The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-19 00:00:00

The Political Excitement in America.

The New York correspondent of the Times de-
scribes the political excitement in America as
unequalled in intensity since Fort Sumter was bom-
barded in 1861. The President's Veto of the Freed-
men's Bureau Bill was the first cause, and by loosen-
ing the long pent-up feelings of the people it has
shown one of the most remarkable traits of the
American character. By one of those peaceful re-
volutions which can only occur in a country like
America the Radicals have in a very few days been
completely discomfited, and there is scarcely a mem-
ber of Congress who adhered to their policy who
has not received intimations from his State or dis-
trict that the people have decided against him, and
at the next election will vote that he shall stay at
home. Seward, with his usual keenness, sniffed the
coming danger, and turned to the popular side in
time ; Stanton was not quick enough, and his resig-
nation from the Cabinet now lies on the President's
table, and on the 4th March, it is said, will take effect ;
for on that day, or near it, the President intends
clinching his advantage by reorganising the Cabinet,
issuinga proclamation that peace and the Union are
completely restored, and, equally important, de-
glaring that according to law the Freedmen's
Bureau must go out of existence within one year
from that time. This great revolution in sentiment
has only been accomplished by the great mass of
the people neglecting their business for a week ;
thronging the streets of the cities ; organising mon-
ster meetings ; compelling by main force State
Legislatures and city governments to endorse the
President ; firing cannon ; and in a general way
declaring that Radical fanaticism shall no longer
imperil the peace of the country. The remedy, says
the Times' correspondent, is a severe one, but the
only one that could have conquered the disease. For
five years past it has been the custom to see sym-
pathisers with the South mobbed and beaten. Now
the tables are turned. To point out a man as a
Radical, an Abolitionist, or a " negro worshipper,"
will bring down the mob upon him and compel him
to run for his life. The " Copperheads" walk about
cheerfully, holding up their heads as they have not
done for many a long day ; they gather enthusiastic
meetings to sustain the President, and, strange
transformation for them, have all suddenly become
" loyal" men and supporters of the Government.
—The Washington correspondent of the Times
says there are several journals in the United
States which do not scruple to insinuate that the
unfortunate circumstances of President Johnson's
inaugural speech were repeated in his extraor-
dinary speech of the 24th ultimo. He then
goes on to state that it is not so perfect in form
or arrangement as the Veto Message ; but it

is a most powerful and able appeal to the people ;
and although once or twice the President seems to
have been led away by the excited cheers of the
immense mob, or by his old instincts as a public
orator, the address will bear the closest criticism,
and is obviously the work of a man who knew
thoroughly well what he was doing, and had
thought out his subject before he opened his mouth.
No doubt it is to be regretted that he was betrayed
by the demands of the mob into returning per-
sonalities for the personalities of Sumner, Stevens,
and Phillips, and his charge against them that
they were inciting others to assassinate him
went further perhaps than he would have gone
in cooler moments. But the explanation, if not
the justification, of this language is to be found in
the fact that the President has been greatly annoyed
and exasperated during the last few weeks, and that
he feels his avowed friends have not stood fairly by
him. He was, therefore, anxious to throw himself
upon the consideration and sense of justice of the
people ; and the present indications lead to the
belief that he has not misjudged the effects of his
appeal. Politicians of all classes, the President's
friends as well as his foes, look solemn and uncom-
fortable about the address. They are a little
alarmed at it ; they are afraid it is undignified, and
that the country is not ready yet for the battle thus
forced upon it. On the other hand, the people seem
to go heartily with the President.