did not something
of social servility mingle with political fear?

In the lower middle class religious Non-Conformity prevails; and the
Free Churches of our Non-Conformists are united by a strong bond of
sympathy with the Churches under the voluntary system here. They are
perfectly stanch on the subject of Slavery, and so far as this war has
been a struggle against that institution, it may, I think, be
confidently said that the hearts of this great section of our people
have been upon your side. Our Non-Conformist ministers came forward, as
you are aware, in large numbers, to join with the ministers of
Protestant Churches on the Continent in an Anti-Slavery address to your
Government and people.

And as to the middle classes generally, upper or lower, I see no reason
to think that they are wanting in good-will to this country, much less
that they desire that any calamity should befall it. The journals which
I take to be the chief organs of the upper middle class, if they have
not been friendly, have been hostile not so much to the American people
as to the war. And in justice to all classes of Englishmen, it must be
remembered that hatred of the war is not hatred of the American people.
No one hated the war at its commencement more heartily than I did. I
hated it more heartily than ever after Bull Run, when, by the accounts
which reached England, the character of this nation seemed to have
completely broken down. I believed as fully as any one, that the task
which you had undertaken was hopeless, and that you were rushing on your
ruin. I dreaded the effect on your Constitution, fearing, as others did,
that civil war would bring you to anarchy, and anarchy to military
despotism. All historical precedents conspired to lead me to this
belief. I did not know--for there was no example to teach me--the power
of a really united people, the adamantine strength of institutions which
were truly free. Watching the course of events with an open mind, and a
deep interest, such as men at a distance can seldom be brought to feel,
in the fortunes of this country, I soon revised my opinion. Yet, many
times I desponded, and wished with all my heart that you would save the
Border States, if you could, and let the rest go. Numbers of
Englishmen,--Englishmen of all classes and parties,--who thought as I
did at the outset, remain rooted in this opinion. They still sincerely
believe that this is a hopeless war, which can lead to nothing but