The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-20


colonies the management OF their local Affairs We
gave them virtually the management OF their ovn
constitution. But not only has Parliament estab-
portuDity for the remedy Of great practical eyi.
OF all the instruments Of government that ever
were devised, none, perhaps, stands convicted Of
such invariable and ignomnious failure Is the de-
vice Of nominated Legislative Councils for colo
mics. The very idea on which it was founded was
an absurdity and involved total misconception OF
the real province Of government Government Is
not the cause, but the result OF the social and ma
terial condition. OF the manners, habits, and feel
irgs Of people.
A government in advance of it's subjects Is the
exception, not the rule, and the formation OF GO
verDment is therefore not absolute, but relative
problem-not to be made with reference to abstract
principles or far farfetched analogies, but to the
actual state and condition Of the society to be 90
yerned. The neglect Of this plain and selfevident
Dexm has tormeHted every quarter OF the world
with absurdities and abortions. Because the Eng-
lish people have been found sufficiently reasonable
to be governed by House Of Commons, It has been
inferred that al other nations are At for the Same
government, and the principle has been applied By
theorists, unable to distinguish between what is abs0
ard po.s::cs adaptation, to France, Spain, Pertug,
Greece; and we doubt not there are many phlo.
sophers who at this moment w0fld believe they
wtre forwarding the cause OF enlightenment BY
summonipg a constituent assembly for Russia, or
national convention for Turkey. In the spirit Of
this absurd dogmatsm, it was decreed that British
colonies should have British constitutions, and
Therefore should be accommodated with some insd.
tuition CORES pending to our House Of Lords. We
say this was blunder at the Threshold because tho
pi ohlen really was not how to make constitution
most like that Of England, but constitution most
faithfully representing the elements and relations Of
sSGe'{ y IT. the country for which Il L designed
than these paltry limitations Of England.
The Governor Of the colony who was to nominste
could never be regarded As the fountain Of honor,
and s.hnsnn <E~~n
tion While the colony was kept in state OF tute.
laRe by TIE ColonisI Offlse, tie nominated CounO1
was sure to be an oigarchy which found its inter
ests in embitte,iDg dssensions between the people
odious and bnghting shadow between the Queen
and her subjects. So soon as responsible govern
ment was established, the Legislative Council be.
came . mere tool in the hands Of those who
till it fen into universal and well-merited con-
tempt. 1t Is assumed still, as il was doubtless
assumed when these constitutions were formed,
g well o. ono, and are BY no meana
disposed to dispute the doctrine. The mistake WAS
in creating new and Fictitious insttution in order
TO DO the depository Of conservative doctrines,
Of society. The result was, that the conservative
principle went utterly unrepresen'ed. and was
swamped, together with the absurd body 10 which
it was intrusted. Progress means the last phase
Tho tories Of to-day talk the language Of the
liberals few years ago, and 80 1t has ever been
since opinion began TO advance at all. A nominat-
ed council was sure to represent plenty Of obbeFy
al embody this form Of opinion.
A second elective body, Of more mature age,
chosen from larger districts. changing by onethrA
at time, like our municipal councils and sitting
to combine these requisites The Assembly, elected
simultaneously, would give the last impulse Of tie
popular mnd-the Legislative Council, last but one.
This, however. is not all the advantage An cleo
constitution mongers. and carries with it . respect
and q weight derived from its identii cation with
tho people themselves Whore there Is No ariste-
cracy it is wished to check the heat the violence,
only b done by means Of something real ana suh-
stantive-in other words, In such community 4 =
only y democracy that democracy can b efficiently
The Institution Of second Legislative Council.
instead OF being, as persons Of the mental vision
Of Sir John Pakington suppose, an advance towards
democracy, is really the most conservative step
be taken, and does great honour TO those who have
proposed It. It is not long since the popular lam
ausgc in Canada was, that the Legislative Councd
beik entirely under the control Of the Assembly,
and override is working. The possession of power
has, however, inculcat+d wiser and sounder views,
snd the dominant patty In Canada has felt aaa
recognized the wisdom Of introducing Q check
pom the exubersnce Of its own triumph. Tbs
minister, whose will, If backed by the majority
OF the Assembly, at once becomes law, asks tho
Parliament Of England to enable him to create q
bedy which win check his omnipotence, and give
more slowLess and stability to the action Of tho
machine OF government. This is not only noble
act Of patriotism, but marked tribute to the wis-
dom OF steady and conservative policy; and yot
the only opposition that II meets with Il from .
gentleman who believes himself to DO above a
things conservative, and who opposes tho aboll-
ton Of q sham. and the substitution Of real curb
TO democracy, with all the fervor Of zeaot Twice
has Canada been saved from the clutches Of Sir John
Packington. Last year he would have plunged her
into discord In the name Of religion, and this year
ne would Eerpetuate anarchy in the sincere BELIEF
that II Is servatis. For the credit Of the co.,
servstive patty, i should be recorded that, IN hia
siiorts to ruin the COZ stitution OF Canada. Tia
late Colonial Secretary Of Lord Derby found N
supporter.
MADAME enrsI's FAREWELL TO 7a1 ENGLISH rUgIIo.
r., From the London Times, Aususts.l
Last night Madame 0risi babe farewell - IL
English, public The performances, az was a.
nounced yesterday, contested Of the first Get q
NORMA and the first three acts of the "Huguer
nots" To criticise these would be out Of place =
the whole of her career the great artist and greek
pubic favorite WAs never seen and heard 70 more
advantage. She was transcendant as the D uid
priestets, and transcendant ~ the daughter Of ha
the Hueuenot. 1t was, indeed, hard to believes
well lid she sing, 90 admirably did she act aud @
fully did she seem In possession Of al her re-
fourcee-that this was TO be her very last appear.
aDce on the stage Of her grandest triumphs.
II there could possibly have been doubt thaA
Grisi was the first Of dramatic singer, that doubt
would have been set at rest. In the course Of her
unusually long career she has never been kaown "a
spare herself when il was her duty to satisfy ani
delight the public but in the present Inst moe sho
surpassed all her previous efforts and sft toe au-
dience doubtful whether it could possibly b true
that she was taking leave Of them forever. Tho
act cannot be denied that Crisis attachment 10
be EnglLsh public u as genuine and as sincere q
he attachment Of the English public to herself. ana
hat the moment of parting gave quite as nach
pain to one as to the Otherto the deserving artist.