Noble Language (May, 1862)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: May 1, 1862.

Not a few English Statesmen and politicians have openly avowed their sympathy with a Republic whose corner-stone was to be negro slavery, but honest John Bright the Quaker, is not to be found among the number. His voice rings out in clear, strong, vigorous and liberty-loving tones. We are glad to know in Rochdale, among his fellow townsmen, there were found those in whose bosoms was found a fall-toned echo to his noble sentiments: 

A distinguished member of the House of Commons distinguished there by his eloquence, distinguished more by his many writings—l mean Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton—he did not exactly express a hope, but he ventured on something like a prediction, that the time would come when there would be, I don't know how many, but as many Republics or States in America as you can count upon your fingers. There cannot be a meaner motive than this that I am speaking of, in forming a judgment on this question—that it is "better for us;" for whom? the people of England, or the Government of England?—that the United States should be severed, and that that continent should be as the continent of Europe is, in many states, and subject to all the contentions and disasters which has accompanied the history of the states of Europe. [Applause.] I should say that if a man had a great heart within him he would look forward to the day when, from that point of land which is habitable nearest to the Pole, to the shores or the Great Gulf, the whole of that vast continent might become one great Federation of States—that, without a great army and without a great navy, not mixing itself up with the entanglements of European politics—without a custom house inside through the whole length and breadth of its territory, but with Freedom everywhere, equality everywhere, law everywhere, peace everywhere—would afford at last some hope that man is not forsaken of Heaven, and the future of our race might be better than the past. [Prolonged cheering]

Whether the Union will be restored or not, or the South will achieve an unhonored Independence or not, I know not, and I predict not. But this I think I know—that in a few years, the twenty millions of free men in the North will be thirty millions, or even fifty millions—a population equal to or exceeding that of this kingdom. [Hear, hear] When that time comes, I pray that it may not be said among them, that in the darkest hour of their country's trials, England, the land of their fathers, looked on with icy coldness, and saw unmoved the perils and the calamities of her children. [Cheers] As for me, I have but this to say,—l am one in this audience, and but one in the citizenship of this country; but if all other tongues are silent, mine shall speak for that policy which gives hope to the bondsmen of the South. and tends to generous thoughts, and generous words, and generous deeds, between the two great nations that speak the English language, and who, from their origin are alike entitled to the English name. [Great cheering.]