第3章

类别:其他 作者:Owen Wister字数:21632更新时间:18/12/14 10:47:49
InVolumeIofthesamehistory,atpage439,youwillseethementionwhichPichonmadetoTalleyrandoftheovertureswhichEnglandwasincessantlymakingtous。Atsometimeduringallthis,rumorgotabroadofBonaparte\'sprojectsregardingLouisiana。InthesecondvolumeofHenryAdams,atpages23and24,youwillfindAddingtonremarkingtoourministertoGreatBritain,RufusKing,thatitwouldnotdotoletBonaparteestablishhimselfinLouisiana。AddingtonveryplainlyhintsthatGreatBritainwouldbackusinanysuchevent。ThisbackingofusbyGreatBritainfoundverycordialacceptanceinthemindofThomasJefferson。AyearbeforetheLouisianaPurchasewasconsummated,andwhenthethreatofBonapartewasintheair,ThomasJeffersonwrotetoLivingston,onApril18,1802,that\"thedayFrancetakespossessionofNewOrleans,wemustmarryourselvestotheBritishfleetandnation。\" InoneofhismanymemorandatoTalleyrand,LivingstonalludestotheBritishfleet。HealsopointsoutthatFrancemaybytakingacertaincourseestrangetheUnitedStatesforeverandbinditcloselytoFrance\'sgreatenemy。ThisparticularaddresstoTalleyrandisdatedFebruary1,1803,andmaybefoundintheAnnalsofCongress,1802-1803,atpages1078to1083。Iquoteasentence:\"ThecriticalmomenthasarrivedwhichrivetstheconnexionoftheUnitedStatestoFrance,orbindsayoungandgrowingpeopleforageshereaftertohermortalandinveterateenemy。\"Afterthis,hintsfollowconcerningtherelativemaritimepowerofFranceandGreatBritain。LivingstonsuggeststhatifGreatBritaininvadeLouisiana,whocanopposeher?OncemorehereferstoGreatBritain\'ssuperiorfleet。ThisinterestingaddressconcludeswiththefollowingexordiumtoFrance:\"ShewillcheaplypurchasetheesteemofmenandthefavorofHeavenbythesurrenderofadistantwilderness,whichcanneitheraddtoherwealthnortoherstrength。\" This,asyouwillperceive,isquiteapointedremark。ThroughouttheLouisianadiplomacy,andnegotiationstowhichthisdiplomacyled,Livingston\'swouldseemtobethemasterAmericanmindandpropheticvision。ButImustkeeptomyjackstraws。OnApril17,1803,Bonaparte\'sbrother,Lucien,reportsaconversationheldwithhimbyBonaparte。Whatpurposes,whatoscillations,mayhavebeengoingondeepinBonaparte\'ssecretmind,noonecantell。WemayguessthathedidnotrelinquishhisplanaboutLouisianadefinitelyforsometimeafterthethoughthaddawneduponhimthatitwouldbebetterifhedidrelinquishit。ButunlesshewaslyingtohisbrotherLucienonApril17,1803,wegetnomereglimpse,butaperfectlyclearsightofwhathehadcomefinallytothink。Itwascertainlyworthwhile,hesaidtoLucien,tosellwhenyoucouldwhatyouwerecertaintolose;\"fortheEnglish……areachingforachancetocaptureit……Ournavy,soinferiortoourneighbor\'sacrosstheChannel,willalwayscauseourcoloniestobeexposedtogreatrisks……Astothesea,mydearfellow,youmustknowthattherewehavetolowertheflag……TheEnglishnavyis,andlongwillbe,toodominant。\" ThatwasonApril17。OnMay2,theTreatyofCessionwassignedbytheexultantLivingston。Bonaparte,insteadofestablishinganoutpostofautocracyatNewOrleans,soldtousnotonlythesmallpieceoflandwhichwehadoriginallyinmind,butthehugepieceoflandwhosedimensionsIhavegivenabove。Wepaidhimfifteenmillionsfornearlyamillionsquaremiles。TheformaltransferwasmadeonDecember17ofthatsameyear,1803。Thereismysecondjackstraw。 Thus,twentyyearsafterthefirsttimein1783,GreatBritainstoodbetweenusandthedesignsofanothernation。Tothatothernationherfleetwasthedecidingobstacle。Englanddidnotloveussomuch,butshelovedFrancesomuchless。ForthesamereasonswhichIhavesuggestedbefore,self-interest,behindwhichlayherdemocratickinshipwithourideals,rangedherwithus。 Toplacemythirdjackstraw,whichfollowstwentyyearsafterthesecond,uninterruptedlyinthisgroup,IpassoverforthemomentourWarof1812。 TothatIwillreturnafterIhavedealtwiththethirdjackstraw,namely,theMonroeDoctrine。ItwasEnglandthatsuggestedtheMonroeDoctrinetous。FromtheoriginofthisinthemindofCanningtoitspublicannouncementuponoursideofthewater,thepatterntowhichI havealludedisforthethirdtimeveryclearlytobeseen。 HowmuchdidyourschoolhistoriestellyouabouttheMonroeDoctrine?I confessthatmynotionofitcametothis:PresidentMonroeinformedthekingsofEuropethattheymustkeepawayfromthishemisphere。Whereuponthekingsobeyedhimandhaveremainedobedienteversince。OfGeorgeCanningIknewnothing。AnotherlargegameofjackstrawswasbeingplayedinEuropein1823。CertainpeopletherehadformedtheHolyAlliance。 Amongthese,PrinceMetternichtheAustrianwasundoubtedlythemastermind。HesawthatbyEngland\'svictoryatWaterlooathreattoallmonarchicalanddynasticsystemsofgovernmenthadbeencreated。Healsosawthatoursteadygrowthwasapartofthesamethreat。Withthisinmind,in1822,hebroughtabouttheHolyAlliance。ThefirstArticleoftheHolyAlliancereads:\"ThehighcontractingPowers,beingconvincedthatthesystemofrepresentativegovernmentisasequallyincompatiblewiththemonarchicalprincipleasthemaximofsovereigntyofthepeoplewiththeDivineright,engagemutually,inthemostsolemnmanner,tousealltheireffortstoputanendtothesystemofrepresentativegovernments,inwhatevercountryitmayexistinEurope,andtopreventitsbeingintroducedinthosecountrieswhereitisnotyetknown。\" Behindthesewordslayadesign,hardlyveiled,notonlyagainstSouthAmerica,butagainstourselves。InavolumeentitledWiththeFathers,byJohnBachMcMaster,andalsointhefifthvolumeofMr。McMaster\'shistory,chapter41,youwillfindmoreamplywhatIabbreviatehere。 CanningunderstoodthethreattouscontainedintheHolyAlliance。HemadeasuggestiontoRichardRush,ourministertoEngland。Thesuggestionwasofsuchmoment,andtheultimatedangertousfromtheHolyAlliancewasofsuchmoment,thatRushmadehastetoputthematterintothehandsofPresidentMonroe。