John Jones
06-06-2018, 10:26 PM
Recently read an interesting view of the on-going war from a British perspective not long after Second Bull Run and just before news of Sharpsburg/Antietam. It supports the idea of Britain being relatively unsympathetic to the Union and it contrasts markedly with better known attitudes among British cotton workers etc, demonstrating that British society really was split on the issue.
The language is of the time and its relatively long for a post but enjoy!
Article from the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian dated Saturday 20th September 1862
THE AMERICAN WAR. WE can conceive nothing more desirable than a speedy termination of the horrible war now raging in America, and if continued and decided Confederate successes will hasten the day of peace, we are encouraged to hope that the happy period is not far distant. Another great battle has been fought, and the Federals have once more been thoroughly defeated. General Pope having been put to "the right about" at Bull's Run, had retreated to Centreville, and it was thought he would hold that position and thus protect Washington. He, however, with the whole of the Federal Army, after a most bloody battle, have been compelled to withdraw behind the fortifications of the capital, where they at present remain in considerable uneasiness. The Confederates are daily expected to make a powerful attack upon the city, and notwithstanding the strong fortifications of the place, the mighty resistance that will be offered, and the disadvantages which will be experienced, we are strongly inclined to believe the Southern army, rendered more enthusiastic and courageous than ever by the brilliant victories they have achieved, will add another to their long list of successes. It is our prayer that the assailants may conquer.
Not that we have any particular sympathy with either party, but we feel satisfied that repeated important Confederate triumphs will have the effect of winding up the terrible tragedy. The Northerners appear on the verge of ruin, and we see no immediate prospect of their recovery. Despite the stringent means to which they have resorted to crush their adversaries, they have found a foe far mightier than themselves, and one able to outdo them in pace. President Lincoln and his colleagues have spared neither men nor money; have been guilty of reckless and dishonourable conduct; have been heedless of principle, regardless of the rights of other nations, and cared not for the production of misery amongst thousands of their fellows; have caused blood to be spilt like water, and the country's exchequer to be ruined; yet the desire of their souls has thus far been un- satisfied, and they have been obliged to accept the unpalatable bitters of defeat. Their troops now lack the necessary warlike spirit, and have become disheartened by incompetent generalship. Long has no real confidence been confided in McClellan and Pope, notwithstanding his own puffs, has failed to create the belief that he is anything like worthy comparison with Beauregard or Jackson. On the other side matters are conducted with discretion soldiers are encouraged and fight valiantly laws of civilization are more strenuously adhered to; officers understand their duties, and the troops have faith and the results are as satisfactory as can be desired.
The Federal journals intimate at last, that interference by England and France would not be treated with disrespect, but, of course, they wish it to be understood that nothing would be listened to calculated in the least to lessen their greatness and honour." There can be no doubt that Mr. Lincoln is now anxious to extricate himself and the Northern people from the unenviable position in which they are placed, but nothing is more certain than that the Confederates will disregard terms which do not stipulate for their independence. There is nothing new under the sun, the wise man tells us, and to prove the uniform sameness of things, the Northern States sustain a constant succession of defeats and disasters with no gleam of sunshine [to illumine their dark and dangerous path. Providence does not seem to smile upon them, and we should think that surely they will ere long- arrive at the conclusion that to prolonging the contest they are only fighting against fate. It does not appear that they are engaged in this contest for any definite principle or to accomplish any worthy object.
It was a fundamental principle of the Union, and a definite article of the federation, that though the aggregation of States formed one nation, each State was complete in itself and independent. The object of this war then is to destroy the character of the Union, and establish it on a different basis to build, in fact, a despotism (as is generally the case) on the ruins of freedom. President Lincoln declares that he will sacrifice everything else to re-establish the Union. He would retain the coloured population in bondage, or he would abolish slavery he would emancipate half the blacks and keep the other half bound, anything or everything, so that he can bring back the revolted States, and compel them to remain in their old allegiance. The Union was to all intents and purposes a voluntary union of free states; the President would make it if he could (and he tells us that is his object), a compulsory union of unwilling and refractory people. There can never be an union again between those two parties one side would look upon itself as the conquerer, the other as the vanquished, and the subjugated South would be trampled under foot and oppressed by those who had conquered and re- claimed them. Mutual equality and freedom would be at an end for ever, and the States would meet only as lord and slave. We have no pleasure in witnessing or hearing of the effusion of blood; all such things are naturally abhorent to the feelings of human nature. Burning, destroying, bloodshed, and slaughter are the handmaids and inseparable attendants upon the footsteps of war, and we sup- pose more of this kind of destruction has to be added to the large amount already done in this unnatural conflict.
