The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-01
PRICE TWO CENTS.
LORD MACAULAY ON AMERICAN INSTITtT-
TT0NS

letter published in a London paper from for
mer secretary of Lord Macaulay Mr.. William Par
ker Snow, who employed by the historian to
transcribe the first two volumes of the History of
England, shows that another of the friends of the
historian is disposed to deny that the famous letter
to Mr.. Randall, on American institutions, was
fair expression of his opinions. Mr. Snow says:
al do not mean to imply that the letter is not
genuine; but this can safely say, that, whatever
IN 1857 may have been the opinions of his lordshp
on American institutions, in 1850 they not
those expressed in that letter. At least | know
that to me he ve'utterance to sentiments some
what different; and the reason of it was this: In
1901 had been year in the United States, hav-
ing previously had the great pleasure of much
close communication with his lordship, while en-
gagged by him to transcribe and re-write the two
first volumes of his History of England His mi
form Kindness, his enlarged and comprehensive
mind, and his far-seeing Judgment, always led me
to submit my own humble writings to his criticism
and friendly suggestions. During my STAY in Amer
lea had collected materials for a two-volume
work on the social and political character of our
transatlantic brethren. | have the manuscript
still by me, and partly the reason it was
never published was owing to what
his lordshp said to me about it, Liber-
al and Just as then thought my views to be,
found that they were less in reference to Amer
lea and her institutions than his greater experience
and wisdom pointed out to me they shouid he
W ell do remember almost his very words in refer
ence to the United States, and the mighty future in
store for that Republic Even as strongly recall
to mind his remarks when on the day of the French
Revolution in lS4S, on coming from the couneI he
gave me the first tidings of that event In both
cases he seemed to to have the clearest and most
truly liberal views. He struck me as being sin
cere friend OF the people, and certainly not at all
such as the letter to Mr.. Randall would imnly-
That he may have altered his opinions on those
points since 1850, is very possible, though, from
some observations he made to me in 1857, should
have thought not; but esteeming, as do the mem
ory OF one whom look upon as indeed great and
good man, have ventured upon these remarks
from feeling of respect to his name, and desire
10 snow that, certainly at one time, Lord Macaulay
was, at heart iervent advocate of the rights of
tue people. might add that during the months |
was engaged upon his great work | had numerous
opportunities ior closely seeing into and under
standing his wonderful mind, even more So parbans
than many others had-and could give several in
stances In confirmation of what have here writ
ten; but need say more at present excent thic
The style of the letter to Mr. Randall is partv such
as belongs to Lord Macauay and partly not Hence
infer that it may have been written hastily, or
under that illness from which he was recovering
Just about the time it.was dated"
The London Times in an editorial on the Randall
letter, endorses the views therein expressed, and
goes even further, as shown by the following ex-
tract from the article in question:
''The evils of the American government do not,
unfortunately, require hundred years to ripen-
lhey are even now fast growing to maturity. Long
before New England shall have become as popu-
lous as Old England long before the ruling power
IN the State shall find itself in the condition of
wanting meal and be driven by indigence to
punder, there is reason to fear that the nstitu-
tons OF America will have run their destined ca
reer, and been superseded by something more spe-
cious and perhaps far less toerable than they are
We do not speak of electoral corruption and intim-
ldatlon; we know by experience that corruption and
intimidation are disorders which, though disgracing
| and enteebling, are not mortal; but we do not
| speak of the trightfuly increasing corruption and
venality of the Executives and Legislatures of the
different States, of the tyranny of the majority,
| which tramples not only on the minority but on
the law ITSELF of the contempt into which the Judi
cal office, held for short periods and elected by
very low franchise, has falen and of the utter dis
trust which the nation itself feels of the ability of
its institutions to answer the end and objects of
| civilized gOvernmen.-the security of property,
the protection of individual liberty and the pure
and upright administration of the public revenue
| The danger that most nearly besets America is
that those institutions which the fathers of the pre-
feet and praised with an ardor corresponding to
their belief the children of the present generation
of Americans should learn to dislike and despise
that the principle Of authority and the veneration
| for law should be destroyed, and no curb should
remain strong enough to rein in the headong
| course of democratic passion"
The Times concludes by moralizing on the mex
! pediency of reducing the franchise in England tc
such level will place the governing power in
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