The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-12 00:00:00

4

EWS PAPER

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It is for us to show that ‘4 the cause of true free-
dom," as we understand it, that is to say, the Go-
vernment not of numbers, but of property and in-
telligence, is not missing its final triumph through
the languor and carelessness of those who know its
value. In this special juncture of affairs the atti-
tude assumed by England will do much to influence
the course of opinion throughout the world. The
delusion that the particular tyranny which consists
of the despotism of the multitude could be a source
of freedom is passing rapidly away. It has lain
heavily upon the world for more than a century.
It has blinded some of the acutest intellects,
some of the most earnest lovers of their kind who
have appeared on earth, while its power lasted.
It has furnished an instrument for the intrigues
of many an unworthy ambition, and has fre-
quently served to disguise the greed of adven-
turers or the venom of disappointed pride. It
hilniaatvosetbhteheeoidiuusgtlhitet. pretext of more than one bloody
revolution ; it has armed popular envy against those
who had no crime but that they had been born to
p
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human freedom. Instructed by France and America,
men
strange delusion, philosophers have sought to ignore,
that uncontrolled power is as fearful an instrument
of oppression when it subserves the passions of a
class as when it executes the will of a sultan or a
czar. But at such a juncture the opinion of the
civilised world naturally turns to England. Reflect-
ing men instinctively ask how these events are in-
terpreted, how these problems are solved, in the
land where modern freedom was cradled, and has
produced the most marvellous fruits of prosperity,
and happiness, and peace. A great responsibility
lies upon the governing classes of this country at a
moment so critical in the history of political opinion.
If we, at such a moment, weakly yield to the
theories, now worn out and antiquated, which would
confer supreme power on the multitude, we may
throw back the cause of true freedom for half a cen-
tury. If, on the other hand, we can by our example
persuade those who to preserve the mere blessings of
social order have taken refuge in autocracy, or in.
Cwsarism, that regulated freedom does not mean
supremacy of ignorance and poverty, we may hope
to see the shackles removed which in many a land
lie upon thought, and speech, and industry. In
questions of political right England exercises an enor-
mous influence over the whole of the civilised world ;
and the question which England is called upon to
determine is whether those, who above all things
desire that industry shall have its free course, and
that trade shall not be disturbed by tumult, may
trust to free institutions to give them a security
which in some countries they are beginning to
imagine can only be conferred by military rule. If
England at such a moment is deluded enough so to
alter her franchise as to yield the government of the
country to the trades' unions, men will conclude
that constitutional systems are only part and parcel
of the delusion of the democratic theory, and that
strong governments are the only hope of those who
desire to pursue their own industry in peace.
This is the issue which the constituencies of this
country have to decide. They must judge between
the Conservatives and the Radicals. The Whigs
constitute only an accidental compromise due to the
matrimonial arrangements of a few great families,
with the peculiarity that many of them are willing
to sacrifice the interests of their class, in order to
promote the personal ambition of those who belong
to their family connection. But their number di-
minishes with every election. It is obvious that in
course of time those merely personal conditions of
association must be overruled ; and the members of
the party which tries to serve two masters must
take their place upon one side or other. The true
battle is not with them. It is not between them
and the Conservatives that the electors have to de-
cide. The issue is a far broader one, and cannot be
obscured by the paltry intrigues of parties, or the
selfish trimming of personal ambition. The question
is, whether England shall be governed by property
and intelligence or by numbers. Those who prefer
the first alternative will vote for the Conservative
candidate ; those who prefer the last will vote for
andthe Liberal. There is no middle term between the
two. It is the great controversy of modern society,
the great issue upon which the hopes of freedom,
order, and civilisation depend. To the electors
0. Great Britain this issue is committed ; and may
God defend the right !