“...  I do not think the U.S.  Government have any ill-intentions towards us, or any fixed purpose of availing themselves of a tide of success to add a war with us to their existing difficulties.  Therefore whatever their bluster and buncome may be at times, I think they will subside when the popular clamour is over[1238].”

In early November, Lincoln was triumphantly re-elected receiving 212 electoral votes to 21 cast for McClellan.  No disturbances such as the Gazette had gloomily foretold attended the event, and the tremendous majority gained by the President somewhat stunned the press.  Having prophesied disorders, the Gazette now patted America on the back for her behaviour, but took occasion to renew old “professions of faith” against reunion: 

“Abraham Lincoln II reigns in succession to Abraham Lincoln I, the first Republican monarch of the Federal States, and so far as we are concerned we are very glad of it, because the measure of the man is taken and known....  It is most creditable to the law-abiding habits of the people that the elections ... passed off as they have done....  Mr. Lincoln has four long years of strife before him; and as he seems little inclined to change his advisers, his course of action, or his generals, we do not believe that the termination of his second period of government will find him President of the United States[1239].”

The Times was disinclined, for once, to moralize, and was cautious in comment: 

“Ever since he found himself firmly established in his office, and the first effervescence of national feeling had begun to subside, we have had no great reason to complain of the conduct of Mr. Lincoln towards England.  His tone has been less exacting, his language has been less offensive and, due allowance being made for the immense difficulties of his situation, we could have parted with Mr. Lincoln, had such been the pleasure of the American people, without any vestige of ill-will or ill-feeling.  He has done as regards this country what the necessities of his situation demanded from him, and he has done no more[1240].”

This was to tread gently; but more exactly and more boldly the real reaction of the press was indicated by Punch’s cartoon of a phoenix, bearing the grim and forceful face of Lincoln, rising from the ashes where lay the embers of all that of old time had gone to make up the liberties of America[1241].

During the months immediately preceding Lincoln’s re-election English friends of the South had largely remained inactive.  Constantly twitted that at the chief stronghold of the Southern Independence Association, Manchester, they did not dare to hold a meeting in the great Free Trade Hall[1242], they tried ticket meetings in smaller halls, but even there met with opposition from those who attended.  At three other places, Oldham, Ashton, and Stockport,