The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-11
THE ENGLISH sr.fTE.
MIR. Conwny's Lecture Events that Lower
Democracy In English Eyes.

Ir. Conwny's Lecture Events that Lower
Democracy In English Eyes.
MIR. Moncure ID. Conway lectured last
evening In the Masonic Temple on The Eng
lish State and Statesmen" drawing frequent
comparisons with institutions and events In the
United States. In the beginning OF this Centcn-
NAL year. the lecturer said, Americans are very
friendly toward England. They criticise wash
ington rather than Downing street. and Presl-
dent Grant rather than George the THIRD. This
is natural, for England no longer occupies the
attitude which caused the American Revolu-
tion. England has been progressing. George
the Third was the last king who ruled over
America. and who overrued. England. He was
tne las' KING VINO ever dared e. set his will
republic
The Queen Is a mere ngurehead In the English
state. She has no veto power She cannot re-
move the most Insignificant postmaster Her
opinions are not spoken OF In parliamentary de-
blte. member OF Parliament said to an
American; ou will some day follow oG plan l..
We have abolished the one-man power while
YOU have resnscitated 1t In the form of a presi-
dent. The European radicals term resident
king in frock coat" And such he will seem
until at least he - shorn Of his power over the
civil service of his country.
IL Is subject for our Centennial reflections
whether our Revolution against George the
Third brought us all that we might have hoped
Tor. Georges reign WIS reign OF corrupt
itines, and day Of Offices nlled with personal
year witnesses similar condition OF things in
American politics.
The patriots Of the Revolution who overthrow
the English Jupiter transfeired the worst OF his
thundsrbolts 10 their President, and whether
that has not brought corruption upon the civil
service II Is easy for Americans to determine.
Most OF the defects in American institutions
have been Imported just as they were disappear.
Ing abroad. These include fragments OF State
Church preserved In our chapancies. the Inn
munity of churches from taxation. Sabbat arian
laws, and sectarian Scriptures In the puhlic
he
heels Of Americas greatest principle. perfect
RELIGIOUS equality and liberty. inequality in po-
nUcal reDresentation ts another Important EVIL.
The Established Church Is England 3 grea est
weakness. IL has an enormous accumulated
dred million pounds. But the Institution IL
doomed, and within a few years must fall. Its
disendowmsnt Is only one OF many reforms that
are impending. A change In the laws governing
the transfer OF land Is another. SIN another is
the extension OF the suffrage 10 women. TINS
viii probably be the very next important step
taken by Parliament.
Speaking OF the House of Commons, Mr. Con-
waN dwelt upon us ability and strength. No sal
airy Is connected with membership, but Eng
nshmen are willing to pay large amounts for a
Parliament have sometimes been found guilty
OF paying money TO get there, no member has
been accused Of using his place to make mon
the ancient standard OF honor and lncorrupti-
biity, which would bring down fearful humil-
Of corruption. The election of DR.. Ken
ealy to Parliament. said the lecturer, Is
somewhat OF check upon English incna-
iion toward democracy. But neither tine
French Commune nor the roughs represented
by kenealy have done so much to cool the ardor
of Englishmen for any lower extension OF toe
iranchiss as recent events in Amcrica-the
Credit Mobier revelations, the diplomatic
scandals, ths spectacle Of an American Minister
floating the star spangled banner over private
and fraudulent speculations.
Mr.. Conway spoke OF English oratory, OF Glad =
stone, Dsraeli, John Bright, and other leaders,
and Of the younger school OF political thinkers,
Matthew Arnold, Frederic Harrison, John
Morley, and othe's, the disciples OF Carlyle and
Mill.