The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-05-21

from the Sumner papers in the library
Of Harvard University. were present
ed for publication by Mr.. Rhodes at
a recent meeting of the Massachusetts
Historical Society:
IPrivate ROchdale. Dec. IA, 1861.
Dear Mr.. Sumner cannot let the
boat go without sending you a few
lines. There is less passion shown !
here than there was a week ago, and
there has been a considerable express
sion Of opinion in favor Of moderate
~counseis. and urging arbitration
rather than war. The unfavorable
symptom is the war preparations Of
the government and the sending Of
troops to Canada, and the favor shown
to the excitement which so generally
precedeS war. This COnvinceS me
either that this government believes
that you intend war with England. or
that itself intends war with you. The
first suppOsitiOn is scarcely credible
unless the New York Herald be &C
cepted as the confidential organ Of
your government %, or that Lord
Lyons has misrepresented the feeling
Of the Washington Cabinet. The sec
Ond SuppoSitiOn may be true, for it
may be imagined that by a var got
UP on some recent pretence, such as
your Steamer San JAcinto is supposed
to have given, we may have cotton
soone than by waiting for your sue
cess against the South. | know moth
ing but what is in the papers; but l
conclude that this government is
ready for war if an excuse can be
found for it. l need not tell you that
at a certain point the moderate Opin-
ion of the country is borne down
by the passion which arises, and
which takes the name Of patriotism,
and that the good men here who alb
nor war may have no influence il a
blow is once struck.
There is great anxiety for the next
arrivals from your side. 1t is feared
that the Presidents message may
commit him to some curse on the
seizure" affair before he has received
accounts from England. / rather in
cline to rely on his and
prudence. and to hope the best.
have no positive Information as
to the demand made by this govern
ment: but in case it cannot be COM
piled with, l hope you will be able to
make some offer or negotiation and
arbitration that will strengthen the
hands Of all moderate men here. and
make it impossible for our religious
public to support a war. My own
opinion is that the more literally and
generously you can act, h more you
will turn the tide Of feeling in Eng
land in your favor, and battle the
wretches who, hating your instltu-
tons. except that one Of the South,
will be glad to make war upon you
Mr.. Golden has written to you on
the subject Of the blockade. If his
project were possible it would tell
admirably in Europe; whether il
could be worked l know not. 1t is
a desperate evil in your case thai
England and France. n England es-
pecially. should have so strong an
interest in seeing the commerce OF
the South set free, and IN TINS yOc
run the risk Of a quarrel being made
by this government; but Wnethei
many other nance of quarrel Woulc
not arise if the blockade were volun'
tarily raised. in consequence OF the
ri and search Of vessels fol
contraband at the entrance Of your
ports. 1 cannot tell; nor do l see
how you could collect your duties
II collected off the port, then. Woult
the Southern authorities permit ~Ood!
to be landed except on payment O
further duties to them? The whole
question is full Of difficulties which
! cannot solve or even advise upon
If you are resolved to succeed
against the South, have no war Will
England; make every concession ina
can be made; don't even hesitate u
Tell the world tnat you Will even con
cede what two years ago no poWe
would have asked Of you, rather thar
give another nation a pretence Tor as
sisting in the breaking up OF you
country. The time will probably com
when you can safely disregard tn
menaces of the English Oligarchy
now it is your interest to battle II
even ly any concession which is no
d~isgraceful.
JOHN BRIGHT.
fPrivatel Rochdale, Dec. p, 1861.
Dear Mr.. SUMNER do not let tn
steamer go without sending you
few lines. This week the country ha
been shocked by the death of Prime
Albert. but our war journals nav
not suspended their mischievous Ia
bOrS. There has however been mo