The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-03-16

CRITICALLY IL js more complete and consist 4
ent than either OF thsns, and in its practical
workings it has secured power. wealth. lib !
erty and happiness to millions in such mea-
sure as was never accorded to mankind be-
fore. The system which has created
the foremost nation of the world I
out of struggling colony within
hundred years, has, in its practical
results, a guarantee that should secdre it
against the wad schemes Of every political
dreamer. American institztions, as applied
to American character, have been thor
oughly tested and not found wanting. That
is their best recommendation. It is ell well
enough TO manufacture patent constitutions
in exemplification of fine spun the
cries about the responsibility o. the
execntive-vsriegated patterns OF old thread
bare systems, tried N France and elsewhere
and shattered when put in operstion-bUt the
national character il an element in alFpolit-
icai calculations, which political dreamers
always fail to consider. Having gotten
government which suits us we should be in
no hurry to try one which seems to suit tbs
English. Furthermore it becomes necessary
for the advocates of Herron's reform to,
show, not merely the evils of oE1
present system, but the BENEFITS TO
be derived from thu one which is
TO supplant it. When they undertake to do
this, the defect complained OF is found to be
very small. compared to ths,risk ts'ee Tun
in applying the remedy. To procure more
sudden revolutions in the administration.
in accordance with the revolution OF pdblic
sentiment, the whole fabric of oar govern
ment is to be shrown down and rebuilt.
The truth is, that the American idea Is to so
shape matters, that these sudden
revolutions in public sentiment
shall not sweep everything before them.
| And with this view series OF break waters
have been very wisely set against the adj
vancing tides of popular opinion. Sudden
changes may be well enough in England,
country with a king, the stability of whose
office is set above the conflict OF parties, .
great hereditary nobility, strong conserva-
tive sentiment, and limited suffrage, but
here it is different. The argument
OF the advocates of the English sys-
tenn, that tho American constitution
is based upon that Of the mother country,
and that therefore the latest improvements
in English politicsshould apply equally well
in American politics, proves nothing. The
American constitution was intended for q
new world and new nationality, and the
points ia which it varies from its model are, III
is natural to suppose its very excellencies-
the points in which the wisdom of its
makers in adapting their work to the circum-
stances Of the age and cline shone pre-
eminent. The Sentinel is not actuated by
any vainglorious spirit when it asserts that
American institutions are step in advance
of British institutions, and that the old
world should learn from US, rather than VT
from it. As a matter OF fact Great Britain
has so learned during the past hale century
The fathers of the republic took Englisi
common law and Magma Charto. bat they
were wise enough in constructing thei
! government to leave untouched the aristcc
j rscy and the monarchy-the carved CAPT
: tails and flligrce work of The architecture
which they copied. In fact the materials o
q our constitution came from England, bu
: the spirit which shaped them camo from TIT
republics OF antiquity, tinged, perhaps, will
u the philosophy of France. In conclusion
II while maintaining that the working of tn
. present parliamentary system in Eng
y land affords no ground for applying
it in America, it may be said that tina
5 great system, in regard to the success o
which so much nonsense is written. is by m
" means firmly established in Great Britain
l. The pretense of the Times that because tn
l. liberals have chosen leader for themselves
), a great reform has been consummaied, is
Il very hasty conclusion. The day may cone
. and that right speedily, when the mOnarc
X will have word to say in regard to tn
% choice of prime ministers. AS for the com
% mon notion now prevalent, that royalt
} in England is a mere figure head
y kept for the adornmeut of the constitution
n that pleasing fiction will come to a clos
le when the British Empire falls under til
Il sceptre of a man disposed TO grasp the sui
AZ stance of royal power rather than repose j
10 its shadow. George and William were me
E without ability, whose only desire was th
s. qualification of their lusts and vanitie:
IS To them woman succeeded VIII
Is has been wise enough TO rear
y goodly family OF children, and le
her ministers govern the country. The Gus
u toms of her reign are not by any mean
10 principles of the British constitution, and
s. may take war to transmute them into tn
D. fundamental law. 1t will bs well enoug
20 to see them tested Ia storm as well as sur
a shine before we trouble ourselves abou
y copying them to the exclusion of bette
a things.
II appears that the Louisiana case is o
trial before another tribunal besides tb
, United States Senate. While the latter bod
is celebrating on the admission of Pinch
back. the special committee on Southern al