, 1876-11-19
MR. GLADsT0NE's HEDGING.

IL 0Ecu6 kudt HAEA kA0 al14C11CAu NdS6
was submitted in printed form to the Arbi-
tration Commission sitting at Geneva, Mr..
GLADSTONE, who had then become the leader
of the Liberal party in England, and Chief
Minister Of the Government, was unpleas
antly reminded Of the general hostility Of
the British Government towards the Union
during the War, and especially of his own
share therein. So, in 1872, he addressed a
personal and friendly note to Gen. ScHENcK,
then in England, in which he sought to ex-
plain and apologize for, or extenuate, SO much
of the business as the American Case had made
out against him. The distinct charge made
in the case was unfriendly feeling of men,
bers Of the British Cabinet and Parliament,
embracing specifically within this allegation
Lord PALa1ERsToN, Lord RUSSELL, Lord
CAMPBELL, Lord WEsTBRooK, and Mr. GLAD
STONE. Mr.. GLADSTONE leaves the others to
take care of themselves, and in 1872, after
the War had been over seven years, the
Union preserved, the national credit restored,
slavery abolished, and negro suffrage in oper-
alton, he wrote this letter to explain his own
speeches and acts, and to renew his declara-
ton Of the warmest feelings Of friendship
for the American people.
The particular proofs Of unfriendliness on
the part of Mr.. GLADSTONE, cited in the
"Case, were two speeches by him, in which
he said:
That the leaders OF the South had made nation;
and that the separation Of the Southern States was
In my belief, as certain as any event Jet future
and contingent could be.
That the cessation of the War WIS to be desired,
inasmuch as to warrant its continuance 1t must
have an object 'attanablc, as well as otherwise
just and adequate.
That, in my opinion, and, as I believed, in the
general opinion, the reiucorporation OF the South
ern States was not m attainable object.
That it was fatal error, even for sincere and
phi1anthropic men, to pursue the emancipation OF
the negro race through the bloodshcd Of the War.
This letter to Mr. ScHENcK explains that,
SO far as these statements were expressions
Of opinion, they we're, however erroneous
they may have been, founded not in any
hostility to the American Union, but were
shared in England in 1869 and 1868, when
these speeches were made, by even the
strongest friends Of the North.
He then answers the complaint that the
language held by him, as well as by others,
indicated strong desire that the efforts of
the Government of the United States should
not succeed; and that men governed by this
desire could not but be adversely biased ad-
nninistrntors Of British law for the perform
ance of international duty; and that the
British Cabinet did allow sinister motives,
whetherin the shape Of abstract hostility or
OF selfish regard to British interests, to lead
them into guilty neglect Of the public obi
cations Of the country. He meets this by
saying:
What seek to show is, that this charge against
me IL not true and not just
seek to show it by evidence to which no fair
exception can be taken. I will cite nothing that
bus been said by since the triumph Of the
Union, or after the date at which it may be said
that that triumph distinctly OF generally fore
seen to be approaching.
! ehall show
1. That my opinion always was that England
had special interest in the quarrel raised By the
lnsurrecton Of the Southern States.
2. That this interest was that the North and
south, fur from being severed, should remain
united.
3. That at the outset and at various periods OF
the War had spoken OF The American people and
II the trial they called to undergo in terms
,f strong sympathy.
4. That these declarations were not less public
,r less authenticated than the two declarations
:ited in the American Case as made by me in Octo-
,er, 1861 and June, 1861 And, finally,
S. That on the same days and in the same
speeches which are quoted to show my desire as
IN Englishman that the Union should be broken M
Tere delivered rnequivocal expressions OF my be-
ief that English interests would be best served by
t. continuance.
shall also direct attention to the time when !
delivered the speech at Newcastle, ~ that con-
aimed the passage to which, believe. attention
las been principally directed. At that time-there
s nothing paradoxical in saying it-motives Of
hcer humanity and hatred Of the efIuson of blood
night well lead man to desire, upon the terms
ther Of reunion or severance, the Termination of
he War. But whether this be parado1ical or not
shall also show that men who had most yehc-
nently supported in this country the cause Of the
sorth, and denounced the Southern Confederation
Is IN nhuman and anti social conspiracy, were ad-
hitting the efforts and struggles OF the North, won
lerful rs they we're, to b practically hopeless, and