The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-02
Progress OF the d .eraecratsc Rsvolut,on In
England.


have taken when their incapacity became appa-
rep was to stand to their colors and to refuse to
give way; and that is precisely the course they
have adopted. With all the shortcomings of
the past campaign before the public, with the
countless proofs Of lordly imbecility and igno-
rance staring every one in the face, no change
has been made, no new men have been called to
office, no old ones disgraced, no noblemen have
even been censured The State continues as for
merly to groan under the weight of lordly folly
Lords lead the army to destruction and the
regiments to DEATH Lords starve the English
men who are sent abroad, and display such
helpless sense of uselessness that doubt of their
sanity may be entertained Yet not one word
ofreproach or censure has issued from the gov
eminent The British peers are determined
like Charles the First, to make no concession
to the people. They will defy public senti-
ment, and engross all the first offices in State,
army and church and when their incapacity is
proved they will treat their assailants with
scorn.
This sort of thing can have but one end.
The inquiry into the management of the war
now proceeding before the House of Parla-
ment will not be burked, though the Peers are
trying their best to burke it. 1t viii disclose
the extent to which birth, connections, and
favoritism have degraded the public service
in England, the army especially. Public meet
ings follow in the counties, and every mail may
be expected to bring us news of a mass meet
ing in London to denounce the aristocracy
and to call for an introduction Of the popular
principle into the government. Reform bills
with slow contests at the hustings and inter-
ninable debates in Parliament answer we'll
enough in time of peace when the people can
wait; but in time of war when every day is
costing England over one hundred soldiers,
they may be thought too slow processes.
The wisest cannot tell when or how the ex-
plosion is to take place. But that it must come
soon, no careful student of English history
past or present can doubt. The aristocracy
have served their purpose. They have govern
ed England for one hundred and seventy years,
and during most of this period have not even
had the excitement of a contest with the peo-
pie. Until the excise duties were imposed, and
the Stamp Act was passed, the people of Eng
land submitted without murmur, an argu-
ment, or protest. The great lords ruled the
church, the army, the navy, the colonies, and
breeches pockets, and drove their coachwhees
over the necks of the masses. A brief contest,
until William Pitt was shelved, breaks the mo-
notony of the history; and again, until the
spread of democratic ideas obliged the
mobiles to embark in the foolish war
with France, they reigned uudistnrbed
Forty years Of foreign wars and domestic dis
tress procured like period of tranquility for
the aristocracy-to be terminated by the out
break of the war in worse form than ever.
Two acts in the democratic drama of England
have been played. They were the Reform bill
and the free trade measures. The third is
row commencing. 1t will be the total republi-
canization of the army.
Nor will its effects be confined to Eogland.
In France and on the continent, the effect of
the democratic impulse will also be felt. 1t is
contrary to reason to suppose that while the
British press is breaking down the only bull
waIks of the nobility, and an allied army is
perishing before Sebastopol, the French press
shall not be allowed to speak at all. The EN-
peror will find that the electric telegraph which
upites Dover and Calais is bond of union not
easily to be severed. The French once sent
democracy to England; it may now be the
destiny of Great Britain to reciprocate the gift.
CONGRESS- CLOSING UP.-The last sessi n of
This Congress of spoilsmen, according to the
constitution, closes to morr ow night at twelve
o'clock. The Senate have go agreed, and the
House, we presume, have concurred, or will
concur in this resolution, to save appearances.
On more than one occasion, heretofore, the last
day of the session has run through Saturday
night, and even a considerable margin of
Sabbath morning, amid such scenes Of
disorder, debauchery and corruption as
would disgrace q council of savages Such
scenes should be spared us now, henceforth
and forever, from their demoralizng effects
upon sober and honest men, from the odium
which they cast upon our republican institu-
tions; and because they are libel upon the
character Of the American people. If this ses-
sion should be continued through Saturday
night, till sunrise OF Sunday morning, the
spoilsmen will be very apt not only to fleece
Guthrie, but to skin him alive They are des-
perate, and will be vigilant and, with friend
or two in the sleepy House and Senate, they
may secure, from midnight to sunrise, millions
Of plumber. For the sake of Guthrie, therefore.
we trust the old fogies of the Senate and of the
House will adhere to the resolution and insist
upon it that the session shall close with the
third Of March-Saturday midnight.
The session, until within few days past, has
been fat, stale, and uninterestng The most
important of the bills passed are the French
Spoliation BILL (vetoed,) the Texas Indemnity
bill the Board of Claims bill the Collins Steamer