Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-05
RICHMOND WHIG.
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
MACAULAYS OPINION OF THE UNITED STATE>


GOV ERNMENI.
The published writings of the late Lord Mtcaully,
though they treat so largely of political science and
tain many direct incidental expressions OF their a-
thors estimate of other governments besides his own,
nowhere gives his views with any tuness, OF the demo-
cratic institutions of our own country Indeed, do
not call 10 mind remark alusiOn on this subject
which sufficient TO indicate the general complex
ion of opinions which the American people were prepar
ed receive with unusual degree OF attention from
writer popular among themselves. There can be no
doubt that Lord Macauay History Of Engand has been
read and admired vastly greater number OF persons
speaking the English tongue, this Than on his own
side Of the Atlantic.
This omission in his writings if so it may be called
will no longer exist The following letter which We have
have been permitted to present to the American people,
ia the pages OF the Messenger, fills up that chasm. 1t
belongs occasional correspondence of some years
standing, between Lord saclulay, and the Hon Henry
S. Randall of New lork, author Of the Life of Jeler-
son. None of these letters made to the least de-
gree confidential at the tine of their writing. Lord Ma
caulay free and voluntary in their tone implied no wish
for secrecy. This being the case literary friends OF Mr.
Randall very properly urged after death bad removed
the eminent historian that the world was entitled to the
deliberate opinions not known to be elsewhere express
ed of man so gifted so deeply verSed in the teachings
OF history and unquesiOnably honest and untruck-
ing on question Of momentous Importance to the hu-
man race.
The sutioned letter exhibits most Enthusiastically,
not only the style of It's author but several OF his marked
and persistent peculiarteS OF mind his sturdy adhe-
renee to the dOgmas and traditions ola party in England
which is more intensely arisocrac and which has learn
ed to be ntoerent towards the United States than
even the Tony party; has ingrained love of paradox,
combined with genuine English "pluck" which so often
prompted him aSSai adopt damaging conclusions,
on at least doubtful testimony, respecting such worlds
fayortes as Agenon Sidney and William Penn, while
he put in ingenious eNteauaung please for the undena-
ble crimes and in ameworkS of glowing and capti
waiting rhetoric the brilliant achievements of such moral
monsters as Hastings and Give and finally, the unhesi-
tatug and periecy sereant dogmatism which perhaps
never left him in ultimate doubt concerning anything in
the past the present the ture-and which led for
mer colleague in the British Cabinet humorously to say
of him. that he wished he knew one single thing as
confidently Macauay knew everything
TO HENRY :. RANDALL ESQ, &C, 1c.
Holly LouGE, Keusingou, London,
May %, 1851
Dear Sir;
You are surprised to learn that have not high opiu
ion of Mr. jefferson and am little surprised at your
surprise am certain that never wrote 4 lue, and
that never in Parliament in conversation, or even on
the husng-a place where is the fashion TO court the
pOpulace- ord indicating au opinion that the
supreme authority in State ought to be entrusted TO
the majority of citizens told by the head in other words
20 the poorest and most ignorant part OF society have
lone been convinced that institutions purely democratic
must, sooner or later destroy liberty, civilization, or
both.
In Europe where the population is dense the effect Of
sucb institutions would be almost instantaneous What
happened lately in France is example Iu 1913, pure
Democracy was established there During short time
there was reason to expect general spoation, ma
uoual bankruptcy, new partition oil the SOIL maxi
mum Of prices, TUiuous load OF taxation laid on the
Ich for tue purpose Of supporting the poor N idenes
Such system would in twenty years have made France
apoor and barbarOuS tie France OF the Carovngans
Happily the danger was ayer,ed; and there i, des
po,sm, silent tribune, an ensayed press Liberty is
gone; but civilization has been saved. have not the
smallest doubt that if we had purely Democratic 60
verlment here the effect would be the Either the
poor would plunder the rich, and civilization would
perish or order and property would be saved by strong
military government and liberty would perish.
