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Nov. 10, 1855,1 THE LEADER. 1081
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THE MORAL OF THE ACT OF 1844-Theue is on...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Dismemberment. The Dismemberment Of Russ...
stroyed before civilization can spread into the less fortunate provinces ot Europe . Even the absolutism of the Czars is necessary at present , or , which is equivalent , inevitable . Their dynasty grew up in the rear of the corrupt dynasties of Europe ; they became the military teiTor of Christendom ; but with them grew a peop le vigorous , healthy , pertinacious , formed for a great destiny , and not to be scattered by any coalition that maybe threatened by Napoleon the Third .
With this people has arisen a popular priesthood , Tvedded to it , jealous of the central authority , proud of the rough beards which distinguish them from the superior clergy . Further , we must keep in mind that , at a stage in which few nations have emerged from the most infatuated servility of belief , the Russian population is largely impregnated with dissent . It is true that these dangerous classes are outlawed , but Mr . Herzen explains how every peasant in the Empire is an outlaw—as much an outlaw as the exile who is hunted off the
sacred soil of Britain , That is to say , whatever laws exist , do not exist for him . In the judicial courts he is dumb , or is terrified into a lie . But with men of his own order he speaks and acts as a man . Rarely does a peasant deceive a peasant in Russia . Rarely does a Russian , peasant require from a Russian peasant any written engagement . Though he holds his property ( when he has property ) under a system of perplexing subdivisions , he never complains or appeals to the law . If a Dissenter , he will not , under torture , betray his co-religionist . When literature reaches him , he appreciates it . These are not the materials of a race that
can be suppressed by the policy of the Western Powers . What , then , is meant by Dismemberment ? Does it signify that Great and Little Russia , Southern and Western Russia , the Provinces of the Baltic , and Siberia are to tie torn apart , redistributed , or subjected to a nefarious process of partition ? To conceive such a scheme , and to designate it as an object of the war , would be absurd for any party , and impossible for Liberals . The basis of the Liberal programme is the idea of political justice , which would not be established by the " utter overthrow" of the Russian Empire . But the project is attributed to the friends of European freedom , because it balances a Conservative antithesis .
The French official journals have been engaged for some days in amplifying this ideain generalities , not details . Their uniform announcement is that , unless Russia accommodates herself to terms that would be acceptable by the Western Powers , an European Coalition will take the field against her , and extort concessions , equivalent to self-destruction . The mission of General Canrobert to
Stockholm , and that of M . M . Beust and vilain Quatohze , to Paris , supply a mystic surmise , which is added to this calculation . If the Allies were bursting every barrier in their way , crushing the enemy , triumphantly clearing the ground , these menaces would tell upon the Czar with additional force . But Alexander the Second remembers that Nicholas also was warned of an European Coalition ; and he sees that his position in the Crimea is one that keeps the combined armies in check . Above all , he comprehends the dynastic mind of Europe , and must feel assured , that a Coalition of Kings , to destroy absolutism in Russia , is impossible .
The object of a war that would really serve the cause of European civilization , must bo that of releasing Europe from military control . The result of euch a war would be , probably , that Russia would lose her latest conquests , and lose Poland , which she possesses by virtue of a compact violently and criminally broken
by the Emperor Nicholas . But that purpose could be attained only by rousing great forces to the contest— forces which national enthusiasm alone could supply , and these , infallibly , would be hostile to nearly all the existing powers of Christendom . The Austrian Government is , naturally , more obnoxious to the Italians and the Hungarians than the government of Russia . Unless , therefore , Austrian and Russian absolutism , are condemned together , why call on the continental nations to declare against Russia , and insult them as servile if they are dumb ? They are servile , —their servility is helpless . Moreover , it is the policy of Great Britain , now represented by France , to give permanence to their servile condition .
The people of Russia are not hateful to the English nation . They are a laborious , unoffending people , deprived of many advantages possessed by more advanced communities , but not to be dispersed , let us be well assured , when Paris or Vienna exhibits another Babel of diplomacy . There are , however , principles and systems to be hated ; and , if the war had a meaning , it would be directed against them , instead of being dragged through Despond . From one side of the Continent to the other
Terror prevails , except in isolated States which are incessantly threatened with extinction . In Spain , a Bonapartist reaction works , by the aid of the Church , through every channel of political activity . In Italy , the only state that , officially , aspires to progress , is fettered and intimidated . In Germany , the parliament of the Holy Alliance concerts means to destroy the mock forms of liberty established in 1830 . In Turkey , the provinces wrested from Russia have been handed over to Austrian generals , who establish martial law , and allow the inhabitants to be murdered by dozens .
