king men "are for the most part as well
aware that the cause of those who are fighting for the right
of labour is theirs, as any nobleman in your Association can
be that the other cause in his[1387]."

The question of democracy as a political philosophy and as an
institution for Great Britain was, by 1864, rapidly coming to the front
in politics. This was very largely a result of the American Civil War.
Roebuck, after the failure of his effort for mediation in 1863, was
obsessed with a fear of the tendency in England. "I have great faith in
my countrymen," he wrote, "but the experience of America frightens me. I
am not ashamed to use the word _frightened_. During my whole life I have
looked to that country as about to solve the great problem of
self-government, and now, in my old age, the hopes of my youth and
manhood are destroyed, and I am left to reconstruct my political
philosophy, and doubt and hesitation beset me on every point[1388]."
More philosophically Matthew Arnold, in 1864, characterized the rule of
aristocracy as inevitably passing, but bent his thought to the discovery
of some middle ground or method--some "influence [which] may help us to
prevent the English people from becoming, with the growth of democracy,
_Americanized_[1389]." "There is no longer any sort of disguise
maintained," wrote Adams, "as to the wishes of the privileged classes.
Very little genuine sympathy is entertained for the rebels. The true
motive is apparent enough. It is the fear of the spread of democratic
feeling at home in the event of our success[1390]."

The year 1864 had witnessed a rapid retreat by wiser Conservative
elements in proclaming the "lesson" of American democracy--a retreat
caused by alarm at the vigour with which Radicals had taken up the
challenge. Conservative hopes were still fixed upon Southern success and
Conservative confidence loudly voiced. Even the pride of the _Times_ in
the accuracy of its news and in its military forecasts was subordinated
to the purpose of keeping up the courage of the faction it
represented[1391]. Small wonder, then, that Delane, on receiving the
news of Sherman's arrival before Savannah, should be made physically ill
and write to Dasent: "The American news is a heavy blow to us as well
as to the South." The next day he added: "I am still sore vexed about
Sherman, but Chenery did his best to attenuate the mischief[1392]."
"Attenuation" of Northern progress in arms was,