Richard Cobden- the English Politician and Abolitionist A rich full seated view CDV. Cobden was a staunch supporter of the Union during the American Civil War. A longtime admirer of American democracy and an opponent of slavery, he was deeply distressed by the conflict. Confederate sympathizers in Britain promoted the idea that the North's real motive was not to end slavery but to impose protective tariffs. To counter this, Cobden and other abolitionists made anti-slavery speeches and lobbied to ensure their government did not recognize the Confederacy. He viewed the Confederacy's pro-slavery stance as fundamentally wrong. Cobden did not live to see the end of the war; he died on April 2, 1865, just days before the Confederate surrender. Lower corner of the card mount cut. Back marked E. & H.T. Anthony, New York.