The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-09-04
Democracy Spreading.

-UoHOcTdcy SPIooS'
It is pretty evident that the spirit u
Democratic government is gaining strength
throughout the whole civilized world. We
hear of elections everywhere, and the bal
lot box is coming into successful competl-
ton with ducal coronets and lordly titles.
Parliaments now represent the people.
The day is long since gone by when power
full warriors sat in their impregnable castles
and lorded it over the trembling vassals
who covered for protection under their
massive walls. The succeeding age has also
passed when the commonalty looked upon
royalty and aristocracy with an awe and
reverence born of the feadal times of de-
pendence. The law1essness of those times
has ceased and the dependence Of the
masses upon the valor and warlike skill OF
the few has gone with it. It is natural that
the loyal veneration which surrounded
princes in those days and gave strength to
the naughty assumption of a "divine right
in Kings" should vanish in the broad
light of we'll established law which confers
reference to personal prowess or merit.
Men had reason to venerate the chivalrous
hero. They have now equal reason to
despise his worthless descendant. Ar
istocracy is dying of hamilton; the day of
it's utility has passed. How long will
oyalty survive lit
England has always been the most loyal
of nations. The common people have al
ways boasted of their wonderfully balanced
Government, cringed most humbly be-
fore any one with the blue blood in
the majestic presence of royalty any
where in the same street. But Won
derful change has lately been coming
over them in all these things. The Prince
of Wales is spoken of most harshly by the
papers and Kissed by the populace. His
mother sees fit to absent herself from the
capital for length of time which suits her
but does not suit the idea of other folks,
and some of the most influential journals
instantly propose and insist that she shall
abdicate in favor-not of the heir apparent
but of Mr.. Gladstone as Regent.
This proposition might be the effect of
ill-humor or discomfort, but the singular
ground on which it is put shows distinctly
the direction in which the current OF
opinion is tending 1t is simply that the
Queen does not earn her salary. Salary
Who ever heard before of King or Queen
receiving a salary or being paid for their
services They have levied tithes and
tributes before now; they have made forced
loans and received votes of large sums from
their loyal subjects, for the endowment of
their children or the support of mag
nificent court, but it was always with royal
eondescension on their side and the timidity
of humble subjects on the other. Now
all this is changed in the twinklipg of an
eye by the penning of an editorial. Anew
thought has suggested itself, novel idea
has found expression, no matter how, but as
tits the legitimate out growth ofthe age, it
has stamped it's novelty on the English
Constitution rs intellectually as though
voted by Parliament and sanctioned by the
Crown.
Henceforth the sovereign is salaried
officer, just like constable, and, if sala-
ried officer, why of course liable to CEN
sure for non-performance of duties. Re-
cognized as paid official Of the govern
ment, the next step will naturally be his
complete responsibility to the people who
employ him. Good bye then forever to the
divine right of Kings and their superlative
independence of the people. 1t will not dc
now for them to suit themselves and their
own whims only, on the presumption that
the Crown is their property and involves
no special duty. They must suit the people
whose officers they are and who pay them
their wages. If not, the people will moi
content themselves with stopping thei1
pay only, they will ask them to abdicate
the Office.
This may be royalty in name, but il
point of real dignity and satisfaction, i
!, would be better to be president at once
then one would know exactly when b,
would have to abdicate.
THE SISTER OF THE NATIVITY AND TIL