The nation MIGHT then take notice of this
insult to its honor. Never were people more eager than ours when they
found they had a right to reparation.
I have talked during the last week with many English holders of American
securities, who, of course, have been aware of the threat held over
them. "England," says the New York Herald, "cannot afford to go to war
with us, for six hundred millions' worth of American stock is owned by
British subjects, which, in event of hostilities, would be confiscated;
and we now call upon the Companies not to take it off their hands on any
terms. Let its forfeiture be held over England as a weapon in terrorem.
British subjects have two or three hundred millions of dollars invested
in shipping and other property in the United States. All this property,
together with the stocks, would be seized, amounting to nine hundred
millions of dollars. Will England incur this tremendous loss for a mere
abstraction?"
Whether "a mere abstraction" here means the abstraction of the two
Southern Commissioners from under our flag or the abstract idea of
injured honor, which seems ridiculous to the Herald, is it needless to
ask. I have spoken with many men who have money invested in the States,
but I declare I have not met one English gentleman whom the publication
of this threat has influenced for a moment.
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