The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-09
The Decay ofEnglish Politics.

From the TuU MGU Gdzeue.
Certainly the political life of us English
men of this generation seems to be separated
from that of our fathers and of those who
preceded them by very distinct line of de-
marcation, and in manner not very easily
accountable. For eighty years at least-say
from the accession of George III to that of
Victoria-after dynastic quarrels had ended,
the great subjects of public discussion and
controversy were forms of government and
political rights. Gradually, and through many
a fercely contested battle, the suffrage was
extended, class after class was brought within
its range, freedom or license of the press
established, the prerogatives of the Crown
and of the peerage, if not invaded in
legal form, converted by a forcible process
of repression from realities into fctions. And
during the whole period the public interest in
these questions continued unabated and almost
exclusive of others. If Wings or Jacobins or
Radicals thundered, it was at some barrier
against the extension of popular power. If
Tories rallied, it was in defense of some out
work of the political supremacy of the higher
classes Religious disputes were in allegiance,
except that of Catholic emancipation, and
this was treated by all but the clergy and a
few clerical partisans much more in politi-
cal than a seetarian sense Economical ques-
tions were eagerly debated in certain circles,
but excited little interest in the industrious
masses, contented, for the most part to go on
protecting and being protected after the phi
losophy of the middle ages.
Problems concerning the functions and
amendment of the Constitution were those
which engrossed the faculties of ordinary
public men, excited the powers of the greatest
orators and statesmen, and reused the pas
sions of the multitude. If Briton of those
DAYS were to have been told that his children
or grandchildren would cease almost wholly
to take interest in the development and
working of that British Constitution which
he deemed the nearest approach on earth
to the perfection of human wisdom, he would
gave augured i'll indeed of the commonwealth,
and have deemed that days of wooden shoes
and slavery were near at hand. And yet that
event has substantially come to pass.
1t is impossible to shut our eyes to the
phenomena which indicate cessation, rather
sudden than gradual of that tendency of the
popular sentiment towards the extension OF
mere political rights which was thus the
ruline public passion for nearly century
Our Champions of advanced political idea
seem rather in the position OF miners wh(
have wrought q rich vein of ore during
long series of operations, have followed 1t II
regular progress, and found it grow more AM
more promising, and are then suddenl,
brought to stop by fault in the strata
rendering it impossible to pursue the valu
able seam any farther. Speaking in q gene
raj way, all enthusiasm about mere politica
questions seems to have met with unforesee
paralysis. Never was measure carrie
through with more laborious and less sue
cessful efforts to excite the public min
than Inc last reform bil. l. Was