Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-11-05
From The London Times.
LincOln's Sptingfi Ma nif&sto.

Among the many marves ard paradoxes of the A
nericaD revolution there is greater than the part
played by Precedent Lincoln himsel. That such a man
should have been called upon to guide the destines Of
mighty nation during grand historical crisis is sure
~ strange enough, but that be shoud have hundred
and vascillated be has, without tor moment losing
confidence il himself altogether fore:pg that OF his
countrYmen, is stranger still His language on the
great questions at issue has carried much at different
times to show tat he have had anything
worthy of being called policy, unless it be that which
be described ia the wisest of all his hoey sayings
resolution TO keep peegg1ng 0wdy" If we Compare
his early addresses and his first Presidential message
with his quent letters and his speeches. or with
his last message find degree of Inconsistency which
is perfectly ludcrous, The great problem with which
he has had to deal has OF been slavery, and it
would be possible to Gull from his declarations this
subject passages in favor Of every principle from abo
tOnism to absolute n0ninterveuon. Between the elab
crate compensation echeme, proposed in The mes
sage of December, 1862, and the proclamation
of January, corfscatng themselves of al ha seeding
s States measure of military necessity, there is
theoretical abyss which argument span. So
far, however from sSILS tnls lie PIced Ut justifes
both indiscri ina*c5 in the rtccf 10 the cnIition
al Union mea " OF 1inois which published ye@ter-
day, and manages to c0uf0Ind both with the ariHg Of
negroes on half Of ne Union, when has nothing t.
do with either. This letter 10 other respects
markabie document and so characteristic a specimen
of the Presidents style and habits of thought that We
cannot do better than xract the most ambitious para
graphs OF it for the benefit Of readers.
How any 10 his sober senses could have sat
down to compose such rhapsody this, or having
composed it, could have read it with gravity, and
ordered it to be printed, passes comprehension.
IS something betaceen prophecy and an oracMar ne
sponse with dash of Yankee slang and terms of ex
preston which remind alternately of Ossian, OF the
ncoherent uterance of the Maori chiefs and of school boy
transat0ns OF corrupt chorusses in Greek tragedy Orom
well never spoke and Mr. Carlyle wrote, nything
hopelessy obscure and the persons if there be any
such, to whom such jargoa appear impressive
even ineligible, must have faculties and tastes of
which form no idea. One is really tempted to
think that Mr. Lincoln cannot have been himself when
be penned go grctesque production Herodotus tells
Us that the ancient Persans deibeated drunk as we'll
sober important affairs of State; but may be
sure that TIE conclusion Of debate conducted in
the latter condition. It is difficult to believe that the
American President have observed this precauton
though be winds up with the timely junction, "Let
be quite sober and solemny warns his readers not to be
over sanguiae OF speedy triumph. Aud yet it would
be fair Judge of the whole letter by this wild and
vague defamation. The early part though by no
means free from faults OF grammar, or compatible with
notions of literary dignity, is not devoid of Ger
tain rough honesty and force. 1t is this tempered by
awyer-like smartness, that to Mr.. Lincoln in
spite of his arbitrary weakness, a certain popularity
among people 1co enjoy joke, when it is prac-
tced at the expense OF themselves the dearest in
erests of their country