Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-03-22
The Middle Classes In England.

The hostility 10 our national government which
has been shown in certain quarters In England, and
the want of sympathy for us in our great struggle,
has often Jed Us to overlook the fact TINT we still
have many friends, who aro heartily with us, For
this reason we are gad to lay before our readers n-
telligcn testimony in relation TO the feeling Of the
middle classo, in England, IN nm extract from re-
cent letter 10 q friend in Boston by the Row s. j.
Gwynno, a clergyman Of the Methodist donomiua-
ton-tho largest and most influential Of the dissent
ing sccts in England Mr. Gwynne was recently un
instructor in the Wesleyan branch Of the London
University, He says
"Just ms when | lust wrote 80 it Is now--all of
Enghnds noblest sons sympathiae most heartily
with the glorious struggle which the NoHlnn States
nrc wagng against rebellious and enslHying pco-
pie, and trust that the time is not distant when,
slavery being destroyed and the rebellion suppressed,
You may again rejoice over united, free and happy
people
u am proud 10 belong 10 u community who have
never wavered in their attachment to the interests
Of those whom | thoroughly believe have right on
their side The other day II meeting was held mt
Burslom, town four miles from here TO consider
the cXpcdioncy of recognizing the so-cdiicd Concd-
crate States. The meeting WIS II very large one and
Il proposition having been put before the meeting
by clergyman of the Established Church that our
Parliament should be petitionod 10 recognize the
Southern States, an amendment was proposed By
our own minister, the Rev +, Mcdonald, That
England should remain strictly neutral. This pro-
position was supported by speech of such power
and COQucnCc, the claims of the Northern States
were So clearly portrayed and the pcridy of the
South, that he carried the whole of the meeting
with him, and Mt the close when it was put to
the meeting, the proposcr and secondcr of the
original proposition stood alone, Never said Mr.
Mcdonald, should it be recorded in history that
free, brave noble England put forth her hand to
lay the bloody corner stone of slavery
1--WE are mere in England chiefly II nation OF
shop-keepew, Our great merchants, as well rs
those who are engaged in the smaller undertakings
of commerce, make money their first object. The
great movements in the world they only notice as
they affect their acquisition Of wealth The think
ing is done by the few, hence the mighty influence
which the press eXerts on the minds of my country
men. But when the right il properly placed before
them, they lose sight Of themselves and of their in
diyidual interests. My own feelings are recipro-
Gated by thousands of my counrymcn who never
allow an opportunity to pass by without bringing
their influence to bear on the side of freedom. If
were not an Englshman, would be an inhabitant
os New England, and if | could choose my own
residence, il should be Boston
THE States of New England, and especially Mas
sachusetts, have performed deeds which will make
the mighty acts of antiquity to lose their ustre and
coming generations will bless many of the actor. on
the theatre of the present age.
when many who have given their wealth and
their blood shall be gathered to their fathers, their
deeds will survive them, for they will be stamped
with Immortality