Please wait. Contacting image service... loading
Hide article pages Show article pages
  1. Page 9
    Page 9 thumbnail
  2. Page 10
    Page 10 thumbnail

Article text

THE REPUBLICAN SPIRIT IN THE
UNITED KINGDOM.

FROM the time of the Republics in Greece and
Rome up to the period of the first French
Revolution, republicanism was discussed in
Europe as an abstract question. The Republic
established iu America, being in its
early days regarded as an experiment of a
hazardous character, had but little influence
upon public opinion where monarchy prevailed.
In the old-established governments
the people were not either sufficiently
elevated, or educated in a political sense, to
discuss the question intelligently, much
less to take practical measures for adopting
the old system that was then revived in a
new country. They were scarcely capable
of appreciating the distinctions theoretieally;
there was no organization amongst
them; they had received no training which
would have enabled them to destroy and re-'
construct, as was soon afterwards done iu
the case of the French Revolution. Nor
was that great change effected irotn the
force of principles that had been laid down
by philosophic thinkers and taught by their
disciples. Men of that character there were
in France before the outbreak, but the influence
their opinions subsequently exercised
on the course of events was due less to any
inherent potency those principles possessed,
than to circumstances arising from other
causes which rendered them acceptable.
Corruption in the administration of affairs,
ecclesiastical and civil, demoralized the
people. There were good men then, and
apostles who preached the truth, but many
more whose lives were scandalous also
preached, and example prevailed over precept.
Not till the poor rebelled against the
luxury, the extravagance, and the heartlessness
of the rich did the teachings of the
Athiest and the Deist produce any effect
amongst the mass of the people. It was
not till the working classes were exasperated
beyond endurance by the insolence
and the crimes of the aristocracy that they
rose up in their might to assert their power,
and claim the consideration that was due to
them. And it was not till the lower orders
had steeped their own hands in crimes more
atrocious than those they condemned that
they determined upon reconstructing society
upon the vicious principles that had been
preached by hitherto neglected philo-
But from that period republicanism has
been more than an abstract theory in
Europe. The democratic spirit then spread
all over the Continent, and yearly it has since
been acquiring additional force. Since the
period of the French Revolution of '93, the
principles of democracy have been intelligently
studied by every people in Europe,
till there is now no monarchy so absolute
or so strong that it can afford to ignore
their influence.
With those principles which, in a double
sense, we may say are purely democratic,
others of a vicious character are confounded,
and by the latter too many people
are misled to the danger of society. But
it Is our intention at present to discuss the
influence of the republican idea in the legitimate
sense of the word, and we have no

wish whilst doing so to express any opinion
for or against.it. There are some monarchies
which should be preserved or revived,
others which it might be well to destroy;
but we have nothing to do at present with
the questions involved in such a distinction,
our sole and exclusive object being to indicate
the force the republican idea has
acquired, more especially in the United
Kingdom.
At the period of the First French Revolution
the great object of British statesmen
was to prevent the republican spirit
from extending to Great Britain. They
succeeded because the British people were
not then ripe for its introduction. But the
democratic convulsions which have since
occurred have not been equally harmless in
that respect. Their influence has extended
to Great Britain. That intelligent development
of tlie republican idea in the democratic
mind which, as we have already said,
commenced in France in '93, has been
active in England since '48, and has now
assumed form and substance. At the present
day, nothing but the respect entertained
for Her Majesty Queen Victoria
keeps the republican spirit in subjection
there. Even that respect is insufficient to
repress such manifestations of discontent
with monarchy as an institution, and with
aristocracy as an appendage of it, as
threaten the security of the throne at no
distant day.
In a calm impartial review of the question
such evidences of discontent with the
established order of things as are manifested
at the meetings over which Mr. Bradlaugh
presides cannot be overlooked. Relatively
to the population of London or Birmingham
the number attending these meetings is
small; but if the number sympathising
with the objects of them was not large,
they would not be held. Bradlaugh himself
recently said that though he was
denied the opportunity of representing them
in Parliament, he represented outside it the
opinions of the vast majority the working
men of England. We do not ourselves
believe that the great body of the working
classes of England discuss the question of
" Democracy versus Royalty" with practical
intent; but at the same time we cannot
doubt but that the intelligent operative
classes are masters of all that can be said
on one side or the oilier, and are leaning
every day more decidedly in favour of the
republican idea. The uneducated paupers
be!o:v them may have no intelligent appre-
ciation of the differences between the two
systems, but with their poverty and their
misery they are discontented, and hence
may be regarded as instruments ready at
hand for employment in any attempt that
might be made to abolish a state of things
under which tlieir lot is unendurable. In
England at the present day there are all
the materials for a great political convulsion.
Certainly there are few men of high
social position identified with the democratic
movement, but there are several of
good intellectual attainments co-operating
in it. The intelligent industrial classes
are parties to it, and the classes below them
are prepared to assist in effecting any change
whatever, believing that none which might
occur could make their position worse than
it is. With this there are the vices of
royalty, extravagance, luxury, and immorality
among the aristocracy, an immense
aggregation of wealth amongst the mercantile
classes, and daily increasing poverty
amongst the labouring classes, thus constituting
all the conditions that preceded and
brought about the French Revolution of '93.
Now let us turn to Ireland. The leaders
of the people there are not republicans,
but the vast majority of the workingclasses
are certainly indoctrinated with that
idea. They follow their leaders, not because
the views of these men fully represent their
aims, but because the object they seek to
attain would be a step in advance to the
accomplishment of (the popular aspiration.
The sentiments of the working classes in Ireland
are perfectly in accord with those of
their brethren in America, who are mostly
of the same order. Under the American
form of government the Irish who cross
the Atlantic have achieved prosperity, and
enjoy an independence such as attaches
them strongly to the Government and the
institutions under which they live; under a
monarchy in Ireland our expatriated countrymen
lived as though they, were the victims
of a cuise, or the slaves of a cruel
despotism. Their frienfls at homfe made
these facts, and are thus rendered
readily accessible to the political
teachings which reach them from the
Great Republic. Naturally they are sen-

