminished cloud and
prolonged cheers) For my part, consider it one
of the most horrible crimes that yet disgrace hu-
manity. (Cheers.) But then, when we are treat
ing of the relations which we bear to q community
of men, l doubt whether it would be expedient or
useful for humanity that We should introduce that
new element of declaring that we will have no re-
lations with people who permit slavery to exist
among them We have never yet adopted it; We
have not adopted it in the case Spain or Brazil, and
l do not believe that the cause Of humanity would
be served BY our adoption of it now. (Hear hear)
Well, then it was said that these Confederate
States were rebels s-rebels against the Union. Per.
haps, gentlemen, l am not so nice as ought to be
on the subject But recollect that ~ re6ellsd
against Charles L "a laugh.) we rsbs1lsd against
James II, and tho people Of Nee England, not con.
tent U'th these t'0o rebellieas redelled against
george III. "Hear," and laughter( I am not
saying now whether all these rebellions were iosti.
liable or whether they were vrong-I am not say,
ing wnetner the present rebellion in the Southern
States is iustiRable insurrection, OF is , sre,,
crime. But say that the mere fact Of rese;lien !,
not in my eyes crime of so deep Eve that W.
must renounce all fellowship and ewnmnn;on and
all relationship with those Who hs,,e been guilty q
rebellion: cloud eheeringl rr,ut. certainly. #
look to the declarations Of t.ose New Enpan?, nro
torsIand have been Riding lately f not tia tb
Mno,e veIy sfeas Part of the very long speecl
9y la MF' summer On .p. subject, delivered at Nov
'0sa~' Own ssee't but woaass tesee Aess men