The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-22
Mercantile Library Lectures.

Thls always popular coursA of lao.rras $780,,
opened last evening in the most ansn;,;ons
manner, by that earnest and eloquent Enc,;sh
reformer Henry Vincent, Esq. His sub;oot
was "The Late American Conflict. and tho
Friends and Enemies of America in ENGLAND.
The speaker commenced BY declaring that he
did not propose to be guilty of the imperti-
nenee OF meddling with those internal ques-
ions OF party and policy which belong exclu-
slvely to the people of this country; the point
OF view from which alone he should presume
10 discuss the recent struggle was that of its
bearing upon the public opinion of Europe,
ana more especially of England Americans,
ne SAID, were apt to feel degree of resentment
at the manner in which their acts. their nr;nc;.
pies and their cause were misinterpreted in
England during the late war; he wished to
snow some OF the reasons why full and hearty
sympathy for them and their cause was impos-
siole IN that country, except among the few.
ohief among these reasons he found that in
tense commercial spirit, that complete absorb
ton in the business of money-makine which
mad hardened the hearts and dulled the moral
sense OF the prosperous middle class. The he
pef IN wages and in trade had seized upon the
nation, and this ignoble faith had driven ont to
some degree the old English faith in the great
doctrines Of liberty and human rights There
was moreover, a large and powerful class who
aid not wish success to the American people
IN their struggle. They dreaded the influence
OF Republcanism, and did not desire to see its
innuenee extended, sincerely feeling that an
tendencies in that direction were tendencies 10
anarchy, and, moreover, they had little pleas-
ure In contemplating the growth of power
which might prove formidably hostile to some
OF their own pretensions. The lecturer des-
crlbed with much humor the manner in which
TINS class OF persons were accustomed to speak
OF the dangerous tendencies of American in
stltutlons, and the horror they entertained Of
the condition of things which they supposed to
exist here.
From this point he passed to speak of those
who were our friends during the struggle; he
alluded In the most eloquent manner to the
character and services of such men as Golden
Bright, Mill, Goodwin Smith, Hughes, Tavlor
and others, whose earnest and eloquent cham
plonshlP never failed us, and when he painted
the sunerlngs and the noble endurance of those
best and truest of our friends, the heroic work
ing men of Lancashire, he woke a thrill of adj
mirration and gratitude in the heart of every
listener.
M, ,nM, ii4sf -tte.gil. ...,.t ....,
" Inc whole address was full of eloquence, ear
nestness and power; was characterized by a
true liberality and generosity of spirit, and
lighted up by frequent flashes Of wit, and
touches OF genuine hpmor which won the heart
lest response from his audience. He paid :
feeling and touching tribute to the lofty char
acter, the rare sagacity and the beautiful spiri
Of Abraham Lincoln, and in conclusion ex
pressed his fervent wish that England and
America, one in lineage and in language, should
be one also in friendship and true brotherhood
that the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripe
should float side by side in the van Of tn,
worlds great march of progress, rivals only il
the generous competition for larger knowl
edge, finer culture, a more heroic achieve
ment, higher civilization, and purer wor
ship of the common Father. a sH
The address, which occupied over an hour IN
delivery, was listened to with the closest atteu
ton, and was repeatedly Interrupted by tn,
most hearty demonstration of applause. i.., b,