Here was no special sympathy, but merely a cool calculation of benefits to Great Britain, but there can be no question that the general attitude of the Government by midsummer of 1863 was distinctly favourable to a restored Union.

A "friendly neutrality" began to replace a "cold neutrality." But it is the business of Governments not merely to guard national interests and prosperity; they also must guard their own authority and seek to remain in political power.

Here emancipation, never greatly stirring the leaders, whether Whig or Tory, exercised an increasing pressure by the force of public approval.

It made impossible any attempt to overthrow the Ministry on the score of non-interference in America, or of favouritism toward the North.

It gave to an enthusiastic and vociferous section of the British public just ground for strong support of Lincoln and his cause, and in some degree it affected governmental attitude.
There was, however, another question, much more vital than emancipation in its relation to British home politics, that ran like a constant thread through the whole pattern of British public attitude toward America.