The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-08


Commons is cumbrous in it's extent of mem
bership A result, whether of advantage or
otherwise, is that there is a reader though
almost too voluminous communion of bills,
enactments, messages, legal business aud
state matter of every nature, directly be-
tween the people and their representa-
tives.
The House, or its committees, have to
consider everything presented whether judi
cious or not, result of which is that in the
legislative consideration much valuable
time is lost.
But the Times inference, or assertion is
that among the new voters there is an envi-
Gus dislike Of the aristocraoy. Such asser-
tion is very usual in journalism in this coun-
try, and is founded unwttingly on the
teachings Of Goodwin Smith, Henry George
wake. Plainly here the wish is father of
the thought. To assert that the masses of
the English middle and working classes are
tired of the idea of aristocracy, is strictly
untrue and unhistorical. In the large in
dustrial centres, with one exception, that of
Birmingham, where John Bright seems to
hold almost hereditary sway, the voters
| tfya ,,yI,; nh ~
that they definitely endorse the theory of an
element of a,istocracy in the body po-
litic.
| The Times uses the term "envious dislike"
The masses are envious, but only socially
speaking, as in every community, even in
America, We perceive a distinctive envy of
our newly growing would-be aristocracy or
plutocracyl 1t is merely the crude simple
ARition that exists everywhere Of envy
= b. sitYss4ssss sx;a.i adEsaA 81 il -
! life, whichathose on the lower rung of social
existence would only be too glad in their
turn to have in their possession. But as to
dislike of the aristocracy, no such condition
permeates the masses.
In Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, and
IN London, the conservative or alistocratic
element is always successful at the polls.
The workingmen's votes elect the members
Of parliament for those Places and the sue
cessful candidates are as a rule of the ex-
treme upper classes and conservatives.
1t will be long period of political educa-
tion totally at variance with the feelings
with which they are mainly actuated at
present, before the English proletariat
changes the complexion of its political feel
iugs. An increased educational phase, in a
social community such as that of the Eng
lish, develops more in the direction of class
Improvement rather than resulting in any
exhibition of spontaneous cutting away
from old institutions.
Euglishmen as a rule would prefer to at
with which they are familiar, and which
they daily see growing more possible OF at
menciug anew, under circumstances whuse
contrasted advantages they are almost at
this mome.t questioning. Many intelligent
English wOrkingmen question to-day the
material advantages of living elsewhere
than in England. They have returned
there after years of residence abroad and
reply on Inquiry that there are no political
disabilities that can properly be called such
IN England
We are reminded Of "Mg. Turnbull a
Chicago barrister, surprising the Duke of
Argyll and the Earl Of Wemyss, and OF er
political and literary pundts with an article
in the Nineteenth Century, showing that the
English govern nent is really Democratic,
with the Commons dominating the Queen
and Lords, while the United States govern
meuG Is really aflStOcrauc, when tne Iresl-
dents veto power equals two-thirds of the
Legislators; while the Senate is not popular
Iy elected and fairly holds the Representa-
tives in captivity, and while the Supreme
Court can set aside all statutes if so dispos-
ed Already British editors noticing the
article take refuge in the paral, zng lido
matte exclamation, 'oh, fancJ that
nowr"
Undoubtedly among the intelligent work
ing classes of England there is none of that
med eval fear OF aristocracy, that ancient
bugaboo Of any great baronial power over
awing the people, Those days have gone
by. The House of Lords and the barons of
tho realm arc only social not political
. power, There is neither fear nor an 'snvi-
Gus dislike of them" existing in England