The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-17

much research.
We pass to this most memorable event In Eng
lanlS political history, the definite Inauguration
Of the parliamentary system by Edward l. II 10
true that IN tho previous reign Simon lie Mont
fort hal called Parliament TO which besides the
few nt-uateS ~ his pArty some bishops and a
great body - the minor dSnitarra ~ the Church
wrie summoned. two knights from each county
AMI t"p hurchcrs from each borough Touch.
ing this Incident. our author remarks -Repre-
s"ntHttrn was no.. by any means, a new thing
It was tho natural and necessary eSpcdicnt when
the sense " any district ~ large body OF people
was 10 De taken. and had been used by the preccd-
ms kings for the purpose both Of assessment
and ~ intBrnitibn II entered into the consti,u-
ton VI the county court 10 which the boroughs sent
deputies There whsAn example oft in the coun.
ci!s ~ ia" Church Bat represent atiOn of the peo-
pie in Parliament WAS new De M0ntiort's Par
l.Gmrni however, II Il was full, was not free
being confined 90 hII pArtlsAnS Nor was II called
Tor legislation, but 10 meet a constitutional crisis
The measure was revolutionary, and was not TO-
p"ftci for many years It's importance was not ielt
ntthc time aSitis i,!t now. Nevertheless the child
hal been born, and. though the father Of tho
institution lived not 10 cherish II. foster father
in the d.sy liSa OF an enemy. was at hand" Tho
foster father, was OF course. Edward l., who had
been forced TO fight for his fathers crown and
hts own A!ter reminding US that, from a conflict
with revolution. most Kings have come out TO
artpr.,ii Mt Goodwin Smith directs attention
90 the fact That Edward l. came out reorg nizer,
enlightened hy experience 1T seems indeed
that H''n,thpg Ike the instrument used by DO
Mp7UDt Tor tho purpose OF bringing national
opinion to bear In his own favor had been at onco
ADOPTED by his antagonists with q view OF
GVrn hing the emhHTs Of civil war Soon after
his a-H's5pr, At all events. Edward moved In
this 1i'''t!pn seeking always TO carry his peo-
pie with hin. and acting on the principle that.
IN matters " common cpnccrament, there should
D" common counses lie called inchoate and
tentative parliaments provincial parliaments:
Tl'an"ntS Of particular interests. the CONNER
C!nl n'crcstT for example; parliaments for par
ucnlar objects In case for the purpose Of Riy-
ms publicity and solcmnty TO the trial Of State
criminal
II was not however. until 1905 that Edward l.
called for tho general business Of the kingdom,
n true and essentially perfect Parliament tho
prototype Of all parliAmeuts 10 come, consisting
q tic thrr" estates Of tho realm the lords tenn
rpral and spiritual the bishops and mitred abbo,s
b'irg lords In right Of their firfs: the commons
represented by two knights elected by each county.
md two burghrrs elected by each borough: and the
elected
proators This, attcrward confirmed. disciplined
and developed by c"nturirs Of intrraction among
- comp n"ut forces, especially between the House
II Commons and IA" Crown, IL the institution which
has extended itself over the civilized world: for
even whore, rs In the United States and in France.
IN" hereditary principle has boon discarded IN,
essence Of Parliamentary government has been
preserved, Tho three ertates lords, commons and
spirituality, nj" the three great contributory
bodies, pr interests Of the realm. II seemrd AT
on" time ~ II there might bo also an estate Of
merchants taxable In its own way. Taxation
was tho chief original function Of Parliament,
rs well ~ its key 20 power For advice In govern.
m"nt tI3" council Of msGnatca continued 10 exist,
but with declining authority, since the holders
Of the purse could enforce attention 10 their nd.
vice"
1t is well known that Parliamentary goyern-
m"ni IN England was no unique birth National
assemblies under tho different names Of Par
lament STATE. General, Cortcs. Diet were clse
where taking form. OF all the seeds thus sown
NJ the same time, how did il happen that on,
Al'a" took root snrang up, and became a mighty
tee, ovcrNhndpwlnr the nations? Our authors
answer u.s. Something is due 10 national char.
meter, and 20 TIE circumstances under which
national character is formed. Not a little is dus
I" tn" foster father by whom, in its infancy, tina
mNiiWuon was tended. But tho chief reason |
PROBABLY. MAS the coalition in the Commons
House 81 the representatives, Of the knights and |
rural i'rchuldrrs with those Of tho borourhs.
IN" knights were the body Of landed gentlemen !
who IN the civil troubles Of the preceding reign. !
lad come forward 10 protest against the hardness
aud narrowncSs Of oligarchica reform Their |
class comprised tho lesser barons Of the Great |
Charter who were summoned TO council in A
body through the sheriff while the rrcater baro,s
were summoned personally by the Kings writ
'h"NEh' IN all likelihood, they rarely took ad.
vantage Of the summons The coalition was
rAn'nah because the knights Of the shire and
'Ae bHrseSN"s in Parliament were alike repre-
'"HtatveS' while the lords appeared in their own
p"'N'ns Nor In the happy absence Of caste,
'"u'l There Tail " he many ties between the town
ana The ncrhbonng gentry, whose younger sons
Won" hnd ~ III" town employment, and, some
elac'' WNcs Combination with tho landed