to the arming of negroes, serves to illustrate the deep-seated
animosity which then existed in England toward the union of the States.
Nor will the American negro ever forget England's advice to the
confederates, whose massacre of negro soldiers fighting for freedom she
endorsed and applauded. The descendants of those black soldiers, who
were engaged in the prolonged struggle for freedom, can rejoice in the
fact that no single act of those patriots is in keeping with the
Englishman's prediction; no taint of brutality is even charged against
them by those whom they took prisoners in battle. The confederates
themselves testify to the humane treatment they unexpectedly received at
the hands of their negro captors. Mr. Pollard, the historian, says:

"No servile insurrections had taken place in the South."

But it is gratifying to know that all Englishmen did not agree with the
writer of the _Times_. A London letter in the New York Evening _Post_,
said:

"Mr. Spurgeon makes most effective and touching prayers,
remembering, at least once on a Sunday, the United States.
'Grant, O God,' he said recently, 'that the right may
conquer, and that if the fearful canker of slavery must be
cut out by the sword, it be wholly eradicated from the body
politic of which it is the curse.' He is seldom, however, as
pointed as this; and, like other clergymen of England, prays
for the return of peace. Indeed, it must be acknowledged
that if the English press and government have done what they
could to continue this war, the dissenting clergy of England
have nobly shown their good will and hearty sympathy with
the Americans, and their sincere desire for the settlement
of our difficulties. 'If praying would do you Americans any
good,' said an irreverent acquaintance last Sunday, 'you
will be gratified to learn that a force of a
thousand-clergymen-power is constantly at work for you over
here.'"

After the heroic and bloody effort at Cold Harbor to reach Richmond, or
to cross the James above the confederate capitol, and thus cut off the
enemy's supplies,--after Grant had flanked, until to flank again would
be to leave Richmond in his rear,--when Lee had withdrawn to his
fortifications, refusing to accept Grant's challenge to come out and
fight a decisive battle,--when all hope of accomplishing either of these
objects had vanished, Grant determined to re