PresidentMonroelikewisefoundthematterverygrave,andhethereforeconsultedThomasJefferson。AtthattimeJeffersonhadretiredfrompubliclifeandwaslivingquietlyathisplaceinVirginia。ThatPresidentMonroe\'scommunicationdeeplystirredhimistobeseeninhisreply,writtenOctober24,1823。Jeffersonsaysinpart:\"Thequestionpresentedbythelettersyouhavesentmeisthemostmomentouswhichhaseverbeenofferedtomycontemplationsincethatofindependence……Onenationmostofallcoulddisturbus……Shenowofferstolead,aidandaccompanyus……Withheronoursideweneednotfearthewholeworld。Withher,then,weshouldmostseriouslycherishacordialfriendship,andnothingwouldtendmoretouniteouraffectionsthantobefightingoncemore,sidebyside,inthesamecause。\" Thusforthesecondtime,ThomasJeffersonadvisesafriendshipwithGreatBritain。HerealizesasfullyasdidBonapartethepowerofhernavy,anditsvaluetous。ItisstrikingandstrangetofindThomasJefferson,whowrotetheDeclarationofIndependencein1776,writingin1823aboutunitingouraffectionsandaboutfightingoncemoresidebysidewithEngland。 ItwastherevoltoftheSpanishColoniesfromSpaininSouthAmerica,andCanning\'sfearthatFrancemightobtaindominioninAmerica,whichledhimtomakehissuggestiontoRush。Thegistofthesuggestionwas,thatweshouldjoinwithGreatBritaininsayingthatbothcountrieswereopposedtoanyinterventionbyEuropeinthewesternhemisphere。OverourannouncementtherewasmuchdelightinEngland。IntheLondonCourieroccursasentence,\"TheSouthAmericanRepublics——protectedbythetwonationsthatpossesstheinstitutionsandspeakthelanguageoffreedom。\" InthisfragmentfromtheLondonCourier,thekinshipatwhichIhavehintedasbeingfeltbyEnglandin1783,andin1803,isdefinitelyexpressed。FromtheHolyAlliance,fromthegeneralEuropeandiplomaticgame,andfromEngland\'spreferenceforuswhospokeherlanguageandthoughtherthoughtsaboutliberty,law,whatamanshouldbe,whatawomanshouldbe,issuedtheMonroeDoctrine。AndyouwillfindthatnomatterwhatdynasticorministerialinterruptionshaveoccurredtoobscurethisrecognitionofkinshipwithusandpreferenceforusuponthepartoftheEnglishpeople,suchinterruptionsarealwaystemporaryandliealwaysuponthesurfaceofEnglishsentiment。Beneaththesurfacetherecognitionofkinshippersistsunchangedandinvariablyreassertsitself。 Thatismythirdjackstraw。CanningspoketoRush,RushconsultedMonroe,MonroeconsultedJefferson,andJeffersonwrotewhatwehaveseen。That,strippedofeveryencumberingcircumstance,isthestoryoftheMonroeDoctrine。EversincethatdaytheMonroeDoctrinehasresteduponthebroadbackoftheBritishNavy。Thishasbeennosecrettoourleadinghistorians,ourauthoritativewritersondiplomacy,andoureducatedandthinkingpublicmen。Buttheyhavenotgenerallybeeneagertomentionit;andastoourschooltextbooks,nonethatIstudiedmentioneditatall。 ChapterXI:SomeFamilyScrapsDonotsupposebecauseIamremindingyouofthesethingsandshallremindyouofsomemore,thatIamtryingtomakeyouhateFrance。IamonlytryingtopersuadeyoutostophatingEngland。Iwishtoshowyouhowmuchreasonyouhavenottohateher,whichyourschoolhistoriespasslightlyover,orpasswhollyby。Iwanttomakeitplainthatyouranti-Englishcomplexandyourpro-FrenchcomplexenticeyourmemoryintoretainingonlyevilaboutEnglandandonlygoodaboutFrance。ThatiswhyIpulloutfromtherecorded,certified,andperfectlyascertainablepast,thesefewlargefacts。Theyamplyjustify,asitseemstome,andasIthinkitmustseemtoanyreaderwithanopenmind,whatIsaidaboutthepattern。 WemustnowtouchupontheWarof1812。Thereisapoliticalaspectofthiswarwhichcastsuponitalightnotgenerallyshedbyourschoolhistories。Bonaparteisagainthepoint。NineyearsafterourLouisianaPurchasefromhim,wedeclaredwaruponEngland。AtthatmomentEnglandwasheavilyabsorbedinherstrugglewithBonaparte。Itistruethatwehadagenuinegrievanceagainsther。InsearchingforBritishsailorsuponourships,sheimpressedourown。Thiswasourjustification。 Wemadeaprettylameshowing,inspiteofthevictoriesofourfrigatesandsloops。OuronesignaltriumphonlandcameaftertheTreatyofPeacehadbeensignedatGhent。Duringtheyearsofwar,itwasluckyforusthatEnglandhadBonaparteuponherhands。Shecouldnotgiveusmuchattention。ShewasbattlingwiththegreatAutocrat。We,bydeclaringwaruponheratsuchatime,playedintoBonaparte\'shands,andvirtually,byembarrassingEngland,struckablowonthesideofautocracyandagainstourownpoliticalfaith。Itwasafeebleblow,itdidbutslightharm。 AndregardlessofitEnglandstruckBonapartedown。Hishopethatwemightdamageandlessenthepowerofherfleetthathesomuchrespectedandfeared,wasnotrealized。WemadetheTreatyofGhent。Theimpressingofsailorsfromourvesselswastacitlyabandoned。Thenexttimethatpeoplewereremovedfromvessels,itwasnotEnglandwhoremovedthem,itwasweourselves,whohaddeclaredwaronEnglandfordoingso,weourselveswhoremovedthemfromCanadianvesselsintheBehringSea,andfromtheBritishshipTrent。Theseincidentsweshallreachintheirproperplace。AsaresultoftheWarof1812,someEnglishfeltjustifiedintakingfromusalargesliceofland,butWellingtonsaid,\"Ithinkyouhavenoright,fromthestateofthewar,todemandanyconcessionofterritoryfromAmerica。\"ThisisallthatneedbesaidaboutourWarof1812。 BecauseIamtryingtogiveonlythelargeincidents,IhaveintentionallymadebutamereallusiontoFloridaandouracquisitionofthatterritory。 ItwasacaseagainofEngland\'ssidingwithusagainstathirdpower,Spain,inthisinstance。IhavealsoomittedanyaccountofouracquisitionofTexas,whenEnglandwasnotfriendly——Iamnotsurewhy:probablybecauseofthefrictionbetweenusoverOregon。Butcertainotherminoreventsthereare,whichdorequireabriefreference——theboundariesofMaine,ofOregon,theIsthmianCanal,ClevelandandVenezuela,RooseveltandAlaska;andthesedisputesweshallnowtakeuptogether,beforewedealwiththeverylargematterofourtroublewithEnglandduringtheCivilWar。