The Portland daily press., 1865-08-23

A London letter to the Independent gives
the following account of the Parliamentary
contest which resulted in the election of John
Stuart Mill:
/ suppose you have had many accounts Of
the great contest which has just terminated
SO we'll / will not be intimidated by this
thought You cannot hear too much about
our great friend. Therefore, I will contribute
my report by describing the meeting of MIR
Mills supporters which / attended, and where
heard the great philosopher on the stump.
MEETING OF HIS sUPPoRTERs. y
1t was the evening Immediately preceding
the polling day. Mr.. Mill, having completed
his visit to France, had been personally on the
ground about ten days, not to solicit votes,
but to declare his opinions The fight had be-
come hot and furious. The worst passions
those of theological prejudice and rancof+
had been recklessly appealed to. On, the one
hand were bribery, bigotry and beer; on tile
the other intelligent and reverend enthusiasm,
unpaid and untiring work, anxiety that Eng
land and the age should not be disgraced, and
a determination to succeed. This meeting
was to be the last great demonstration before
the battle. Reaching st Martins Hall half alb
hour before the time appointed, found the
great building nearly full, with throngs pouring
In at every door. have noticed that Yankees
in Europe, with their national perogatives Of
bodily sharpness and push, are perfectly ade-
quata to any congregation of natives that j
have yet had the honor to behold. Your cor
respondent, on this occasion, true to national
instincts, was soon where he wanted to be
planted in fine standing situation of ten
square inches, in the middle aisle, near the
platform, in the very centre of dense mass dt
peri endicular Britons. 1t was noble au-
disnce of resolute working men, merchants,
ard students: with the unusual addition oi
ladies on the front seats. There was a victory
written over the face of that buzzing multitude.
Punctual to the time, Mr.. Mill, with his com
mittee, appeared. reed not try to describe
that reception. After thestorm had subsidized
we had fair chance to study the man before
lis. aiA te.i3 tifl tRa.l sii.is
He is about five feet ten inches in height, of
strong, angular frame, thin in flesh, bald with
alsharp, analytic face. His forehead SIS high.
but not broad. He has an immense develop
ment of the perceptives, of comparison and
human nature, with less causality and ideali
ty, and again very large veneration and firm
ness. 1t is face and head exquisitely rein
ed and spiritualized. II was, of course, a new
experience for this bookish and clustered man
to address public meetings, and to .be4the OBJ
ject Of such tremendous physical demonstfa-
tions of homage; but through the whole even
ing his self-command was perfect, the only exs
ternal sign of agitation being in the flush upon
his face, and slight nervous twitching be-
meath the eyes during the frequent salvos Of
applause / was informed That there were ma
ny distinguished people on the platform; but
the only faces I.could make out were those OF
the two French princes. the Duke D'Aumale
and the Count de Paris, Professor Marson, the
biographer OF Milton, and our own M ID. Con-
way. who is rapidly advancing to a fine posi-
ton among the literary men of England, and
has been working with true American earnest
ness for the election of Mr.. Mill and Tom
Hughes. ....r ,s4 "a fz rs vi al paf
HIS SPEECH. gli aaaftas ssr
Of the speech which the philosopher made
on this occasion | shall not attempt even
synopsis. It was massive, noble, simple, and
lucid exposition of what he called sthe great
open question between capital and labor" Ii
was in the quiet conversational style without
any pretence tooratory, sterse and epigrammat-
r icai He seemed like some venerable and be-
nignant teacher, with his reyerent pupils sit
ting and standing about him by thousands
their heads strained forward in the attitude OF
persons listening eagerly, lest one syllable OF
his high, sweet and thoughtful eloquence
should be lost Here was philosophy, not
proudly dwelling apart, but coming to the
marketrplace and the FORUM How beautifi
to see the great thinker of the age addressing
common men and women in mass meeting
and putting before them, in simple and most
WluulllS lOrIllS, uuLnS winch OF Old W0ulO
have been reserved for some literary aristoc-
racy.
While listening to him could not help re-
calling that fine ayowall of old Harrington
@There is nothing in this world, next to the
favor of God, so much desire as TO be under.
stoodn his address lasted about an hour.
Then, as is the admirable custom in Englisl
political meetings, came the time for questions
In the present instance they were handed w
to the chairman in writing, and read by him
They seemed to range overlevery topic tina
can possibly engage the attention of Britisl
legislature; and Mr.. Mill's replies, which h,
gave instantaneously, and with an iDdescrib
able look of delight, we're in all respects mos
admirable, fair, concise, luminous, pungen
and practical. 1t struck me then, as, never be
fore, how great a mistake is made by thes
who rush into political discussions withou
elaborate scientific training. After all, evel
the mass of fmen are guided by philosophy. r. L
our political orators in America would prepar
themselves for public life by faithful study q
fundamental principles, they would find thei
audiences refreshed, kindled and elevated b.
real thought, as they never can be by st0ry-tel
ing, Duifoonery and bombast aisa 4-ii hHss
r -liltif'i4i