The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-17

poorest paid curate, the notion IL, that all clerQv
men are and must be essentially gentlemen. When
Moses was informed that young men were pro-
phesyIug IN the camp, he exclaimed, "WOud that
all the Lod's eople were proPhets!' In a similar
spirit we might wish that all our working classes
were gentlemen-not above their station, for that
Is only the characteristic of those who are ex.
pressvely termed snobs-but gentlemen in feeling,
IN consid ratenes in Difference to one another,
and In cool, quiet courage But that 10 not the
matter we are now discussing. We are simply
pointing out how, owing to the arstocratical con
stitution of this country, that the government of
this country is framed on the principle, that both
tact not at all affected by the instances of IN
dividuas who have climbed their way from the
humblest to the highest ranks, and leaped the
fences of parliament, and even of the peerage.
This practical ignoring OF the working classes in
the business OF government is manifest in Parlia-
ment Civil list, official salaries, diplom attic SER
vices, army and navy, are all framed with due aud
adequate regard to noblemen and gentlemen.
Practically, working man is deemed by nature
utterly unfit, even if self taught, to take desk in
Downing street, 10 go as an ambassador to Vienna
or Madrid, or to NEEDLE with the not very recon
dite business of government. The very idea is
considered most outrageously laughable one.
Even mddle-class men are reluctantly admitted
and only when their services are deemed useful
The whole notion OF government practically shuts
out the idea of working man and, consequently,
the general scale ot government expenditure
puts out OF view the facl, that millions who con-
tribute the taxes have only a scanty daily or week.
lyMttance
ignored, the middle classes are not much better
OIL They have, of course, more influence In the
election of members of Parliament; and they can
make themselves better heard within its walls
But their position is, in many respects, cruel and
awkward. On one side of them are the continual
" increasing working classes, augmenng in
numbers, and becoming, year by year, more tho
roughly discontentcd with the framework of go
veIDment, and their own practical exclusion from
political power. On the other side are the aristo-
cratic classes, who regard the business of govern
ment as theirs by inheritance and right and who
look to the middle classes to sustain them IN Its
possession. The middle classes are between the
uppera and neither mill-stones and though, for the
sake of peace and order, they would at once join
with the upper classes, # any attempt were made
to disturb public tranquility, they have no security
that they will not be required to become the stand
ing militia of the upper classes, permanently en-
rolled, and perpetuay encamped, IN the very midst
of what is deemed social security.
Here, then, is our actual position. The great
bulk of the working classes thoroughly dissat SIZED
with their practical exclusion from political power,
and determined to acquire 1t, by some means or
other. The great bulk of the middle classes,
called on to oicate as the special conservators OF
peace, against the working classes although salts
fled that large portion of the complaints of these
listened to in reason. The great bulk of the aris-
tOcracy looking to political power and government
as their exclusive possession, willing to concede
small reforms, If small reforms would quiet the
people, but unable or unwilling to do anything that
would adapt taxation and expenditure to the neces
sit es of heavily burdened commercial country.
Can we go with such a state of things!
1t is impossible: A change must come; and he
is the true conservatism who manfully anticipates 1t.
The new reform movement seeks to dsarm char
tism, by comprehensive enlargement of the fran
chse: to release the middle classes from perpetual
uneasiness, by the removal of political discomfort;
and to teach the upper classes that there is way
of governing this country, by which public credit
will be kept, and the dignity of the. crown be I'M
penditure. These great objects; there are more
to be more enumerated; but they may be summed
up IN the words-efficient, good. cheap govern
shall have direct control To this object tends the
motion of Mr.. Hume; it is the first step in the new
reform movement; and we have excellent reason
for believing that 1t will be followed by many
more, If many more are necessary, to conduct to
the great realisation we have In view.