Chronologically,ofcourse,VenezuelaandAlaskafallaftertheCivilWar;buttheybelongtothesameclasstowhichMaineandOregonbelong。Together,alloftheseincidentsandcontroversiesformagroupinwhichtheunderlyingpermanenceofBritishgood-willtowardsusisdistinctlytobediscerned。Sometimes,asIhavesaidbefore,Britishangerwithusobscuresthefriendlysentiment。Butthiswasonthesurface,anditalwayspassed。Asusual,itisonlytheangerthathasstuckinourminds。OftheoutcomeofthesecontroversiesandtheBritishtemperanceandrestraintwhichbroughtaboutsuchoutcomethepopularmindretainsnoimpression。 TheboundaryofMainewasfoundtobeundefinedtotheextentof12,000 squaremiles。BothMaineandNewBrunswickclaimedthis,ofcourse。Mainetookhercoatofftofight,sodidNewBrunswick。Now,webackedMaine,andvotedsuppliesandmentoher。NotsoEngland。Moresoberly,shesaid,\"Letusarbitrate。\"Weagreed,itwasdone。BytheumpireMainewasawardedmorethanhalfwhatsheclaimed。Andthenwedisputedtheumpire\'sdecisiononthegroundhehadn\'tgivenusthewholething!Doesnotthisremindyouofsomeofourbaseballbadmanners?Itwassettledlater,andwegot,differentlylocated,abouttheoriginalaward。 Didyoulearninschoolabout\"fifty-fourforty,orfight\"?Wewerereadytotakeoffourcoatagain。Oratleast,thatwastheplatformin1844onwhichPresidentPolkwaselected。Atthattime,whatlaybetweenthenorthlineofCaliforniaandthesouthlineofAlaska,whichthenbelongedtoRussia,wascalledOregon。Wesaiditwasours。Englanddisputedthis。Eachnationbaseditstitleondiscovery。Itwasn\'treallyfarfromanevenclaim。SoPolkwaselected,whichapparentlymeantwar; hiswordswerebellicose。Weblusteredrudely。FeelingranhighinEngland;butshedidn\'ttakeoffhercoat。Herambassador,Pakenham,stiffatfirst,unbentlater。Undersundrymissionaryimpulses,moreAmericansthanBritishhadrecentlysettledalongtheColumbiaRiverandintheWillametteValley。PeoplefromMissourifollowed。YoumayreadofourimpatientviolenceinProfessorDunning\'sbook,TheBritishEmpireandtheUnitedStates。Indeed,thisvolumetellsatlengtheverythingI amtellingyoubrieflyabouttheseboundarydisputes。ThesettlerswishedtobeunderourGovernment。Virtuallyupontheirpreferencethematterwasfinallyadjusted。Englandmetuswithacompromise,advantageoustousandreasonableforherself。Thus,again,washerconductmoderateandpacific。Ifyouthinkthatthiswasthroughfearofus,Icanonlyleaveyoutoourwesternblow-hardsof1845,ortoyouranti-Britishcomplex。WhatIseeinit,isanothersignofthatfundamentalsenseofkinship,thatpersistingunwillingnesstohavearealscrapwithus,thatstaresplainlyoutofourwholefirstcentury——thesamefeelingwhichpreventedsomanyEnglishfromenlistingagainstusintheRevolutionthatGeorgeIIIwasobligedtogetHessians。 Nicaraguacomesnext。Thereagaintheywerequiteangrywithusontop,butcontrolledintheendbythepersistingdispositionofkinship。TheyhadlandinNicaraguawiththeideaofanIsthmianCanal。Thiswedidnotlike。Theythoughtweshouldmindourownbusiness。ButtheyagreedwithusintheClayton-BulwerTreatythatbothshouldbuildandrunthecanal。 Vaguenessaboutterritorynearbyraisedfurthertrouble,andtherewewereintheright。Englandyielded。Theyearswentonandwegrew,untilthetimecamewhenwedecidedthatiftherewastobeanycanal,noonebutourselvesshouldhaveit。Weaskedtobeletofftheoldtreaty。 Englandletusoff,stipulatingthecanalshouldbeunfortified,andan\"opendoor\"toall。Ourrepresentativeagreedtothis,muchtoourdispleasure。Indeed,Idonotthinkheshouldhaveagreedtoit。DidEnglandholdustoit?Allthishappenedinthelifetimeofmanyofus,andweknowthatshedidnotholdustoit。Shegaveuswhatweasked,andshedidsobecauseshefeltitsjustice,andthatitinnowaymenacedherwithinjury。Allthisbeganin1850andended,asweknow,inthetimeofRoosevelt。 About1887ourseal-fishingintheBehringSeabroughtonanacutesituation。Intothemanyandintricatedetailsofthis,Ineednotgo; youcanfindtheminanygoodencyclopedia,andalsoinHarper\'sMagazineforApril,1891,andinotherplaces。OurfishingclashedwithCanada\'s。 Weassumedjurisdictionoverthewholeofthesea,whichisathirdasbigastheMediterranean,onthequitefantasticgroundthatitwasaninlandsea。Ignoringthelawthatnobodyhasjurisdictionoutsidethethree-milelimitfromtheirshores,weseizedCanadianvesselssixtymilesfromland。Infact,wedidvirtuallywhatwehadgonetowarwithEnglandfordoingin1812。ButEnglanddidnotgotowar。Sheaskedforarbitration。Throughoutthis,ourtonewasrawandindiscreet,whileherswasconspicuouslytheopposite;wehaddoneanunwarrantableandhigh-handedthing;ourclaimthatBehringSeawasan\"inclosed\"seawasabandoned;thearbitrationwentagainstus,andwepaiddamagesfortheCanadianvessels。 In1895,inthecourseofacentury\'sdisputeovertheboundarybetweenVenezuelaandBritishGuiana,VenezuelatookprisonersomeBritishsubjects,andaskedustoprotectherfromtheconsequences。RichardOlney,GroverCleveland\'sSecretaryofState,informedLordSalisbury,PrimeMinisterofEngland,that\"inaccordancewiththeMonroeDoctrine,theUnitedStatesmustinsistonarbitration\"——thatis,ofthedisputedboundary。ItwasanabruptextensionoftheMonroeDoctrine。ItwasdictatingtoEnglandthemannerinwhichsheshouldsettleadifferencewithanothercountry。Salisburydeclined。OnDecember17thClevelandannouncedtoEnglandthattheMonroeDoctrineappliedtoeverystageofournationalLife,andthatasGreatBritainhadformanyyearsrefusedtosubmitthedisputetoimpartialarbitration,nothingremainedtousbuttoacceptthesituation。Moreover,ifthedisputedterritorywasfoundtobelongtoVenezuela,itwouldbethedutyoftheUnitedStatestoresist,byeverymeansinitspower,theaggressionsofGreatBritain。 