By Matt Warneke
The book “Europe Since 1815” was written by Charles D. Hazen in 1910 and updated in 1923. The preface of the book references a conversation between Romania Queen Carmen Sylva and statesman Take Jonescu on Sunday, August 2, 1914 in Sinaia. The queen asks him what the results of World War I would be? Mr. Jonescu replied that he could not presume or predict the consequences, but he knew four results of the war: 1) a revival of hatred among nations, 2) a lurch to the left toward Socialism, 3) a terrible cascade of thrones except for those such as the British monarchy, who are merely hereditary presidencies of republics, and 4) a delay of 50 years for the U.S. to become moral leader of the world.
He went on to indicate that this experiment of the making of a new civilization by the U.S. will be without prejudices or castes, or monarchial or aristocratic institutions. This would be the most interesting feat mankind has ever accomplished. Mr. Jonescu certainly had a vision, but omitted a tyrannical Deep State to deceive, corrupt and steal from We The People.
It’s interesting to point out that Mr. Hazen exposed the British hypocrisy all the way back to the early 1800s. Within 10 pages of the book, he addresses the topics of suffrage, government pay to play schemes, bribery, rule by the wealthy aristocracy, corruption of the bodies of the State at the highest levels including the Church of England, universities, and Parliament. The lower class suffered during their oligarchical rule as their empire expanded and enriched at the cost of many.
At one low point in British history following the 1816 riots in Ely and Spa Fields London, they resorted to censorship by suspending the Habeus Corpus Act in 1817. Parliament’s main objective was to suppress political discussion by the public. This extended to matters of medicine, surgery, and chemistry. They resorted to unjust means to damage or silence their political opponents. Does this all sound familiar?
The climax came at the Massacre of Peterloo at St. Peter’s Field in Manchester on August 16, 1819. An estimated 50,000 men, women and children attended a public meeting to petition for parliamentary reforms and address grievances. After police attempted to arrest key individuals, the authorities ordered a cavalry to respond which resulted in innocent people killed and injured. The iron rule of Parliament climaxed when they then passed the infamous Six Acts or Gag Laws which further restricted the freedoms of speech, press and public meetings.
The wealth, greed and power of the British elite wasn’t enough during this period. Well over half the population of children couldn’t afford to attend school, and they were forced into child labor in the manufacturing centers of the industrial revolution. And regarding suffrage, only one in 30 people were allowed to vote, but that number was improved to one in six men ten years later. This was after the French Revolution caught the attention of the crown.
A big spokesman for the lower class surfaced during these times. William Cobbett published a periodical called “The Weekly Political Register”. For 30 years he used his power of the pen to fight oppression and fight for parliamentary reform. His three objectives were to 1) champion voter rights, 2) pursue social and economic reforms, and 3) abolish evils of the upper class.
From our recent election, we can draw many similarities to the times of the English commoners 200 years ago. The seat of the Deep State may rest in the UK, as well as our finances within the federal reserve. Moving forward, let us learn from our mistakes and ensure that our voting systems have integrity, and elections have consequences. Cherish your right to vote. We will need it our continued fight against tyranny and greed.