Great Britain has had her share in the difficulties which have
disturbed and convulsed her continental neighbors. She has had in her
midst a party of ultras, called Chartists, that look to the subversion
of the present form of government. She has dealt with them steadily,
sternly, and, for a time, effectually; but while there is oppression
almost necessarily in a form of government, there will be a place for
opposition to stand upon, and that opposition will assume any form
which can promote its object.
England, of all nations of Europe, seems to have understood the
advantage of concession. She has denied, postponed, hesitated, and
then granted, so that the joy caused by the concession has for a time
disarmed opposition, and given new strength, or at least additional
_time_ to the government. She has yielded slowly, but still yielding
from time to time what has been asked of the government in behalf of
the people, when the power of the government and the peace of the
realm were not involved. And she has overwhelmed with power or
ridicule all attempts at subverting the monarchy. The Radicals have
been shot down as at Manchester; the Chartists ridiculed into silence;
but Catholic emancipation has been allowed, and the corn-laws
repealed.
But let no one suppose that the results of force, of ridicule, or
concession are to be the yielding of the public; the same spirit which
called into action all those opposing means, is as constantly at work
now as it was ten years ago, and the demands will be as regular and as
imperative as ever, until the last vestige of inequality shall have
disappeared. Happy will it be for Great Britain if her ministry,
practicing the wisdom of the past, allows concession to prevent
revolution, and permits what of monarchy and aristocracy is left, to
come easily to the ground rather than to be upturned by the violence
of insurrection. England, for many years, has been as much in a state
of revolution as has France. She has had fewer convulsions, but she
has made a steady progress in her orbit, and those who live out the
century, will see the end of one grand cycle.
Ireland has been made to occupy a large portion of the public eye this
year. The death of O'Connell seemed to have left the "repeal party,"
(nearly the whole nation,) without a leader. Certainly without a sage
adviser; and the great measures which that distinguished man had so
long lead, was likely to be lost by the apathy of one se
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