WAR AND DISCOURAGEMENT 107 
of Bright said: “It is marked by the comprehensive sagacity 
which distinguishes his statesmanship. . . . A letter expres- 
sing the same general ideas as are contained in that addressed 
to you was lately sent by Mr. Bright to Mr. Aspinwall. ‘This 
letter Mr. Aspinwall kindly enclosed to me, and I read it to 
the President. I had repeatedly said the same things to him, 
and was not sorry to have my representations unconsciously 
echoed by a liberal English statesman. The President said 
nothing, but I am sure he is more and more confirmed in the 
resolution to make the proclamation efficient as well after 
peace as during rebellion. My own efforts are constantly 
directed to this result. . . . I never admit in conversation or 
otherwise the possibility that the rebel States can cease to be 
rebel states and become loyal members of the Union except 
through the recognition of the condition created by the proc- 
lamation, by the establishment of free institutions under 
slavery-prohibiting constitutions. I not only labor for these 
ends, but hope quite sanguinely that they will be secured. 
The public sentiment of the country has undergone a great 
change in reference to slavery. Strong emancipation parties 
exist in every slave State not affected by the proclamation, and 
a general conviction prevails that slavery cannot long survive 
the restoration of the republic. . . . I do not care to sketch 
the picture of the great and powerful nation which will then 
exhibit its strength in America. . . . The war moves too 
slow and costs too much; but it moves steadily, and rebellion 
falls before it. Our financial condition remains entirely 
sound. ‘The new national banks are being organized as rapidly 
as prudence allows. . . . Whatever else may happen, we 
shall have gained, through the rebellion, an opportunity, not 
unimproved, of establishing a safe and uniform currency for 
the whole nation. . . . I trust you are succeeding well in your 
great scheme of the inter-continental telegraph. . . . If I had 
the wealth of an Astor you should not lack the means of con- 
struction.” 
