Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-08-11
Vermont Daily Transcript
ST. ALBANS, VT:
TUESDAY AUGUST IL, 1865.
Tlcrct5,furU HOH0I's.


We copy from the London Times CT
July 26 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 1t is in
fluenced by or that it influences public
sentiment greatly, and thaj the day OF
tn e highest privileges on account OF
birth, etc, is drawing to close. Ihe
idea of passing a law pensioning some
Que vet unborn, or who has in no way
won a title to recognition, could arise
only in a country where lucky acct
dent of birth is counted equal with the
deserts of genius and the increasing in
telligence of the English masses will
soon make the carrying out of such an
idea impossible. The Times article says
The Queen, at the recommendation OF
the Ministry, made Sir r. Napier q
Peer, the House of Commons voting
So, 900 q year to himself and his next
heir. This must be considered as 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
IN his oldest the heir TO his
Peerage, is a misrepresentation ofpub!it
money in favor of a mischievouss system
If Lord Napier cannot settlea large sun
in perpetuity, to descend with the title
there may soon be that improbable
spectacle of pauper lord. Ifhe SHOULD
leave a considerable family, and pincf
the rest of them for the sake of an eldest
son, he will act unfairly, and thus tar
nish the honours of his Abyssiniar
campaign.
The City of London, in bestowin&
their freedom upon our Abyssinian chic
have tempted him to no wrong, place.
him in no difficulty and the reward
they intend to present may be honor
ably held for generations in the family
without requiring pension to keep i
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 anC
judicious officer, Mr.. Scott, the Cham
berlin, took the lead, and delivered al
address marked by good feeling anC
good taste. Lord Napier replied in {
speech which will help to show his sim
pie character, and make the regre
deeper than he has been converted into
supporter of that worn-out institution
the Hereditary Peerage, which all rea
sOnable people believe ought not to last
We could not expect Tory Ministry t.
rise again, and fight out, the Life Peer
age question, and we cannot wonder a
Sir Robert Napier accepting mark o
public approval, though given in an un
philosophical form. We hope the fu
ture Lord Napier of Magdala may turn
out better than other inheritOrs of Peer
ages conferred for military success
Dukes of MarlbOroug have been good TO
nothing since The first one, and his NOR
al character by no means equalled hi
military skill. The Duke of Yelling
ton left none of his talent to the gentle
man who now has the title and the grea
estates, and if in past cases the hereditar,
principle has so often failed, it is no
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 Magdala may be calle'
upon to wear honors he did not win.