The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-27
Psr'ious Condition OF EnyIand-WtI there
be q Revolution or . Civil War!


at IS minutes before 8.
Psrslous Condition OF EngIand-WiH there
be a Revolution = Civil War!
The condition of England, or rather that OF
the whole British Empire, has, according to the
last accounts, reached a perilous criss-one
from which there would seem to be no escape,
without either revolution or a bloody civil
war.
The determined movements and demonstra-
tons made by the cha-tists, in England aud
Scotland, as well as those of the repealers in
Ireland, present one of the most menacing at
-titudes that the British Empire has assumed
for the last two centuries. There is nothing in
the history Of that kingdom which affords pa
rallel to it, till we go back to the scenes which
preceded the old revolution OF 1910. For years,
it is true, the Irish repealers have been endea-
vor,ng, isolated and alone, to effect legislative
separation, OF rather ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
legislative union with England. These move
ments, which were hitherto under the guidance
of O'Connel, were always nipped at that parti-
cular point of development, which, once passed,
would lead TO bloody revolution. O'Connell
and his faction merely used the popular passions
and impulses to intImidate the British govern
ment, and induce them to comply with their hun.
cry desire for Office and emolument. In some
respects, the popular movements hitherto attempt
ed in Ireland and Scotland present similar fea-
lures; but recent events have changed the cha.
racer of the scenes, and it is, as say, an even
chance, according to the last accounts, whether
England is at this moment declared republic
or is in the midst OF civil and bloody war that
may last for years to come.
The oh tdou, etv in En- al nd
as well as the repeal movements in Ireland, have
no doubt been precipitated by the extraordinary
revolution in France, and the Subsidiary move
ments and reforms torn from the monarchs of
Germany and Italy, by the determined will of
the determined people. The events on the Con-
tinent could not take place without producing
corresponding sentiments in the hearts Of
the British people-hearts which have been
for centuries accustomed to regard the
rights and principles of the race with more dis
elimination and judgment than ever existed on
the Continent. There are, however, many OBJ
staces opposed to the chartist movement in
England In the British empire, the feudal
aristocracy, though divided in appearance, still
exist in commanding strength and influence.
During the last two centuries, and while they
have been in wars throughout the civilised
and uncivilised world, a new race of aristocracy
has risen up, founded on paper money, national
debts, banks, and other devices to cheat labor of
its reward. The greater portion of the landed
aristocracy of England is united with the mo-
neyed aristocracy, topreserve the present govern
ment and all the shocking and atrocious re-
suits growing out of the immense debt, corrupt
church, and tremendous establishments Of every
kind, which feed on the labor of the working
classes. We do not anticipate that the
higher CLASSES of England will give up their
privileges, or their power, without some
bloody effort to retain them for a longer
period of time. We do not hope, there
fore, that the attempt to revolutionise England
can be as suddenly successful as the recent
revolution in France, orl even those which have
taken place in Germany and Italy. Yet there Is
hope, after frightful contest. The elements of
republicanism or democracy exist among the
masses, and even in the intelligent quarters in
England, to a much higher and greater extent
than loyal Engishmen or recreant Americans
believe. We know it to be fact that the greater
portion of those connected with the London
press, as writer's or contributors, we'll as those
connected with the provincial press throughout
the empire, are thoroughly imbued with repub-
uCdu pIluCipiCs, ouu uiC uttCiiy uoo'iic W uiC
continuance of the power which has so long
been monopolised in the monarchy, aristocracy
and church. Free trade in commerce was the
first movement of the intelligent classes, who
have been preparing for several years past to
carry out the same principles in land, in the
church, and in the privileges granted to a GER
tain portion of the aristocracy. ee trade In
every department of human existence, or, in
other words, democratic institutions, have been
the purpose of Golden and all the chartsts for
many years past.
From the knowledge which we acquired of
those elements during our visit to England, we
are not prepared to believe that 30 sweeping and
successful revolution can take place in Eng
land as that which has recently passed over
France. The chertists of London have an even
chance with the governmen tand their supporters
IN the metropolis. Ia Birmingham, Manchester
nothe central counties, the success of similar
movements is more probable. owards the
North, In Scotland, the prospects of a popular
triumph increase. In Ireland, ut is difficult to
predict the result Of the movements of an excl
ted populsce, raised to the highest pitch OF expec-
tation by the successes on the Continent. In
London, we understand there are only ten thou
sand troops 10 pat down tue strong chartist de-
monstration. If De charhsts were Frenchmen,
ParisIans, ten thousand troops would hardly be
a breakfast for them, and we are not sure but
they may overpower them; but the higher order
Of the trading classes, connected with the
moneyed and landed aristocracy, will probably
take sides against the people, and prolong the
contest. This makes us more inclined to believe
that a civil war has broken out in England,
49,. al. L
effected. The next steamer will solve this i'm
portant question.
At all events, the situation of England, at the
last dates, was more important to the affairs OF
the world than any thing that has taken place
w - al. A. 1.