John Morrison Davidson

“ When an aristocrat by birth becomes a democrat by reflection, when a royalist by association becomes a republican by sympathy, the process of conversion can never be without interest. Those of us who, like myself, were at no time any thing if not Radical, are apt to set but too little store by principles which one in Mr. Herbert's position prizes like so much treasure-trove. ”

“ A privileged aristocracy at the top of the social pyramid necessarily implies protected poverty at the base. Deal with the cause before you meddle with the effect. When some simple form of republican government, based on universal suffrage, such as Mr. Herbert desires, has been attained, it will be time enough seriously to concern ourselves about the intrinsic consequences of socialism and individualism. With a complete democracy, socialist and individualist conundrums will solve themselves. Let Mr. Herbert seek first the republic, and all else will be added to him. ”

“ Herbert has latterly adopted the ultra-individualist theories of Mr. Herbert Spencer, and started a "Personal Rights and Self-Help Association" as the outward manifestation of his new faith. The Personal Rights Association abhors socialism in every form. What is socialism? It exists whenever the state does for individuals what they might voluntarily achieve for themselves. They are the best laws which repeal laws. The church as by law established is a socialist institution,—down with it. National education is socialist,—down with it. The poor law is socialist,—repeal it. ”

“ English is the language which they seem to have chosen even in preference to French or German, which would have afforded a better link of communication between themselves and the nations of that great continent on whose outer edge their fortunes are cast, and to which they cling desperately, with nothing but the bravery and the stern virtues of the old Norse race to maintain them on their narrow foothold. ”

“ On the contrary, I should say of such men as Herbert, "I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel." I could name several members of his order who, for purity of motive, sense of justice, and genuine love of their fellow-men, have no superiors, or perhaps equals, in the ranks of those whose political principles may be said by comparison to bear interest. The aristocracy of England has never been absolutely without some redeeming representatives. ”

“ As you will easily conceive, the conduct of England has placed neither our nation nor our policy in a favorable light. The Danes are sorely hurt at our desertion of their fortunes. They feel it the more acutely because between them and England there has existed a silent brotherhood. English is the which is taught in their schools and colleges, and which forms a regular part of their education. ”

“ Notwithstanding some appearances to the contrary, the baronage of England, Mr. Herbert maintains, and I agree with him, is now as effete as the Sublime Porte. There is but one thing they can now do with advantage,—efface themselves as speedily as possible, and fall into line in the great army of democracy, which, often retarded in its advance, never really turns back; which, "like death, never gives up a victim." ”

“ Dark as are the clouds, and cruel as is the game which is being played out, I am determined to remain constant to my belief that I have both visited Arcadia and seen a 'patriot army.' Do you blame me in this nineteenth century for cherishing two such illusions, if illusions they are? ”

“ The idea of a hereditary legislator is even more absurd than that of a hereditary butcher or baker; and, if Englishmen had had any sense of the ludicrous, the peerage would have been laughed, if not kicked, out of existence long ago. ”

“ Herbert, while alluding to the actual occupant of the throne with all the superstitious reverence which a degraded public opinion could possibly exact, had yet the manhood to affirm his conviction that a republic is preferable to a monarchy in a community such as ours. ”

“ The liquor laws are socialist,—away with them. Factory legislation is socialist,—undo it. What is wanted is absolute free trade in every thing,—religion, ignorance, whiskey, destitution, and over-work. ”

“ Herbert's political acts and principles, which should have been reached sooner. He started life, to be sure, as a Tory; but I cannot discover that he had ever the root of the matter really in him. He called himself a Conservative long after he had become more liberal than most Liberals. At Oxford, however, he must have had the reputation of being a sound Conservative; for he was elected president of the Union Debating Society over a Liberal opponent, and in 1865 he stood unsuccessfully for Newport, Isle of Wight, in the "Liberal-Conservative" interest. ”