Thiswas,ineffect,anultimatum。Thestockmarketwenttopieces。IngeneralAmericanopinion,warwascoming。Thesituationwasindeedgrave。 First,weowedtheMonroeDoctrine\'sveryexistencetoEnglishbacking。 Second,theDoctrineitselfhadbeenadeclarationagainstautocracyintheshapeoftheHolyAlliance,andEnglandwasnotautocracy。Lastly,asanation,Venezuelaseldomconductedherselforhergovernmentonthesteadyplanofdemocracy。Englandwasexasperated。AndyetEnglandyielded。Ittookalittletime,butarbitrationsettleditintheend—— ataboutthesametimethatweflatlydeclinedtoarbitrateourquarrelwithSpain。Historywillnotacquitusofgroundlessmeddlingandarroganceinthismatter,whileEnglandcomesoutofithavingagainshownintheendbothforbearanceandgoodmanners。BeforeanotherVenezuelanincidentin1902,Itakeupaburningdisputeof1903。 AsOregonhadformerlybeen,soAlaskahadlaterbecome,agravesourceoffrictionbetweenEnglandandourselves。CanadaclaimedboundariesinAlaskawhichwedisputed。ThishadsmoulderedalongthroughanumberofyearsuntilthediscoveryofgoldintheKlondikeregionfannedittoasomewhatmenacingflame。Inthisinstance,historyisasunlikelytoapprovetheconductoftheCanadiansastoapproveourbadmannerstowardsthemuponmanyotheroccasions。ThemattercametoaheadinRoosevelt\'sfirstadministration。YouwillfinditallintheLifeofJohnHaybyWilliamR。Thayer,VolumeII。Acommissiontosettlethematterhaddawdledandfailed。Rooseveltwastiredofdelays。 Commissionersagainwereappointed,threeAmericans,twoCanadians,andAlverstone,LordChiefJustice,torepresentEngland。TohisfriendJusticeOliverWendellHolmes,abouttosailforanEnglishholiday,RooseveltwroteaprivateletterprivatelytobeshowntoMr。Balfour,Mr。Chamberlain,andcertainotherEnglishmenofmark。Hesaid:\"TheclaimoftheCanadiansforaccesstodeepwateralonganypartoftheAlaskancoastisjustexactlyasindefensibleasiftheyshouldnowsuddenlyclaimtheIslandofNantucket。\"CanadahadobjectedtoourCommissionersasbeingnot\"impartialjuristsofrepute。\"Astothis,Roosevelt\'slettertoHolmesranon:\"IbelievethatnothreemenintheUnitedStatescouldbefoundwhowouldbemoreanxiousthanourowndelegatestodojusticetotheBritishclaimonallpointswherethereisevenacolorofrightontheBritishside。ButtheobjectionraisedbycertainBritishauthoritiestoLodge,Root,andTurner,especiallytoLodgeandRoot,wasthattheyhadcommittedthemselvesonthegeneralproposition。Nomaninpubliclifeinanypositionofprominencecouldhavepossiblyavoidedcommittinghimselfontheproposition,anymorethanMr。ChamberlaincouldavoidcommittinghimselfontheownershipoftheOrkneysifsomeScandinaviancountrysuddenlyclaimedthem。Ifthisembodiedotherpointstowhichtherewaslegitimatedoubt,IbelieveMr。 Chamberlainwouldactfairlyandsquarelyindecidingthematter;butifheappointedacommissiontosettleupallthesequestions,Icertainlyshouldnotexpecthimtoappointthreemen,ifhecouldfindthem,whobelievedthatastotheOrkneysthequestionwasanopenone。IwishtomakeonelastefforttobringaboutanagreementthroughtheCom- mission……Butifthereisadisagreement……Ishalltakeapositionwhichwillpreventanypossibilityofarbitrationhereafter;……willrenderitnecessaryforCongresstogivemetheauthoritytorunthelineasweclaimit,byourownpeople,withoutanyfurtherregardtotheattitudeofEnglandandCanada。IfIpaidattentiontomereabstractrights,thatisthepositionIoughttotakeanyhow。IhavenottakenitbecauseIwishtoexhausteveryefforttohavetheaffairsettledpeacefullyandwithdueregardtoEngland\'shonor。\" Thatisthewaytodothesethings:notbyaperemptorypublicletter,likeOlney\'stoSalisbury,whichenragesawholepeopleandmakestemperateactiondoublydifficult,butthus,byaprivatelettertotheproperpersons,veryplain,veryunmistakable,butwhichremainsprivate,asufficientwordtothewise,andnotaredragtothemob。\"TohavetheaffairsettledpeacefullyandwithdueregardtoEngland\'shonor。\"ThusRoosevelt。Englanddesirednowarwithusthistime,anymorethanattheothertime。TheCommissionwenttowork,and,afterinvestigatingthefacts,decidedinourfavor。 Ourlistofboundaryepisodesfinished,ImusttouchupontheaffairwiththeKaiserregardingVenezuela\'sdebts。SheowedmoneytoGermany,Italy,andEngland。TheKaisergottheearoftheTorygovernmentunderSalisbury,andbetweenthethreecountriesasecretpactwasmadetorepaythemselves。Venezuelaisnotseldomreluctanttosettleherobligations,andshewasslowuponthisoccasion。ItwastheKaiser\'schance——hehadbeentryingitalreadyatotherpoints——toslideintoafootholdoverhereunderthecamouflageofcollectingfromVenezuelaherjustdebttohim。SowithwarshipsheandhisalliesestablishedwhathecalledapacificblockadeonVenezuelanports。 ImustskipthecomedythatnowwentoninWashington(youwillfinditonpages287-288ofMr。Thayer\'sJohnHay,VolumeII)andcomeatoncetoMr。Roosevelt\'sfinalwordtotheKaiser,thatiftherewasnotanoffertoarbitratewithinforty-eighthours,AdmiralDeweywouldsailforVenezuela。Inthirty-sixhoursarbitrationwasagreedto。Englandwithdrewfromhershareinthesecretpact。Hadshewantedwarwithus,herfleetandtheKaiser\'scouldhaveoutmatchedourown。Shedidnot; andtheKaiserhadstillveryclearlyandsorelyinremembrancewhatchoiceshehadmadebetweenstandingwithhimandstandingwithusafewyearsbeforethis,uponanoccasionthatwasalsoconnectedwithAdmiralDewey。ThisIshallfullyconsideraftersummarizingthoseinternationalepisodesofourCivilWarwhereinEnglandwasconcerned。 ThiscompletesmylistofminortroubleswithEnglandthatwehavehadsinceCanningsuggestedourMonroeDoctrinein1823。Minortroubles,I callthem,becausetheyareallsmallerthanthoseduringourCivilWar。 Thefullrecordofeachisanopenpageofhistoryforyoutoreadatleisureinanygoodlibrary。Youwillfindthattheanti-Englishcomplexhasitsinfluencesometimesinthepagesofourhistorians,butProfessorDunningisfreefromit。