Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-31
John Bright on the American OueSfion.


JOHN BRIGHT, the distinguished leader of
the English Liberals, in a recent speech at
| Roehdale said
But there is one point of this question to
which | must refer before | sit down, and that
is, that the enemies of popular right and
power have been pointing to the dreadful
proof which is afforded in America, that an
extended suffrage is a thing to be stunned as
the most calamitous thing possible TO coun-
try. [ won't refer to the speeches that have
dealt with this question in this manner or to
newspapers which have so treated it. !. be-
lieve now that great many people IN this
country are beginning to see that those who
have been misleading them for the last two
or three years have been profoundly dishon-
est or profoundly ignorant. [Cheers. If
am to give my opinion upon it, | should say
that that which has taken place in America
within the last three years affords the most
triumphant answer to charges of this kind.
Let US see the Government of the United
States. l might say Il good deal in favor of
it in the South even, but we will speak of the
free States. In the North they have a suf-
frage which is almost what here would be
called manhood suffrage there are frequent
elections, vote by ballot, and 10000, 10000,
and 100000 persons vote at an election.
"Will anybody deny that the Government
at Washington, as regards its own people, is
the strongest Government in the world at
this hour? [Cheers And for this simple
reason, because it is based on the will and
the good will of an instructed people. Look
at its power l am not discussing why it is,
or the cause which is developing this power;
but power is the thing which men regard in
these old countries, and which they ascribe
mainly to European institutions; but look at
the power which the United States have de-
veloped! They have brought more men into
the field, they have built more ships for their
navy, they have shown greater resources than
any nation in Europe at this moment is capa-
bic of. Look at the order which has pre-
vailed at their elections, at which, as YOU see
by the papers, fifty thousand, or one hundred
thousand, or two hundred and fifty thousand
persons voted in given State, with less dis
order than you have seen lately in three of
the smallest boroughs in England-Barn-
stable, Windsor and Andover Laughter and
cheers.
Look at their industry. Notwithstanding
this terrible struggle, their agriculture, their
manufactures and commerce proceed with an
uninterrupted success. They are ruled by
President chosen, it is true, not from some
worn out royal or noble blood, but from the
people, and one whose truthfulness and spot
less honor have claimed him universal praise;
and now the country that has been vilifed
through half the organs of the press in Eng
land during the last three years, and was
pointed out, too, as an example to be shun-
ned by many Of our statesmen, that country,
now in mortal strife, affords haven and
home for multitudes flying from the burdens
and the neglect Of the old Governments of
Europe [cheers and when this mortal strife
is over-when the Union is cemented afresh,
for l would say in the language of one of our
own poets, addressing his country
% 'The graves not dug where traitor hands shall
lay
In fearful haste the murdered corse away ,
loud cheers, then Europe and England may
learn that all instructed democracy is the
surest foundation ofgovernnlent, and that ed
ucation and freedom are the only eources of
true greatness anc true happiness among any
people," Immense cheering.