The effect of an immediate peace , which would deprive the Russian frontier in the South , clear the Danube , and protect the Christians , would be to leave matters in Europe exactly as they are . The bluster and the riot of benevolent eloquence about the independence of Europe would end in the restoration of the Emperor of Russia to the confidence of the crowned fraternity , and the despots would simply be united , instead of being at
war . But the effect of a prolonged -war upon the same principle would be worse . It would strengthen every military government , put civil influences out of sight , exhaust the vitality of the belligerent nations , cause irreparable disasters , and result in the ttalus quo , with aggravations . If we conceived it possible that the conflict could continue long on this basis , and not change to a war of principle , we would ask for peace now between the Cabinets , for there are other powers waiting to occupy the field .
Nov. 10, 1855,1 The Leader. 1081
Nov . 10 , 1855 , 1 THE LEADER . 1081
The Moral Of The Act Of 1844-Theue Is On...
THE MORAL OF THE ACT OF 1844-Theue is one view of the monetary question which does not seem to have occurred to the philosophers who deal with the subject . Really those who give value and certified accuracy to the current coin of the realm , iucur a grave moral responsibility . Ib it not obvious that they have perfected the instrument -which concentrates every kind of influence ? " It is all a question of money ? " may now be said of most questions ; and in proportion as money is
handy and of completely attested value , so is the influence complete . Human nature has always been corruptible : the speciality of our day is , that it avows itself so ; and almost any kind of corruptibility is so distinctly ascer- ^ tainod by " the higgling of the market , " that it " might be " quoted . " You might have a list of constituencies with figures against thorn , to be corrected at each transaction . Individuals have always had their price , but now the Church itself is habitually in the market .
Mr . Scovell finds himself unable to obtainthe seat of Southwark , because he cannot command sufficient money , or does not choose to expend enough for the purpose . There is a point , he presumes , and not entirely without grounds , at which he might succeed—if he were to spend enough , his chance would be good . If we would ascertain the point , that figure would represent the price of Southwark at the present day , and under the present competition of the purchasers , Scovell and Napier .
It is against the laws of the land , aud of religion , to sell the offices of the Church ; yefc it is habitual . Alderman Farebrother , the eminent auctioneer , the other day had several livings for sale ; aud the particulars are stated as plainly as if they were houses for sale , or estates . The offices of the Church of England , and Moses ' s clothing , are placed precisely on the same footing ; only , that in the case of the Church sales , more distasteful considerations are brought in to swell the market price . The and the
age of the actual incumbent is noted , purchaser , with the money , buys the hope of the speedy death of a worthy and reverend divine . The man who now occupies the pulpit is to be succeeded by a man who is watching for his death j after that event , it will be filled by one who has purchased the right to preach at Mammon , and the congregation whom , in pitched voice , and regulation accents , he exhorts to all unselfishness , hrvow how he came there , and how he has observed the laws of
Simony ! It can no longer be said that the proudest , most pious , most devoted , and most reckless natures are capable of resisting the " sovereign" power . The epithets we have just employed , apply also to Archbishop JVFHale , the Irish " Lion of the fold of Judah . " There was a time when Archbishop M'Hale scorned to call himself anything but •• Archbishop of Tuam 1 " There was no objection on the part of English officials to call him but he would
" Archbishop M'Hale in Tuam ; " not have it . No , he was the Episcopal lord of the territory , and he insisted upon his title . Nothing , it seemed , could overcome bia firmness . But that was a mistake . Money can overcome it . He is invited by the Income-tax Commissioners to state the revenue which he derives as Archbishop , and M'Hale palters with his title , in the hope of evading the impost . The attempt is amusing , from the total impossibility of success . Says Dr . M'Hale , of
"I derive my income as Archbishop Tuam ; the schedule requires me to state the source of my income ; but if I state the source , I break the law which forbids me to call myself Archbishop of Tuam . " It reminds one of the difficulty presented to the wise Sanciio , when governor of the Island of Barrataria . A mau Was brought before that Solomon for judgment — the man having declared that ho was about to cross a certain bridge , to be hanged on a gallows at the other cud , — the gallows being made for the purpose of hanging those who crossed If the
the bridge , if they told lies . man were hanged , ho had told the truth , and ought to be let go ; if ho were let go , he had told a lie , and ought to be hanged . No doubt , Archbishop M'Hale remembered Sancho ' s truly wise decision . In such cuhcb , said Sanciio , justice should borrow its dictate from mercy ; and the man must go . M'Hamj , of course , thought the Income tax Coimnisionor would let him go under the difficulty -whioh he felt , in stating himself ""^"'^ 'V'Hale Archb £ 4 " i » Tuan ,. « ? " - „ « i T ££ 3 * 5 the uso of tlio proposition " in instead ot " of" and tlio «* olo difficulty > " Bolvcd Ho
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 10, 1855, page 13, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_10111855/page/13/
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