sible to the influence of facts such as we
have described, and that influence is so
strong tliat they are incapable of perceiving
that tlieir circumstances as Irishmen dwelling
in Ireland differ materially from those
of their countrymen settled in America.
But as our object is merely to point out
the extent to which the republican idea
prevails in Ireland, we should not, and do
not, desire to question the judgment of
those who favour it. Nor have we any
wish to look into the future to learn to
•what results such opinions may lead.
Whether they are chimerical or practical
the leaders of the people will endeavour to
prove when it becomes possible for the
Irish people to determine under what form
of government they shall live. Before they
can do so there is more than one step
beyond which they must have advanced.
The first of these the Home Rule Organisation
is endeavouring to effect. A Federal
Parliament will bring them nearer to the
desired object; a Parliament possessing
power to deal with the affairs of the nation
as an independent kingdom would bring
them still nearer, but not till the resources
of the country bad been well developed, its
ability to wisely discharge the responsibilities
of self-government had been proved,
and its power for offensive and defensive
operations had been well-organised, could
the country safely and successfully fix upon
a form of government which would completely
sever the connection with England.
To that end the political aspirations of a
large proportion of the artizan and working
classes are directed, and in these days, when
democracy is both intelligent and powerful
it ultimately shapes the policy of a country.
Democracy in this case has not perhaps
thoroughly studied or mastered the problems
to be solved ; but as it is obstinate,
as it is honest, and cannot be crushed by
force, though it may be satisfied by kindness,
it will persevere through the most bitter
disappointments if it be not taught by wise
government that under a constitutional
monarchy a people may enjoy as much
freedom and happiness as .under a republic.
A LIST of the persons who have discontinued
taking this journal, and are still indebted for it,
is in course o£ preparation and will be published
in these columns.
THE Board of Land and Works dealt with the
following tenders on Wednesday:—New verandah
for post office, Collingwood, postponed.
Alterations and additions to new messengers'
quarters, Crown Lands Office, Noble, £42!).
Furniture and fittings for Administrative Office,
Melbourne Mint, J. Bell, £462 10s. Fencing
rain water task, and post-office fittings for new
post office, Beaufort, W. Sellen, £319 3s. 6d.
Construction of culverts, &c., and supply of
materials, approach to road Hospital for the In -
sane, Beechworth, J. Nicbolls, £260 4s. Fencing
Yarra Bend Asylum, D. M'Naughton, £97.
Fitting baths, Houses of Parliament, "Wm.
Smith, £09 4s. Sd.
Tin; celebrated Sandhurst case of Morwoodv.
Watson, in which plaintiff sought to recover
£10,000, value of a twelfth share in the Golden
Fleece claim, alleged to have been got from him
by plaintiff through fraudulent representations,
was finally disposed of on Monday, his Honour
Judge Maeoboy giving judgment in favour
of defendant, but refusing costs, in consequence
of the very conflicting evidence which had been
tendered by the principals and witnesses engaged
in the case.
THE Chief Secretary, in order that there
should be no probability of the Eclipse Expedition
falling through, has made personal application
to the various Australian Governments to
assist in the cause. The Government of New
South Wales had previously promised £350.
Queensland, in response to Mr. Duffy's application,
has promised £100, South Australia has
promised £100, and the Chief Secretary has no
doubt that Tasmania will give £50. This, with
the £450 voted by Victoria, will make a total of
£1000 granted for the purpose by the Australian
Governments, and Mr. Duffy believes that the
balance will he easily contributed by the public
and those who desire to join in the expedition.
_ WITH the view of carrying out the regulations
for preventing the introduction of cattle
disease, the president of the Board of Health
and the' chief inspector of sheep have lately
selected a site near the beach between Saudridge
and Williamstown as a suitable locality
for a quarantine ground for imported stock.
IN the County Court on Wednesday the.
appeals of the Cmnamen who bad been fined for
keeping No. 5 lottery were heard, and the decision
quashed by Judge. Cope.
THE report of the board appointed to investigate
the claims of volunteers to land certificates
was forwarded to the hon. the Treasurer on
Wednesday. • ;
FnoM' our latest Tasmanian files we observe
that the journals are discussing a proposal for
making {be office of Speaker in the new Tasmanian
Parliament honorary, in consequence of
the state of the public finances.
