Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-20
Mr.. GladStone's Letter on His AL
legged Hostility to the Union
Cause.

Mr.. GladStOne's Letter on His AL
legged Hostility to the Union
Cause.
Harpers New Monthly Magazine fol December
contains a letter written in November, 1872, by
Mr.. Gladstone, at that time the head of the Eng
lish government. The letter is addressed to Gen
eral Schenck, Minister Of the United States in
Great Britain and is designed to defend the writer
from certain charges Of unfriendliness to the Un-
ion cause during the civil war, which were con.
tanned in sundry passages of the American Case
as laid before the Arbitrators at Geneva. The
letter appears to be mainly of nature, bat it was
evidently designed to be read by Secretary Fish,
and also in some way or other, to be made known
to the American public. Among the statements
brought by the representatives Of the United
States before the Geneva Abihators was one to
the effect thst members of the British Cabinet
frequently expressed unfrendly feelings towards
this country aud its government during the war of
the rebellion. In proof of this were cited extracts
from speeches made at the time by several Cabinet
Ministers, Of whom Mr.. Gladstone was in 1872 the
only remaining in Office. His letter relates
only to himself and in it he complains very de-
cdedly that the statements in the American Case
did him something less than justice. In replying
to them, he takes the general summary which is
given in the Case, viz: that members Of the
British Cabinet" including himself are "seon TO
comment upon the efforts Of the government of
the United States to suppress the rebellion, in
terms that indicate strong desire that those eff
forts should not succeed"
The substance of Mr.. Gladstone's defence Of
himself against this imputation is, that while, in
common with many friends Of our cause, he him
self held the opinion that the rebellion would be
successful, he never at any time desired, or hoped
for, Its success, even thought that ITS success
would be for the interest of Great Britain. la
proof Of this he cites passages from several OF his
speeches in Parliament, and before large assem-
blies Of the people, in which he deprecated any
thing like hostility to the United States, excused
the sensitiveness Of the American people TO the
criticisms of Great Britain, urged patience upon
the British public, denounced the motion made in
the House of Commons to acknowledge the indie
peadence of the Confederate States, and in
great variety of ways expressed his strong sympa-
thy with the people of this country in the trial
they were called to undergo. Among these ey-
tracts is the one in which he rebuked severely the
Tory member of the House of Commons. who, in
1861, made in debate the silly remark about the
bursting of "the great republican bubble lie
also cites III an appendix some additional passages
written in 1867, to Mr.. Edward Lester, of New
York, in which he admits that he twas wrong and
took too much upon himself in expressing the
opinion he did at carly period in the war,
that the South had already virtually achieved lis
independence, and declares that he always thought
the continuance OF the Union would be for the adj
vantage of England.
The whole letter OF Mr. Gladstone is elevated
and magnanimous in its tone, and indicates not
only sensibility, perhaps we ought to say a feel
ing of injury, at the charges contained in the
American Case, but also a sincere desire to stand
well in the estimation of the people Of the United
States. 1t will be read with great interest, and
we have no doubt, it will do much towards con-
ciiatng their good will. Indeed Mr.. Gladstone
was never ranked with LORD Russell or Lord Pal.
merston, his associates in the British ministry, in
marked hostility to the Union cause, though some
of his remarks were very much regretted in this
country They have, however, been well nigh
forgotten, or, at the very least, fully compensated
by his services Prime Minister in promoting
the peaceful and honorable settlement of the Ala
bama caims--a settlement ofwhich the two coun-
tries have only inst begun to reap the transcend.
ant advantages, anl which will be forever associa
ted with the name of Mr. Gladstone.