You NAV think that your country enjoys an eNemp-
non rom these eyIIs. will frankly own TO YOU that
am of a very J.fercat opinion. our fate believe 20
be certain though il is deferred by physical cause. As
long as YOU have bOuudess extent OF fertile and I'M
occupied land Your aborng population will be far
at ease than aborng population of the old world;
and while that is the ease, the Jeiersonan pohy may
continue to exist without causing any fatal calamity
But the time will come when New England will be AS
thicky pcoped Old England. Wages will be as low,
and will Hucluate as much with you as with as. Oh
will have your Manche,'ers and Birmnghams and, in
those Mauchesers and Brmmlhams hundreds OF thOus-
auds OF artisans will assCTedly be sometimes out OF
work Then institutions will be fairly brought TO
the test Distress everywhere makes the abOrer mutt
nous and Disconnected and inciueS him 10 listen with
eagerness TO agitajors who tell him that l. monstrous
niuuty that one should have million while anoth-
er cannot get full meal. In bad wears there Is plen-
" Of grrmbing here and sometimes little rotlng.
But il matters little. For here the sufferers are not the
rulers The supreme power is IN the hands OF class,
numerous indeed but select OF educated class, of
class which is and knows itself 10 be, deeply interested
i'm the security OF property and the maintenance OF order
Accordingly the macOntens are firmly, vet gently, re-
strained The bad time not got over without rob0ng the
wealthy 10 relieve the INDECENT The springs OF national
bpu a i
wages rise; and all il tranquility and cheeriulneSs. |
have seen England pass three four times through such
critical seasons haye.described Through such sea
sons the United States will have pass in the Of
the next century, if not in this. How will you pass
through them heartily wish you good delverance.
But nv reason and my wishes at war and cannot
help oreboding the worst 1t is quite plain that your
government will never be able to restrain distressed
and discontened majority. For with you the majority
is the government aud has the rch who are always
minority. absolutely at its mercy. The day will come
when in the State of New iork multitude Of people,
none of whom has had more than half breakfast,
expects TO have than halt dinner will choose
legislature Is il possible to doubt what sort OF egsa
ture will be chosen On one side IS statesman preach
Ing patience respect for vested rights strict observance
of public faith. On the other is a deFagogge anting
about the tyranny of capitalists and usurers and asking
why ANYBODY should be permitted TO drink champagne
and 70 ride a carriage while thousands OF honest folks
are in want of necessare Which of the two candidates
his children cry iGr more bread seriously apprehend
that YOU will in some such season OF adveFsIS have
described do things which will prevent prosperity from
returning that you will like people who should, in
wear Of scarcity deyour all the seed and thus make
the next year yeeF, MOI o! scarcity, but Of absolute
famine There will be, ! fear, spoiiatipR The spola-
ton will increase the distress The distress Will produce
fresh spolatiOn There is nothing 10 stop you. Your
Constitution is all sail aud anchor As said before,
when society has catered Oh this downward progress,
either civilization or liberty must perish. Either some
Cesar or Napoleon will seize the rens of government
with strong hand; your republic viii be as eartuly
p.undered and laid waste by barbarans in the twentieth
century as the Roman Empire in the flth;-with
this difference that the Huns and Vandas who ravaged
the Roman Empire, cSme from without, and that your
Huns and Vandas will have been engendered within
your own country by your own institutions.
Thinking thus of course, | cannot reckon Jefferson
among the beneiactors of mankind | readily admit
that bis intentions were good and his abilities considera
BILE Odous stories have been circulated about his pri
vate life but DO know what evidence those sto
res rest and think it probable that they are false, or
monstrousy exaggerated. l have no doubt that |
shall derive both pleasure and information from your
count Of him.
have the honor TO be, dear sir,
Your faithful servant
T. .B. MACAULAY.
srKrEnrV.SIyrVu CONGAs ESS.,RIyat ScSsion