Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-17
COMMENTS OF THE BRITISH PRESS.
We suhjon extracts from two articles in London jour.
LIscoLs's SPRINGFIELD MANIFESTO.
From the London Times. Sept. II.

LIsCoLs's sPRISGTIELD NASPTsro.
From the London Times, Sept II,
Among the many marvels and paradoIes of the Anne
rican Ievo uion there is greater than tho part
PLAYED by President Lincoln himself That such man
should have been called upon to guide the de>nies of
mighty nation during grand historical crisis s sursy
strange enough but that he should have bundersd
vssc lated as he has without for moment losing conf
dence in himself altogether foriei;ing of bis
country msp sraDger SSH. His language the eat
questions at issue has varied much different times as
to show that be have had anything worthy Of
being called policy, unless it be that which no
described in the wisest Of all bis lonely
savings as q resolution to keep psgging auay."-
If We compare bis early add esses and his FRS.
Presidential message with bis subsequent letters and
speeches. with HIS last message, ad degree OF
inconsistency which is perfectly ludcrors. The great
problem with which be has Rad to ceal Las Of course
been slavery and it would be possible to Gull from his
declarations this subject PASSAGES in IA Of every
principle from sboltonism to absolute interview
ton. Between the elaborate compensation scheme,
proposed in the message of December, 1882 and the
proclamation of January con6scatng the slaves Of all
the seeding states .asure OF military necessity
there is theoretical abyss which argument can
span. So far however, from seeing this the President
ustfes both Unfortunately in tie letter to the SUN
conditional Uuion men" of Illinois, which We published
Yesterday aud manages to coufound both with the
ing of negroes on behalf of the Uuon which has moth
remarkable document Gndso Characteristic specimen
of the Prssdenfs style and habits Of thought that
cannot do better than racs the most ambitious para
graphs Of il for the benefit OF our rsAdera
How any in his sober senses could havs sat do
to compose such rhapsody as the, or having com.
posed il, could have read it over With gravity and
dsred t 10 De printed passes our CONF rehenon.
s0mssng bstvsen prophecy aud oraeiar response,
with dash of Yankee slang and terms Of expression
which remind alternately Of Ossian of TIE ncoherent
utterances Of the Maori chiefs and Of schooboy trans
laons of corrup: chorusses in Greek tragedy. Crom
well never spoke and Mr. Carlyle never wrote anything
90 hopeessy obscure and the persons If there be any
SUCH TO whom such jargon appear impressive or
even Ineligible have faculties and tastes OF which
we can form no idea 0ne il really tempted to think
that Mr.. Lincoln cannot have been himself when he
psnned 90 groiesque production Herodoiu, tells us
tast the ancient Persian deibelated drunk we'll
sober on important affairs OF State but may be sure
tba. the conclusion OF q debate was conducted ia the
latter condition 1t Is diff ,ut tobe ieve that the Amer
can President can have observed this precauton though
he winds up with the timely Injunction LET us be quite
sober" and solemny his readers not to be over
sanguine of speedy triumph. And ye. II would not
be fair Judge Of the whole letter by this wild aud
vague defamation. The early part, though By no
means free from faults of grammar compatible with
notions Of literary dignity is not devoid of certain
rough honesty aud force. 1t sthis tempered by law
yer.ke smartness thkt to Mr.. Lnccla in spite
of his arbitrary weakness certain popularity among
people Vho enjoy joke, even when IL Is practsed
the expense of themselves the dearest in of
their country.