The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-05

the two governments. How stand
they in the contrast, on the point Of
stability? These, admit of less accu-
racy of comparison, because, in both
countries, in England the House Of
Commons, with US the House of Rep
resentatives, are elected for fixed
period, md being multitudinous assem-
blies, are affected by reflections, only
partially and in the persons of their
individual members. The House Of
Commons is elected for seven years
our House Of Representatives for two
years; yet one circumstance makes it
practicle to test the stability of the for
mer. 1t is this: though elected for sew
en- years, the House of Commons is, at
all times, subject to be dissolred by the
Crown, at the will Of the Prime Minis
ter, whenever, in his judgment, the
change Of public opinion since the elec-
ton of the last House, has made that
House no longer the exponent OF such
opinion. At each dissolution new
election is ordered, that the new House
thus elected, also for seven years, may
express the true sentiments of the peo-
pie, but be itself dissolved, as soon as it
shall cease to do SO, by new change
in the public opinion. Are, then, these
Houses Of Commons ever thus dissolv-
ed? And if so, how often have such
dissolutions occurred, under the boast
ed steady and stable system Of the Brit
ish monarchy?
Here are the facts. From the first
Imperial Parliament in 1901, to l84i, a
period Of forty years, there have been
no less than thirteen Houses of Com
mons elected, each for the term of sew
en- years, and no less than thirteen dis.
solutions of those Houses, within that
period. That is to say, not one of the
thirteen subsisted through the seven
years. term for which it was elected,
but on the contrary, every one of the
thirteen were dissolved before Its term
expired. And if the aggregate of the
forty years be divided by the aggre-
gate of the thirteen Houses, it will be
seen, that the average duration Of each
House, though elected for seven years,
was in fact, but three years and one
month, whilst no less than six, out of
the thirteen Houses, were dissolved
within two years after the date Of their
election, and two, out Of the thirteen,
within six months from such date.
Here, sir, are the stern facts-and
the only description of facts by which
the stability or fuctuation of a nations
councils, can be determined. Here
are the evidences of that solidity and
steadiness with which, we are told, the
British empire rests upon its founda-
tions; here, the evidences Of that con-
tinuous regularity of political action,
which we are asked to look to, in proof
Of the superiority of such a system over
our own. Yes, over our own, which
SO many European writers admonlsh
US to abandon, as thing too much ex.
posed to the dangers of anarchy from
the sudden shocks Of the popular will.
No, sir, boldly affirm it, and can
clearly prove it, by the lieless evidence
Of public records, that no government
in Europe has. since the date of our
Constitution, given as many evidences
of weakness, as that of Great Britain.
And what is the cause of such weak.
ness? Internal discontent-that fever
ish restiveness excited in the English
people by those cravings of hunger.
which drive them to seek relief in the
change of public councils-a relief,
however, not to be found, save in that
change, which shall restore the lost
equilibrium of society, by reappor-
tionment of the elements of life among
the masses.
Sir, ! have drawn this contrast of the
internal condition of the two countries,
to show the contentment under our
system-to show that Its strength is
to be found in that contenlment- to
show the discomfort under the system
of England-to show that in such dis
content consists her weakness. Ihave
done this, in counleraction OF the ef-
forts, so laborlously made, to depress
the feeling Of my country, to inculcate
upon her a sense Of subordlnatlon to
England, and to extort from her peo-
pie humiIiating concession by the ter
ror of Englond's imaginary power. !
have done this, to show that terror to
be groundless-to show our strength
to be suflicien! to defy her--and, with
the like view, | shall proceed yet far
ther, with this contrast.
have said, sir, that the social con-
dition of the peope-internal content
ment-was the basis of nations
strength, and the strength Of its gov
ernment; and in trying the two coun-
tries by this test, | have but to ask,
what is now the great, the alI-disturb-
ing question, in England! 1t is that
l.