The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-14
YORK COUNT y
From he PHILADELPHIA Ledger

IMPROVEMENT IN Observation-Disclosures ira ,elers
now IN England tell us that the vice OF profanity is
no longer common among those who are there called
rthe lower orders - and we know that II has long
since disappeared among whatare called the "higher
classes" We rejoice IN learning this, because 1t in
dcates 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 sure indication OF approaching Improvement in
their political condition. yrtuous people may be
oppressed when ignorant OF their rights. But mo
raj and enlightened people cannot be oppressed long;
for, unders standing their rights and their interest in
maintaining them, they will be urged TO hi, mante-
nance by 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 u free. But in practice, they governed
by al arisocracy, oligarcy Of exclusive privilege,
who, under selfish system of internal, aud a cruel
system of foreign policy have filled the British en-
pire with prNatIon and suffering. To sustain this
oLgarchy Of landholdcrs, priests, military officer,
ship owners and master manufacturers the masses
have been taxed almost out Of the uecessares OF e
and out Of the ability 10 defend their personal rights
We know that the wealth Of England Is enormous
We also know that IL poverty is appalling. We
know that the land J. filled with crime, and that
suffering i II. cause. We know that the laws az
ford theoretical remedy for every injury, and we
know that they Of little practical the poor
who cannot pay for justice. We know that taxa
ton Is the source Of all these evils, and that tho OBJ
ect OF this taxation IN the support Of the oliparchy
And while the oliglrchy have done all thi,. what
have they done for the moral health OF the Ieope
Nothing. Where are tie public and free schools
When did The government appropriate any Of the
money thus coming from the people, for their cduca
ton Such things hare not happened Aud while the
ogarchy have refused TO establish public schools,
they have taxed books and paper and printing, tll
they have practically thrown serious distractions be
fore the people IN the path to knowledge. And what
have they done to restrain incompetence They
have excluded by taxation the light wines Of tempe-
nations and encouraged the importation Of strong
wines aud spirits, aud the manufacture Of beer and
whlskoy; aud through example and opinion the opi-
Mon propagled through The pres under their con-
troll, they have discouraged temperance, 10 save re
venue.
Such were the efforts Of this oligarchy for the i'm.
proyement Of the people, TIL the achievement Of the
great parliamentary reform IN 1880. Since that
period through the efforts Of individuals and associa
tiCns, temperance societies have been established.
cheap publications have been circulated great pou
cal questions have been discussed, an important
truths have been diused. The once degraded
are waking 90 a sense of their dignity as human be-
ngs, their rights a. reemen, and are be inning to
show Themselves worthy OF fecdom. When this
spt begins 10 operate among any people theis emin-
cipaton IS not far distant Besides, IT indication
Of this emancipation IN England, because It j. the
same spirit which preceded aud accompanied English
political emancipation IN former days In the reign Of
Charles l. The arist crazy and democracy were
widely separated by character and habits the first
being distinguished for reckless pronigacy the se.
cotd for purity and austcrtys The Caraiiers or aris
ocracy, exceeded even the most degraded Of modern
times, IN lcentiousness Of manners and department
and 10 profanity and rbaldry IN conversation. The
Roundheais, or democracy, as much exceeded even
the most sober Of days in austerity Of manners
purity OF conversation and respect FOR all the forms
and ordinances Of religion. They were charged by
their enemies with bigotry But they were not more
ntoleraut IN religion than the Cavaliers nor 30 ntole
rant in politics for the Cavaliers Prosecuted rcI
gious and political opinions, while TIE Roundhcsds
fought for political and religious freedom Be.ides
4 bgotry can be ascribed 10 both that Of the Cava
licrs characterized by reckless and shameless
vice, and that Of the Roundheads by au,tcre virtue
Admitting the faults Of each, We ask which had the
balance Of virtues These austerc democrats, who
expelled from their own ranks every species Of con-
tlousnesss, who Investigated human rights and duties
well knew that popular knowledge aud 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
ari,tocracy aud democracy The most awless and
proAgate 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, aud solffespect Of the lower
dersn m England, are indications Of the same high
spirit and lofty SEPARATIONS which carried the Round