THE THRONE AND DEMOCRACY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 508, 12 January 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE THRONE AND DEMOCRACY.

Democracy is on the advance in England as well as in Ireland—not the misnamed democracy of the Commune, but a living, healthy, active principle, compatible with legitimate authority, allied to liberty* and containing in it the seeds of the regeneration, as well as. of the strength* of society. It is idle to close one’s eyes to the significant, and more than illustrative, events which are passing around us. The lifting shadows of the morning’s dawn never more truthfully announced the approach of day than do the meaning symbols hourly waning in our view indicate the approach of a new era for these countries. Disraeli, in being a chronicler of well-known events, became an unwary sear, and the subject of the remark which he wished to withdraw, but which has alrealy served its purpose, has unconsciously likewise contributed to the consummation which is at hand. An ex-Prime Minister ot England has virtually declared a Sovereign in England a superfluity; for, inasmuch as the Alonarch is “ physically and morally” incapacitated from discharging her duties, and yet the Government of the country proceeds with its accustomed regularity, there is no necessity for her presence on her formal functions. This, too, is the conclusion at which the English people seem to be fust arriving, and it will take all eloquence and all the power now battling for England against Englishmen, to save from ruin a Throne and dynasty devoted to slow, it may he, but, if we can believe our senses, certain destruction. If a Throne is to be of any use at all, it ought to be stately ; and it is impossible for a Throne to he stately without expense. At the same time there is something in the popular argument that now, when commercial fortunes far outshine the fortunes even ot the richest nobles, there can be no pretence for giving all the Royal Family a fortune that will enable them to be on a level with the richest in the laud. At all events, tins is certain—those who do not wish to see the Throne become unpopular for reasons of the most trivial kind, ought to desire concession on this matter, or its popularity, and therefore its political utiliiy, will surely receive a great shock. Some limit should he put to the number of members of the Royal Familyjentitled to votes of public money, and the fortunes of all the rest should be thrown on the private resources of its various branches The Monarchy, to lie useful, must be the choice of the people. It is so now. 11 will soon cease to be the choice of a very large and active section of the people, if some effort is not made to convince them that they are not taxed for the private advantage of virtually private families, but only for the maintenance of their own public officers.