Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-06
The United States VS.. Europc.

II we contrast our system with that of the consti
tutional Governments of Europe, we -hall perceive
that the people of this country as far from the
danger of being Influenced By official corruption as
are the people of Europe from having any share in
their Governments. In England the number Of in
habltsnts is about 270OO and the registered electors
are 9JO,OOO about one in thirty. In France the
inhabitants 30, 100000 and the electors $50 900,
or about one in 100000. In the United States the
inhabitants 17,O6S $3.50, and the popular vote at
the last Presidential election 2,442 5j3, or one in
seven Of the people. The expenditure for the civil
government in Great Britain is about $4,000 900,
or Sl6 to each elector; in France, SIX, 000.00J
S5l6 to each elector; in the United States, $4,000
OOO, or 81 90 TO each voter. In France, the Gov
government Of the Citizen King is far absolute
and corrupt than that of the Empire. There are at
the disposal of the King and Ministers 5000 sala
rled Offices, which are divided among the 10000
electors, their families anil connections and the
emolurnents graduated that each incumbent is
not only III fear of immediate removal but constantly
stimulated in his loyalty by the hope of higher pay
Under such system the popular election is farce ;
and when told that the nations of Europe are
pursuing the protective policy for encouragement of
" home industry" and the conduct of France is
pointed out instance, consider that the
people have nothing to do In the matter. The Gov
eminent of France, the dynasty of family, and the
oOO,O0O dependents upon the throne; preserve
their position and Cypress the remaining "a 500, 600
people who have voice in the matter only by
swelling the number of officials. The " protective
system enables the King 10 maintain, in the frontier
districts 800 900 officials expense of 900 900
per annum, all of whom are electors and are
80 protection against the introduction Of liberal
principles into the electoral colleges and the chamber
of the deputies. These people supported by the
protective system, and will they vote for destroying
that system The people of France well as of the
other Governments, of the destructive ten
dency of protection" but they have voice in the
matter. In England, where the popular voice is
much more potent, every day brings forward some
new approach towards freedom of intercourse. The
United States the other hand, are lending their
support not to the of freedom, but that of
tyranncal Government through the influence of their
example.
The manufacturers of France, whom the government
pretends to protect, pay annually upon the three
articles of first necessity, COAL cotton, and iron,
of Sl20,0OO,O0O. For instance the quantity Of iron
manufactured in France, is AGO. 900 tons per annum
worth at SS4 per ton, Sl00,96S, $50. The same
quantity of better iron could be bought in England
for S5,O000O0; coal pays duty of SIS per ton and
in consequence the manufactures of the West of
France use wood at cost Of more than double of
that at which they could buy coal. They also pay
tax of S3,0OO,O00 per annum on cotton. As an Offset
for these expressions of $40 to $3.50 per ton is
laid upon flax and cotton yarn. The balance of the
protection" account leaves TO them loss, but the
system supports 81 100000 officials at an expense of
IS, 562, 900 year. 1t is to countensnce and support
this system" that the United States adopt the re-
strctive policy If the French people complain, their
rulers have only to point to the model Republic as
proof that they enjoy liberty enough and with
reason may they do when the example is set them
of 2,5OOOOO people going to the polls and imposing
voluntarily upon themselves those letters from which
the people of Europe are burning to be free. The
operation of popular intelligence, Is however fast
producing favorable results. The free action of a
people untrammelled by governmental restriction,
cannot ultimately be wrong. The great moral spec
tace of 2500000 people quietly casting their votes
and revolutionizing Government every four years,
guarantee that the of popular freedom must
ultimately triumph.