New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-13
a FRIEND TO AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF The HON. THOMAS BAYLEY POTTER,
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR RoCBDALE.
The steamer Scythia, which arrived at Upper
Quarantine at 1880 O'clock last evening. numbered
among its passengers the distinguished Englishman,
the Hon. Thomas Bayley Potter, Member of Parlia-
ment for Rochdae. Mr.. Potter is well known as
one Of the best friends of the Union cause in Eng
land during the war of the Rebellion. He purposes
to pass the present recess of Parliament in crafty
ing desire which he has long had of visiting
this country. lie Will remain several months
In conversation on board the Scythia last evening
Mr.. Potter expressed strong desire to see Secre-
taries Eyarts and Sherman. He will endeavor to
visit both gentlemen before his return. He COM
planned somewhat of the heat as the vessel came to
anchor in the Narrows. Mr.. Potter will remain in
New-York several days at the Windsor Hotel. He
will then go to Newport as the guest Of Cyrus W.
Field.
Mr. Potter has identified himself so thoroughly
with the cause of America in England that a sketch
of his career will be of interest to Americans He
was born in 1917 of family that celebrated for
It's strong love Of liberty and independence. Or ms
her 1t is said that an English mob attacked
his house because he refused to celebrate when the
news arrived of King Georges victories over the
Americans i'm the Revolution. His father, the late
Sir Thomas Potter was a leader of liberal thought
in England and was one of the orignators OF the
Anti-COrn Law League. Mr.. Potter was one OF Dr.
Arnold's pupils at Rugby and completed his educa-
ton at University College, London. Since his
youth he has been active in the field of social
and political reform, having been president
of the Manchester Reform Association, yice-pres-
dent of the Nation Labor Union. the Lancashire
Reform Union and the Ballot Society. During the
war OF the Rebellion he was president otthe Union
and Emancipation SOciety-a society which had for
its object the formation and expression of public
opinion in England IN favor of the maintenance OF
the American Union and the emancipation
of slaves. BY the efforts of this organization
Great Britain was prevented from acting
blindly in dealing with either the North or
South. Throughout the war Mr.. Potter worked
faithfully in his endeavOTs to enlighten the public
mind concerning the relations between the two
powers in this country.
Upon the death of Mr.. Golden in 1865, Mr.. Potter
was elected to fill his place in Parliament At the
announcement of the ASSASSINATION OF Presl-
dent Lincoln, MIR. Potter, IN behalf of the
House of Commons, presented Minister ADAMS
q memorial expressing heartfelt sympathy with the
American people. AT final meeting of the Union
and Emancipation Society after the war, an adj
dress was delivered to Mr.. Potter, signed by $50 of
the leading radicals of the time. This address speaks
in nigh terms of his work in behalf of tue cause
Of liberty, and contains this section: when
the friends of good government IN this country
were too generally silent and inactive III regard TO
the shareholders rebellion in the Southern States OF
America, you boldly allied yourself with the work
ingmen In forming this association, which pro.
claimed as ITS cardinal points the maintenance of
the Federal Union and the abolition OF negro slavery
In the United States.p
In 1865 Mr.. Potter established the Golden Club
an extensive political organization. Of late years
he has Withdrawn wholly from business, deyotlng
himself mainly to the interests OF the club.