ssion to England, wrote to Lincoln, on his return[1378]:

"Our friends abroad see it! John Bright and his glorious band
of English Republicans see that we are fighting for Democracy
or (to get rid of the technical name) for liberal
institutions; the Democrats and the liberals of the old world
are as much and as heartily with us as any supporters we have
on this side.

Our enemies too see it in the same light; the Aristocrats and
the Despots of the old world see that our quarrel is that of
the People against an Aristocracy[1379]."

But there are few similar expressions and these few nearly always came
from men who had been abroad and had thus come into direct contact with
British political movements. Meanwhile, Lee's retreat from Pennsylvania
had produced a like retreat in the opinions on the failure of democracy
earlier confidently held by the professedly neutral press. In September,
having arrived at the point by the usual process of gradually facing
about, the _Times_ was bold enough to deny that England had any personal
feeling or concern about democracy in America or that this had anything
to do with English attitude on the war[1380]. Thenceforth neither the
_Times_ nor any of the leading papers saw fit to revive with vigour the
cry of "democracy's failure," no matter how persistent in proclaiming
ultimate victory for the South. Aristocratic exultation had given place
to alarm and it seemed wiser, if possible, to quiet the issue[1381]. Not
so the Radicals, who made every effort to keep the issue alive in the
minds of the British public, and whose leaders with less violence but
increased firmness debated the question in every public meeting
favourable to the North[1382]. Many Conservatives, Adams reported, were
now anxiously sitting on the fence yet finding the posture a difficult
one because of their irritation at Bright's taunts[1383]. Bright's star
was rising. "The very moment the war comes to an end," wrote Adams, "and
a restoration of the Union follows, it will be the signal for a reaction
that will make Mr. Bright perhaps the most formidable public man in
England[1384]."

The continuation of the controversy was not, however, wholly one-sided.
In the silence of the daily press it seemed incumbent upon the more
eager and professed friends of the South to take up the cudgels. Hence,
in part, came the organization of the Southern Independence Association
and the atte