Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-25
THE CONFEDERACY
And the Late BeDjAmiR Dfsraeli-HoN
He Escaped Putting His Foot I'm IL.

A correspondent Of the London Morning
Advertiser sends that paper the following
very important scrap Of history:
lam able 70 speak with knowledge on this sub
ject and I affirm, without fear Of contradiction,
that Mr.. DisraeH, although never committing
himself As Mr.. Gladstone and Lord John Russell
did 10 the principles for which the southern Con
federacy was fighting, always regarded 'recog-
milton as possible card 70 play, and WAS quite
prepared, at the proper moment 70 play IL Inc
moment seemed 10 have come when Gen. Lee In
vaded the Federal states, after having shattered
the strength OF the Northern invasion: At tnat
time It was notorious that the bulk OF the Tory
party and more than hat Of the Alnisterialists
were prepared for such step; Nj LindSsy,s
bucks eioquence had been equally lnenectuel.
Southern army, and the possible occupation OF
the capital by Gen. Lees troops, it seemed hope
less 70 restrain the pentup feelings OF the House
his Opportunity. had frequent CON
versations with him on The subject,
thought the time had now come for moving in the
matter. But, ne said, lit is OF great Importance
that II the move is 10 be made, II should not as
sumo party character and it is of equal impor-
lance that the initiative should come from our
(uamely, the Confederatel side. Now, M Lindsay
carries no weight. Lord Robert Cecil could handle
the matter best, but he is an avowed partisan OF
the Confederacy, and would arouse TOO much
party feeling on the other side II the thing is 10
be done must do il myself: and then, from all
hear aud know, the resolution will be carried,
Lord Pslmerston being quite disposed p accept
II
| which he personally approves But, he con
| tinued, Il cannot speak without more knowledge
| of the subject than l now possess, and
| should be glad If you could give me brief
furnishing the necessary statistics OF the popula
\ ton the institutions, the commercial and pollt
cal prospects OF the Southern states, in order thai
| when the moment comes l may be fully armed. u
| I procured the necessary information from The
| best authorities, and paced ii in his hands
Every day seemed to bring the moment Tor its use
| nearer, and the general feeling in the House o.
4 Commons was perfectly ripe for the motion II
| favor of recognition" when the news OF tht
| battle of Gettysburg came like thunderclsI
| upon the country. Gen. Meade defeated Lee, anC
| saved the Union, aud from that day not anothe
| word was heard in Parliament about recognition
A few days aiterward saw Mr.. Dlsraei, ana hi
exact words were. I'VE nearly put our foot in 1t.
| Now the leader of the Tory oppositSon may hGv'
| been right or wrong in his judgment, but 1t wa
not he who controlled the Conservative party
| The most powerful influences on the opposition
| side were undoubtedly the late Lord Derby
| through his acquaintance with the anti-slaver
| feeling in the manufacturing districts OF III
! North and the present Lord Derby, then Lor
| Stanley, whose sympathies were always au'
| avowediy with the NortherA side. But these tw'
| noblemen would have been powerleSs against tn
Overwhelming feeling Of the bulk Of the Tor
party; and Mr.. DisTaei, had Lee been triumphsn
| at Gettysburg, would undoubtedly have carries
the House of Commons and the country with him