Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-10
Ur ROebuek ON American affairs
Curious Explanation.

Curious explanation.
Mr. Roebuek made an election speech at
Sheffield on the 18th ultimo, and in the course
oft the following questions were put and re-.
pies given; --a. Z.
MIR. Wilmot said he wished to put question
of great importance, not only to Sheffield, but
~ tothe community at large, He should like to
oh MIR. Roebuck if he did not use his utmost
sndeayors in the American conflict to bring
about war between this country and the Uni
ted States Iconfusionl in order to promote the
Shareholders rebellion. Cheers.
Mr. Roebuck--Sir, If you will allow me, L
will 20 through that matter completely. The
American rebellion broke out, and ali L did
was-and had the sanction of as large meet
iog in Sheffield cheers as ever was met to-
gether-all asked was that we should ackCOw-
ledge the Southern States as sovereign and iu-
dependent States "Hear. hear" and cheers.
Now | will tell you distinctly, | will make
frank breast of it, for you shall not mistake
me- My belief is that the American people by
and by will be so numerous that they Will De
alpoweriul among mankind.
have ever tound-I beg you to listen and
think upon what | say-I have ever found
that persons of despotic pOwer-that is, OF un-
controlled power-do not use that power as
they ought to do. My object was to prevent
the United States from having that immense
uncontrolled power, and | said Here is the
opportunity;yw we can take itwith perfect safety.
No war would have the tollowed-there the
gentleman makes mistake. "Here Is an OPP
portunity to acknowledge these Stats just as
America acknowledged Hungary when she was
iu rebellion against Austria we have the sane
ton of American example; acknowledge the
existence of those States" The moment that
acknowledgment had come, away would have
gone the blockade of the shores OF America.
There would have been an end to the Amerl-
can civil war, very much, L believe, to the
benefit of the several States themselves. and
if that had been done believe that mankind
would have received an immense benefit. Gen.
temen, il you will permit me will tell you
story. After that meeting in Paradise Square
went back to London, and IN day or two 1t
was necessity of the case-for member OF
Parliament there is often that neeessty-to
wait upon the Prime Minister.
waited upon Lord Paimerston. The mo-
ment got into his room-he was standing
at his desk as he always did-he turned round
and put out his hands, and said, 'Roebuck,
ROebuck, what deyilsh good speech you made
at Sheffield" (Cheers aud laughter,l l said
My lord, | am greatly obliged to you, and
Aattered for the kind phrase you have used
about my speech though 1t was rather hard
one you know, (laughter)-'1 am very much
Aattered.' ''Flattered?' he said ''why am
entirely Of your opinion, but dare no officially
sayso."
Now that struck me, according to the old
woman's phrase, all of heap, that man In
power should say to me openly, aud without
Disguise, that he was entirely of my opinion,
and lead the people of England directly the
opposite way. That, said /, is modern political
morality. Laughter [ did my work with the
gay and pleasant old lord, and bowed my way
out of his room. 81
Now, want to know if that is not very
striking circumstance, and that men should
now come forward and say that L did this Tor
the purpose of creating war to aid the slave
holders of America, who In my youth had
done my utmost to fight the question OF black
slavery throughout the British dominions, who
was ashorrifed as the gentleman opposite can
be at the idea OF slavery, who have really Wept
over the story of Uncle Toms Cabin, who
teel as he feels, all the misery and all the
horrors of that situation.
esq But had 10 look further; had to look at
The poor creatures themselves had to look at
thedestinies of mankind, and thought thatwe
hshould have taken that opportunity OF separating
the United States. And nobody feels this more
than they who govern the United States now.
They are surrounded with difficulties; they can
not heal the wounds which were then made,
and believe that if they dared to speak the
truth, they would say they were sorry peace
was not made upon the terms that proposed
Loud cheers
The PRICE OF CoA1.-The late enormous
rise in the retail price of coal will entail want
0 and suffering on many families. The sudden
leap from six and half up to nine and half
dollars is unprecedented. The New York
Herald says:
"Why coal should rise so greatly in price at
this time is almost unaccountable 1t is prob
lem which can only be solved by assembling 1t
TO the combinatiocs OF greedy specuators--to
absolute conspiracies among men who, II they
were workngmen acting the same way to Sc
cure an advance of wages, would be brought
oefOfe the courts or made to suffer and thelr
FAMILIES, perhaps. perish by prolonged de
pnyatlon of employment. 1t is absurd 1or
these coal monopolists to plead that the
reduced supply occasions the present advance.
IL Is insulting to the common sense OF consum-
srs TO affirm that the strikes OF the minerS
ast spring or summer produce deficiency at
.ns time. These things were known tour
weeks ago, as we'll as they are now, and II they
were operating upon the supply then, why was
not the price correspondingly advanced and
maintained up to this day? Our advice, to
consumers is to stop purchasing while coal IS
setne present exhorbitant rate, believing that
II will be less in the month Of January than If Is
nov In the latter part of October.
I'VE doubt, as to this advice. The coal deal
Ssslp the cities have to regulate thelr, prices
" the prices at the mines, freights, &c.
SHAWLS AND CLoAKSf = 80 3y -
~ Very Cheap just open. Wecall attention