The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-07
Universal Suffrage and an U"baia need
DemocrAcy-Mr. Everett's ItSply to Earl

Universal Suffrage and an Tnbala need
DemocrAcy-Mr.E verett's ItSply to Earl
Grey.
In April last Earl Grey, standing in his place
on the floor Of the British House Of Lords,
gravely announced TO the world that the expe
rmcnt of self government in the United States
had proved failure, because the checks estab
lished by Washington and his contemporaries
on an unbalanced democracy had been swept
away BY the action Of universal suffrage.
Ii was meet that the reply to this authorita-
tive cnunciation Of a grave and uniounded
charge against these United States should go
forth to the world from one Of the successors Of
"the Cradle of Iibe,ty"-Fancuil Hall-now too
small to contain the descendant thousands from
tie few hundreds that, in the infant days of the
republic were wont TO listen TO the voice of
patriotism within its sacred walls-and beneath
the shadow Of Bunker Hill, on the glorious an
niversary Of American independence. Edward
Everett, the orator Of The day, then and there
replied to the British noblemsn in a speech -
printed elsewhere in our columns to day
which does bin high honor FIVE were to seek
f3r one of the triumphant defence, Of the prin-
cplc Of universal suffrage in America omitted
by the eloquent orator. We nigh. find it in the
fact that such a man a. himself has been brought
forward spontaneously, after eighty years Of
practice under the principle, as q candidate for
one Of the highest oficcs in the gift Of the
people.
Declining TO give the discussion the character
Of recriminatiou, for which there was ample
and abundant room in the parallel period OF
English history since l776 Mr.. Everett has
brought TO his task truth, research, vigor in
argument, eloquence in expression. and scho
larly taste in the arrangement Of his subject
matter. He compares the colonial era Of our
history with our era Of self government.
advanced. from five to thirty-twc millions of
people. He recalls the fact that during this
period we have had to explore con-
tincni, to open mighty rivers and lakes.
to drive back the forests for thousands
of miles, and wi thai TO subdue the savage in
beast and human kind. He reminds the world
that during this short period twenty sovereign
States have been founded many great cities
have sprung up, rivers ana lakes nave been
peopled with innumerabe steamers and other
water craft and thousands upon thousands of
miles Of railroad and electric telegraph have
been spread, where. within the memory Of liv-
Ing men. the savage once burned his captive at
the stake within the gloomy shades Of dense
wilderness. And he rightfully claims that this
rough and mighty work could not have-as II
has not-been performed with the order and
beauty Of communities which have been mstur-
ing for centuries, amid scenes inhabited by man
for moro than a thousand years.
Passing from the contemplation of this labor
of giants. he rapidly recounts the progress We
have made during the very infancy OF our poll
teal existence in the higher branches Of gene
rous civilization. Our triumphs in the mechanic
arts are atte-tcd by the names Of Fulton,
Morse. Hoe, Mccormick, Hobbs, Steers and
the thousand and one productions OF our inven-
tive genius, which propel The ships print the
newspapers, reap the harvcs,s, secure the gar
ncrs, and convey on The wings OF the lightning
the ideas Of other and older lands. lie recalls
our photographers. now the standards Of the
English tongue; orr historians. now the BRIGHT
c,i OF our language; our publicists, now authori-
ties in legal science; our constitutions. now the
patterns Of The world; our engineers. now
leaders in the constructive art: our ships. now
models in every sea; our books, now read by
oil nations, and 1.-THE peerless name which is
all our own. These, The brigbtcs, productions
Of science and art. are not the fruits of decay
consequent upon an unbalanced democracy
Leaving the fields Of historic developemcrt.
and Of the progress of the arts, he reviews sue
cinc,ly our record in domestic administration |
md the application Of public law. Frankly adj |
hitting that here. a. in older societies, In rcpub-
lies as well a. monarchies. bad men are some |
times raised 10 Office unwisc laws are sometimes
enacted, unpopular ones sometimes violated. |
and that party-at once the safeguard and the |
barc &c free government sometimes works rs |
mischief with us, he institutes comparison be. |
tween the administration Of Justice here and in |
England, in which he is remarkably generous |
10 The older establishments, and which vet |
shows IN no small degree to our advantage.
Dhc unrightcous decisions Of Mansfield, the Al
acls Of Chatham and Junius thereon, the infa.
nous orders in council, the political character
of Britains highest court Of Justice and her
legislative corruption during the reign. a few
fears since Of the Railway King ore oil
ouohcd upon tcnderly and with great conside-
alton; while her standing army, her public sale
Il it, offices. her starving populations represscd
II The point Of the bayonet, her gigantic corrup.
ion under tie rule Of the younger Fit, when
var contractors swarmcd on the benches Of
Parliament her dark era, when tho pa,rio,
tights Of Burke and Fox went out
n despair, and the only palladium Of England's
ibcrtics was the fcrvid eloquencc Of Erskinc
onTolligg jurics TO find vcrdic,s in direct op.
ositiou to The ruling Of corrupt judges, are all
ass ed over in generous silence.
NJ EYprctt cla;,oo tbat u;. I...tt ....ut