Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-23
ALTERED SHUTTER.


Fl +
John Stewart Mill, the sninent English Liberal
and writer on the Science Of Government, has ad
dressed the following letter to, Giend in this
city !: - - 8fH=k# = -
.tas AvIasoS, May IS, 1855.
4DeAn SdR: had scarcely received your note
Of April g., % full Of calm joy at tho splendid
prospect now opening iu your country, and through
II to the world, when the news came that an afro
cious crime had struck down the great citizen who
had afforded so noble an example tf the qualities
bsdttiug the first magistrate Of free people and
who, IN the most trying circumstances, had grad
aaly won not only the admiration but almost the
personal affection Of all who love freedom or ap
preciste simplicity or sprightncss. But the loss
is ours, not his. 1t Was impossible to have wish.
cd him better end than the crown of martyrdom
to his Qthcr honors, and to live in the memory Of
great nation rs those only live who have not on
ly labored for their country but died for il. And
he did live TO see the cause triumphant and the
contest virtually over. How different would our
feelings now be II this fate had overtakcn him, AZ
it might 30 easily have done, . month soons,
In England, horror Of the crime and sympathy
with your loss seem to be almost universal, even
among those who have disgraced their country by
wishing success to the slAvcholdcrs. hope tho
manifestations which we're instantancously made
there ia almost every quarter may be received in
America as some kind Of atonement or peace Of.
fcring. have never believed that there was any
real danger Of quarrel between the two coun
trics; but 1t is Of immense impcrta zee that We
should be firm friends; and this is our natural
state, for, though there is portion Of the higher
and mi.dls elasscs Of Great Britain who 30 dread
and hate democracy that they cannot wish pros.
perity and power to q democratic people, SIM
cerefy believe that this feeling Is not general
In our privileged classes. Most Of the dislike and
suspicion which have existed t'ward the United
Statcs were the effect of pure ignorance; ignor.
anoe Of your history, and ignorance of your feel
ling and diposfion rs people. 1t is difficult for
you tphelnve that this ignorance could Be as
dense as It really was. But the lat. events have
begun to dissipate it; and if your Government
and people act ~ I fully believe they will in 70
gard to the important questions which now
await them, there will be no fear Of there being
ever again so grossly misunderstood, at least in
the lives Of the present generation.
As to the mode Of dealing with these great
questions, it does not become regner to advise
those who know the eSigeucies Of the case so much
better than he does. But as so many Of my
countrymen are volunteering advice &c you at this
crisis, perhaps may be forgiven if offer mine
thscontrary way. Every one is eagerly incuicat-
Ing gentleness, and only gentleness, as if you
mad shown any signs of disposition to take q
savage revenge. have always been afraid of
one thing only-that you would be too gentle.
should be sorry to any life taken after the
war is 'ovor Except those Of the assassins any
evil inflicted in mere. vengeance; but one thing
hope will be considered D solutsly necessary to
break altogether the power of the slaveholdiag
caste. Unless this is done, the abolition Of slave
ry will be merely nominal. If On arstosracy Of
ex-sloveholders remain masters of tho State leg.
islatures, they will be able efectually to nuilify
great part Of the result which has been so dearly
boaght by the blood Of tho free States. They and
thew dependents must be effectually outnumbered
at the polling places; which ouIy be effected
by tao soaeesioa Of full equality Of political
rights tensgross and by large immigration Of
settlers fsn the North both Of them being made
Independent by the ownership Of land. With
these things, in addition to tho Constitutional
Amendment (Which will enable tho Supreme
Court to set aside any State legislation tending to
bring back Slavery in disguse,) tho cause Of
Freed m is safe, and tho opening words Of the
Declaration of Independence will cease to DO
reproaeh to the nation founded by its authors.
Lam dear sir. yours very truly.
.Sftfs J.S MILL.