The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-08-14
Hcrcd.tarn Honors.

We copy from the London Times Of
July 2G the following editorial article
which indicates that Democratic prin-
ciples are gaining an ascendancy far
greater than we had supposed among
the thinking men of Great Britain
When the ablest and most influential
of English papers comes out SO strongly
against the hereditary Peerage, we may
suppose with some reason that it is in
fluenced by or that it influences public
sentiment greatly, and tina. the day of
tn highest privileges on account of
birth, ETC., is drawing to a close. The
idea Of passing a law pensioning some
Que yet unborn, or who has in no way
won title to recognition, could arise
only in a country where a lucky acct
dent of birth is counted equal with the
deserts of genius; and the increasing in
telligence of the English masses viii
soon make he carrying out of such an
idea impossible. The Times article says:
The Queen, at the recommendation of
the Ministry, made Sir r. Napier a
Peer, the House of Commons voting
3, 600 year to himself and his next
heir. This must be considered as a fool
ish honor. Lord Napier Of Magdala is
not supposed to be a rich man, and he
well deserves the pension for his own
life that the Commons have voted. Had
they decided to continue it to his wife,
in case she survived him, they would
also have done well; but two thousand
year to his eldest son, or the heir to his
Peerage, is a misrepresentation ofpub.ic
money in favor of amischievOus system.
If Lord Napier cannot settlea large sum
in perpetuity, TO descend with the title,
there may soon be that improbable
spectacle of pauper lord. Ifhe should
leave a considerable family, and pinch
the rest of them for the sake of an eldest
son, he will act unfairly, and thus tar
nish the honours of his Abyssinian
campaign.
The City of London, in bestowing
their freedom upon our Abyssinian chief
have tempted him to no wrong, placed
him in no difficulty ; ami the reward
they intend to present may be honor
ably held for generations in the family
without requiring a pension to keep ii
bright. Happily, the absurd parsonage
who now happens to be Lord Mayor was
not the chief actor in the civic celebra-
ton. a much more gentlemanly and
judicious officer, Mr.. Scott, the Cham
berlin, took the lead, ana delivered an
address marked by good feeling and
good taste. Lord Napier replied in
speech which will help to show his SIM
pie character, and make the regret
deeper than he has been converted into
a supporter of that Worn-out institution,
the Hereditary Peerage, which all rea-
sonable people believe ought not TO last.
could not expect a Tory Ministry to
rise again, and fight out, the Life Peer
age question, and we cannot wonder at
Sir Robert Napier accepting a mark of
! public approval, though given in an I'M
| philosophical form. We hope the flu
| ture Lord Napier of Magdala may turn
out better than other inheritors of Peer
| ages conferred for military success.
Dukes of Marlb0roug have been good for
nothing since The first one, and his NOR
al character by no means equalled his
military skill. The Duke of Yelling
ton left none OF his talent to the gentle
man who now has the title and the great
estates, and if in pastcases the hereditary
| principle has so often failed, it is not
very encouraging to try fresh expert
ments in the same direction. Perhaps.
however, the hereditary legislation
farce may be played out before a new
Lord Napier of Magtiala may be called
upon 10 wear honors he did not win.
----~s---
wealthy farmer, of st. Hyacinthe
named Brehaust, committed suicide the
o'her day by hanging himself, during