The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-20
Mr.. Roebucl<'s Defence Of His Anti.American
speech.

To THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TINES
seldom remark upon public criticism on my pub
lie conduct, but the present occasion is in my OpIn
ion, so important, ana your mlsconceptOn Of the
purpose and effect OF the speech lately made at the
Cutters Feast so remarkable that am led to depart
from my usual course OF conduct ald to endeayor 10
set you right, and correct that misunderstanding,
which am sure was wholly unintentOnal
You seem to assume that intended TO dSparage
the United States, and that did insult her Minister
by the remarks l made. Now, to notice first the
matter last mentioned, | have the best authority for
saying that Mr.. Johnson Gld not so conceive my OBJ
servations He knew full well that had been active
in preparing for him warm welcome to ohenield,
that had put upon record, in words as strong as
our language Afforded the pleasure that we felt upon
the occasion of his visit ana that in one OF the ad
dresses that were to be presented to him had most
earnestly spoken OF the blessings that peace and
good will between the two nations would confer on
mankind. In fact, he has given me every assurance
that he felt greatly pleased by all that had hap
pened since his arrival here. and to myself per-
sonally he used expressions OF Kindness and friend
snip which touched me very nearly, winch shall
ever remember, but which need not repeat. so
much for the insult which you suppose | intended
to hing, and which you say did fling, at the Amer-
can Minister.
But that you should have fallen into this error is
not surprising when one considers the strange con-
structi0n you put upon the words and arguments l
used. You seem to imagine that deliberately
spoke Ill of the United States and that said things
OF her institutions that must necessarily have been
offensive to the gentleman who represented her.
Now, , wha, was my purpose e., my reasoning
ing OF the great change that had been lately
made in our representation and my pur-
any alarms they might entertain in consequence
OF that change. To aid this my purpose brought
In America an Illustration. l said that there were
two nations, and two only, who had ealy confided
the government OF their respective countries to the
great body of their people. America had done 80
under conditions less favorable for than Eng
land: and the argument was that, seeing how sue
cessfl America had been, we need have no fear Tor
England explained the differing conditions under
which the two naons acted. America had one IA
vouiaDle condition that we had not-uamely, unoc-
cuped land to an almost fabulous extent; but said
"A m L.
chievous, and from which we were iree-this was an
emigration from Europe Of persons OF the worst and
true, and Is 1t not daily made In the United States In
speeches In Congress. In the daily papers, and IN
every sort Of publication l-made In words Tar
stronger than nine; made, too. by the most
and patriotic Americanss That the |
course OF American policy has been disturbed |
by this mischevous emigration no one who knows |
America WILL think deny; that | NAV have
do not think So and | know that my opinion IL
shared by many eminent Americans. In describing |
epithets chose may not have been happy, but as |
regards the thing described they are true While |
speaking of this torrent OF bad emigration did not
include or aude to that vast BODY or virtuous and
worthy persons vino 90 to America In order to find a
new and more favorable held Tor their industry and
talent than their country affords. That ines
Unable benefit has been conferred or the United
States by such an emigration | well know. The same
class of men have created hourishing colonies
over the world. and hope am not foolish or 50
preudiced as TO coniound things so essentially dis
similar "a the two classes OF emgrants that speak
Of That the bad element exists am sure; that II
has effected In an evil manner the politics Ot Amer
lea believe In common with many VI her most dis
tingushed sons. To mention this fact before an
American Munster | cannot consider offence
against good taste and manners; that no offence
was taken know.
mentioned also one other thing, which Is also
notorious In America, and against which warned
my fellow countrymen-that was the almost univer-
sal withdrawal OF rich and educated Americans from
the business OF politics. and the consequent advan-
tage taken Of their absence by mere political adven
turers. Is this not also truey And where was the
the mentioning of II might be beneficial warning
To my own countrymen, and perhaps might also he
useful In its influence upon the minds OF Americanss
will only add passing remark upon the hard
words you use when speaking OF myself l rather
fancy that my experience IN political life Ia greater
| which am now speaking, and should have hoped
that II might have suggested itself to him while IN
dieting his diaribe that the veteran politician might
| be right and he himself IN the wrong.
am, sir. your obedient servant,
SHEFFIELD, Sept. ], 1865. J. A. ROEBUCK.