The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-05

TIM London cores oadtnG of III rCikDh-
matt Commercial, writes to that paper con-
corning Feniainsm, war with the United
States, English views of President JOHNSON,
and divers other matters. He says he has
not seen or heard of any one in England who
was alarmed about the Fenian movement, or
Who considered it other than an Irish absurd.
ity-a huge Hibernian ssbull." But In the
event Of war with this country, then Fenisn-
ism becomes more formidable and the Irish
ssbull'' will disquiet and harrass Johnny Bull
to an extent he doesn't contemplate with
equanimity. OF war between this country
and England this correspondent says:
"The previous steamer had brought across
the Atlantic the bold, indignant and resolute
ring Of the American press, In response to
Earl Russelrs correspondence with Mr..
Adams. Altogether, the air seems filled with
clouds and storm-signals, and darkly omiaous
tokens. On all hands, in town and country,
in hotels, railway carriages and counting.
rooms, l find Englishmen discussing the
chances of war with America. Every Bnton
have thus far met thinks Earl RnsselP posi-
ton is perfectly right and the generalt tone is
this: lfthe Americans push their claims, it
will prove that they desire to pick quarrel
with us, and, if so we may as well meet them
in battle on this subject as on any other. l
am convinced that if Earl Russell stands his
ground, and decides upon war with the
United States, it wonld be immensely popular.
All the Tories, and all the myraid of confede-
rate sympathizers, and a multitude even OF
our former friends would rejoice at so fine an
~f l,c& <ha lx-,p
public and taking the concet out of the
American braggarts." But God in heaven
forbid such calamity to all the interests of
civilization and mankind. rs war between
England and America. 1t would be the most
colossal display of Infatuated gigantic forces,
working desolstion and grief, that the world
has ever beheld.
Whether or not he discerns Alright the mo-
tives and causes that prompt Englishmen and
English journals to just and generous est.
mate of President JOHNSON, it is at least
gratifying that such estimate they make-that
the American President is spared the traduc.
tion and ribald abuse to which English journ.
a.. and magazines, high in repute, treated Mr..
LrscoLs. The correspondent says:
"The ewiftest revolution in public senti.
ment | have ever observed has been in the
general estimate of Andy johnson. Three
months ago he was "a low tailor "drunk.
ard, "a boor from the backwoodsr Now
all is changed. All men praise him. He is
great and sagacious statesman" an Zen
lightened and far-seeing magistrate DC,
and all the papers express amazement at the
fertility OF our democratic sod, which can
thus bring forth two such exalted personages
Al I
Andrew johnson. II is easy to account for
this English admiration toward Mr.. johnson.
1st His clemency to the rebels ID His
recent kind words concerning England; Sd.
The phraseology of his speeches, which read
well and have finely balanced cadence of
sentences very highly appreciated here. They
are surprised al his command of good Eng
lish and at the eloquence Of his style; 4th.
His supposed objection TO unirersdt suf.
rage
The last reason assigned leads us TO quote
from the London Daily Neus, the leading
liberal journal of England, and one of the
ablest in Europe, its conception of Mr.. JoHN-
sons position with regard to the suffrage
question. Renewing the Presidents CONVEX.
saton with Mr.. SrEARss, and deducing his
pOHcF tnertlFOIn, IL says:
''Mr. johnson leaves no doubt of his own
opinion about the suffrage. He says the
elective franchise is not natural right, but
political right. This declaration may be de-
nouneed by good many people in all parts of
the Union; but 1t is sufficiently supported by
the actual experience Of the repulc, many of
the component states having limitations on the
exercise of the franchise--in the form of CON
pf nd
color The President holds that there ougbt
20 be and must be conditions but he would
have them affect all classes of the inhabitants
alike. This is another of his great points,
now irreversibly declared. Itinvolves an ad.
yocacy OF negro suffrage as complete as if he
had not gone on to avow that advocacy: and
here Is an end OF all questions as to his LOYALTY
TO the Republican principle, and his Justice tn
the blacks. II he were now a statesman in
Tennessee, he says, he would try to Introduce
negro suffrage there gradualy-givine it first
to soldiers Of color, and next to men of Ger.
tain amount of education, and next to posses.
sors of certain property qualification. Such
course he would now approve in the respec.
tive States; but he cannot ordain il. or insist
upon it. If he did he might as we'll interfere
with the suffrage IN any Northern State, for
any supposed good object. The only safety.
- AAo'SNSf ip ts iSofiiS cdCH oLate 10 form Its
own constituency of epresentatives-the
power always existing in the central govern
ment TO control any offending State. either by
legislation or the army. This must mean. II,
case OF any offence against the State Consti
tuition. As to forming such Constitution
1t would be impossible. he believes. to comnel
universal negro suffrage without becoming
answerabe for war of races The hos,;l,tv
between the mean whites and the negroes =
such that universal access to the polls would
breed such conflict as could not arise If con.
dtions were imposed on both alike which
would In themselves confer q title to vote
irrespective of race or color. Mr.. johnson
mas, Tor many years, striven in his own Stste
Tor quailhed franchise and he il sat;s{;ed
that, 70 ensure the continuance of the renub.
lie, the ballot must be elevated and nur;;aa
This must be done, he insists: and NOT hv
excluding negroes who are worthy &c al,
citizenship, but by excluding the unworthy
whether blacks or whites. Confident aS 10,
that the republic will endure, he expects 10
see negro suffrage established as one Of h.
necessary conditions, while he also ant;c;.
pates the exclusion of those of any comnler.
ION who do or can degrade the ballot hv
tneir ignorance or their poverty, in a country
ers. ~ Poup
opportunity has been afforded for tho
PRESIDENT to show the main point of his views
and his policy. His aim is. in the frat nlaea
10 keep the power Of the central poverpnan,
within its proper bounds next. ana with .h;s
view, he endeavors to bring about racono;,;a