New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-15
DEMOCRACY NOT A FAILURE.

We have the greatest possible sympathy Win
the enthusiastic patriotism and loyalty or the
Rriton in his year Of jubilee. The virtues of the
present monarchy, its popularity and the Iac'
tllat Il IS probably best fitted OF all possible sys-
toms of government to the present needs OF
ENGLAND NAV all be conceded without detract-
irr from the amusement afforded by the contem-
plation of some English views Of the sad state
of the American Republic and other countries
which strive TO live without monarch. one
of the mos. delightful Of these arguments Is
furnished by Mr.. w. s. Lilly. in The Nine
toenth Century" He considers that 10 the
system embodied by the House OF Hanover is
due a natlo. of moderation. of uprghtness anu
honor in public life. and attributes all the
troubles of France and the United States to
the rule of the democracy. Look at france
Thrice during the last century she has been
republic, and always with the same result
..immea surab,e corrupton undisgused intoler-
''ance the ostracsm Of men OF light ana iead-
ing the sway Of political adventures OF ihP
lowest type: a republic twce-wellnlgh thrice
ended by a Savior OF Society and mllitaf!
..despotism. 1t Is only under the Monarchy,
whether OF the elder or younger branch or the
restored Bourbons, that tranquility. decency
''and the enjoyment of rational liberty were OBJ
''tained' by her. Or look at the great Republic
'of the Western World, given over to the dom
.'natlon of bosses and self government by the
''basest' The special note Of the public life OF
1.-The United States Is its intense sordidness'
1t Is somewhat difficult to grassy the point OF
view which regards Louis XVIII and Charles y
as ideal rulers Of France, and attributes the
French troubles Of the last century to the nature
OF democracy rather than to race pecrliartieS
worked upon by the evils OF absOlutsm. But
II is perhaps natural that one who sees no
sorddness in South Africa and no cynicism in
monarchcal dealing with Greece should note
only the evil elements in American civilization
and attribute them to a system with which he
does not sympathize. Taking British society OF
to-day at Mr.. Lilly's valuation. and matching IT
against his picture Of America, what does the
contrast imply? That we are corrupt because
we are democratic, while England Is virtuous
because monarch,cal? Only a little history *
needed to disprove that notion, only little care
to distinguish what Is due to government and
what 10 primary conditions Of life. The man
who thinks American politics unprecedentedly
corrupt has only to look TO the reign Of George
III. whom Mr. Lilly holds in high regard as
moulder of his perfect modern government The
papes Of Junius the speeches of Burke and
Chatham, the lives Of Sandwich. Grafton and
the Bedfords reveal shameless system OF
bribery and peculatioE unmatched by anything
America can show. English political morals
have immeasurably improved since then and so
have general morals. no. because of the mo-
narchica system. though the high character of
the Queen has undoubtedly had a most bene-
fetal influence. but because Of the innate traits
of English character, which works byeslOw de-
grees toward higher ideals. The United States
has had similar moral evolution. notwithstand-
ing the fact that foreign immigration and pioneer
conditions have delayed II in some respects.
The spoils system is not yet ancient history In
England, and pocket boroughs and purchased
seats were common within the memory Of living
men, Every year we are forcing higher stand
ards UPON our politicians The corruption and
bossism are often perpexing, 1t is true, but any
body who studies the progress made in thirty
years Will not be hopeless of democracy. The
great body Of public servants is chosen for fit
ness III most of the States the old-time trick
cry at elections is abolished In spite Of En-
ersons lament we think humanity has more to
hope for in America to-day than when Wash
ington was laid TO rest.
The simple fact which Mr. Lilly and other
y
in the modern State government Is conditioned
much more by national character than national
character by government. people sent to con-
ouer wilderness and struggle for fortune will
have sordid tendencies. however ruled. Place
before men wonderful chances TO grasp great
wealth and power. and they will become adj
vpntrrers as South Africa testifes. The Ita
ian constitutional monarchy has been much
n prey 10 corruption as republican France.
Switzerland stands between them untroubled.
not because of its government, or in spite Of IT,.
but because Of It's national traits. Government
IN the United States keeps pace with civilization.
1t is hardly fair for Europe to have dumped
upon us already taxed with the problems OF an
undeveloped country, the sufferers from its own
misrule, and then say our system is a failure
because our society shows examples of crudty.
| greed and corruption.