The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-14
YORK COUNT
From the philadelphia Leo


IMPROVEMENT IN Observation-Disclosures ira vellers
now England tell that the vice of profanity is
no longer common among those who are there called
the " lower orders - and we know that 1t has long
since disappeared among what are called the "hgher
classes" We rejoice in learning this because it in
dlcates more plainly than anything else, that much
higher moral tone has begun 10 prevail among the
people of England. This, in connection with the
progress OF temperance and the great and increasing
circulation of cheap publications, may be regarded
as a sure indication of approaching Improvement in
their political condition. A vrtuous people may be
oppressed when ignorant Of their rights. But
raj and enlightened people cannot be oppressed long;
for, understanding their rights and their interest in
maintaining them, they will be urged to this mante
nance by a sense of duty. The English have borne
their wrongs thus far through ignorance and debase-
ment. Their laws are good the theory Of their gov
eminent Is Tree. But IN practice they governed
by arstocracy oligarcy of exclusive privilege,
who, under selfish system of internal, and cruel
system of foreign policy, have filled the British en-
pre with privation and suffering. To sustain this
ollgarchy of andholders, priests, military officers
ship owners and master manufacturers the masses
have been taxed almost out of the necessares of life
and out Of the ability to defend their personal rights
We know that the wealth of England is enormous
We also know that lis poverty is appalling. We
know that the land is filled with crime and that
suffering is its cause. We know that the laws af-
ford theoretical remedy for every injury and we
know that they of little practical use TO the poor
ton is the of all these evils and that the OBJ
ject of this taxation in the support of the ogarchy
And while the ogarchy have done all this, what
have they done for the moral health of the people ?
Nothing. Where the public and free schools ;
When did the government appropriate any of the
money thus coming from the people, for their educa
ton? Such things hare not happened And while the
oligarchy have refused to establish public schools
they have taxed books and paper and printing, till
they have practically thrown serious Instructions be-
he IN hp tn lnnt LODI And hot
have they done to restrain intemperancei They
have excluded by taxation the light wines of tempe
rate nations, and encouraged the importation of strong
wines and spirits, and the manufacture of beer and
whiskey; and through example and opinion the Cpl
MON propagated through the press under their
troll, they have discouraged temperance, to save
venue.
Such the efforts Of this oligarchy for the i'm
prOyement of the people, till the achievement Of the
great parliamentary REFORM in 1880. Since that
PERIOD through the efforts of individuals and associa-
tons, temperance societies have been established,
cheap publications have been circulated great politi
cal questions have been discussed, ami important
truths have been difIused. The degraded
are waking to sense of their dignity human be-
ibgs, their rights as freemen, and are beginning TO
show themselves worthy Of freedom When this
spirit begins TO operate among any people, heis
cipaton is not far distant Besides it is indication
OF this emancipation in England, because it is the
same spirit which preceded aud accompanied English
Charles |, the artist crazy and democracy
widely separated by character and habits; the first
being distinguished for reckless pronigacy, the Sc
coud for purity and austerity. The Cavaliers, ars-
tocracy, exceeded the most degraded Of modern
times, in RIGHTEOUSNESS of manners and department,
and in profanity and ribaldry in conversation The
RoundheadS or democracy, as much exceeded even
the most sober of days in austerty of manners,
purity of conversations and respect for all the forms
and ordinances Of religion. They were charged by
their enemies with bgotry. But they not more
ntoerant in religion than the Cavaliers nor so ntolc-
rant in politics for the Cavaliers prosecuted reli.
gious and political opinions, while the Roundheads
fought for political and religious freedom. Besides
# bgotry be ascribed to both, that Of the Caya
liers was characterized by reckless and shameless
vice. and that of the Roundheads by austere virtue
Admitting the faults of each, we ask " hch had the
balance Of vlrtuesl These austere democrats who
expelled from their ranks every species of cen-
tiousnesss, who investigated human rights and duties
well knew that popular knowledge and virtue were
the only sure foundations Of society, and the only
security for just government DO we find similar
distinctions at the present day. between the English
aristocracy and democracy The most lawless and
prohgate Cavalier in the reign of Charles could not
have exceeded in vicious audacity the Marquis of
Waterford, who IS merely the type of class; and
the sobriety, orderly department, increasing purity
Of conversation, and seli-lespec of the CLOVER or
ders" in England, are indications Of the same high
spirit and lofty aspirations which carried the Round