Youwillfind,whatevertransitorygustsofanger,jealousy,hostility,orpetulancemayhavesweptovertheEnglishpeopleintheirrelationswithus,thesegustsendinacalm;andthiscalmisduetothecommon-senseoftherace。ItrevealeditselfinthetreatyatthecloseofourRevolution,andithasbeentheultimatecontrollingfactorinEnglishdealingswithuseversince。AndnowI reachthelastofmylargehistoricmatters,theCivilWar,andourwarwithSpain。 ChapterXII:OntheRaggedEdgeOnNovember6,1860,Lincoln,nomineeoftheRepublicanparty,whichwasopposedtotheextensionofslavery,waselectedPresidentoftheUnitedStates。Forty-onedayslater,thelegislatureofSouthCarolina,determinedtoperpetuateslavery,metatColumbia,but,onaccountofalocalepidemic,movedtoCharleston。There,aboutnoon,December20th,itunanimouslydeclared\"thattheUnionnowsubsistingbetweenSouthCarolinaandotherStates,underthenameoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,isherebydissolved。\"Soonotherslavestatesfollowedthislead,andamongthemall,duringthosefinalmonthsofBuchanan\'spresidency,preparednesswenton,uncheckedbythehalf-feeble,half-treacherousFederalGovernment。Lincoln,inhisinauguraladdress,March4,1861,declaredthathehadnopurpose,directlyorindirectly,tointerferewiththeinstitutionofslaveryinthestateswhereitexisted。Tothesecededslavestateshesaid:\"Inyourhands,mydissatisfiedfellow-countrymen,andnotmine,isthemomentousissueofcivilwar。TheGovernmentwillnotassailyou。Youcanhavenoconflictwithoutbeingyourselvestheaggressors。YoucanhavenooathregisteredinheaventodestroytheGovernment;whileIshallhavethemostsolemnonetopreserve,protectanddefendit。\"Thischangednothingintheslavestates。Itwasnotenoughforthemthatslaverycouldkeeponwhereitwas。Tospreaditwhereitwasnot,hadbeentheiraimforaverylongwhile。Thenextday,March5th,LincolnhadlettersfromFortSumter,inCharlestonharbor。MajorAndersonwasbesiegedtherebythebatteriesofsecession,wasbeingstarvedout,mightholdonamonthlonger,neededhelp。Throughstaggeringcomplicationsandembarrassments,whichwerepresentlytobeoutstaggeredbyworseones,LincolnbytheendofMarchsawhispathclear。\"Inyourhands,mydissatisfiedfellow-countrymen,andnotmine,isthemomentousissueofcivilwar。\"Theclewtothepathhadbeeninthosewordsfromthefirst。TheflagoftheUnion,thelittleislandofloyaltyamidthewatersofsecession,wascoveredbytheCharlestonbatteries。\"BatteriesreadytoopenWednesdayorThursday。 Whatinstructions?\"Thus,onApril1st,GeneralBeauregard,atCharleston,telegraphedtoJeffersonDavis。TheyhadallbeenhopingthatLincolnwouldgiveFortSumtertothemandsosavetheirhavingtotakeit。Notatall。ThePresidentoftheUnitedStateswasnotgoingtogiveawaypropertyoftheUnitedStates。Instead,theGovernorofSouthCaro- linareceivedapolitemessagethatanattemptwouldbemadetosupplyFortSumterwithfoodonly,andthatifthiswerenotinterferedwith,noarmsorammunitionshouldbesenttherewithoutfurthernotice,orincasethefortwereattacked。Lincolnwasleaningbackwards,youmightsay,inhispatientefforttoconciliate。AndaccordinglyourtransportssailedfromNewYorkforCharlestonwithinstructionstosupplySumterwithfoodalone,unlesstheyshouldbeopposedinattemptingtocarryouttheirerrand。ThisdidnotsuitJeffersonDavisatall;and,tocutitshort,athalf-pastfour,onthemorningofApril12,1861,therearoseintotheairfromthemortarbatterynearoldFortJohnson,onthesouthsideoftheharbor,abomb-shell,whichcurvedhighandslowthroughthedawn,andfelluponFortSumter,thusstartingfouryearsofcivilwar。 OneweeklatertheUnionproclaimedablockadeontheportsofSlaveLand。 Beareachandallofthesefactsinmind,Ibeg,beartheminmindwell,forinthelightofthemyoucanseeEnglandclearly,andwillhavenotroubleinfollowingthedifferentthreadsofherconducttowardsusduringthisstruggle。Whatshedidthengavetoourancientgrudgeagainstherthereddestcoatoffreshpaintwhichithadreceivedyet—— thereddestandthemostenduringsinceGeorgeIII。 Englandrantruetoform。Itisveryinterestingtomarkthis;veryinterestingtowatchinhergovernmentandherpeoplethepersistentandconflictingcurrentsofsympathyandantipathyboilupagain,justastheyhadboiledin1776。Itisequallyinterestingtowatchourancientgrudgeatwork,causingustorememberandhugalltheillwillsheboreus,alltheharmshedidus,andtoforgetallthegood。Roughlycomparing1776with1861,itwasoncemoretheTories,thearistocrats,theLordNorths,whohopedforouroverthrow,whilethepeopleofEngland,withcertainliberalleadersinParliament,stoodourfriends。 JustasPittandBurkehadspokenforusinourRevolution,soBrightandCobdenbefriendedusnow。TheparallelceaseswhenyoucometotheSovereign。QueenVictoriadeclinedtosupportorrecognizeSlaveLand。 ShestoppedtheGovernmentandaristocraticEnglandfromforcingwaruponus,shepreventedtheFrenchEmperor,NapoleonIII,fromrecognizingtheSouthernConfederacy。Weshallcometothisinitsturn。OurCivilWarsetupinEnglandahugevibration,subjectedEnglandtoasearchingtestofherself。NothingdescribesthisbetterthanaletterofHenryWardBeecher\'s,writtenduringtheWar,afterhisreturnfromaddressingthepeopleofEngland。 \"MyownfeelingsandjudgmentunderwentagreatchangewhileIwasinEngland……IwaschilledandshockedatthecoldnesstowardstheNorthwhichIeverywheremet,andthesympatheticprejudicesinfavoroftheSouth。Andyeteverybodywasalikecondemningslaveryandpraisingliberty!\" HowcouldEnglanddothis,howwiththesamebreathblowcoldandhot,howbeagainsttheNorththatwasfightingtheextensionofslaveryandyetbeagainstslaverytoo?Confusingatthetime,itisclearto-day。 ImbeddedinLincoln\'sfirstinauguraladdressliestheclew:hesaid,\"I havenopurpose,directlyorindirectly,tointerferewiththeinstitutionofslaverywhereitexists。