Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-03
Will England Become a Formal Re
Hubiicl

There has been some discussion of late vheth-
er republican ideas were really making any
Roadway in England, and Prof Huxley In a
recent publication on the life and philosophy OF
David Hume, has something to say upon the
subject. He seems to concede that England
now virtual republic" is steadily tending to
become a formal republic, and notes with dis
SatiSf action the fact that this movement serves
10 make the legislators of the nation mere den
utleS, ObeylnS the Instructions OF their con-
stituentst As was dreaded by Hume. In This
connection he says:
AT the present day the danger to monarchy
IN Britain " onld appear to lie not in increasing
rove iOr tguanty, for which, except as regards
Inc law. EnglShmen have never cared hut
rather entertain aversion; nor In any abstract
democratic theories upon which the mass of
EngilSimc pour the contempt with which they
view theories in general: but Ia the constantly
increasing, tendency OF monarchy to become
slightly absurd; from the overwhelming dtscrep-
ancy between modern political ideas and the
theory Of ktngShip. AS Hume observes even in
his till.e people had left off making believe that
King WAS different species of man from other
mem aId S!Ece his days more and more such
male believes have become impossible until
The maintenance OF kingShip in coming genera
IlohS seems likely to depend entirely unOn
Wheti CT " IS the general opinion that heredit-
airy President of our virtual republic will serve
lie ger eTal interest better than an elective one
or no."
The yagaries indulged in by the idotic King
VI ttiisi WIN huiClI tIt LONDON papers
filed Just now. serves TO show that monarchy
In the present as in the past exhibits itself not
lnfrequcnIly in a rhoiiy absurd" attitude But
1T Is evident that Prof. Huxley is imbued with
The true Great BritainOuS dread OF American
fepEbacanism. The following is quite evidently
aimed at our Institutions"
''The true reason for doubling the perma-
mercy Of republic, even II Ii Is ever established
lies IL Tie fact that republic requires for its
malDteLahce far higher standard of morality
and Of Intelligence in the members OF the state
than any other form of government. Samuel
gave tie IoraeliteS a king because they were
Lot righteous enough TO do without one. with a
pretty plain warning of what they were to eX-
pect frcIn the gift And, up TO this time, the
progress Of such republics as have been eStab-
IShed IL the world has not been such as TO lead
10 any cOniidant expectation that their founda-
lion Is laid on a sufficiently secure SubSoil OF
public spirit morality and intelligence. Onthe
contrary, they exhibit examples of personal
corruption and OF political protiigaCy as fine as
any h0ibed or deSpOtiSm has ever produced.
while they fail In the primary duty OF the ad-
lnlnStTatinn OF justice as none but an effete
deSpOtiom has ever failed"
There is some point 10 this .Ieremiad but
England. under monarchy, had its period OF
personal corruption and OF political profligacy.
and lived through 1t. and il Is not doubted that
American republicaDiSm will pass safely
through its similar test trial and come out
purified and strengthened.