The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-07

Mr.. RoEBUCK ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS
A CURIOUS ExPLANATIoN.-Mr. Roebuck
made an election speech at Sheffield on the
18th ultimo, and in the course of it, the fol-
lowing questions were .!put and replies
given ..H"e .- ~. 81 t1r
Mr.. Wilmot said he wished to put a ques-
ton of great importance, not only to Shelf
field, but to the community at large. He
should like to ask Mr.. Roebuck if he did
not use his utmost endeayors in the Ameri-
can conflict TO bring about q war between
this country and the United States [confu-
sion] in order to promote the shareholders
rebellion. [Cheers.l
Mr.. Roebuck: Sir, if you will allow me,
I will 60 through that matter completely.
The American rebellion broke out, and all
/ did was-and l had the sanction of as
large meeting in Sheffield [cheers] as ever
was met together-all | asked was that we
should acknowledge the southern States as
sovereign and Independent States. [" Hear,
hear" and cheers.l Now, will tell you
distinctly, | will make frank breast of it,
and you shall not mistake me. My belief
is that the American people by-and-by
will be SO numerous that they will be all
powerful among mankind. 1 have ever
found-l beg you to listen and think upon
what l say have ever found that per
sons Of despotic power-that is of uncon-
trolledg .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; we can
take it with perfect safety" No war would
have 1ollowed-tnere the gentleman makes
u mistake. ''Here is an opportunity to &C
knowledge these States, just as America ac-
knowledged Hungary when she was in re-
bellion against Austria; we have the sane
ton OF American example; acknowledge
the existence Of those States" The mo-
ment that acknowledgment had come, away
would have gone the blockade of the
shores of America. There would have been
an end to the American civil war
very much, | believe, TO the benefit oil
the several States thenselve5-and if that
had been done | believe that mankind
would have received an immense benefit
Gentlemen, if you will permit me viii
tell you story. After that meeting IL
Paradise Square / went back to London
and in day or two it was necessity Of
the case-for member of Parliament there
is often that neccssity--to wait upon the
Prime Minister. waited upon LORD Pal
merston. The moment got into his room
he was standing writing at his desk as hi
always did--he turned round aud put ou
his hand and said, Roeouck, Roebuck
what devilish good speech you made
at Sheffield" [Cheers and laughter
said My lord, am greatly obliged Il
you, and hattered for the kind phrase yor
have used about my speech though i
was rather hard one, you know laugh
teri Sc am very much hauered." /" Flat
tered?'' he said "why, am entirely o
your opinion, but l dare not officially Say
So" Now, that struck me, according II
the old woman's phrase, all of heap, tina
man in power should say to me openly
and without disguise that he was entirely
of my opinion, and lead the people of Eng
land directly the opposite way. That, sait
l, is modern political morality. Laughter.
1 did my work with the gay and pleasan
fold lord, and bowed my way out of hi
room.