New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-13
THE BRITISH DEMOCRACY.

their aristocracy so hard, is an Apostle occasion
TO inquire into the temper and attitude as regards
public affairs OF the British working class, the
true Democracy of the nation. Ii We cast
glance over the lists of political conflict at the
present urgent crisis Of events, we shall behold
there the middle class as apparently the only body
alive to the necessities of the occasion. The
sristocracy are occupiedin intrigues abou: Minis
terial combinations, 10 cutting off the rations of
ne xspaper correspondents and abusing the SRI
bald press" in muttering aspirations for an i'm
possible strong Government, or in depOring The
falling prestige of representative institutions
The working class, entirely without political aei-
tstion of their own, have, to all appearance, Sc
ceded from the field of public life, and seen more
iDtently absorbed in matters theological than in
alters political. While the British Empire is
said to be totterng at the climax of its greatness
the British working class are engaged 10 listening
70 public discussions aud debating in their assoc
oistons upon historical and moral questions. A.
fret sight this appears a strange faulty, but
short retrospect of the political career of the
working class will suffice TO solve the seeming
paradox of their present attitude.
The Cbartist agitation, which began 10 1888,
was the first appearance of the British working
class, as an Independent body upon the field OF
national affairs. IL was movemen. for purely
political objects, and was not couutenanced by
the middle. class. From the hands of Loyett and
the moral.force men who started 1t, this move
ment degeherated into the hands of Feargus
OCOnDor and the physical force men, who killed
it. Its practical results were few riots and
house breakings. Running parallel with the uu-
successful Chsrtist movement, was successful
movement Of the middle class for the repeal o.
the Corn Laws-successful, in spite of great
deal of opposition from the Chartists aud their
leaders. That the result was beneficial was
universally admitted by the working as soon
as it was obtained, and they generally came
to believe that OConnor had misled them
The contrast of their own political agtta-
ton, carried on independently of the middle-class
with the successful commercial revolution car
red out by the latter class, though in spite OF
their opposition, was the first lesson of political
experience which the working class learned, and
things-frst, that they were not strong enough,
unaided, TO achieve their own separate ends;
and secondly, it taught them to subordinate mere
political reforms-the mesns-tO the great ends
of social and economical ameliOratOn. Parlis-
mept next gave them the Act liu ting the hours
of labor TO ten, and this act won tor and by
the Factory population, assisted by public opin-
-, ~. oh Of vartin anis 1.,rin
thrown sway upon the Charter. This enforced a
similar lesson-to appeal temporarily to public
opinion for the ends, and not TO sickle about toe
means.
The year 1918 and the French Revolution
came, and it's first effect was to revive the en-
bers of Chartism; the miidle-slass rose up by
thousands and again pronounced their repug-
nance to the " FIVE points" The single demon
strsiion of the 10th April sufficed to put an end
to it, since then the Chartists themselves have
said, "Chartism ia dead;" for with the Regolu-
ton came two phenomena, Universal Suffrage for
the French People, snd Socialism The leaders
of the British Democracy WATCHED the progress
of events there with intense interest. 1t is no.
too much to say that Universal Suffrage disap-
pointed the expectations of those who had looked
upon as the certain means Of assuring the speedy
redemption of the working class. Tle irst
French Constituent Assembly of lei9, the issue
of Universal Suffrage, refused to appoin! Min
lister OF Labor, and secuted all such ideas as the
guaranteed right 70 labor, aud the organization,
OF rather reorganization OF industry. Here was
smother proof TO tbs British Democracy Of the
barerness OF political changes in themselves,
and attentive listeners in Britain heard the voice
of the French Socialist leaders proclaiming that
political power was Of little or no real value to
the masses when unaccompanied by an assured
subsistence, leisure and lnowledge-in a word,
by Social power. The Charter paled ia ineffec.
tual FIRE before the gorgeous humanitarian doc
trines OF the Socialists, and complete diversion
in favor of phy,ical, economical and moral al.
vsncement was operated in the mini Of the Brit
ish Democracy.
Such are the ideas, temper and policy that in
cucated by their own special experience, aud by
events in France, have held firm possession of the
British Democracy since ls49.