But This Is Not The Time In Which It
Should Be Given.
Putting aside slight asperities, we will all own
that the people of the States have been and are our friends, and
that as friends we cannot spare them.
For one Englishman who
brings home to his own heart a feeling of cordiality for France - a
belief in the affection of our French alliance - there are ten who
do so with reference to the States. Now, in these days of their
trouble, I think that we might have borne with them more tenderly.
And how was it possible that they should have avoided this war? I
will not now go into the cause of it, or discuss the course which
it has taken, but will simply take up the fact of the rebellion.
The South rebelled against the North; and such being the case, was
it possible that the North should yield without a war? It may very
likely be well that Hungary should be severed from Austria, or
Poland from Russia, or Venice from Austria. Taking Englishmen in a
lump, they think that such separation would be well. The subject
people do not speak the language of those that govern them or enjoy
kindred interests. But yet when military efforts are made by those
who govern Hungary, Poland, and Venice to prevent such separation,
we do not say that Russia and Austria are fools. We are not
surprised that they should take up arms against the rebels, but
would be very much surprised indeed if they did not do so. We know
that nothing but weakness would prevent their doing so. But if
Austria and Russia insist on tying to themselves a people who do
not speak their language or live in accordance with their habits,
and are not considered unreasonable in so insisting, how much more
thoroughly would they carry with them the sympathy of their
neighbors in preventing any secession by integral parts of their
own nationalities! Would England let Ireland walk off by herself,
if she wished it? In 1843 she did wish it. Three-fourths of the
Irish population would have voted for such a separation; but
England would have prevented such a secession vi et armis, had
Ireland driven her to the necessity of such prevention.
I will put it to any reader of history whether, since government
commenced, it has not been regarded as the first duty of government
to prevent a separation of the territories governed; and whether,
also, it has not been regarded as a point of honor with all
nationalities to preserve uninjured each its own greatness and its
own power? I trust that I may not be thought to argue that all
governments, or even all nationalities, should succeed in such
endeavors. Few kings have fallen, in my day, in whose fate I have
not rejoiced - none, I take it, except that poor citizen King of the
French. And I can rejoice that England lost her American colonies,
and shall rejoice when Spain has been deprived of Cuba.
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