_Mr. Seward (aside)_. But the future will care for itself. We deal with
the 'Now.' '_There is "Yet" in that word "Hereafter."_' Great Britain
has already acted on the assumption that the Confederate States (so
called) are _de facto_ a self-sustaining power. After long forbearance,
designed to soothe discontent and avert the need of civil war, the land
and naval forces of the United States have been put in motion to repress
insurrection. The _true_ character of the pretended new state is
revealed. It is seen to be a power existing in pronunciamento only. It
has obtained no forts that were not betrayed into its hands or seized in
breach of trust. It commands not a single port, nor one highway from its
pretended capital by land.
_Mr. Adams_. Her Majesty's proclamation and the language of her
ministers in both houses have raised insurgents to the level of a
belligerent state.
_Lord Russell_. I think more stress is laid upon these events than they
deserve. It was a necessity to define the course of the government in
regard to the participation of the subjects of Great Britain in the
impending conflict. The legal officers were consulted. They said war _de
facto_ existed. Seven States were in open resistance.
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