The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-07-29

Agitation about Scottish Nationality.

While all England is engrosscd by the war
with Russia ON agitation has begun within her
own borders, which, though as yet almost ig-
4ored by the public press is destined to pro-
duce great and permanent results. We alludc
to the formation of National Association in
Edinburgh, lor the vindication ofScottish rights.
The union of Scotland with England, con-
summatcd in 1907, though comforting many
benefits on the smaller of the two Kingdoms.
Laced it under some serious disadvantages
The principal of these was, that by transferring
the meetings of Parliament to London the gov.
ernment came to be administered too exclusive
~ with reference to English interests. This
evil was further increased BY the comparatively
small proportion which the Scottish members
bore to the English ones by the preiudiccs in
England against Scotland, and by the inferiority
OF the Inter in wealth and consequent inAI-
ence. ~ -"
We select two examples out ofmany to show
the injustice under which Scotland suffers Scot
land sends to the House of Commons SO mem
bers, OF whom 80 are for the counties and 20
for the towns. Now, if Scotland was repre-
sented according to her population, as fully as
England, she would have SO members, or if
taxation was made the basis of representation,
she ought to have 49, Again, the revenue of
Scotland for 1852 was about thirty-one million
dollars of which only about two millions was
expended in Scotland, leaving twenty nine mil.
lions transmitted to England to be spent on i'm
purposes.
The revenue of Ireland, for the same year.
was twenty millions, of Which moro than nine
teen millions was expended in Ireland These
crying evils have ut last attracted the attention
OF the Scottish people, who have begun in con-
sequence, without distinction of party, to aei-
tate for reform. A society hls been formed,
an address issued, and preparations made for a
general league. When we consider that Ali
son. the historian, Lord Eginton, and other
Leading tories, have united with the most influ.
entlal of the Scottish wings in inaugurating
tins movement, we may safely pronounce O. that
the agitation will neither be short lived nor in.
effectual. =.
Some of the more thorough Scotch patriots,
according to tho North British Review, will not
be satisfied, however, merely with a reform in
the evils We have described. They consider
that this would only afford temporary relief
They wish to correct the cause of these disor-
ders and for this purpose demand tho creation
of local legislatures with an Imperial Parlia-
ment over all, on a plan. similar to tho State
Assemblies and Congress Of this Republic. We
have no doubt that such change would be the
best for all concerned. Nor, improbable as it
now seems, is this radical reform altogether
visionary. Relieving, Us we do that the feder-
ntivo system is the perfection of existing poiti-
cal science, We cannot but think that all gov
ernments, Incorporation US they approach the
excellence, will culminate towards it. Mean
time we shall keep an eye to the Scottish move
ment, which has in it, if We do not err the
seeds of mighty chaugcs.-Phia. Ledger.