The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-28

lntnrmsIs, ana irgai Dioodhounds,-the " Paddy
M'kea" system, which has been the oppribrium
at Irish government Colonel Browne, one OF
the heads OF the Irish constabulary, officially re-
sdent at Dublin Castle, has avowed his connec-
ton with an individual whom he employed as a
spy, aud who endeavored o entrap blacksmith
into the manufacture of pixies, which were to be
used hereafter as EVIL ence of the IRRESPONSIBLE de-
signs ct conspiracy. We are glad to see that
the ministerial Times IS shocked by the dsclo-
sure, although its Indignation is vented on the
false position In which the government has been
placed by the "blundering conduct" of its Off
cials |!
With the exception of two interesting but brief
discussions on Monday and Tuesday nights, and
tn coercIve announcements of the government,
the proceedings in Parliament have not been re.
markable Messrs. Gladstone, Cardwell, and
Bright, raised the question OF the navigation
laws, and pointed out the fact that there were
cargoes of cotton lying at Havre, which could
not be brought to this country, because of these
laws. Yet, although government measure on
the throne, ministers were unable to say when it
could be brought in. Discreet Mr. Labouchere
f" fully admitting the hardship, but such was the
.a r. b. back Havrt to Anne
try" AT last, Lord John Russell, feeling that it
was impossible to trifle longer on question Of
such Importance, rose In fit OF desperation, AID
declared tn at before Easter the country would be
put in possession of the intentions OF govern
ment
Mr.. Hindley has given notice that he will,
after Easter, call attention 10 the condition OF
the industrial classes of this country.
The paralysis Of monetary affairs extends itself
and the English funds haze sunk iotcer during
the 'oesk than at any period since the French reuo
luton. There has been also great fail In the
value of all securities In Ireland-the panic fear
of an outbreak causing simultaneous rush to
''sell out" In France, and the continent gene
| rally, commercial affairs are as bad as they can
possibly be; and since the announcement of the
intention OF the provisional government to take
the railroads into their own hands, French rail
way shares have sunk to very low stage In
depreclation.
The invasion of Lombardy by the King of sar
dina raised some conversation in tn. House of
Lords on Monday, the Earl OF Aberdeen affirm
lig the act to be direct violation of express
treaties, and of public law-as of course 1t is
fish Ambassador at Turin had in obedience to
Instructions, repeatedly recommended neutrality
But Charles Albert Is not the man to be diverted
from his objects, With large army, he is ia
sand troops, Was expelled from Milan, by citi-
zens awkwardly handling few hundred rusty
muskets, and who will probably find it hard
task to secure his retreat from Italy An alliance,
between the different Italian States against Aus
trla, ,ohose three centuries of dominion in
Lombardy is no,u brought to final close
Meantime, the provisions government at Milan
is acting with lIberality aud moderation While
we are still begging about admitting Jews to
legislative rights, the M,lanese have invested
them with fu political and civil privileges AL
together, although this Italian movement mus
necessarily recdst the framework of European
nationality, the work of Italian regeneration has
proceeded, as yet, with as much moderation as
enthusiasm.
German nationality occupies the attention of
the Frankfort Congress; and in B. Rim it is
steadily progressing That rnited Diet which
atwelve months ago, was lnaugurated with so
much pompous display, meets, tor The last time,
| preparatory TO that new representative and con-
| .ti of a n
| ow. Prussia Is to have an elective franchise,
| approaching to universal suffrage, a free press
and full freedom of meeting and discussion, in
dependence of judges, and publicity o! judicial
proceedings, equality OF civil and political rights
| all religious persuasions, popular law of cleo
| ton, and various other things, unheard of In
Prussia before. As for Austria, Its future is still
uncertain-there are none to guide it; while the
| Emperor of Russia, although he is gathering
| great army on the frontiers, believes that the
better part of valor is discretion, and announces
ills Intention to preserve strict neutrallty-un-
| less he is meddled with.
From tho Scottish Press1
II we were asked to hit off description of the
British constitution, we should say-"lt is
despotsm of two elective oligarchies." Such
mi ght be our approach to the facts. 1t is des.
pOtism, undoubtedly, Notwithstanding all our af-
ter.dinner pratng about freedom. 1t is des.
potism, for the people are nothing without the
help of the one or the other of the aristocratic
factions. They are cyphers, unless marshalled
by two OF three hundred aristocratic someb,-
dies, the millions of nobodles may become Tor
midable enough to carry reform bill or corn
bill. But without the figures which give them
consequence, they can do nothing, and are no.
thing but shopkeepers and mechanics, to be
taxed and despised. The whig end tory oil
garchies do not include all the members of
The arstocracy, but only the active and COM
bined fractions of the aristocracy-the mem
bers of the permanent leagues among the
rich and titled, whose objects are patronage
and place. Everything, from a chancellorship to
agaugership, from marshal's baton to a police
mans staff, the archbishop's mitre and the bea-
dies hat, any berth with aught OF comfort In it
on earth and Sc !, is in the gift or in the posses
sion of these. factions, the despotic patrons OF
every sweet loaf and every fresh fish provided
by the country for the army, navy, church, law,
police, and public Offices. The rule of the oil
yarchles is despotlc, because it is irresponsible.
The Hanoverians have just wrung from their
Orange king, the Austrlans have just exlorted
from the despot emperor, what is called the re-
sponslbility OF ministers. But the people Of the
three Kingdoms have it not. The British oligar-
chic factions are not responsible to the British
people. They can call each other to account,
but the people cannot call them to account. They
have conventions and compacts OF corruption,
some tacit and some avowed and while these
are kept, they screen each other: and even
when these are surpassed, their interests are
identical against the people. There is scarcely
an act Of bribery, corruption, or venalty, re-
spectlng which the one dare throw stones at the
other, for fear of the frghtful scandals and re-
Voting exposures consequent upon recrlmina-
ton. Despotic, because responsible only to each
other, and because engrossing all the patronage
of the country, they are dcspotic also because
they have the command of the whole of the
physical force OF the country. They officer
The army, navy, yeomanry aud police. Corrup.
ton, bayonets, and irresponslbiliy, make tn
real, practical, everyday constitution OF this
country, a despotism of two oligarchies.
Readers who will acknowledge the truth thus
tar, will, however, exclaim, " bu the despotlc
factions are elective, and the press IS free" 1t
seems so, but it is net So The factions
are not elective. Their power in the House
neither is their power IN the House OF
Commons elective. Their acres are their
votes. Their ten POUND houses are their votes.
Their secret conspiracies, called associations in
the Carlton ana Reform clubs, and in every con-
sftuencX in which they need such helm. not