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The lessons taught by Democracy are simply these,—that public men may be popular favourites and not patriotic—that popular favour is capricious—that the worst corruption and the grossest tyranny may co-exist with the most radical governments—that huge national armaments may oppress the taxpayer—that war is more possible, if not probable—that the worst of men may be leading politicians—that Protection may flourish luxuriantly—that national debts may in four years eclipse those raised by effete monarchies in a century—that doctrinaires may ruin a state by their whims—that human nature is ever the same, and that blunder after blunder may be committed by treating men as you would have them to be, instead of as you find them!
Both Radical leaders and papers profess to dread the advent amongst us of 'Americanization,' yet work with all their might to accomplish it! This suggests
- Its illogical and inconsistent conduct.
No instance could be more appropriate in illustration of this very prominent characteristic than the conduct of Mr. Gladstone and his friends during the late Session of Parliament. If there is one topic more than another worn threadbare it is the necessity of protecting the poor oppressed voter. To this end, their great hobby—the Ballot—is periodically trotted forth. How far this laudable motive is real may be gathered from the fact, that influenced by the terrible history of past Elections in Ireland, anticipating
