Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-31
ENGLAND.
Gladstone's Waning Popularity.

Special Correspondence U4iOn and American.
LIVERPOOL, March 10, 1S72.-It is a sad
fact that Gladstone is declining in popular
favor, but it is no way discreditable1o him.
1t is traceable partly TO the ingratitute and
holland cold-by-turns adherence which
English psOple always display towards their
ablest men and most faithful servants dur
ing life. Then again it is partly to be traced
to the fact that the specific work for which
Gladstone was placed in power, viz: Church
and land legislation for Ireland-has been
accomplished and until there has been a
dissolution and fresh rallying cries have
been set up as distinguishing marks be-
tween the political parties, there is sure
to be some grumOling and dissatisfaction, be-
cause each small faction wants its particular
plank included in the new platform and just
before the issuing of the programme is the
time TO agi ate most warmly. A great deal
of fuss and glerifcation was made by the
Tories in consequence of several elections
lately going against Ministers, and they
were looked TO as the first droppings of a
great conservative reaction" but those
victories were due chiefly to local circum-
stances or personal popularity of the Tory
candidate, and cannot fairly be regarded as
OCLslll GO VI btlC 0llQobOl1C EONCinLlCllJs IL
went into power upon a question on which
the greatest unanimity prevailed between the
Roman Catholics and all shades of NOncon-
formists together with the more liberal and
enlightened section Of Churchmen-the dis
establishment ofthe Irish Church. 1t had,
therefore, a large majority. Now, howev-
er, it so happens that the great question Of
the day, denOminational education, is one
4 e
opinion between the above parties. No
Government can give each sec
ton Of opinion its own way,
so those whose particular crOtchets are not
mentioned in the bill, mutiny, the party
loses its sOlidity and the government is
rallied at. The present is the most reform
ing England ever had, and that is the chief
reason why so much is said against it. In
the course of its reforms it disturbs many
snug shings and treads on so many toes
that the howls Of its victims make a we'll
sustained clamor, but the country gets the
benefit. The government is not infallible.
1t has made mistakes; every government
has done the same, but the splendid
achievements it has wrought in three
short sessions are unparalleled in the history
of the British Government. Look at them:
The Irish Church Measure, the Irish Land
Act, Compulsory Education, Abolition of
Purchase in the Army, the Opening of the
Universities. the Ballot (Which is as good as
ps ssed) besides host of teneficent meas
ures of minor Importance. These abund-
antly attest the fact that for singleness of
motive, honesty Of purpose, unremitting in
dustry and brillisncy of ability, the existing
cabinet and Gladstone as its presiding genius
and moving spirit, deserve the Warmest
gratitude aud steadiest support Of the British
nation. About their foreign policy there
are scarcely two opinions. We were saved
a war single-handed with Russia; we were
prevented from mixing in with the Franco
Prussian war, and, as a browning achieve
ment they have arranged in such a way
that war with America is not now appre-
hended, and all this without loss of dignity
or any imperilling of the position Great
Britain holds of being one of the greatest
nations of the earth.
As to the Republican movement, it may
suit certain American journalists to magni-
fly it, but at present it is a sorry affair in
England, and Sir Charles Dixie and Mr..
Auberon Herbert are the only two men of
position who have identified themselves
with it.. With those two exceptions not
single man of property, influence or intel
lect is connected with it, and until such
men are found largely in the republican
ranks the cause will never at
tain serious dimensions. At
present its headquarters is at an obscure
''pUb." called "The Hole in the WALL - in
low district of London. A few weeks ago
the exchequer was so painfully low as to
necessitate the editor of their single organ
pawning his blankets to complete that is
sue. The chief feature of their periodical
meetings at ''The Hole in the WALL" are
wrangling and internal dissensiOn. SO far
from there being anything like order or dis
cpline between the wOUld-be-leaders, and
the WOn't-be-led, anarchy and chaos pre-
vail. Some irritation has undoubtedly been
caused by the Queens seClusiOn and alleged
penuriouSness, which initiate against the
interests of the shOpkeepers, and there is a
feeling that some alteration of the principle
upon which the Queens children receive
grants of public money upon their marry
ing or starting establishments Of their own,
is needed. The only other complaint
against monarchy is its cost. Now it must
be borne in mind that the "CrOwn lands"
that is, property belonging bona
fide to the crown and as much
the property Of the crown as the Marquis of
Westminster's is bis-yields a larger reVe- !
nue. annually than is paid for the support of
royalty. The Queen lives within her in
come and the country is never called upon
for grants to pay debts as in the case of some
of the blackguard Georges. The million or
so which the royal family and court cost is
mainly spent aud circulated in the country.
The example Of purity, virtue and all the
graCes set by the court, and the refining in
tiuence it undoubtedly possesses and COM !
municates to the social life of the country,
are admitted on all hands. The Queen is
strictly and admirably constitutional in all
her acts, never hampering or embarrassing
her ministers, and yet there are some reCk- !
less agitators who stump the country and |
rave about "rOyal paupers," ETC., and are all
for the extinction of monarchy and the
House of Lords, and the institution of
republic? Our constitution and theory of
government are in all essential points the |
same as they were six hundred years |
ago. Under them Great Britain has thriven
and hOurished almost uninterTuptedly
while almost every country in Europe has
been the scene of revelation. They can
never be abandoned for any other form of
government, until they are found seriously,
hOpelessly and incurably wanting, which is
certainly not the case up TO now. Human
nature is always ready to think itself ag-
grieved, and it is by no means difficult
matter for the Odgers and Bradlaughs Of
the day to stump the country, get the work
ingmen together, tell them they are ground
down TO tile dust, while pauper royalty and
pauper aristOcracy fatten upon their sweat,
toll, etc, and tell them a republic IS pana-
cea for all this. Some of the wOTkingmen
with their lack of correct information, soon
fall into the trap, lend a willing ear to the
agitators and thus form "the Republican
party" We are Republican now in all but
the name, and enjoy as much liberty as the
subjects of any republic. But a republic
pure and simple is rot what these
gentlemen desire. They want COM
munism, socialism, elderly, equality and
those popular decisions which
have done more harm for France than the
Germans. Liberty" to bring down the
landed proprietor or capitalist to a social
equality" with them, and then fraternity"
in his broad acres and investments. a Re-
publican form of government may suit
America best, for its population is made up
of representatives of every nationality I'M
a.. flo an, A bora1;torv cOvarpiUDtv |