The New York herald., 1868-03-13
ENGLAND.
yohn Bright and Rev. Newman Hall
American Democracy-The Cause Of the
Republic "a Seen by the People.

yohn Bright and Rev. Newman Hall on
American Democracy-The Cnuse Of the
Republic Seen by the People.
From the London Post, Peb, 27l
Last night there a large mee.ing In st. James
Hall for the purpose OF hearing lecture by the Rev.
Newman Hall, Ill. b., on ''rhe relations between
Great Britain and America In connection with the
tate war and the Importance OF maintaining inter.
national peace,o Mr.. Bright, NJ p. occupying the
chair
Besides the chairman and the lecturer there were
present on the platform Mr.. Haddeld, NJ p. Mr..
Baires NJ r., Mr.. Lawson. VI. p, Lord Ambe rey.
NJ. r., Mr. w f. Forster, NJ j., Mr. Baxter, NJ p, sir
y Buxton. NJ p, &C.
Mr. BRloHr who in coming forward was received
with loud cheers, sald:-I believe Is IL known to the
majority OF persons present that II IL not by any
original intention am in the position OF chairman OF
This meeting. II Intended that this place should
b. occupied by the Duke OF Argylllcnecrs)but cir
cumstances which II l. not necessary for
into, and which am sure he regrets "a much as we
might / need no, tell You that the Duke
OF Argyll is very eminent ainoung his coun-
uymen 10y reason OF his high rank, but ! may say
further that ne Is very eminent among his order
for the intelligence and lherality which have marked
his public caYeer-(cheersI am not sure that there
is any man In this country who has taken a more
last years Of trouble than taken by the Duke
OF Argyll. The cause which he espoused was a
cause, am afraid Of which II may be sad that not
many rich and not many noble were called 10 II; but
ne was one Of those who stepped forward and on
all occasions disposed 10 do justice 70 the
people and TO the government OF the United
hear tonight 4 good deal that Is true, and
something that s new, with regard to the United
States aud every man who can tell anything true Of
the United states TO the people OF England L. think
aagreat and true friend OF this country. Cheersl
There is nothing with regard TO questions between
the two countries which has done 80 much mischief
NE the ignorance which has prevailed among u.s.
fiicar, hear.l But we are not much more ignorant
than other people. believe that Americans are 10
large extent, not very well acquainted with us; and
scarcely ever read anything frenchnan has writ
ten about England that did not appear be ludicrous
from his non-acquantance with the habits customs
and feelings OF our people. Yet there are cases In
other cases in which IL is prodigious mischief and
possible danger Hear hear 1t il just seven years
occurring in the United States. State after State
was erecting the banner OF rebellion and seeding
from the grea. g republic St we LOON nacs 70 ,1as
TO US that our people and some OF those
who ought TO have been best instructed were
so ignorant on everything connected WITH the
United States. am not quite that the greatest
ignorance not found TO prevail most extensively
among those who consider themselves to be the In
sructed classes-thear, hear)-for we know perfectly
well, without mentioning names, that men IN very
high positions In the political parties OF this country
exhibit an unacquaintance with American affairs
which we now know 10 have been very remarkable
and TO have been followed by very cvil consequences
be,teDe really that u may De said ,cifhout cgdg-
peratioR nat they kno,c nothing about america.
That which they thought they knew was for
the most pss asSgeaet S wrong n and they were N
known nothing at all. Some OF them could tell
everything, l believe TO the minutest fable OF the
Uomerc age. They could tell you nearly all TIE
repends or e ancient 1corid, but nth regard 10 the
great English nation on Np otler side OF the Atlantic
they knetr nothing which might aid them in their
sourse, whether In Parliament or In the government.
were TO turn for moment 10 another class of per
sms, who ought 10 be well informed because they
MT only are held but even avow themselves 10
DC great public instructors, should not Ind much
NOR knowledge among them. saw LOt long age IN
fbe louse Of gentleman in this1city whole shelf OF
soiunts-l am not sure how many volumes. but