“I can. What of the British troops? Will they surrender?”
“Terms must be discussed first.”
“Of course. And your navy ships?”
“That you must discuss with the admiral commanding. I cannot speak for him.”
“Naturally. I feel that you are making a wise decision.”
“Not wise, but the only possible one,” Somerville said, resignedly. General Sherman could only nod in agreement.
At last the long war that had begun when the Confederate representatives had been taken from a British ship, which had spread from America to Mexico and Ireland, which had ended here in England, was over.
DAWN OF A NEW DAY
“There is a gentleman at the door to see you, Father,” Helen said. “He sent in his card.”
John Stuart Mill took the card, held it to the light. “Ah, Mr. William Gladstone. He has had my letter, then, and responded accordingly. Please show him in.”
They shook hands warmly when Helen ushered Gladstone in, for this was a meeting that both men greatly desired.
“I came as soon as I had your communication. Unhappily I was out of the country for the last parliamentary session and I do regret missing it. I have had mixed reports from my colleagues — but all of them tell me that, if you would excuse the expression, the fur did fly.”
Mill laughed aloud. “It surely did.” He warmed to the politician and was pleased. This was a most important encounter.
“Mr. Gladstone,” Helen said. “Would you take tea with us?”
“I would be delighted.”
“Please be seated,” Mill said. “This is a meeting I have long desired. I have read your political writings with great interest, great interest.”
“You are kind to say that.”
“It is but the truth. You were responsible for the Railway Bill of 1844 that opened up third-class travel for all in Britain. It was only due to your insistence that trains now stop at every station in the country. I admire your interest in the ordinary folk of this land.”
“Indeed they do interest me — for they are citizens just as you and I are.”
“They are, without a doubt, but that is not a popular point of view. I also note that although you have always rejected the idea of parliamentary reform, you spoke up in favor of it when Edward Baines introduced his reform bill. You argued that it was manifestly unfair that only one-fiftieth of the working classes had the vote.”
“That is indeed true — and it is perhaps the main reason that my views on reform changed.”
Mill leaned forward, his voice tense with the grave import of his question. “Then I take it that you are in favor of universal suffrage?”
“I am indeed. I believe that every man in this land should have a vote.”
Helen had opened the door and carried in the tea tray; she could not help but overhear these last words. “But, Mr. Gladstone, to be truly universal, should not suffrage include women as well as men?”
Gladstone was on his feet as he spoke, bowed graciously, and smiled. “My dear Miss Mill, your father has written of the aid you have given him in his writings. Now, having met you, I can surely believe that. Yes, I do agree that someday the vote must be extended to women. But the longest journey begins with but a single step. This is a conservative country and we will be hard-pressed to obtain universal male suffrage. But I promise that when the time is right, the vote will be extended to be truly universal.”
Helen smiled, and responded to his bow with a gracious curtsy. “I shall hold you to your word, sir. Now — let me pour your tea and then leave you gentlemen to your discussions.”
Gladstone sipped his tea and nodded toward the closed door. “Your daughter is a jewel, Mr. Mill. I hope that you will not be offended when I say that she has a mind like a man’s.”
“I understand your meaning, sir, though Helen might take some offense.”
“None intended! I meant simply that I can see why you value her contributions to your labors.”
“I do, greatly. She is the one who convinced me that a universal ballot must also be a secret ballot for general elections. This will prevent working-class people being influenced in their vote by watching employers and landlords.”