IbelieveIhavenolawfulrighttodoso,andIhavenoinclinationtodoso。ThosewhoelectedmedidsowithfullknowledgethatIhadmadethisandmanysimilardeclarations,andhadneverrecantedthem。\"ThusLincoln,March4,1861。Sixweekslater,whenwewent-towar,wewent,not\"tointerferewiththeinstitutionofslavery,\"but(againinLincoln\'swords)\"topreserve,protect,anddefend\"theUnion。Thiswasourslogan,thisourfight,thiswasrepeatedagainandagainbyoursoldiersandcivilians,byourpublicmenandourprivatecitizens。CanyouseethepositionofthoseEnglishmenwhocondemnedslaveryandpraisedliberty?Weourselvessaidwewerenotouttoabolishslavery,wedisclaimedanysuchobject,byourownwordswecutthegroundawayfromthem。 NotuntilSeptember22dof1862,totakeeffectuponJanuary1,1863,didLincolnproclaimemancipation——thusdoingwhathehadsaidtwenty-twomonthsbefore\"IbelieveIhavenolawfulrighttodo。\" Thatinterimofanguishandmeditationhadclearedhissight。Slowlyhehadfelthisway,slowlyhehadcometoperceivethatthepreservationoftheUnionandtheabolitionofslaveryweresotightlywrappedtogetherastomergeandbeoneandthesamething。Butevenhadheknownthisfromthestart,knownthattheNorth\'sbottomcause,theendingofslavery,restedonmoralground,andthatmoralgroundoutweighsandmustforeveroutweighwhateveroflegalargumentmaybeontheotherside,hecouldhavedonenothing。\"IbelieveIhavenolawfulright。\"TherewerethousandsintheNorthwhoalsothusbelieved。ItwasonlyanextremistminoritywhodisregardedtheConstitution\'sacquiescenceinslaveryandwantedemancipationproclaimedatonce。HadLincolnproclaimedit,theNorthwouldhavesplitinpieces,theSouthwouldhavewon,theUnionwouldhaveperished,andslaverywouldhaveremained。Lincolnhadtowaituntiltheseasonofanguishandmeditationhadunblindedthousandsbesideshimself,andthushadplacedbehindhimenoughoftheNorthtostruggleontothatsavingoftheUnionandthatfreeingoftheslavewhichwasconsummatedmorethantwoyearslaterbyLee\'ssurrendertoGrantatAppomattox。 ButitwasduringthatinterimofanguishandmeditationthatEnglanddidusmostoftheharmwhichourmemoriesvaguelybutviolentlytreasure。 UntiltheEmancipation,wegaveourEnglishfriendsnopublic,officialgroundsfortheirsympathy,andconsequentlytheirinfluenceoverourEnglishenemieswashampered。InstantlyafterJanuary1,1863,thatsympathybecamethedecidingvoice。Ourenemiescouldnolongersaytoit,\"butLincolnsayshimselfthathedoesn\'tintendtoabolishslavery。\" Hereareexamplesofwhatoccurred:ToWilliamLloydGarrison,theAbolitionist,anEnglishsympathizerwrotethatthreethousandmenofManchesterhadmetthereandadoptedbyacclamationanenthusiasticmessagetoLincoln。Thesemensaidthattheywouldratherremainunem- ployedfortwentyyearsthangetcottonfromtheSouthattheexpenseoftheslave。AmonthlaterCobdenwritestoCharlesSumner:\"Iknownothinginmypoliticalexperiencesostriking,anadisplayofspontaneouspublicaction,asthatofthevastgatheringatExeterHall(inLondon),when,withoutoneattractionintheformofapopularorator,thevastbuilding,itsminorroomsandpassages,andthestreetsadjoining,werecrowdedwithanenthusiasticaudience。Thatmeetinghashadapowerfuleffectonournewspapersandpoliticians。IthasclosedthemouthsofthosewhohavebeenadvocatingthesideoftheSouth。AndInowwritetoassureyouthatanyunfriendlyactonthepartofourGovernment——nomatterwhichofouraristocraticpartiesisinpower——towardsyourcauseisnottobeapprehended。IfanattemptweremadebytheGovernmentinanywaytocommitustotheSouth,aspiritwouldbeinstantlyarousedwhichwoulddrivethatGovernmentfrompower。\" Ilayemphasisatthispointupontheseinstances(manymorecouldbegiven)becauseithasbeenthehabitofmostAmericanstosaythatEnglandstoppedbeinghostiletotheNorthassoonastheNorthbegantowin。InJanuary,1863,theNorthhadnotvisiblybeguntowin。Ithadsufferedalmostunvarieddefeatsofar;andthebattlesofGettysburgandVicksburg,wherethetideturnedatlastourway,werestillsixmonthsahead。ItwasfromJanuary1,1863,whenLincolnplantedourcausefirmlyandopenlyonabolitionground,thattheundercurrentofBritishsympathysurgedtothetop。Thetruewonderis,thatthisundercurrentshouldhavebeensostrongallalong,thatthoseEnglishsympathizerssomehowintheirheartsshouldhaveknownwhatwewerefightingformoreclearlythanwehadbeenabletoseeit;ourselves。ThekeytothisisgiveninBeecher\'sletter——itisnowherebettergiven——andtoitImustnowreturn。 \"IsoonperceivedthatmyfirsterrorwasinsupposingthatGreatBritainwasanimpartialspectator。Infact,shewasmorallyanactorintheconflict。Suchweretheantagonisticinfluencesatworkinherownmidst,andthedivisionofparties,that,injudgingAmericanaffairsshecouldnothelplendingsanctiontooneortheothersideofherowninternalconflicts。Englandwasnot,then,ajudge,sittingcalmlyonthebenchtodecidewithoutbias;thecasebroughtbeforeherwasherown,inprinciple,andininterest。IntakingsideswiththeNorth,thecommonpeopleofGreatBritainandthelaboringclasstooksideswiththemselvesintheirstruggleforreformation;whilethewealthyandtheprivilegedclassesfoundareasonintheirownpoliticalpartiesandphilosophieswhytheyshouldnotbetooeagerforthelegitimategovernmentandnationoftheUnitedStates。 \"Allclasseswho,athome,wereseekingtheelevationandpoliticalenfranchisementofthecommonpeople,werewithus。Allwhostudiedthepreservationofthestateinitspresentunequaldistributionofpoliticalprivileges,sidedwiththatsectioninAmericathatweredoingthesamething。 \"Weoughtnottobesurprisednorangrythatmenshouldmaintainaristocraticdoctrineswhichtheybelieveinfullyassincerely,andmoreconsistently,thanwe,ormanyamongstusdo,indemocraticdoctrines。 \"Weofallpeopleoughttounderstandhowagovernmentcanbecoldorsemi-hostile,whilethepeoplearefriendlywithus。