The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-09-24
SOME NEW hooks.
TIE Coming Democracy.

III
under the general title Of Tie Coming Dcpoc-
rdcv tMncmiIlansl an attempt is made by Mr..
G. HAYWOOD to define the aims and tendencies
OF the modern democratic movement in Eng
land and it's probable effect upon religion and
the structure of society
1t is plain enough that tho changes already
made in tho conditions Of tho Parliamentary
franchise. viewed in connection with those
which will inevitably grow out of them must
throw political power throughout the United
Kingdom into the hands OF the democracy. 1t
becomes therefore matter of supreme i'm
portance to ascertain what manner of man the
British workman IL, for lie II is who will cventu-
ally take the leading part in shaping Brit
ish legislation. Or this point 80 should
probably do wisely to refuse TO DO guided
either by the cultured outsiders. who
tell us what the democracy must DO
from the social conditions under which it lives
or, on the other hand. by workngmen agitat-
ors who take it for granted that their fellows
must ultimately desire whatever they them
selves are just now eager for. The former
would have us believe that tho British work
man is a barbarian. the latter that he is revo-
iutionist; but Mr.. HARDWOOD is probably right
In averrng that he is in reality neither the one
nor the other. nor anything resembling either
According to the author of this volume, tho
British workman is an Enslishman first. and
workman afterward. He has neither the
visionary aspirations of the German. nor the
irreconcilable class hatrcds OF the French; he
is simply an ordinary Englishman Of narrow
education and laborious life. with strong
though slow feelings and much stupidity.
mingled with much acutencss. The irrccon
cilablity exhibited the other side of the
Channel has never taken root in Eng
land for no one in that country
wishes to make a clean sweep and start every
thing afresh The mood Of the English masses.
now coming into full political power. is not
that OF men feeling that they have long been
kept down and wronged. and who therefore are
naturally bent on revenge when their turn
comes. Mr.. Harwood sees reason to believe
that the majority of English working people
look on the Government not rs something set
over them like an Egyptian taskmaster, but
rather as something acting for them. SO far as
his observations 60. there is in the heart of the
English nation no feeling of resentment against
injustice, no burning sense of wrong; accord
ingly Government is regarded not as Bas-
tile. into which entry is to be forced in order
that it may be destroyed. but as gatehouse.
into which admittance is to be gained that it
may be improved and enlarged.
Assuming such to be the character and mood
OF the British woriingman. the author of these
essays proceeds to inquire how we may expect
his action to affect the chief clements of the
Constitution and the chief classes Of the COM
munity. AS regards the Crown. for instance.
Mr.. HARDWOOD believes that the coming democ-
racy Of England will be much guided by feel
Ing and most of all in such matter as roy
atty. which appeals strongly to imagination
and enthusiasm. He thinks it will evnce but
little disposition to tamper with royalty. or to
break the thread which links the England of
our time with the days Of Egbert. In his
.,1,. Il, ,,,l ti,nt;
any strain should arise the Crown and the
people would come together and crush
the institutions now standing between
them. Among these institutions probably
the first to go will be the House of
Lords. though this. somewhat to our
surprise. we find is not the view taken by the
author of this volume. Mr.. Harwood OF course.
does not deny that, should the House Of Lords
ever be wrong headed enough to set them
selves against strong popular resolve. they
would be promptly swept away. But. without
giving them much credit for sagacity. he evil
IDENTIFY holds that the instinct Of self preserva-
ton would save them from such perilous coll
lision. and it must be acknowledged that tho
recent action OF the Peers in refusing to be
guided by Lord Salisbury and in asserting to
the passage Of the Arrears bill goes far to justi-
~ his opinion. According to Mr.. Harwood. the
masses of the people who will rule the coming
democracy never doubt that the Lords
honest. though they may often think them
stupid. He goes on to point out that English
men are very fond of honesty. and do not re-
volt much at stupidity; but on the contrary
rather like it as being something congenial.
1t is the effect of the coming democracy upon
the House of Commons to which the writer Of
these essays devotes most attention. He has
no doubt that the great lowering OF the fran
ehise which is impending will eventually re-
suit in the election to the House Of Commons
Of greatly increased number Of veritahle
workingmen members. Such an infusion will
unQuestionably produce marked effects. some
of which Mr.. Harwood would consider good
and others bad. Among tho good conse-
Quenccs is mentioned the increased interest in
politics among working men. At present the
uncertainty as to whether the majority Of the
voters are watching affairs. and as
to when they will interfere in them,
parayzes each successive government.
and the cure for such state OF
things is only to be found in a more real and
extensive representation Of the working classes
In the House OF Commons Such representa-
ton would also act as a preventive OF disanec-
ton and disturbance for when a disaster
comes it is always those who have been least
concerned in managing who are sure to be
most unreasonable in blaming. A third ad-
vantage To be derived from such represents
ton will be that the expenses of elections will
be diminished; but M Harwood insists tina
bribery at the polls can never he completely eX-
tirpatcd until the ballot ha, been superseded
by viva voce voting. lie points out that the
objections 10 the latter system, Which held good
under restricted franchise would be great. j
diminished under universal suffrage.
Will the democracy on the other hand lower
the quality Of members Of Parliament. II
quality is in any way 10 be- measured by money
Mr. Harwood has little doubt that tho denoc.
racy will lower it, S,lf-muds rich men in all
likelihood. will no longer count Il u feather in
their caps 20 get into Parliament, but Mr.. Har-
wood does not think that the landed aristocWry
vii! share the Aversion cynced by wealthy
parvenus 10 occupy seats in the national as
semby by tho sides OF wOrkingmen. He de-
mics that the example presented in some parts
OF the United States whero not takinG part in
politics is iooshly regarded RS n condition OF