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THE NATIONAL REVIEW.

JULY, 1855.

ART. I.-ON THE JUST AND THE UNJUST IN THE RECENT POPULAR DISCONTENT.

1. Papers connected with the Civil Service Reform.-Blue Book, 1855.

2. Manifesto of the Administrative Reform Association.

3. Speech of Mr. Layard. House of Commons. June 15, 1855.

THE Periodical Press has many high functions and many

solemn obligations. To it belongs the duty of courageous but temperate exposition of national grievances, and the ready reception, the conscientious sifting, and the cautious publication of individual wrongs. To it belongs the privilege of protecting the weak against oppression and rescuing the obscure from oblivion or neglect. It has to tear the mask from successful charlatanry, to expose incapacity where inca. pacity has been foisted into dangerous and unseemly eminence, and to denounce iniquity and corruption in those high places where only purity and principle should reign. It has to allay popular passion when excessive or astray, and to moderate popular expectations when rushing into wild and irrational extremes. It is sometimes called upon to interpose to save victims as well as to point out criminals, to mitigate the severity of the sentence as well as to furnish evidence and insist upon a trial. It has often to plead the cause of high principle and of common sense in an arena where both are too apt to be trodden under foot. And, most frequently of all, are its efforts needed to remind legislators and statesmen of those great objects which are so incessantly smothered and lost sight of in the confused multiplicity of small details and daily strife,No. I. JULY, 1855.

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