New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-19
ENGLISH OPINION ON LINCOLN
AND JOHNSON.

The manifestation of public sympathy in
England with the American people on the death
of President Lincoln was something so extra
ordinary and unprecedented in history that it
could not fail to produce profound impression
upon Americans, especially upon those who had
All opportunity to witness it. Bishop james Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church remarked,
in On address which he made at
tho anniversary Of the Wesleyan Missionary
Society, that when the vessel in which he came
oyer approached Queenstown, all the American
passengers were intensely anxious to learn how
the news Of the assassination had been received
in England, and that when they read in the
English papers the account of the universal out
burst Of Indignation at the crime and of the
sympathy with the English people, there were
few among them whose eyes were not swim
ming in tears.
Ii was natural that general desire was
shown, in the speeches made, in the articles
written, and in the resolutions passed on this
mournful occasion to bring the exhibition Of
English sympathy as much as possible to the
who have been the warm and cordial friends OF
our cause from the beginning were naturally
anxious to make known TO US the depth of their
sorrow and grief. The other party, comprising
the large majority Of the English press though we
believe the vast minority of the English people,
were evidently hoping that the grand unanimty
Of these demonstrations would make Americans
forget the shameful treatment which the person
of Abraham Lincoln, in common with the
principles of which lie was the representative,
had received at their hands; that for four long
years they had been in the habit of calling him
a "blockhead" and an "imbecilc," a man far
below the average intelligence Of the English
middle classes, a bloodtLirsty tyrant and an
opponent Of Emancipation.
Perhaps these expectations would have been
partially realized; and many Americans would
have been disposed to eiface from their men,
cries the former afIrOnts in order to remember
only the assurances Of coincidence; but what
can we think of the sincerity Of their pretended
conversion if these very parties which ostenta-
tlously call our attention to their outward show
OF mourning for the illustrious dead whom they
villificd while living, begin at once to treat
the actual President in the same manner
in which they used to treat Mr.. Lincoln.
Some Of the English papers fuse the most
calumnous attacks upon the past life of Presi.
dent johnson with the first word of praise they
have ever uttered in favor of President Lincoln.
1t must be remembered that these papers admit
their utter ignorance Of the former life off
President johnson; and that the only charge
they could bring against him was the oc.
cunence on the 18th of March. And on
this ground We see large Members Of
English papers-among them, Of course, The
London Times-represent President johnson as |
. vulgar drunkard. The Times, seconded by |
papers in all parts Of the country, expressed
n its first leader on the assassination the
nope that johnson would at once resign or that
Grant or some other general would seize the
'eins of the Government. The Globe, in the
ssue of April %, calls the President drunken
Mechanic; and similar expressions might be
quoted from number Of other prominent
,apers
Then We have again genuine exhibition of
he sentiments Of the English arstocracv toward |