of the influence of our institutions upon all
these changes.... The progress of the liberal cause, not in
England alone, but all over the world, is, in a measure, in
our hands[1395]."

The "Liberal progress" was more rapid, even, than Adams anticipated.
Palmerston, ill for some months past, died on October 18, 1865. Russell
succeeded him as head of the Ministry, and almost immediately declared
himself in favour of Parliamentary reform even though a majority in both
Houses was still opposed to such a measure. Russell's desertion of his
earlier attitude of "finality" on franchise expansion correctly
represented the acceptance, though unwillingly, by both political
parties of the necessity of reform. The battle, long waged, but reaching
its decisive moment during the American Civil War, had finally gone
against Conservatism when Lee surrendered at Appomatox. Russell's
Reform Bill of 1866 was defeated by Tory opposition in combination with
a small Whig faction which refused to desert the "principle" of
aristocratic government--the "government by the wise," but the Tories
who came into power under Derby were forced by the popular demand voiced
even to the point of rioting, themselves to present a Reform Bill.
Disraeli's measure, introduced with a number of "fancy franchises,"
which, in effect, sought to counteract the giving of the vote to British
working-men, was quickly subjected to such caustic criticism that all
the planned advantages to Conservatism were soon thrown overboard, and a
Bill presented so Radical as to permit a transfer of political power to
the working classes[1396]. The Reform Bill of 1867 changed Great Britain
from a government by aristocracy to one by democracy. A new nation came
into being. The friends of the North had triumphed.

Thus in addition to the play of diplomatic incidents, the incidental
frictions, the effect on trade relations, the applications of British
neutrality, and the general policy of the Government, there existed for
Great Britain a great issue in the outcome of the Civil War--the issue
of the adoption of democratic institutions. It affected at every turn
British public attitude, creating an intensity and bitterness of tone,
on both sides, unexampled in the expressions of a neutral people. In
America this was little understood, and American writers both during the
war and long afterwards, gave little attention to it[1397]. Immediately
upon the conclusion of the war,