Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-21
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
FROM OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, SEPTEMBER 27, ls4s

considered II Will be admitted, We think, tnal the
principal hindrance to the repose of Europe is the
condition of the mass of the people, and the feel
ngs entertained by them that they are not, and per-
haps never have been, properly considered and
cared for; that no existing European Government
has been framed or executed with view 10 their
interests and well-beng and that they are not SUI
fcienty regarded projected in any OF the changes
which are contemplated.
1t is probably only within the last half century
that the bulk of the people have turned their aten-
ton 10 this subject. Ii is only, as il We're, yester
day that the mass of mankind discovered they had
any political rights, and entitled TO full All enjoy
ment of the comforts and pleasures of life as the
wealthy, the high.born, and the titled few.
Education has done much towards teaching the
natural equality of man, and it will be education
that, in the end, will establish that equality.
We are not preaching up communism or agra
riansm, or any other wild doctrine of the day, but
We are intoxicating the great doctrines taught by the
constitution of the United States-doctrines which
cannot be carried out under existing circumstances
in any country in Europe, but which the tendency
of the age the Improvements in moral and political
philosophy and sound knowledge, and the firm but
temperate demands of the people, will gradually
lead to the adoption of throughout middle and
Southern Europe. These doctrines and opinions
will be adopted as the foundation of Government
rapidly, and jus, in such proportions as people are
capable of receiving and profting by their adoption
The when IS .i.S Pcupla Of thesc sections of Eu-
rope are in a transition state perhaps they are
anxious for greater and more sudden change than
they are capable Of sustaining, than the condition
Of the respective countries will allow them to par
ticipate in. No doubt they wish to possess as
much political liberty and enjoy as much political
power as they can acquire. Ii is the business of
statesmen and men in power to ascertain as cor
al L. L
trusted with, how much they are fit for, and can
sustain. The settlement of this question between
Lawmakers and the people, for whose benefit al
Jaws ought 10 be made, is the great business Of
Councils, Assemblies, and Parliaments. Until this
question is settled Europe will be unquiet; France
and Germany without tranquility, and the world at
large restless and feversh. There is, however, one
great good which arises from This universal pertur-
baton the various Nations and Potentates and
Ministers have each so much to do home that they
cannot if they would, interfere with their neigh
bors. The dread of civil war or intestine commo-
ton prevents the chance of international war; it
may be truly said that !" ali Europe's dscord keeps
all Europe'S peace"
What are the principal subjects which at present
engross tie attention of Europe! Are they not the
debates in the French Convention upon the new
constitution of France the deliberations at Frank
fort respecting the constitution of United Germany;
the proceedings at Vienna and Berlin in relation to
Austria and Prussia: and the condition of Ireland
In all these cases does not the chief difficulty arise
from the people demanding greater privileges and
powers than they have hitherto enjoyed!
The war between Denmark and Prussia and that
between Austria and Sardinia, have both been sus-
pended by armistice and there are hopes that hey
will ultimately be terminated by the mediation of
friendly Powers, In neither of these cases did the
Io,, IT,. - 4
rilege should be accorded 10 the people, but merely
rho should be their political head
In France, The great disturbing difficulty has
been the rights OF labor" or, in other words the
right of every man, who has the labor Of his
hands 10 dispose of and canIut find ali individual
purchaser, TO call upon the Government to become
the purchaser. The common-sense view of this
matter appears to be, that labor like every other
commodity, must rise and fall in value according 10
the demand for it. If the supply be larger than the
demand, as is pretty much the all over Europe,
its value must be proportionally deprecated. And
if there be no demand for it, it can no more be
forced on the market than superabundant crop of
corn coffee, cotton can. If an individual cannot
sell these things in the market, has he right to de-
mand that the Government should purchase them
He certainly has good right to do So as the
laborer has to insist that the Government should
purchase his labor. There is no doubt that every
individual has right to the food that is necessary
for his existence, and this The society of which he
Is member must supply him with, if he cannot
procure II for himself In all society such provi-
sion is made for the destitute, and il is tax which
all societies must bear. But to tax community
with the purchase Of labor which is not wanted is
great injustice to all parties 1t places the aborer
in false position, and increases the public burdens
unnecessarily. The French National Convention
came TO this conclusion when it refused, bv a vote
OF 596 against lS7, I" to guaranty to each citizen,
by the constitution, assistance 20 labor"
Nearly all the difficulty which has occurred in
France since the revolution has arisen from this
labor question, and the use which has been made of
it by demagogues and enthusiasts. LAmARrrSE's
exertions we're; if not parllyzed very much weak
ened by its operation and General CAyAIcNAc has
found the chief difficulties Of his position in the
same quarter.
In England, where there is very large proper
tion OF the poor who would labor for their subsis-
tence if they could find purchaser for their labor
the poor are maintained by the operation Of the
poor laws. Here the right Of support is not ques-
toned the right of labor, in the French accepta-
ton OF the phrase, has not yet been asserted The
following statement is connected with this subject
At shows how rapidly and aarmingly pauperism Is
increasing in England
Expenditure No. ofpaupers Proportion of the