Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-05-01

Lsrd John RusseII oa Ancrlean
| AGaiFA.
The following extract from the late
speech of Lord John Russell on American
affairs shows q more healthy tone in that
country, as the sentiments expressed were
generally approved: .. " ~.
For my part. my lords, have always
thought, and stated that opinion at the
beginning of the war. that at the COM
mencement, the struggle was contest for
empire. tHear.) But believe that our
own war in America. which terminated in
the year 1898, was also contest for en-
pire, and nothing else; and believe that.
Is We acted then. the United States have
acted now, ard had our position been
similar to theirs, we should have done
much the same as the United States have
done. (Hear, hear.) I do not wish to
lay anything further in regard to this
question-which, ! must say, the noble
lord opposite seems to have viewed IN no
very impartial spirit-of the attacks made
upon this country in the American Con-
gress, and still more in the American
newspapers, with regard to our conduct
during the Course of this war. but this
may say, that whatever temper may have
been shown in the Senate and public of
America, whatever unjust and extreme
violence may have been shown in the press
of America, cannot think that the Gov
eminent of the United States have been
wanting in moderation of conduct. And
when the American Minister asks me, as
he frequently does. Surprising we were
at war with any European power, and
that it was found that out of the ports of
New York cruisers were continually sent
forth against your commerce upon the
high seas, do you believe that the
English people would have borne it so
patiently as the American people have
done? it is extremely difficult to give him
answer. (Hear, hear.) I think that in
point of law and reason they have nothing
to complain of against us but in point Of
feeling and in point of impressions. it is
humiliating and provoking to them TO
think that friendly and neutral power
has had succession Of ships fitted out
from its ports BY which her commerce has
been injured and destroyed. think 1t
becomes Us. instead of thinking everything
British to be right, and everything Amer.
can TO be wrong, now and then consider
what has been our conduct towards a
people who are engaged in most dreadful
war; and to reflect how far We ourselves
should have acted otherwise than they
have done had we been in their situation.
And now with regard to the question of
slavery. Whilst ! quite admit that the
Americans have been fighting for empire.
vet I think il a most fortunate circum-
stance. if it be nothing more-if you give
them no credit and no praise for i'll
think it thing to be thankful for. to that
Congress, by a majority of two-thirdS,
have agreed that forever slavery shall
cease to be part of the Constitution of the
United States - and that hereafter no
slavery-no compulsory servitude-shall
be admitted BY tina, Constitution. I don't
ask your lord>hips to give them any praise
or credit, but do rejoice for the sake of
cause in which this country, at least IN
former years, took deep interest-for the
sake of the abolition of slavery, which l
believe is conducive to the highest inter-
eats of mankind-I say rejoice that that
law has passed the Congress of the United
States. and that whether they become a
great united country, or whether they
form a separate Northern State, there is
at least one great nation-one great re-
pubhc-in which the stain of slavery will
not exist. (Cheers.)