tions to this general statement were so few in number
that they could exert little influence on public opinion and still less
upon the course of the Ministry. The philanthropy, the foresight, the
insight of the realm were found among the humbler classes. In all
parts of the kingdom the laboring men were on the side of the Union.
Though they suffered from a cotton-famine, they knew by intuition that
the founding of a slave empire in America would degrade labor
everywhere; they knew that the triumph of the Union signified the
equality of human rights and would add to the dignity and reward of
labor. It would have been well for England's fame and for her
prosperity if the statesmen at Westminster had shared the wisdom and
the nobler instincts of the operatives of Lancashire.

When the National Government had finally triumphed over the rebellion
despite the evil wishes and machinations of England, Parliament
suddenly ceased to consider the condition of the United States as one
of the regular orders of the day; and Lord Palmerston when inquiry was
addressed to him whether any representations would be made in regard
to the arrest of Jefferson Davis, curtly replied that it was not the
intention of the Government in any respect to interfere with the
internal affairs of the United States. The only expression now made
in Parliament touching our policies, was one of solicitude lest our
government should deal with the citizens of the Southern States in
terms of severity. In June, 1865, two months after the war closed,
two noble earls, Russell and Derby, took it upon themselves to advise
the American Government against the indulgence of passion and revenge
towards those who had engaged in the rebellion. Earl Derby thought
that "the triumphant Government should seek not to exasperate the
feelings of their former antagonists, which have already been too much
embittered, but should endeavor by deeds of conciliation and of mercy
to re-cement if possible a Union so nearly dissolved." Earl Russell
expressed opinion that it was "most desirable that there should be no
appearance of passion of the part of those who have the guidance of
affairs in the American Union."

Kindly advice is never to be rudely repelled; but this was counsel
which the American Government did not need. The war had closed without
the execution of a single man who had borne arms against the
Government, without imprisonment, without confiscation of property,
w