The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-20
LORD BRoUGHAM.

tons and inconsistencies, in regard to
whom, we might quote "superhuous
lags the veteran on the STAGE" and whose
death ten years ago would have been q
benefit to himself and to mankind, has
come before the American people in the
character of a cringing beggar, asking
not aims but mercy at their hands. We
| can show him none, for he is entitled to
no clemency. For quarter of a centu-
ry he stood before the world as the great
champion of the abolition of slavery.
He did not seem to care by what means
it was accomplished only SO itwere done
speedily. He was so much the friend
of the negro, and the enemy of the op-
ponents of negro equality, that we re-
collect on the occasion of some interna-
tional gathering in England when Mr..
Dallas was Minister, he did not scruple
to touch the national sensibilities Of the
American people, and insult the digni-
fed position occupied by our Minister
by introducing to seat above him al
the table full-blooded African, named
Doctor Delaney, who was a delegate
from some negro government to the same
convention, accompanying the introduce
ton of his sable friend with an indeli.
| cate allusion to the well known preju-
dices of our minister and country, at
that time, against admitting this race
to an equality, under any circumstances
whatever. Well, a few years passed, and
the great rebellion broke out. The
we'll known cause of the rebellion was
slavery. None other existed. None
other could be found by anybody but
Englishmen, who were anxious to over
throw the American Government. The
South had declared slavery the corner
stone of the foundation, upon which
they would raise the superstructure of
their government and society. The
| North, it is true, at first did not wish to
bring slavery to violent end, and
would still have been content to let the
institution gradually die out before the
onward march of civilization; but,
finally it recognized slavery not only as
the true cause of the war, but as its
principal support, and then it was deter
mined by all classes, that the cause
must cease before the war would be
brought to a conclusion. With these
facts before him, what course does this
old political invalid pursue? What
course had we right, judging from his
antecedents, to expect him to adopt?
Certainly we were justified in supposing
that he would continue consistent to the
end, and be still the great Apostle of Will
berforce's philanthropy. Not SO, how.
ever. He turns a complete summerset,
and goes over to the enemy, horse, foot
and dragon; becomes the firm friend
of the Southern slave power, and the
strong advocate of slavery. AS long as
there was a ray of hope for the Confed-
eracy, he was its champion and advo-
cate; but now, that the bubble is burst
ed, and slavery abolished without the
aid of Mr.. Brougham, we find him OBJ
sequiously and sophistically endeavor-
ing to explain his singular conduct. We
publish his apology, but think it will re-
quire more and better reasons than he
advances to satisfy the American people
that he is sincere, or has been consist
ent.
In the House of Lords, July 3, Lord
Brougham said he rose, not to complain
of misreport, but to correct a misap-
prehension which some of his friends
from the United States had informed
him would have very unfortunate eff
feet in lessening the influence, such as it
was, of that earnest remonstrance and
entreaty which he had addressed to the
United States, imploring them to use
their great victory with moderation and
mercy. The Misrepresentation was
that he had taken part with the South,
and with the slavemongers the South
He take part with the slavemongers of
the South! He who some thirty years
ago had declined the gift of a great
plantation in Barbados, and of an es-
tate in the county of Durham, because
he would not abandon the cause of eman-
cipation and his fellow-laborers in that
cause and in the cause of abolition AT
that time of day to accuse him lord
Brougham) of taking part with South
| ern slavemongers was utterly absurd.