The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-23
The Progress OF the Revolution In England
The Democratic Tendency Of tho Age.

The course of parties and events in England
for the last few years. and particularly since the
/ French revolution and the downfall OF Napoleon,
has been Of such "a character as to excite the in
terest and attention of the rest Of the world The
extraordinary occurrences tina. marked the rise
and progress of that great event, yet fresh in
| the memory of many ofthe present generation
who saw, for the first time in the world. a
great nation suddenly throw off the shackles that
bound them, for centuries, at the feet OF an aristo-
cracy; and at the magic command of a man,
whom the circumstances of the time raised from
obscunty to be the dePoser Of crowns and king
doms, marshal their strength, and infict the most
signal retribution on their oppressors throughout
Europe. These results directed mems minds
into new channel of thought. The divine
right of kings to govern freely and openly
discussed by the masses Of the people the result
of which was that the majority discarded it, and
many who relgously believed in its existence,
were induced To be carried with the majority and
alter their opinions by the force of example.
The same results too, operated on kings and
rulers The signal example produced by the re.
voluton, and the immense power that a leader
whose authority was based upon the affections of
his people, had acquired, taught them that any
government that egislated for the interests of a
few, at the expense of the many, was liable to be
overturned by combination of the elements of
discord and, dissatisfaction among the body of
the people.
These few remarks will prepare the reader
to give his attention to the history of England for
the last few years, and will enable him to per-
celve that the mighty changes that have occurred
IN that country within that time are traceable to
the lessons taught by the French revolution, and
the progress of democratic principles.
The first Of these measures of change or reform
was what is commonly called the Emancipation
Bill The agitation of a change in the laws of
England, by which five or six millions of people
were placed on a religious equality with the rest
OF the nation, was commenced by a man of the
people, whose influence was derived from the
hold he had on their affections and respect. This
measure was granted when the body of the peo-
pie insisted upon it, and was severe blow to the
religious aristocracy.
The aristocracy sustained another blow by the
passage Of the income tax and the Catholic en-.
dowment bill, both of which created a tremen-
dous excitement at the time they were proposed.
these Were blows aimed directly at the arstocra-
cy or privileged few and cut off some of the per-
quisltes they had enjoyed from time mmemorial.
Sir Robert Peel was always an admirable tact-
can, and knew how to try the pulse of the nation
IN the most accurate and scientific manner The
masses had suffered so much from taxation that
the people were ready to rebel; and when the ext
gences OF an expensive government required fur
Their leves to fill its Golfers he chose rather to pro-
pose measure that would inf1ict this additional
burden on the aristocracy, than encounter revo-
luton that might have followed a proposal to in.
fct greater taxation on the masses. The expert
ment succeeded, and was followed by others of
more extraordinary kind.
We come now to the principal movement in ia
vor OF the masses. For centuries the people of
Great Britain had suffered from the odious corn
law system, which prevented the importation
OF food, even in case of famine unless at a rate
that would prevent all competition with the aris-
tocrahc landed interest OF that country. But the
people knew their own strength, and were deter
mined to have the odious system repealed. They
accordingly marshalled their forces, and placed
themselves under the direction of one of their own
number and in the short space of five years, so
vigorous front did they show, and so great was
the pressure against the system, that the first Mi
Mister OF the government himself, proposed the
repeal of those very laws which he had himself
hitherto supported and upheld, and carried il sue
cessfully through all opposition. Here then we
see tremendous triumph by the masses over
the privileged few and a case, too, that threatens
the loss OF the North American colonies of Eng
land.
We think from all these premises it is safe to
say that the great masses Of the English people
are gaining strength every year-that the people
are beginning to get the ascendancy, or in other
words that the country is in state of transition,
and is emerging from state of aristocracy to a
state of democracy-shaking off the excrescences
of centuries, wping off the cobwebs of old usages
and privileges, and are determined to initiate the
example of their kindred in the western world
In confirmation Of this view we refer our readers
to an editorial article which lately appeared in the
Leading English paper, the London Times, OF the
18th ult. 1t is as follows
passed a. some former embsrrassmsnts But
there evils which survive the crisis and extend far
ton suspicions, rsssntmsnts indignatons revenges
tester under the surface of patched up neutrses and
nlconsequencss threatens at this moment The bus.
ness of the nation whch has been delayed impeded,
cry and protracted discussions on the Corn bill il now
brought to sudden stop. The accidents Of one man
long desderated long designed long promised al length
are introduced in their native rudeness demanding the
most cautious revision The minister resigns, and they
are again indefinitely postponed With great excep
ton the whole year wasted Sansgine are begin.
ming quite to despair of seeing Parliament seYoSsIy
and etscfuay address itself to the of great
edI sciis They beginning remedy except in
some much more sponfaneeus NOT say democratic form
government than that which hides the alternate ascend
aney Of parties and their leaders immusbe sove
rsgnfy What prospect s there year more will
be done than In this The struggles Of govern
ment with weak opposition to eat up the forth.
coming session This year Peel going out and Lord
John coming in paradise the legislature and stop the
not iunnro hahl ri
John gradually losing his ground and Sir Robert gradu.
ally regaining itone ministry again its last legs and
another again following up it, Advantageous again dis
appointing, and another again promising-w divert the
attention Of parliament from the most pressing and
most abiding INTEREST," till, with whole years work
half DONE some great party personal crisis
the session and destroys the legislative year There will
shortly DO universal demand that the business of this
great empire shall be put stable and rcgu.
lar fQQfinR IL afford