If an attempt were made by the Government in any way to commit us to the South, a spirit would be instantly aroused which would drive that Government from power." I lay emphasis at this point upon these instances (many more could be given) because it has been the habit of most Americans to say that England stopped being hostile to the North as soon as the North began to win.

In January, 1863, the North had not visibly begun to win.

It had suffered almost unvaried defeat so far; and the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, where the tide turned at last our way, were still six months ahead.

It was from January 1, 1863, when Lincoln planted our cause firmly and openly on abolition ground, that the undercurrent of British sympathy surged to the top.

The true wonder is, that this undercurrent should have been so strong all along, that those English sympathizers somehow in their hearts should have known what we were fighting for more clearly than we had been able to see it; ourselves.
The key to this is given in Beecher's letter--it is nowhere better given--and to it I must now return.
"I soon perceived that my first error was in supposing that Great Britain was an impartial spectator.