In the name of humanity, in the interests of the Northern States themselves, for the benefit of the whole civilised world, we heartily wish speedy, signal, and triumphant success to the Confederates. The contest can only terminate in that one way, and the sooner it is brought about the better it will be not only for the parties engaged in the contest, but for the lookers on, who are all more or less interested in, and desirous of, its termination.
http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3093267/3093272/30/American%20war
The language is of the time and its relatively long for a post but enjoy!
Article from the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian dated Saturday 20th September 1862
THE AMERICAN WAR. WE can conceive nothing more desirable than a speedy termination of the horrible war now raging in America, and if continued and decided Confederate successes will hasten the day of peace, we are encouraged to hope that the happy period is not far distant. Another great battle has been fought, and the Federals have once more been thoroughly defeated. General Pope having been put to "the right about" at Bull's Run, had retreated to Centreville, and it was thought he would hold that position and thus protect Washington. He, however, with the whole of the Federal Army, after a most bloody battle, have been compelled to withdraw behind the fortifications of the capital, where they at present remain in considerable uneasiness. The Confederates are daily expected to make a powerful attack upon the city, and notwithstanding the strong fortifications of the place, the mighty resistance that will be offered, and the disadvantages which will be experienced, we are strongly inclined to believe the Southern army, rendered more enthusiastic and courageous than ever by the brilliant victories they have achieved, will add another to their long list of successes. It is our prayer that the assailants may conquer.
Not that we have any particular sympathy with either party, but we feel satisfied that repeated important Confederate triumphs will have the effect of winding up the terrible tragedy. The Northerners appear on the verge of ruin, and we see no immediate prospect of their recovery. Despite the stringent means to which they have resorted to crush their adversaries, they have found a foe far mightier than themselves, and one able to outdo them in pace. President Lincoln and his colleagues have spared neither men nor money; have been guilty of reckless and dishonourable conduct; have been heedless of principle, regardless of the rights of other nations, and cared not for the production of misery amongst thousands of their fellows; have caused blood to be spilt like water, and the country's exchequer to be ruined; yet the desire of their souls has thus far been un- satisfied, and they have been obliged to accept the unpalatable bitters of defeat. Their troops now lack the necessary warlike spirit, and have become disheartened by incompetent generalship. Long has no real confidence been confided in McClellan and Pope, notwithstanding his own puffs, has failed to create the belief that he is anything like worthy comparison with Beauregard or Jackson. On the other side matters are conducted with discretion soldiers are encouraged and fight valiantly laws of civilization are more strenuously adhered to; officers understand their duties, and the troops have faith and the results are as satisfactory as can be desired.
The Federal journals intimate at last, that interference by England and France would not be treated with disrespect, but, of course, they wish it to be understood that nothing would be listened to calculated in the least to lessen their greatness and honour." There can be no doubt that Mr. Lincoln is now anxious to extricate himself and the Northern people from the unenviable position in which they are placed, but nothing is more certain than that the Confederates will disregard terms which do not stipulate for their independence. There is nothing new under the sun, the wise man tells us, and to prove the uniform sameness of things, the Northern States sustain a constant succession of defeats and disasters with no gleam of sunshine [to illumine their dark and dangerous path. Providence does not seem to smile upon them, and we should think that surely they will ere long- arrive at the conclusion that to prolonging the contest they are only fighting against fate. It does not appear that they are engaged in this contest for any definite principle or to accomplish any worthy object.
It was a fundamental principle of the Union, and a definite article of the federation, that though the aggregation of States formed one nation, each State was complete in itself and independent. The object of this war then is to destroy the character of the Union, and establish it on a different basis to build, in fact, a despotism (as is generally the case) on the ruins of freedom. President Lincoln declares that he will sacrifice everything else to re-establish the Union. He would retain the coloured population in bondage, or he would abolish slavery he would emancipate half the blacks and keep the other half bound, anything or everything, so that he can bring back the revolted States, and compel them to remain in their old allegiance. The Union was to all intents and purposes a voluntary union of free states; the President would make it if he could (and he tells us that is his object), a compulsory union of unwilling and refractory people. There can never be an union again between those two parties one side would look upon itself as the conquerer, the other as the vanquished, and the subjugated South would be trampled under foot and oppressed by those who had conquered and re- claimed them. Mutual equality and freedom would be at an end for ever, and the States would meet only as lord and slave. We have no pleasure in witnessing or hearing of the effusion of blood; all such things are naturally abhorent to the feelings of human nature. Burning, destroying, bloodshed, and slaughter are the handmaids and inseparable attendants upon the footsteps of war, and we sup- pose more of this kind of destruction has to be added to the large amount already done in this unnatural conflict.
In the name of humanity, in the interests of the Northern States themselves, for the benefit of the whole civilised world, we heartily wish speedy, signal, and triumphant success to the Confederates. The contest can only terminate in that one way, and the sooner it is brought about the better it will be not only for the parties engaged in the contest, but for the lookers on, who are all more or less interested in, and desirous of, its termination.
http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3093267/3093272/30/American%20war