, 1873-10-26
LITERATURE,

Tho English Constitution.
THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION. by MATTER DAaE-
hot. New and RerIgcd Edition. Boston: Idttla
Hrown Co.
Whatever opinions Americans may form in ro-
gard to the principles and tho toaclings Of this
book, 1t is work from which every man rho
votes, and especially every citizcu who mnkcs
any protonBon to intelligence and aagacity,
can dorivo most valuable suggestions in
rogard to constitutional Law, and
most important LESSONS In atatesmansp.
Strange that work from so able
a writer on tho English Constitution should not
de1ino it, except ag ho shows ita principles and
Its workings, throughout Ills entire book, Un-
like tho American, tho English Constitution IN
not writton but 1t consists Of tho uHugcs aud
laws that hayo grown up through nll tho history
of tho British Empire. Whenever Parliament
passes any Gonera! lar, aB tho Reform bills Of
1852 and 1867, tho English Constitution Ia
changed to correspond to the principles OF those
laws Honco it ia plain that 1t can be altered
much more rapidly to correspond to tho
| opinions Of the people at any par.
ticular period than the American, which
requires tho submission OF tho proposed
amendment to all the States, and it's adoption by
at loast threc-fourths Of tllom. 1t is Isain that,
in tho rapid changes ofton incident to tho hcat
sometimes tho other would have the advantage.
Tho author seems to bo thoroughly acquainted
with both tho good and bad gualities OF tho En-
g1sh and American forms Of government. 1Ie
compares them almost constantly with oach
other. Tako tho following specimons from pages
76 and 95:
We have made or rather stumbled on, Consht1-
ion wfeh-lo1gA full Of every species OF incidental
defect, though Of the worst norkgnshp III I'LL out
yet has two capita ncr'ts: 1t contains simple, el
Client past, which OH oseasion and when waMod, cum
srumo Of s government I'LL hss v' yet oen tred in
this 10 rcfora to tho ease With which The niary Gun
complea, aug,a and theatrical parss which Saa H.
herited from long past which take the multitude /;
which guido by al insensihla but an o'nn!potcnt In
nnnce the associations Of ita aubjecs Ills essence IL
strong With the strength Of modern Dnpltcy. its
terror In august Will tho Gothic grandeur Of moro
imposing hHe.
OF our Consultation Mr. Dagohot aaya:
Tho American Government calls itself q govern
nent OF the supreme people but, ut quick crIss-
thu time when . sovereign power is most needed
Congress elsctel for one axo period, going out, per-
hnps, by fixed insaronts, which cannot lie accolerat
1e pero I'D mov"5a rns tkst peroa toe p
the arrangements arc for stated lines. There II no
ttstie sIe,.a.nt everything L tgil speeiiea dated
uothtuG. You have beDpokon your government III ad-
an wnets asSls ! ss yo Sr no. whsthes
| or not, by lsw you mukt keep't.
Coming from. all English writer, tIia unfayor-
able contrast WAS to be expected; but 1t would
not be difficult FOR nh American statesman to
| Hoize upon the excelleneeB OF our American
Government and the acknowledged doloata Of
! the Engliah, to make D comparison equally dam
aging to tho Engish Constitution. In fact, it
| may bo oontondod that tho rigi&ity which tho
author conlomus--~and nt times, it Is admitted
its workings arc bad-ia ono of tho worry bout
| features OF the American Constitution. It glyca
| tho pcoplo time to thiuk; II preyonte hasty and
| motcs tho stability aul general woltaro
OF tho. nation. In every caso Ok
eept ,,,,dan the ,,an majority In the seneto,
peopo eyery two or four ycars When 1 GsIs'9 ~ lo ill.,
| wrong-doing is Buro to lueot itu reward. Our
past history has otlen confirmed this; and tho
thieves and ary-grabbers will ltld themselves
no exception 10 tho gonotal rule. Aa faat aa tho
| Btny at home.
Tho tendency Of the English Government to
ahthor I1c dooa not bolieyo that man who
living by constant Toll, or, what often tr1o by
downright -yilIainy, il 1T to exercise tho
oloctlvo franchise. Tho, law Of 1907,
by which tho ftanchipe Ii given
llevos to ho dangerous to tho wofare Of tho En-
piro. 10 tho pcorA and privileged classoa ho re-
Cards II ~ r,ortontona Of coming Atorm, and
counHois them to Yield gracefully, 1t need be,
litical. rights rater tl,an to risk everything III
| contest with tho pooplo. lIo EayH;
storm, and that storm will no. lcaya Ill olss ID. Il
will not destroy tue lInGso OF Peers and !oavo tho rich
r tas iieasc Fl oomaons; PTebsSiy viii sseoP III
or other, il would break Up tho curious systen, by
which tbs aEss Of great 1anilca Ill 20 to tho eldelt