ForthirtyyearstheAmericanGovernment,inthehands,orundertheinfluenceofSouthernstatesmen,hasbeeninathreateningattitudetoEurope,andactuallyindisgracefulconflictwithalltheweakneighboringPowers。Texas,Mexico,CentralGenerics,andCubaarewitnesses。YetthegreatbodyofourpeopleintheMiddleandNorthernStatesarestronglyopposedtoallsuchtendencies。\" ItwasinaverybriefvisitthatBeechermanagedtoseeEnglandasshewas:aremarkableletterforitsinsight,andmoreremarkablestillforitsmoderation,whenyouconsiderthatitwaswritteninthemidstofourCivilWar,whileloyalAmericanswerenotonlyenragedwithEngland,butwoundedtothequickaswell。Whenamancandothis——canhavepassionateconvictionsinpassionatetimes,andyetkeephisjudgmentunclouded,wise,andcalm,heserveshiscountrywell。 Icanremembertherageandthewound。InthatatmosphereIbeganmyexistence。Mychildhoodwassteepedinit。InourhousetheLondonPunchwasstopped,becauseofitshostileridicule。IgrewtoboyhoodhearingfrommyeldershowEnglandhadforyearstaunteduswithourtoleranceofslaverywhileweboastedofbeingtheLandoftheFree——andthen,whenwearosetoabolishslavery,howshe\"jack-knived\"andgaveaidandcomforttotheslavepowerwhenithaditsfingersuponourthroat。Manyofthatgenerationofmyeldersneverwhollygotovertherageandthewound。 TheyhatedallEnglandforthesakeoflessthanhalfEngland。Theycountedtheirenemiesbutnevertheirfriends。There\'snothingunnaturalaboutthis,nothingrare。Onthecontrary,it\'stheusual,natural,unjustthingthathumannaturedoesintimesofagony。It\'stheHenryWardBeechersthatarerare。Intimesofagonytheaveragemanandwomanseenothingbuttheiragony。WhenIlookoversomeofthelettersthatI receivedfromEnglandin1915——lettersfromstrangersevokedbyabookcalledThePentecostofCalamity,whereinIhadpublishedmyconvictionthatthecauseofEnglandwasrighteous,thecauseofGermanyhideous,andourownpersistentneutralityunworthy——I\'mgladIlostmytemperonlyonce,andrepliedcausticallyonlyonce。Howdreadful(wroteoneofmycorrespondents)mustitbetobelongtoanationthatwasbehavinglikemine!Iretorted(I\'msorryforitnow)thatIcouldallthemorereadilycomprehendEnglishfeelingaboutourneutrality,becauseIhadknownwhatwehadfeltwhenGladstonespokeatNewcastleandwhenEnglandlettheAlabamalooseuponusin1862。Wherewasthegoodinreplyingatall?Silenceisalmostalwaysthebestreplyinthesecases。NextcamealetterfromanotherEnglishstranger,inwhichthewriterannouncedhavingjustreadThePentecostofCalamity。NotawordoffriendlinessforwhatIhadsaidabouttherighteousnessofEngland\'scauseormyexpressedunhappinessoverthecoursewhichourGovernmenthadtaken—— nothingbutscornforusallandthehopethatweshouldreapourdesertswhenGermanydefeatedEnglandandinvadedus。Well?Whatofit?Herewasastrickenperson,writinginstress,inalandofdesolation,mourningforthedeadalready,waitingforthenextwhoshoulddie,apoor,unstrungaverageperson,whohadnotlongbeforereadthatremarkofourPresident\'smadeonthemorrowoftheLusitania:thatthereissuchathingasbeingtooproudtofight;hadreadduringtheensuingweeksthosenoteswhereinwestoodcommittedbyourChiefMagistratetoaverbalslinkingawayandsittingdownunderit。Canyouwonder?Ifthemerememoryofthosedaysofourhumiliationstabsmeevennow,Ineednoonetotellme(thoughIhavebeentold)whatEngland,whatFrance,feltaboutusthen,whatitmusthavebeenlikeforAmericanswhowereinEnglandandFranceatthattime。No:theaveragepersoningreattroublecannotriseabovethetroubleandsurveythetruthandbejust。InEnglisheyesourGovernment——andthereforeallofus——failedin1914—— 1915——1916——failedagainandagain——insultedthecauseofhumanitywhenwesaidthroughourPresidentin1916,thethirdsummerofthewar,thatwewerenotconcernedwitheitherthecausesortheaimsofthatconflict。HowcouldtheyrememberHoover,orRobertBacon,orLeonardWood,orTheodoreRooseveltthen,anymorethanwecouldrememberJohnBright,orRichardCobden,ortheManchestermeninthedayswhentheAlabamawassinkingthemerchantvesselsoftheUnion? WerememberedLordJohnRussellandLordPalmerstonintheBritishGovernment,andtheirfellowaristocratsinBritishsociety;werememberedthearistocraticBritishpress——TheTimesnotably,becausethemostpowerful——thesearewhatwesaw,felt,andremembered,becausetheywerenotwithus,andwereabletohurtusinthedayswhenourfriendswerenotyetabletohelpus。TheymadewelcometheSouthernerswhocameoverintheinterestsoftheSouth,theylistenedtotheSouthernpropaganda。Why?BecausetheSouthwastheAmericanversionoftheiraristocraticcreed。TothosewhocameoverintheinterestsoftheNorthandoftheUniontheyturnedacoldshoulder,becausetheyrepresentedDemocracy;moreover,aDis-UnitedStateswouldproveincommercealessformidablecompetitor。ToCaptainBullock,theableandenergeticSouthernerwhoputthroughinEnglandthebuildingandlaunchingofthoseConfederatecruiserswhichsankourshipsanddestroyedourmerchantmarine,andtoMasonandSlidell,thedoorsofdukesopenedpleasantly; Beecherandourotheremissariesmostlyhadtodinebeneathuncoronetedroofs。 InthepagesofHenryAdams,andofCharlesFrancisAdamshisbrother,youcanreadofwhatthey,asyoungmen,encounteredinLondon,andwhattheysawtheirfatherhavetoputupwiththere,bothfromEnglishsocietyandtheEnglishGovernment。TheirfatherwasournewministertoEngland,appointedbyLincoln。HearrivedjustafterourCivilWarhadbegun。Ihaveheardhissonstalkaboutitfamiliarly,anditisalltobefoundintheirwritings。 NobodyknowshowtobedisagreeablequitesowellastheEnglishgentleman,excepttheEnglishlady。Theycandoitwiththenicetyofamedicinedropper。Theycanadministertheprecisequantumsuff。ineverycase。InthesocietyofEnglishgentlemenandladiesMr。Adamsbyhisofficialpositionwasobligedtomove。