Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Non-Intervention in the Danish War: Report of a Meeting (Convened by the Mayor), Held in the Town Hall, Manchester, February, 14th, 1864
It. We must take care that this power, which was created for ourdefence, was not used in any way to interfere with the afiairs of other nations. (cheers.) The people of England hadbcen taxed with the object of defending themselves. Finding they were rurrounded by great military and naval powers, they had thought it necessary to bear all this taxation on purpose to make and feel themselves secure. Let us, then, look with extreme jealousy lest this power should be used in the quarrels on the continent. In looking over the events of history, it would he seen that, during the last 180 years, wehad entered into no less than ten great wars - all for obtaining the balance of power. (laughter and cheers.) We commenced in the reign of William III. By fighting the Bourbon Louis XIV., and we finished in 1815 by fighting for the Bourbon to restore him to the throne of France. We fought against the Napoleon dynasty, and now we saw that dynasty reinstated in France. We had fought against Spain and for Spain to defend her and make her an independent country. We had fought for Holland and against Holland, and, to shorten along matter, we had fought bothiorand againstnearlyeverynationin Europe. Morethanthat, west one periodofourhistorymadeanexpeditiontoattackoopcnhagen, and we wenenowcalled upon by some parties to defend that capital. (cheers) He merely mentioned this to showthatitwas almost lmmssible, and beyond the power of human beings to settle this eternal balance of power, and the map of Europe. (cheera) Let the people of England have the good common sense to attend to their own affairs. I! There was any blame at all, to be attached to the head 0! Our foreign a?airs, it seemed to be that Lord Russell did not preface his remarks, in trying to arbitrate disputes between differ ent countries, by saying, Now we, the English people, don't intend to go to war upon this question, but if we can mediate it for you, and if we can, by mediation, keep the peace between the nations of Europe. England will always be happy to do that which she thinks is both a moral and political duty between one nafion and another. (loud cheers.) Comparing modern times with older history, he thought in the present daywe were getting to have a little more common sense. Just now, and particularly in this district, we felt the painful in?uence of the dispute now going on in Amcrica. We had - he believed with the approbation of almost the whole of the country, certainly with the approbation of the people in this district, who had su?ered more materially than any other part of the country from that war-abstained from taking any part in the American contest. (cheera) And he hoped that in a contest of such vital importance to this country, we, having once established the rule of non-intervention, would carry it out in respect to the a?airs onthe continent. During thalastlboyearsmillionsofliveshadbeenhstinoontinentalwamandtherehsdbeen added to the national debt nearly which had to be paid for by the pro. Ductive industry of this country. He for one stood there tosey that this country ought never to enter into these continental disputes, unless in connection with questions of most vital importance, concerning both the interests and the principles of the country. L'et us hold ourselves as arbitrators if possible, but avoid war. (loud cheers.)
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
