Aside from race, which could be claimed also by the South, the one great argument of the North in appeal to England lay in the cry of anti-slavery.

But the leaders of the North denied its pertinence.

Itself unsympathetic with the emotions of emancipation societies at home, the British Government settled down by the end of 1862 to a fixed policy of strict neutrality.
In all this the Government but pursued that line which is the business of Governments--the preservation of the prosperity and power of the state.

With the unexpected prolongation of the war and the British recognition of the Northern "will to conquer" there came, as is evident from a scrutiny of Russell's diplomatic tone and acts, a growing belief that the North might after all succeed in its purpose, at least of subjugating the South.

This would mean the possibility of continuing that policy of friendship for a united America which had been determined upon in the 'fifties.