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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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No . 498 . Oct . 8 . 1859 . 1 * THE LEADEB , 1129
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SUBSCRIPTION TO " THE LEADER . " ONE GUINEA PER YEAR , UNSTAM P ED , PREPAID . ( Delivered Gratis . )
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THE NATIONS FERMENTING . The state of the world is exciting and anxious , although not in reality so alarming as when the Eniperor of the French made the memorable remark to the Austrian ambassador , which was interpreted as a promise to involve Europe in a war— -the character and limits of which set conjecture at defiance . In conjunction with France we have a war in China , and shall be lucky if we escape fresh disasters , as Lord John Russell has assured Mr . Bruce , that her Majesty ' s Government see nothing in his insane conduct to diminish the
confidence they reposed in him . , In Morocco , France and Spain have a nice little quarrel , the trouble and cost of which cannot yet be calculated . In North America a bullying filibuster of a general has almost involved his country and ours in a fratricidal war ; the opportunity for which arose out of the blundering of our aristocratic diplomacy in settling boundaries , and the slovenly way in which the surveying and mapping part of the business was carried out . In Turkey a great conspiracy almost succeeded , and reveals a state of society from which further explosions may be
expected . In Moldo-Wallachia the people are dissatisfied with their prince , whose incompetence was his chief recommendation , when the practical thing to be done was to diminish the jealousy excited against the union of the two provinces , and who , now the fusion is accomp lished , is found , as was expected , unfit for his place . The Servians arc still more discontented with their ruler , Milosch , whose qualifications are better adapted to pig-farming than to the government of a people anxious to join in the march of
ciyilisation , and not liking to see high places filled with ci-devant footmen , and gentlemen , whose education has HCfircely £ ot . as i ' av as pothooks and spelling . The Jjjjist is assnredly fermenting , nhd diplomats will again enjoy thejr tit bits ot Turkey ' s liver , cooked up with more sauce than sense . If wo can manage to agree with Franco in some broad principle of action , no harm may arise out of this imbroglio ; but a mere continuance in our old efforts to preserve things as they are will be of little avail .
The statcof the principal European oountrios also portends further change . Lord John Russell ' s manly declaration in favour of the right of the Italians to choose their own rulers has produced oxoitoment and hope in Italy , and has filled the court of Vienna with rage and alarm . The Pope has had a diplomatic quarrel with the King of Sardini a , and as Austria is furnishing him , with trained soldiers who are to wear the Papal uniform , an attack upon Garibaldi is a very probable contingency . Should this take place — find
the Italian patriots will do all they can to bring it about—there will be a rising all through the territories of the Church , Rome only excepted ; and Austria must either submit to the triumph of principles ; fatal to the existence of her traditional policy , or repeat the folly of again plunging into war . Naples is in commotion and not unlikely to attempt an interference on behalf of the Pope , which would be the signal for extending the national movement ; and the unfortunate niurder of Anviti , the absolutist conspirator , at Parrna , shows what stormy passions will be excited if the Italians are molested in their orderly efforts to obtain their rig hts . As for the Germans , they are less likely than ever to quarrel in behalf of
Austria ; their agitation for unity , which they do not know how to manage , occupies their thoughts , and it is impossible to calculate how many millions of pipes will have to be smoked before they agree to do anything but differ and propound theories far too learned and recondite for practical ' use . The emigration in London sends to " Fatherland " its contribution of fog , and assists ^ without intending it , the designs of Austria , by recommending a stupid jealousy of Prussia , which is described as a " grasping and impotent power . " Judging from these circumstances , it is probable that if the Court of Vienna gets entangled in a fresh war with Victor Emmanuel and Louis Napoleon ,, there will be no fear of a counter project in the shape ot a German invasion of France .
If Francis Joseph had learnt his lessons of Magenta and Solferino like a good boy , we should by this time have had proof of his amendment by a real reform of Austrian institutions , but nothing of the kind has taken place , and the concessions apparently made , to the Protestants of Hungary turn out , now that their details are known " , to be only an insulting delusion —quite as offensive as the Concordat with , the Pope . The Zurich Conference may end in the signature of One document , or of three , as some of tlie French papers suppose , but the Italian question has « one beyond parchment , and thousands of
. ardent men sympathise with the hope expressed by Victor Emmanuel to Klapka , that the hour for further victory over the national enemy is almost at hand . These circumstances are quite sufficient to account for the continuance of war preparations in France without assuming that the Emperor has a profound plot against these islands , and they encourage the belief that at any rate he would be glad to preserve our alliance until danger from other powers has passed away . In setting himself in opposition to the treaties of 1815 he was not only acting upon a Napoleonic idea , ' but embodying a national sentiment , recognised by Lamartine in
one of the earliest documents of the Provisional Government ; and no conduct would be more dangerous than to suffer a re-establishment of Austrian influence in Italy after France has made such efforts and sacrifices to secure its overthrow . There may be more pretence of anxiety for the restoration of the dismissed sovereigns , but the Italians will only regard it as an exemplification of tlie motto , Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnarc ; and they are firmly persuaded that Austria will have the benefit of the first half of the proverb , and that they will really be permitted to act for themselves . In this they are confirmed by the friendly feeling manifested in their behalf by Prince
Napoleon , whose yiews are thought by no means to differ from those ' of . the Emperor , as much as the Morny and Walewski party would have the world suppose . It is probable thai Louis Napoleon is as much surprised as any one else at the good sense and union Svhich the Italians have shown , and the absence of those local jealousies that have been the chief cause of their degradation . The change is not , however , inexplicable . The conduct of Victor Emmanuel has won golden opinions throughout the land , and every Italian would be proud to have for a sovereign tho prince who has beaten . the Austrian ,- ? in a series of brilliant battles , and is ready and anxious ' to do it again .
