The New York herald., 1874-12-16
FoRsTER's ADlEu.
An Interview with the Right Hon. ". Z.
Forster on American Affairs.
Washington Viewed by q British
Statesman.
The House Of Representatives and the House
Of Commons Compared.
Public Opinion, Newspa-
pers and the South.

Public Opinion, Newspa-
pers and the South.
The Right Hon. W. f. Forster sails for England
to-day. At the Filth Avenue Hote last evening.
large number OF his friends called to bid him
"good-oy." and although Mr.. Forster was very
much occupied with preparations for his voyage
he courteously ana cordially received all comers
Among these callers was representative OF the
HERALD, with whom Mr.. F0f ster held rather .
lengthy conversation. sitting before the glowing
Ore IN the open crate Of room 43. Mr. Forster
spent few days IN Washington lately and the
HERALD reporter was desrous Of obtaining from
the distinguished British statesman an expression
OF his opinions as 70 the proceedings the capt.
tai. ana more especially as TO the effect produced
on his mind, in this connection, wnea he mentally
contrasted the House OF Represen tatlves and the
House Commons. In reply to question OF lnis in,-
port Mr. Forster said :-"i only spent part OF two
days IN the House; only heard a kind OF incidental
debate on the currency don't think am quite
competent to express any very determined Opin.
ion. But there was one thing that made marked
mpressu n upon me, as contrast between your
proceedings and You have cheering.
There was certainly none whie was there, and
am told that 1t Is only very rare occasions that
1t is INDUCED IN. The only indication that m .m-
number Of members gather around hln-s auding.
indeed In front oil the speaker That Is never
allowed with US. Members must retain their
seats In the House OF Commons during speech.
Tney are Tree to out ana In. but they would NOS
be allowed to surround speaker. That was ono
or the things that surprised me-"
MAY ask IL there was anything ese2" In.
CURED the reporter.
''Yes, there was another matter. found that
all parties were willing bill could be put
through oil Its stages with much greater rapidtry
than could be done with us. For example, saw
bill pass through all IFS readings in few min
utes. Tnat could not occur in the House OF Com
mons. We could only DO 1t by suspending the
standing orders. aud that OF Itself would suggesr
an alarm, and would only be resorted to tu cases
OF great emergency"
'How did the speaking strike you Mar. ForsterW
"Well. only heard four speeches. and those
were delivered by Mr.. Phelps, OF New Jersey; Mr..
Blaine, General Butler, and Mr.. Kelley, OF Pennsyi-
vania. thought Mr.. Pnelps' speech was admira-
bic In manner, and that Mr.. Blaine indicated
indisputaoy that he was very able man. But
think there is much more evidence OF preparation
on the part OF your speakers than there Is shown
by US. l don't say that disparasingy. 1t has its
advantages and gives PROBABLY finish 10 your
public utterances that Is not SO generally obtained
amongus But IL Is not our way. Our public men
talk more under the impulse OF the moment,
think; that Is my Impression. as far as my very
limited observation has gone. There were
several OF your prominent men had nOs
an opportunity OF hearing. The Senate was
not In session. l met Senator ConEllng, and from
what OF him had very strong desire to
hear hlm speak He seemed to me remarkably
able man. 50 lar as mad an opportunity OF judg-
Ing your mode, or. rather, your machinery OF leg
isalion seems well adapted to the wants OF your
country.n
terta,ned here. Mr. Forster, Ia some quarters,
that republic. ~ institutions are on rhe decline"
bee use taaI is to some extent matter OF acct
dent. would rather say iree and popular lnstl-
they are on the decay with you. 1t is true that
there IS considerable p0itcai corfuptlon-that
Is axe aso 'or o GrIpsed sse;s @ \, U.s. Is, for % near
try, ana, wnat Is more. new c0uutry and there.
fore there are numerous opportunities aud many
rignt. But think you viii correct this-lndeed,
think you are fast correcting it already. No,
don't despair OF iree and popular institutions. ON
the contrary, think my visit here nas increased
my laltn ~ them, u It were possible ior any IN
and AN unshaken iaitn lhat America would work
out al rignt.'
.srnere think you have an advant tage; and It's
also here, III my Judgmen., wnere the great re-
You are. after all. the great mouiders OF public
opinion IN tlny oelors tne people that winch
papers are more Influenza tnan ours are; but
your people 40 a great deal more reading than
ours do Everybody, certa My, doe, read news
papers IN your colatry. Vine ever have been
have seen that You are emphatlcallJ u reading
people. tnnk, TO, This Is u iact vi very great
encouragement Tor you; Ior h nis power IS rightly
used It viii II the long run correct all your abuses.
In consequence this unlver5ii reddlnS you can
reach the mind OF your people quickly; think
more quickly tnan we can"
~ was Father surprised to near you speak last
evening confidently and 50 lavoraOy oil the
South, Mr.. Forster ~
..Wel. / spo ke as let. don't think there is
so much trouble as one might suppose from what
one hears in tue NorLn. When was In tie south
] neither saw nor heard VI very mucn trouoe.
There IS certainly very little difficulty as TO aoOr.
Colored people are quietly anu continuously em-
plOyea, and seem to WORK with cordially with the
whites. Tne possession Of the franchise by the
was IN New or,eans, OIL election day. aud was ex.
ceedingy gratined to see ION. hies o. coored @
turbance. Tnen was told tnat the colored vote
Gratis ana the republicans. | was glad to hnd tnls
was the case, because IL Will show to the demo-
tnese people tneIr trends. went INTO the state
house and | saw there coored men VINO were
men. could NOT he p feeling how great was the
social change wtou-nt, Tor | was tod that TINS
State House was on lne site VI motel where
slaves were once bought and sold. II is NO
doubt true that there has been great
poitlcal corruption In these reconstructed
states: 1t was natural that these people.
who were slaves, should Implicitly trust the party
tnat redeemed them, and tuat tais trust mas Deea
abused, there is no doubt; but the democratic
party snould remember under whose administra-
ton 1t that nearly all the evils OF slavery were
ture before IL; always tnougnt so, and am more
Impressed WITH the cor ectness oi this conviction
sance nave visited the south, ,... .s,.
Tue arrival ol Mr.. Forstcrs lrlends brought tnts
pleasant and instructive conversation TO a close,
aud the reporter OF the HEnALD rose to leave. Mr.
Forster shook Dands very cordially anu gooa wishes
were exchanged on botn sides.