On: Wednesday morning' Mr. J.C. Fleming,
as thp agent of London company proposed to
Cape Otway.had S& interview vviththe hon.
the Tteasnrer.
WE have been asked to request persons having
subscription lists for the Hanify Fund to return
them, together with the amount'collected, without
delay.
THE Council on Wednesday evening so
mangled the Hallway Bill that the Lower House
cannot accept the alterations made in it. The
treatment the measnre has received from the
honourable gentlemen of the Upper Chamber
amounts to a rejection of it, and the country
will now have to consider what course it should
I ake in the matter. We fear that the misguided
action of the Council will heedlessly prolong
the session.
KANGAROO meat is gaining appreciation in
England. The Food Journal tells us that ever
since European colonies were founded in Australia,
the excellence of the flesh of the kangaroo
has been universally recognised by the colonists.
The tail, which is very muscular or
fleshy, is regarded as an especial luxury, and
kangaroo-tail soup is probably one of the best
kinds of soup ever placed upon the table in any
country. It comes to the home country in a
perfectly fresh state, in tins, like Australian
beef and mutton, and is sold under the name of
kangaroo venison.
"PERHAPS it might interest some of the
public," writes a correspondent of a contemporary,
"to know that by a letter received from
Signora Baratti, by last mail, she announced
her safe arrival in London ; and also that she
had received an engagement for six months at
the Kegio Theatre, Turin. She states that she
will never forget the kindness experienced by
her in Victoria, and hopes once more to have the
pleasure of visiting it again."
THE Contemporary Jlevicw received by the
mail contains an article from the pen of Mr. It.
H. Horne on " The United States of Australia."
Mr. Horne reviews the documents and correspondence
relating to the subject of Federation
not long since issued by the commission ap-,
pointed to deal with the subject. The veteran
author has stated the different views on the desirability
and difficulty of federation and neutralisation
in time of war clearly and succinctly,
and the article should have some weight with
home statesmen. Mr. Horne bears hardly on
Sir James Martin and other politicians of the
trading statesmen type in Victoria, and speaks
well of Mr. Duffy's efforts in the direction of
linking the colonies together. At the time of
writing. Mr. Duffy, according to Mr. Horne,
bade fair to become Chief Secretary,
Arrr.icAXTS for permission to mine on reserves
are further notified that under no circumstances
will attention be given to any application
for permission to mine within any reserve unless
it be accompanied by a plan or diagram showing
correctly the position, dimensions, and area of
the land applied for. »
THE ship Clio, carrying the Commodore and
his pennant, arrived in the Bay on Saturday
morning from Sydney. The NeUon saluted as
she came up the Bay, and her salute was answered
by a six-gun round from the Olio. She
is an 18-gun ship, and her guns are nearly all
muzzle-loading and rifled 64-pounders. There
are also two breech-loading Armstrongs for use
in case of boats being wanted.
A Corn mnnii Gazelle, issued on Monday
night, directs that those persons who have
been landed at the Sanatory station at the
Heads, from the Colonial Empire, shall be detained
in quarantine until released by the
health officer of Port Phillip.
IT was expected that the case of Quin, the
murderer, would have been decided at the
Executive meeting on Monday, but a special
meeting of the Executive was to be held on
Thursday for the consideration of the case.
THE Scottish American Journal, published in
New York, suggests that the Marquis of Lorn
should be appointed to the high office of Governor-General
of Canada, as " Scotchmen
abound in the Dominion, the Campbells are
numerous, and the Marquis is sure to be popular."
The Kcw York Herald publishes a Canadian
telegram stating that the Dominion Government
has been informed that it is the intention
of the Home Government to appoint the
Marquis of Lorn to the post. The telegram
adds that the Marquis and Princess are expected
to arrive at Montreal early in October.
WE have received from Mr. Wm. J. O'Hea,
the author, " The Introduction of New Kural
Industries into Victoria ; and the Utilization
of Juvenile Labour; together with notices
on the cultivation and preparation of some profitable
products especially suited to the soil and
climate of this country." The work is addressed
to the Hon. C. G. Dufly.M.P., Chief Secretary
of Victoria, and is published by Messrs. J. and
A. McKinley, Queen-street. This able little
publication, abounding, as it does, in useful information
and in facts worthy of the attention
of the cultivator of the soil, merits the special
notice at our hands which we give it in another
column of our present issue.
$