Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-07
vARlEIY.
VVhe q q Govern Euglamd.

This is question which at the last advi-
ces from Great Britain remained unanswcr-
ed, and with little prospect Of satisfactory
answer al hand. Il is indeed question Of
singular import. Considered as a monar
my, England would have a hereditary ru-
: Ter and the question as to who should gov
orn her would not have TO be asked. But
England, a monarchy in name, is not SO in
fact. The government that rules her must
represent the interests and the opinions Of
classes, and twill be powerful orpowcrless
according to the fidelity and the hrmncss
Of such representation.
1t is too late in the day to be mislcd by
names The great empire of England Is
passing through a crisis at which the world
may look---for il challenges universal at
teniion. Who is to govern England
We are not particularly concerned in the
onestion--not more than others. Yet it is
a question in which all civilized nations
have an interest. Lord John Russell, we
are told; has resumed thc-rcins Of govern
ment-5ut with no expectation on his part
or on the part Of others that the resumption
will be permanent. We cannot but admire
the manliness Of Lord Stanley, who, when
called upon to form a new administration,
declined to take any hand in the business
under circumstances which afforded no
warran, for the prevalence of principles to
which he was devoted. There is some
thing noble in British craftsmanship of the
better kind. whatever may be the abuses
OF their system. We have our popular
elections and men 60 into power or stay
out according to the accidents or to the
choice Of such events. The best men in
the republic generally remain at home
and their influence is felt in its conservative
power. The rulers are kept in order--or
at least they are prevented from doing the
full amount Of mischief to which their po-
litical procliviiies would hurry them. The
true governing power in this country does
not reside in Congress or in the Executive;
il abides with the common sense Of the pco-
pie; it is associated with the general inter-
csts Of the whole community, which, if dis
regarded one year, will be duly considered
the next year, it is blended with that in
stinct ofjusiice and Of right which is the
mark and the guaranty of our faculty as a
self-Soverning people
Toour English progenitors we can look,
quietly, yet not without interest. Wchave
passed through the critical points of our
own experiment; and save little trouble
Of a sectional kind which makes the body
polite somewhat fcverish, there is nothing
TO obstruct our onward course to greatness
and. glory. Kings and mobiles are terms
unknown to our political vocabulary. II
we have them under other designations,
they must arise by their own merits and
be freely accepted, and their influence will
remain so long as they are useful and no
longer If we have not the benefit Of the
great experience Of England in political
matters, IT is yet a matter of consolation
that having learned less we have less to
unlcain. Who is 10 gore,a Eagland2 Let
her answer that question. Problems which
never trouble us are of vital concern to her.
This Republic got along very well under
John Tyler and under Mr.. Polk. Our
Presidents may do us great deal of good
but ii is a fortunate thing that they can
not do us great deal of harm. Butwhen
England requires to be governed, it is a
serious business with her, and to FIJI the
plnce of Lord John Russell may be as diff.
ficult as il would be TO keep him in it
Bah. fMeyfcdR.