Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-10-28
John Bright on the PresidentiaI Election.
RocHpAIF. o.. /. l864


The Tribune publishes the following letter from
John Bright:
RoCHDAIE, Oct. l, 1864
Dear S5.-For more than three years the
people Of this country have watched with a con
stant interest the progress Of the great conflict in
which your people have been engaged and as you
know, some have reioiced over the temporary sue
cesses of the enemies Of your government. and
some have deeply lamented them.
At this moment VIC turn our eyes rather to
the political than to the military struggle and
there IS with US the same difference of opinion and
OF sympathy as regards your coming Presidential
election, that has been manifested in connection
with your contest in the field
All OF those ofmy mycounrymenwhoha have wished
well to the rebellion, who have hoped for the
break up Of your Union who have preferred to see
a Southern slave empire rather than a restored
and free republic so far as can observe. are now
in favor Of the election ofGeneral Mcclellan All
those who have deplored the calamities which the
leaders Of secession have brought upon your coun-
try, who believe that Slavery Weakens your power
and furnishes your good name throuhout the world
and who regard the restoration of your Union as
thing to be desired and prayed for by all good men
so far as can judge, are heartily longing for the
reelection OF Mr.. Lincoln. Every friend of your
Union, probably, in Europe every speaker and
writer who has sought to do justice TO your cause
since the war began, Is now hoping, with an In
tense anxiety, that Mr.. Lincoln may be placed at
the head Of your Executive FOR another term
1T is not because they believe Mr. Lincoln to
be wiser or better than all other men on your Con-
tinent, but they think they have observed in his
career grand sImpHclty0 OF purpose and patriot
Ism which knows no change, and which does not
falter. Ito some OF ms country men there may ap-
pear TO have been errors in his course Tt would
be strange, indeed, If, in the midst Of difficulties
so stupendous and SO unexpected any adIniniStra-
ton or any ruler should wholly avoid mistakes
To US looking on from this distance, and u,hmoyed
by the passions from which many Of your people
can hardly be expected to be free, REGARDING his
Presidential path with the calm judgement which
belongs rather to history than to the present time
as our outside position enables us in some Degree
toregard it. we See in it an honest endeav0r faith
fully to do the work Of his great Office and IN the
doing Of it, brightness ofpersonal honor on
which no adversary has vet beon able to fix a
stain.
II believe that the effect Of 3Tr. Lincoln ro-e-
lection in England, and Europe, and indeed
throughout the world, wall DC ibis; It will convince
aH men that the integrity Of your. great country
will bepresaryed and it viii show that republican
institutions instructed and patriotic peeple
can bear a nation safely and steadily through
the mos5 desperate perils
Il am one Of your friends IN England who have
never lest faith IN YeGr cause, have spoken 20
my cQuntry]nen On Jus behalf and now IN wridng
this letter to Sou' believe / speak the sentiment
and hearts wish Of every nlan in England who hopes
for the freedom and syreatness OF yoRr country.
Forgive me tog this intrusion upon you; but cam
not hold back from telling you what is passing In my
mind, and wish ifTossible, to send you word
of fentoulae cement
Believe me. always, with great respect yours,
very truly JoHN BRIeHP.
Horace Greeley Esq. New York, e. 81