eplore the sufferings which the workingmen at
Manchester, and in all Europe, are called to endure in this crisis. It
has been often and studiously represented that the attempt to overthrow
this Government, which was built upon the foundation of human rights,
and to substitute for it one which should rest exclusively on the basis
of human slavery, was likely to obtain the favor of Europe. Through
the action of our disloyal citizens, the workingmen of Europe have been
subjected to severe trials, for the purpose of forcing their sanction to
that attempt. Under the circumstances, I cannot but regard your decisive
utterances upon the question as an instance of sublime Christian heroism
which has not been surpassed in any age or in any country. It is indeed
an energetic and reinspiring assurance of the inherent power of truth,
and of the ultimate triumph of justice, humanity, and freedom. I do not
doubt that the sentiments you have expressed will be sustained by your
great nation; and, on the other hand, I have no hesitation in assuring
you that they will excite admiration, esteem, and the most reciprocal
feelings of friendship among the American people. I hail this
interchange of sentiment, therefore, as an augury that whatever else may
happen, whatever misfortune may befall your country or my own, the peace
and friendship which now exists between the two nations will be, as it
shall be my desire to make them, perpetual."

CHAPTER X. THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

Though the defeat of the Democrats at the polls in 1863 and the now
definitely friendly attitude of England had done much to secure the
stability of the Lincoln Government, this success was due in part to
a figure which now comes to the front and deserves attentive
consideration. Indeed the work of Salmon Portland Chase, Secretary of
the Treasury, forms a bridge, as one might say, between the first and
second phases of Lincoln's administration.

The interesting Englishman who is the latest biographer of Lincoln says
of Chase: "Unfortunately, this imposing person was a sneak." But is
Lord Charnwood justified in that surprising characterization? He finds
support in the testimony of Secretary Welles, who calls Chase, "artful
dodger, unstable, and unreliable." And yet there is another side, for
it is the conventional thing in America to call him our greatest finance
minister since Hamilton, and even a conspicuous enemy said of him, at a
crucial moment, that his c