indeed, attempted, but
the facts of the military situation were too strong for continued
concealment. From January, 1865, only the most stubborn of Southern
friends could remain blind to the approaching Northern victory. Lord
Acton, a hero-worshipper of the great Confederate military leader,
"broke his heart over the surrender of Lee," but was moved also by keen
insight as to the political meaning of that surrender[1393].

So assured were all parties in England that the great Civil War in
America was closing in Northern victory that the final event was
discounted in advance and the lines were rapidly being formed for an
English political struggle on the great issue heralded as involved in
the American conflict. Again, on the introduction of a motion in
Parliament for expansion of the franchise the ultra-Conservatives
attempted to read a "lesson" from America. The _Quarterly_ for April,
1865, asserted that even yet "the mass of educated men in England retain
the sympathy for the South which they have nourished ever since the
conflict assumed a decided shape." America was plainly headed in the
direction of a military despotism. Her example should warn England from
a move in the same direction. "The classes which govern this country are
in a minority," and should beware of majority rule. But events
discredited the prophecy of a military despotism. The assassination of
Lincoln gave opportunity not merely for a general outpouring of
expressions of sympathy but also to the Radicals a chance to exalt
Lincoln's leadership in democracy[1394].

In July Great Britain was holding elections for a new Parliament. Not a
single member who had supported the cause of the North failed of
re-election, several additional Northern "friends" were chosen, and some
outspoken members for the South were defeated. Adams thought this a
matter deserving special notice in America, and prophesied a new era
approaching in England:

"As it is, I cannot resist the belief that this period marks
an era in the political movement of Great Britain. Pure
old-fashioned conservatism has so far lost its hold on the
confidence of the country that it will not appear in that
guise any more. Unless some new and foreign element should
interpose, I look for decided progress in enlarging the
popular features of the constitution, and diminishing the
influence of the aristocracy.... It is impossible not to
perceive traces