Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-01-18
NaCauiay's Opfnson OF the UEi-
ted States Government.

he following letter was written in
1857 by Lord MacauIay to Henry 5.
Randall, Esq, of New York, the author
Of the Lifc of Jefferson
You are surprised to learn that | have
not a high opinion of Mr.. Jetfcrson--and
| am certain that never wrote "A line, and
that | never, in Parliament, in converSa-
ton, or even on the husiings--a place
where ii is the fashion 10 court the pnpu-
lace-uitered word Indicating IN opinion
that the supreme authority of a State
ought to be instructed To the majurity of
ci,izcEs told by tac head, in other words,
to the poorest and most ignorant part OF
society | have long been convinced that
institutions purely democratic must sooner
or later destroy liberty, or civilizations, or
both.
In Europe, where the population is
dense, the effect of such Institutions would
b. instantaneous. What happened lately
in France is an example. In 1913 pure
democracy was established there During
a short time there was reason 10 expect a
general spoliation, a national bankruptcy,
a new partition Of the soil. MAXIMUM
of prices, a ruinous load of taxation laid
on the rich for the purpose of supporting
the poor in idleness
But the time will come when New Eng
Ianl Will be as thic',ly settled rs OH Eu--
land Wares will be as low, and will
huctuate as much with you as with us.
You viii have vour Manchesters and Eir-
min"hams; aui Ia those Nanchcstcrs and
Biruin.la.O hundreds of thousands of
arti~t.is vii. issurc,liy De sometimes out of
work. Then the institutions VIII be fairly
brought to the test. Distress everywhere
makes the labOrrr mutinous and di.rOn-
tented. and inclincs him to listen with
cauerncss to agitatnrs who tell him that it
is mons:rou~ i:iquiiy that one man shall
have a million while another cannot get IL
full meal. In bad years there is plenty of
crumb!ing here, and sometimes little
riotiny. But it matters little. for here the
sufferers are net the rulers. The supreme
ROVER - in the hands of class numerous
indeed. but select, of an educated class, of
a class which is, and knows its,-lf To b.,
deeply interested III the security of pro-
pertv and the maintenance OF order. Ac-
cor,iingIv, the NAL contents are firmly yet
gently constrained The bad time is got
over without robbing the wealthy TO re-
lieve the in'ligent The sprin,s of nation
al prosperity snnn begin Ia flow again:
work Is plentiful wages rise, and all is
tranquility and cteerfulness.
/ have seen England pas three or four
times through such critical seasons as L
have described. Through such seasons
the United States will have t" pass in the
course of the next century. If not of this.
How will YOU pass through item
heartily wish YOU a good delivcrance.
But NV reason and my wishes are at
war; and | cannot help f"rcbodmg the
worst. 1t Is quite plain that yonr GOV
crnment will never be able to restrain a
distressed and discontrnted majority.
! i'or with ynu the maj 'rity is the govern
mcnt, and has the rich. who are a!waN :
: q minority, absolutely at its mercy The
day will come when, in the SI.... Of New
+ York. Il multitude of people. none Of
, whom has had more than half break
fast, or expect to have more than half 4
! dinner. will choose legislature. Is ii
possible to doubt what sort of lcgisla
| ;ure will be chosen On one side is ,