The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-04-02

| How English Opinion 10 Manufactured.
| If one were to search the whole field of
modern literature we believe 1t would be diff
cult to find any more startling specimens of
| imaginative writing than were furnished by
American correspondents of the London Times
during the late war. As examples OF false
fsentiment, false reasoning and false prediction,
the letters OF these gentry were and must re-
main unparalleled. Since the termination of
1 hostilities their communications have some
what fallen OF in interest; bu. we observe
| tina, the recent changes in the aspect of politi-
\ cal affairs at Washington have once more s,srt.
ed the pack in full cry. We have frequently
had occasion to present our readers with cboice
extracts from this class of correspondence.
| hat they might form some idea of the sources
from which English opinion on American al
fairs is made "; and below we offer further
| specimen. 1t win be found in the London
Times Of March Is, and is from an American
correspondent who writes from Philadelphia.
under date of Feb. 27. The italics are, of
course, our own. We think our readers win
agree with US that the "reliable gentleman is
abroad; and they win hardly know which.
most to admire, the accuracy of his statements
or the intelligence displayed in his predic-
| tions. 7'j 'I7
| The past week has been a most wonderful
one IN American politics, and has witnessed
an excitement unequaiied in intensity since
Fort Sumter was bomharded in 1851. The
Presidents veto of the Freedmen's Bureau
bill was the first cause, and by loosing the
long pent-up feelings of the people it has
shown one OF the most remarkable traits OF
the American character. Dy one of those
peaceful revolutions which can only occur in
a country like this, the Radicals have in a
very few days been completely discounted.
and there Is scarcely a member of Congress
who adhered to their policy who has not re-
ceived intimations from his State or district
that the people have decided against him, and
at the next election viii vote that he shall stay
at home. Seward, with his usual keenness.
shifted the coming danger, and turned to the
popular side in time; Stanton ,cas not quick
enough, and his resignation now lies on the
Presidents table, and on the 4th of March. II
Is said, ciu take effect; for ON that dan. or
near 1t, the President intends clinchi,g his 3D.
santiago 6y reorgaaizing the Cabinet, issuing a
proclamation that peace and the Union are
completely restored, and, equally important,
declaring that according to law the Freedmen's
Bureau must 60 out Of existence within one
year from that time.
This great revolution in sentiment has on
ly been accomplished by the great mass of the
people neglecting their business for week:
thronging the streets of the cities; Organizing
monster meetings; compelling by main force
State legHtattyes and city gouernments 10 en-
dorse the president: firing cannon; mobbing
newspapers that sympqtkize oith the Radi-
cas-; and In a general woy declaring tnat
Radical tanaticsssa shaHn longer inperil The
peace Of the country The remedy Is a severe
one, but the only one that could haue eonnmey-
ed the disease For tire years past it has
oeen the custom to see synapathizers NTH the
South moooed and beaten. Noac the tables are
turned. TO point out q man as a Radical. an
aoodttonfst, a NEGRO ,corshipper" ,oiu bring
doaon the moo upon him and compel him to
run for bis life. The "Copperheads' walk
ABOUT cheerfuily, holding up their heads as
tney nave not done for many long day: they
gather enthusiastic meetings to sustain the
PRESIDENT, and, strange. Transformation for
them, have all suddenly become loyal" men
and supporters of the Government.
1t was not until February %. however that
the real state of public feeling became mani
rest; Beng the anniversary of Washington's
birthday, this was general holiday. Bust
ness was suspended, and the day being warm
and the air balmy the entire populace swarm
ed the streets. a more complete endorsement
OF any pubic measure was never witnessed
than Washington's birthday produced. The
cdst arrangements that had been made In ere-
| ~ to,on and cfttage from Maine to Terds to
properly celebrate The dag, ,oere turned into a
grano JaosIee IN support of the President
Hfs name t1as on every tongue, and shouts
| rent the AR IN all directions. .Processions of
people acith bands of music ,oandered aboait
threatening destructiosfsto all ,cho vould not
sn0atJ Jor Andrea johnson The people gave
null vent TO their joy, and monster meetings,
neid at all hours from 10 A. NJ. to midnight,
OF the President. Thousands of telegranls
rom all parts of the country, near and re-
mote, new along the wires to Washington. and
assured him that the nation was right. Com
mittees started from many cities to present
him consratulatory addresses In some State
legislatures attempts were made to pass con-
demnatory resolutions, though all failed but
In California Even in Massachusetts, the
current ran too strong for the Radicals: thew
refused in their State Legislature. bv decided
votes, to endorse the President, but they were
AFRAID to pass resolutions opposing him. In
Maine c0ndemnatory resolutions were defeat
ed. In Indiana the Republicans, in their be-
wlderment, voted an address supporting both
the PRESIDENT and the Radicals and i'm Mis-
souri, condemnatory resolutions were first pass
ed, and then, owing to the shouts of a mob,
reconsidered and turned into a salute of 100
guns for the Veto
Is it any wonder that English people are in
a muddle with regard to American affairs; or
that they are utterly unable to comprehend
American character, when this is a sample Of
the kind of information which is furnished
them? We quote yet one more paragraph,
partly for the sake of those sentences which
we have italicised, and which afford about the
only gleam of truth discernible in this letter
The news OF this universal demonstration
in his favor, brought to the President from ALI
quarters, almost turned his brain, and. feeE
Sng that his p0,cer ocds boundless, he determin
ed TO attack, instead of remaining on the de
fensiue. During the evening of the 22d he
was wound to the highest pitch of enthusi-
asm, and ready for anything, 1t was a natu-
raj excitement, however, not a stimulated
one, ier II IS said that since the scene in the
senate on the 4th of March, 1865, at the in
auguration ceremonies two men have taken q
pledge of total abstinence-the President and
the Secretary of the Senate While johnson
was thus exhilarated vast crowd came march
ing to the White House, with music and ban
ners. The great mass of the people OF Wash
lngton, who had held meeting endorsing
him, came after it was over to testify personal
ly their approval. At least 1000 people filled
up the grounds around the White House,
cheering and calling for the President to ap-
pear and address them. The demonstration
was tremendous, and Johnson, yielding to
impulse, came out to speak. His reception
was enthusiastic, and the speech phich fol-
lored ras one Of the most remarkable on re-
| cord.
| How it works.