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ELECTION BRIBERY . Lhgjsjlation studiously contrived not to answer its avowed purpose ought to be characterised « h fraudulent ; and of this fraudulent legislation , wo have specimens in tho various enactments pertaining to election bribery , of which it ia not too m uch to soy , that in no single instance did either tho House of Lords or the House of Commons imagine for one moment that they wore providinga
remedy which had the slightest chance of being effective . So far back as 1819 , Mr . Curwen endeavoured to obtain the imposition of a bribery oath of a comprehensive description , upon all members of Parliament , but only such portions of his bill were permitted to pass , as were pretty certain to be of no use . A similar treatment has been accorded to every , bill since brought into the House of Commons , and containing serviceable provisions ; and when the absurd Act of 1854 became law , every one knew that the true preamble for it would have been— " Whereas the House of Commons likes bribery , and means to stick to it , it is expedient to make further provision for its more comfortable exercise . "
To keep up the pretence of a virtue which our legislators do not possess , and arfe determined , if they can avoid it , not to acquire , we have a complicated and expensive apparatus of election committees , and occasionally special commissions , which provide good jobs for adherents of the ministry , afford a little gossip , and lead to no useful result . At a great outlay the Gloucester commission is learning what most people knew beforehand , and what the Cabinet has no idea of turning to > ny useful purpose , unless an unexpected pressure of public opinion should occur . Indeedhow can the Whigs , with any decency , be
, severe , when their own Sir William Hayter and their own Reform Club are compromised in these transactions , and when they are in the well known habit of negotiating with the Tories for the withdrawal or suppression of petitions on both sides ? There is nothing peculiar in the Gloucester case ; them are dozens of other towns to which . Whig and Tory functionaries send confidential agents who change their names , and may be trusted to employ ^ 500 or any other sum ; nor is the barefaced impudence with which votes are sold , or the hypocritical pretence of perfect innocence , at all towns have their
singular . Scores of other families like the Coopeys , for which " . £ 80 will do , " and for whom " the bargain is struck as if i * were a deal for pigs . " In another West of England town it is not long since a grocer illustrated the matter over the counter to his customers . " You see , " he said , " these pounds of sugarnow anybody may have one for sixpence ; but why should I give them away ? If a London f » ent comes down and asks for it , why should f give him a pound of sugar ? and if I should not give him the sugar , why should I " ive him my vote , which is as much my property is wortn
and as many pounus us me oug « « pence . " This is the kind of morality which our statesmen and legislators encourage , and which will continue to be a national disgrace until a real desire for its correction can be excited in the public mind . Mr . Price ' s account of the passing the Corrupt Practices Act- was strictl y true . He told the commission that he was in the House at the time , and " considered it so much waste paper . " lie added , " livery attempt to introduce efficient amendments' having been opposed by both parties , he troubled himself no more about it . " A few years ago Mr . Chisholm Anstey and Mr . Keogh attempted to brine ? bribery cases within reach of the county courts , hut were of course thwarted , and every endeavour has mot a similar fate , their only use being .. furnish
suggestions whenever a serviceable bill is reauy required . In 1835 Mr . Parkcs reeommene cd that all applications of money to influence elections shoufefbe prohibited , and that hired agents and paid agents of every kind should be prohibited . Sir A ? Coekburn , recommenced , that n member convicted of bribery should never be al owed to sit a ^ ain ; and the best informed and most lntelliffcntVitnesses examined at that time concurredm recommending the members' bribery oath , to which we have already referred , and Mr . 1 arkes proposed a penalty for its violation , otherwise he thought it would bo taken in a conventional sonso . Sir A , Cockburn suggested that when nprimafacie enscwas made out against a member , ho hIiouM be obliged to come forward and purge himself of participation in any offences that had boon committed . Plenty of serviceable suggestions have beon made besides tho ballot , but they have been examined only for tho purpose of ensuring tho rejection ot
such as are likely to be effective . Well conducted elections would bo a uaotul stimulant of public feeling ; at present they are an expensive disgrace , demoralising and
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NOTICES TO COR RESPONDENTS . No notice can be taken of anonymous correspondence Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer ; not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of his good faith . It is impossible to acknowledge the mass of letters we receive . Their insertion is often delayed , owing to a press Of matter ; and when omitted , it is frequently from reasons quite independent of the merits oi the communicate cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
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OFFICE , NO . , CATHERINE-STREET , : STRAND , W . C .
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— v ^ y — " ^ SATURDAY , OCTOBER 8 , 1859 .
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There is nothing so revolutionary , because there is nothing so unnatural' mid convulsive , as the strain to keep things fixed when all the world is by the very law of its creation in eternal progress . —Dr . Arnold . . ' ? ¦
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 8, 1859, page 1129, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2315/page/13/
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