The New York herald., 1875-12-06
AN ENGLISH NJ p. IN TAMMANY.
WHAT Mr.. FORSTER THINKS oP DEMOCRACY
AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE sAcHEMs.
From the London Standard. Nov PSI

From the London Standard, Nov 25
Nr. Forsers trip TO the United States last year has
not been without influence upon his political opin
IONS and he is candid enough 10 admit the fact
Universal suffrage, which seemed SO beautiful while
viewed the distance OF thousands OF miles an
intervening ocean, did rot look quite pleasant a
thing on close inspection. Mr.. Forster was received
by the chiefs Of Tammany Hall, and, European
governments are accustomed 70 show honor to dis
tnguished visitors BY throwing open to them arsenas
and dockyards, the sachems laid bare to Mr. For
siers scrutiny the devices by which they manage the
turbulent democracy. He came away dis
iusonized and by charmed
Neither caucus nominating convention
nor ward priming repeater, nor striker
was quite 10 his taste; and il is very much to his
credit that the first he addressed bis constituents
since his return he had the courage and honesty 10 tell
them as much. Mr. Forster was Of those who
years ago professed an exaggerated admiration
for American Institutions That was in his green
youth doubt before be learned 70 think for himself
and stl leaned upon the masters at whose feet he had
been brought up Stl u was by no means an easy
thing admit that the last lesson he had learned
the discovery that his former worship Of universal
suffrage unreasonable and l-iounded Mr. Forster
adds that the devices Of which he disapproves are
suited 10 England Ia that we cordially agree But when
he goes 10 say that they impossible here
swer that We hope So but that depends largely upon
the policy we adopt If we we're 10 borrow American
institutions should probably reproduce abuses anal
ogous 70 those existing in America One other lesson
Mr. Forster has brought away from his American tour
y
sentation That he opposed the three-cornered
uenclcs, as they have been called he frankly admits
But though he stll condemns the actual plan chosen
be Acknowledges that he has been
principle He has seen universal suffrage at work, has
met the IL delights 10 honor has wit
messed the fruits OF its legislation and once more
has been dsillusionized 'The great heart Of the
people, he has discovered, docs always beat n
UNISON with justice right and truth-does always
prefer the good the bad the noble 70 the ignobe the
wise 70 the foolish on the contrary, the multitude
very easily led astray, and always stands 10 need OF
counselors But the worst fruit Of universal Fuf-
frage as 1t exists In the United states and 10 France
that the poor and ignorant immensely outnumber the
well todo and instructed The latter therefore, have
no chance Of giving expression 20 their views and pref
erenccs and consequence they abstain altogether
from politics BY their withdrawal the professional
pOlitcians-the men, that is who make Of politics a
trade OF which they derive a livelihood and not sell
dom wealth and postion-obain this advantage:-they
organize parties get the machinery Of elections into
their hands and run the government" for their own
profit Mr.. Forster is acute enough 70 discern and
candid enough 70 admit that II caucus rule and political
corruption 70 be brought TO an end In the United
States and prevented from growing up elsewhere ~
large Constituencies II can only be by giving minorues
representation In this way property intelligence and
culture VIII obtain voice in the conduct Of ahairs
which, II not quite proportion0te 70 their importance
Will at least be influential and the majorties 70 mold
their own will be compelled 10 select respectable can
ddates while 70 public life viii be opened 70
men who disdain not htted TO ask favors from
the MOB