Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-05-01
Tne ErgI1shand American governments Compa red.

The EngIishand American Governments Compared
The London Times runs parallel between the
Government OF England and that OF The United States
very favorable TO the former, which is far more spe
cious than solid The conclusion is very self COM
placent as to the superior benefits OF the British
scheme of polity over the American, as more under
the influence OF the popular element in reality, al
though less so apparently. The quadrennial election
of the United States Executive, ii is argued by the
Times, renders the tendure of power less within the
n1ue nee of the popular voice, than where, as in
England, the Government may be totally changed on
the vote of the House of Commons, at any moment
in which on division, the Ministry are left in
minority.
This is superficial view of the subject. In Eng
land the Executive initiates the measures which are
10 be approved by the people in the United States
they the effect of such approval or acquiesence-
An English Minister my originate foreign war,
although he NAV not be able to conduct it unless the
supplies are voted by the House CT Commons The
present wal with the Chinese is an example The
begun, national honor requires that it should be
conducted to a satisfactory conclusion. In the Uni
ted States no war can be declared unless it have the
previous sanction of the representatives OF the people
In England peace may be concluded by the nat OF the
Minister. The national honor again requires, per-
haps, that ii should receive The POPULAR sanction
In the United States not only is the agency of the
Senate required, to make treaty OF pace, or any
other treaty, but that of the House of Representa-
tives perfect the conditions if they involve an ap
preparation of money. British Minister may be
driven from power, but how does this redress the
evil of ineXpedien unconstitutional measures =
If the Minister dissolves the Parliament and appeals
TO the people, at present. how docs the mere fact
of being left in minority in the House of Commons
operate TO change the government simply by the
agency of division
The leg al duration of Parliament is seven years -
An appeal to the popular constituencies may become
indispensable several times within this PERIOD giving
| To
if there is any advant ige in such appeals they
not with government that in promising superior
stability may give rise TO some of The worst excuses
OF democracy. The necessity of such appeals has its
source in unchecked power in the earlier stages If
Lord Palmerson could have appealed to the voice of
a House of Commons that fully reflected hefpopular
opinion, there would have been necessity for
dissolution OF Parliament and if the initiative of
was with the British people, the question of Chinese
hOsties would have been decided on its own merits
and not complicated with that of the national digni.
ty and honour.
1t IS tallacy then to suppose that because our
government is sub ec to change at stated periods. it
is less under popular influence than the British sys.
tenn, by which an unpopular ministry may be left in
minority. In the United States all the external ap.
planes which may and do give impulse and direc-
ton to public policy in ncessant activity, to en-
Tighten and admonish the government before they
| originate measures. The press-publc meetings
the resolves of separate legisatures-all the means
which are capable of political combnation-are felt
in their united ressure before and not after the poll
cy of which they are the guide and informing spirit,
is adopted 1t is well for the guidance of the Ex
ecutive as Congress that these andicia to public opn
i.n show themselves. The duration of Executive
power is of no weight, therefore, in resolving this
question. The true issue is tie facility and cOnstan-
cy with which popular opinion, through its dvers
lied modes OF expression, may be brought to bear
with uniform effect on those who administer the gov
| eminent.
THE WAY TO RAISE A CoLLECTIoN.-The Birming-
ham Journal tells the following story OF the Rev. w.
Bennett, Of that town, deceased:
Upon of the occasions when o collection was
to be made, which, by the way, was operation
very frequently performed, he gave out hymn, and
said, during the singing of this hymn Our friends
will make collection, at Which announcement
raj of the audience, is usual began to leave their
seats, When he said, in sly, confident tone. You
need not leave your seats, for you cannot get out
til the collection is over the doors locked
The hymn was sung, the collection made, and the
money summed up. A fter being informed nf it's
amount, he slowly rose in the pulpit, and said: My
friends. the collection amounts TO the of G23 It's
sd, making the e2s emphatic say the collection
amounts to 923 lis Sd making the shlnGs
emphatic Now say there is some mistake; the col
lection has been made with too much haste, and
one has been missed Go round again, and do it care
fully and deliberately, said be- addressing the collec
tors; 1--WE will sing two hymns this time, that we
need not hurry. The hymns were sung, and the COL
sctons summed up. Ah said he, was sure some
one lad been mssed it now amounts to 934 eds 1145
The widows mite is there it not there before
Then turning to the collectors, he said And there
came a certain poor widow, AMI she threw in two
mites, which make farthing; and he called unto
him his disciples, and said unto then, Verily, say
unto you, that this poor widow has in more than
all they which have cast into the treasury, for all the
did cast of their alb ndance; but she of her want
did cast in all that she had, even all her living. do
desire that in future you never miss the widow, for
though the amount may not be profitable; it is the
spirit that sanciReth,
The National Hotel Disease.