Year: 1861

England.


A short time ago an elaborate article
on the nationality question, in one Of the
British Quarterlies, began with the re,
mark that the way to judge how Eng
land would decide on national question
was to see where her interests would
carry her. Her interest, in the mighty
issue Of law on trail here, is supposed to
be in supply Of cotton; and the oligsrchy
are supposed to hate, with an undying
hate, Republicanism. These two infu-
ences, it is said, have united to place
England in an unfriendly position to this
country; and hence, to the miserable
proclamation of neutrality, there is now
to be added such speeches as that OF
Lord Campbell about any Englishman's q
joining either side, and Lord Derby's
shallow nonsense about q necessity Of
Great Britain's coming to an understand
ing with the Governments Of the North.
ern and the Southern States. As such
insulting stuff as this dribbles out from
the House of Lords, it seems to be pity
that long ago the British liberals did not
execute their purpose Of declaring this q
useless body.


There seems to be good sense in por-
tion Of the British press; and to this let
justice be done. But, as general thing
the Government and no small portion of
its supporters, more particularly we should
say, the localities famed for rousing abo-
lition exertion in past days, affect to
heavs one deep, long drawn sigh of the
very profoundest sort of sorrow for the
downfall of the Union, the Constitution
and Republicanism in general; and then
to fall to and criticize. 1t is sad, shock
ing, wicked and everything that's bad,
this distintegration of the United States
and it is about as bad, that the Old Sow
erignty should so much as lift hand to
save itself. There are honorable excep-
tons to this. But take the expression
of the oligarchy who debate in Parli-
ament and their sympathisers who do the
press, and this is about the sum and SUBJ
stance of the verdict. The Queens
Proclamation seems to be, according to
the present show of hands, about the ex-
ponent Of the nation. This enjoins the
strictsst impartiality as to both Sides
1t says to the people don't sell either side
arms; don't break the blockade of either
side; don't fight for either side; don't aid
either side at your peril. The general
run of sympathy is for the oppressed
Confederate States; and President Lin.
cola is roundly denounced for not quietly
acquiescing in sepa ration. The North
British Review seems to think that the
annals of the world have nothing to show
like the political rascality Of President
Lincoln.


The moro this miserable business is
pondered upon, the worse it grows. 1t
is positive unfriendliness towards the old
Sovereignty of the United States; and
we do not see how right feeling Ameri-
can look upon it in any other light
There is nothing but meanness about it
and nothing of sound national law about
it. Before England acted she should
have got the facts and been careful to
look, not to national interest, but to the
right. If anything in the case of rebel
lions is laid down clearly in the books,
this duty is laid down. But what, in.
stead, has England done? She has done
as to international law, pretty much
what some Of her press are saying has
been generally done here as to our Con.
stitutional law. Thus British journal
says: "Lntsr arma leges silent. -Amid the
passions raised by tho fret sceses of cipR
'oar, tho United States Consultation Jals to
Tho ground" So, forsooth, England acts
rs if all national law had fallen to the
ground; and at once proceeds to place
the rebellion and the United States on
the most perfect footing of equality!


The spectacle of this degradation Of a
power like England is sad one. Nc
such spectacle has ever been seen. Think
of the thousands of expressions of friend.
ship for the United States she has form
srly made and has kept making. With
such proclamations Of neutrality on her
lips, such professions of sorrow cannot
but be looked upon as the grossest hy-
pocrisy. Sincerity is not consistent with
this eagerness to give a rebellion the
'hoie cheot VI quasi recognition. now
ever, England is at her old tricks. She
prowled about New England like . thief
in the night, when Secession was going
on for the first time, as witness her John
Henry spy business. Then her mock
philanthropists of the Exeter Hall sort,
and Of the Duchess Of Sutherland women
cast, sent into the United States their
emissaries, their speeches and their money
to set on foot the liberation Of the slaves
Did not George Thompson, in 1884,
come out Of great public meeting, in
Manchester, England, to
in the domestic concerns Of this
Was he not loaded down with
British funds to enable him to carry on a
crusade in this country How long is it
since public meetings to promote the alb
olition Of American slavery were held
over half of England? How long is it
since member Of the British Parliament
stood up in one of these public meetings
and said: "The greater proportion of