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‘the beginning of civil war.’
1 Macaulay wrote to the
Duchess of
Argyll: ‘In any country but
America, I should think civil war must be impending.’
2 Many letters of sympathy came to him from foreign friends.
Macready wrote with affection, describing the universal sympathy in his country, and the indignation which had been called forth by the outrage inflicted by ‘a cowardly and brutal ruffian.’
Cobden, testifying to the same opinions felt by all on that side of the
Atlantic, expressed his dismay at the approval which ‘the dastardly and brutal attack’ received from the
Southern press, of which he said there was ‘nothing so bad in
Austria or
Italy.’
Henry Richard, while confessing similar emotions, saw in the sequel of the speech the most expressive tribute to ‘the power of high intellect consecrated by Christian principle.’
The
Earl of
Carlisle addressed him from
Dublin as ‘My dear hero, martyr friend,’ adding to the expression of his full and fervent sympathy as follows:—
I think my predominant feeling is pride in you. Did I not always announce that you were to be an historic man?
I really cannot tell you how strongly tempted I should have been, if it had not been for the circumstance of my being nailed to my vice-sceptre, to have hurried across that broad sea, in the hope of being allowed to join in waiting on you. Your bedside appears to me just now both the most interesting and the most important spot in the universe.
Dr. Palfrey wrote from
London, June 11:—
I need not tell you that I have been greatly disturbed by the outrage, of which intelligence has just come to England.
It strikes people here with amazement. . . . Lord Carlisle writes to me of his joy, after the first shock, “ to learn that no apprehension need be entertained for so useful and honored a life.”
Mr. Ingham was with me yesterday, and wanted to be informed when Congress would adjourn, as he wanted to write to you. but not to trouble you while public concerns were in your hands.
The tears stood in his eyes—and scarcely stood—while he spoke of your services and your perils.
R. H. Dana, Jr., wrote from
London, July 25: ‘The
Duchess of
Sutherland desired me to put into my note to you assurances of her warmest friendship, sympathy, and esteem; and in these the
Duchess of
Argyll desired to join.
Lord Wensleydale desired particular remembrances to you. Lord Cranworth,
Ingham, Senior,
Parkes, Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Elgin,—all have spoken to me of you in a manner that would delight you, I ’
