[From the Journal des Debats, May 3, 1865.]
We cannot but identify ourselves with the sentiments so warmly expressed by Mr. Rouher, in the speech delivered by him yesterday in the legislative chamber, and with those of M. Drouyn de Lhuys and Messrs. Rouher and Vuitry, one to the legislative chamber, the other to the senate. We feel only one regret, which is that the French government has been so tardy in publicly proclaiming that honest Abraham Lincoln had devoted his life to the defence of a just cause, and that he served it with as much moderation as patriotic zeal. The acclamation with which the legislative chamber welcomed the words of M. Rouher says plainly enough what is the opinion of France on this subject.
The crime to which Mr. Lincoln has fallen a victim has put an end to the hesitations of England as well as those of France. The House of Lords unanimously adopted the address to the Queen proposed by Earl Russell. In the House of Commons, Sir George Grey and Mr. Disraeli did full justice to the patient heroism which the north displayed, and still displays in the midst of such cruel trials. Sir George Grey, speaking in the name of the crown, said in substance that “if the sympathies of the English people were at first divided, they were ranged on the side of the North as soon as the news was received of the horrible atrocities committed at Washington.”