Theylefthimoutasmuchastheycould,but,beingtheAmericanMinister,hecouldn\'tbeleftoutaltogether。AttheirdinnersandfunctionshehadtohearopenexpressionsofjoyatthenewsofSouthernvictories,hehadtoreceiveslightsbothveiledandunveiled,andallthishehadtobearwithequanimity。Sometimeshedidleavetheroom;butwithdignityanddiscretion。Afalsestep,a\"break,\"mighthaveledtoarequestforhisrecall。Heknewthathisconstantpresence,closetotheEnglishGovernment,wasvitaltoourcause。RussellandPalmerstonwerebyturnsinsolentandshifty,andonceontheverybrinkofrecognizingtheSouthernConfederacyasanindependentnation。Gladstone,ChancelloroftheExchequer,inaspeechatNewcastle,virtuallydidrecognizeit。YouwillbeproudofMr。Adamsifyoureadhowheborehimselfandfulfilledhisappallinglydelicateanddifficultmission。HewasanAmericanwhoknewhowtobehavehimself,andhebehavedhimselfallthetime;whiletheEnglishhadawayofturningtheirbehavioronandoff,likethehotwater。Mr。Adamswasnoadmirerof\"shirt-sleeves\"diplomacy。Hisdiplomacyworeacoat。Ourexperimentsin\"shirt-sleeves\"diplomacyfailtoshowthatitaccomplishesanythingwhichdiplomacydecentlydressedwouldnotaccomplishmoresatisfactorily。UponMr。AdamsfellsomeconsequencesofpreviousAmericancrudities,ofwhichIshallspeaklater。 LincolnhaddeclaredablockadeonSouthernportsbeforeMr。AdamsarrivedinLondon。UponhisarrivalhefoundEnglandhadproclaimedherneutralityandrecognizedthebelligerencyoftheSouth。ThisdismayedMr。AdamsandexcitedthewholeNorth,becausefeelingrantoohightoperceivethisfirstactonEngland\'sparttobereallyfavorabletous; shecouldnotrecognizeourblockade,whichstoppedhergettingSoutherncotton,unlesssherecognizedthattheSouthwasinastateofwarwithus。Lookedatquietly,thisactofEngland\'shelpedusandhurtherself,foritdeprivedherofcotton。 Itwasnotwiththis,butwiththereceptionandtreatmentofMr。Adamsthatthetruehostilitybegan。Slightstohimwereslapsatus,sympathywiththeSouthwasanactivemoralinjurytoourcause,evenifitwasmostlyanundertone,politically。Thenallofasudden,somethingthatwedidourselveschangedtheundertonetoaloudovertone,andwejustgrazedEngland\'sdeclaringwaronus。Hadshedoneso,thenindeedithadbeenallupwithus。Thisincidentisthecomicgoing-backonourowndoctrineof1812,towhichIhavealludedabove。 OnNovember8,1861,CaptainCharlesWilkesoftheAmericansteamsloopSanJacinto,firedashotacrossthebowoftheBritishvesselTrent,stoppedheronthehighseas,andtookfourpassengersoffher,andbroughtthemprisonerstoFortWarren,inBostonharbor。MasonandSlidellarethetwoweremember,ConfederateenvoystoFranceandGreatBritain。OverthisthewholeNorthburstintogloriousjoy。OurSecretaryoftheNavywrotetoWilkeshiscongratulations,Congressvoteditsthankstohim,governorsandjudgeslaureledhimwithoratoryatbanquets,hewasfeastedwithmeatanddrinkallovertheplace,and,thoughhisyearsweresixty-three,ardentfemalesprobablyrushedforthfromthrongsandkissedhimwiththepurestintentions:heroeshavenoage。ButpresentlytheTrentarrivedinEngland,andtheBritishlionwasaroused。Wehadviolatedinternationallaw,andinsultedtheBritishflag。Palmerstonwroteusaletter——orRussell,Iforgetwhichwroteit—— aletterthatwouldhaveleftusnochoicebuttofight。ButQueenVictoriahadtosignitbeforeitwent。\"Mylord,\"shesaid,\"youmustknowthatIwillagreetonopaperthatmeanswarwiththeUnitedStates。\"Sothisdidn\'tgo,butanotherinitsstead,prettystiff,naturally,yetstillpossibleforustoswallow。Somedidn\'twanttoswalloweventhis;butLincoln,humorousandwise,said,\"Gentlemen,onewaratatime;\"andsowemadeduerestitution,andMessrs。MasonandSlidellwenttheirwaytoFranceandEngland,freetobringaboutactionagainstusthereiftheycouldmanageit。CaptainWilkesmusthavebeenagoodfellow。Hispicturesuggeststhis。England,inherEnglishheart,reallylikedwhathehaddone,itwasinitsgallantflagrancysoremarkablylikeherowndoings——thoughshecouldn\'t,naturally,permitsuchaperformancetopass;andafewyearsafterwards,forhisservicesinthecauseofexploration,herRoyalGeographicalSocietygavehimagoldmedal!Yes;thewholethingiscomic——to-day;forus,to-day,thepointofitis,thattheEnglishQueensavedusfromawarwithEngland。 Withinayear,somethinghappenedthatwasnotcomic。LordJohnRussell,thoughwarnedandwarned,lettheAlabamaslipawaytosea,wheresheproceededtosendourmerchantshipstothebottom,untiltheKearsargesentherherselftothebottom。ShehadbeenbuiltatLiverpoolinthefaceofanEnglishlawwhichnoquibblingcoulddisguisetoanybodyexcepttoLordJohnRussellandtothosewho,likehim,leanedtotheSouth。Tenyearslater,thisleaningcostEnglandfifteenmilliondollarsindamages。 LetusnowlistentowhatourBritishfriendsweresayinginthoseyearsbeforeLincolnissuedhisEmancipationProclamation。HisblockadehadbroughtimmediateandheavydistressuponmanyEnglishworkmenandtheirfamilies。ThathadbeenApril19,1861。BySeptember,fivesixthsoftheLancashirecotton-spinnerswereoutofwork,orworkinghalftime。Theirstarvationandthatoftheirwivesandchildrencouldbestemmedbycharityalone。Ihavetalkedwithpeoplewhosawthosethousandsintheirsuffering。Yetthosethousandsboreit。TheysomehowlookedthroughLincoln\'sexpressdisavowalofanyintentiontointerferewithslavery,andsawthatatbottomourwarwasindeedagainstslavery,thatslaverywasbehindtheSoutherncamouflageaboutindependence,andbehindtheNorthernsloganaboutpreservingtheUnion。Theysawandtheystuck。 \"Rarely,\"writesCharlesFrancisAdams,\"inthehistoryofmankind,hastherebeenamorecreditableexhibitionofhumansympathy。\"Francewaslikewisedamagedbyourblockade;andNapoleonIIIwouldhavelikedtorecognizetheSouth。Heestablished,throughMaximilian,anempireinMexico,behindwhichlayhostilitytoourDemocracy。Hewishedusdefeat;