The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-24 00:00:00

THE NEW REFORM BILL

ALTHOUGH the Conservative party in the
House of Commons sits to the left of the
Speaker's chair, it cannot be denied that it
exercises considerable influence on passing
events. The fact would be readily confessed
by the present Ministers; and the weight of
Conservative power (even under existing cir-
cumstances) reconciles many constitutional
politicians to the absence of their friends from
office. Matters, however, will not be allowed
to remain as they are now. The Liberals are
resolved to lessen, if possible, the political
strength of the Conservative party, and will
most likely resolve to push on the Reform
question. Their policy in that respect
is not denied by their followers. They
believe themselves that it is their game to do
so, and the pledges of their leaders are before
the country Something must be done to
hush the growls of the advanced Liberals
whose seats are in jeopardy ; for trimming
democrats are not liked by popular consti-
tuencies, as the cases of Mr. WAKLEY, late of
Finsbury, Messrs. HAWES and PEARSON, late of
Lambeth, show ; and as the Middlesex con-
stituency will teach Mr. RALPH OSBORNE at the
next election. Besides, too many of the real
leaders of the Liberal party are so deeply
committed as to render the possibility of a
retreat from " Reform " impracticable. Th•
party has chosen it for a principle, and in-
scribed it on its colours. The honesty and
common sense of the, people of England will
permit no party to be playing fast and loose
with so great a question; and we can readily
understand the feeling which exists in many
Conservatives, that anything would be pre-
ferable to the uncertainty of having a large
and menacing measure hanging over the
country. England cannot afford to be con-
stantly threatened with great constitutional
changes.
It will therefore be necessary for us now to
be forewarned, and it will be useful to recon-
noitre closely the tendencies and conduct of

74

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the Whigs. It is evident that they feel ex-
tremely embarrassed by their position. Their
public honour is committed to dealing with
" Reform." It was with tears that Lord JOHN
RUSSELL abandoned hie measures not finally,
but for a season. He had pledged himself
over and over again to bring a plan forward.
He adjourned it during the war, and wept
over his hard lot in being obliged to forego
the pleasure of launching the country into
another internal revolution. The war has
ceased. The Noble Lord's pledge remains.
But the difficulties of the Whigs begin when
once they resolve on carrying another Reform
Bill. " What is it to be like, and where is it
"to end? Are the county constituencies to
"be swamped ? Are small boroughs to be
" abolished? Is political power to be given
"to the great towns exclusively?" These are
difficult questions to solve, even in the nar-
rowest sense of Whig faction. Let small
boroughs he abolished, and what will become
of the Whigs ? The " families " would think
twice before giving up Mahon, Peterborough,
Caine, Tavistock, Arundel, and their many other
snug seats. Three years ago Lord HARRY
VANE headed " old *Whigs," who were pre-
pared to do strong battle against the proposi-
tion that their family seats should be taken
away from them. We believe that the " old
'Whigs" are not ready to surrender on this

question.
Even if that difficulty were got over, there
are other obstacles in the path of Lord JOHN
RUSSELL. It may be doubted whether the
Noble Lord, with all his rashness, is ready to
propose placing the towns in the hands of an
unqualified democracy. Nor is there any
lowering of the franchise which would content
that numerous class of " Reformers" who in-
sist upon the " Ballot." It is positively cer-
tain that the Whigs will not adopt the Ballot.
Some of the present Ministers used to vote
for it, but, like Sir GEORGE GREY, they have
seen the errors of their ways. They believe
that " Ballot " would completely annihilate
their family influences, and that the measure
would be as ruinous to them as if the Whig
party were really " opened."
The mention of this last topic brings us to
another difficulty of the Reformers. What
good will be any reform which leaves the
Liberal Cabinet in the h ands of an exclusive
clique? Lorl JOHN RUSSELL was for six years
Prime Minister, and he never enlarged the
boundaries from which "Ministers" are chosen
for the Liberal connection. It. is the boast of
the Conservative party that, its " Cabinet "
has always been open to the virtues of the
independent gentry in its ranks, and to the
talents of men who have distinguished them-
selves in public life. CANNING, HUSKISSON,
DUNDAS, ADDINGTON, GOULBURN, and many
more Ministers of the Conservative party, were
not sprung from dukes and marquises. When
will the Whigs count so many names of " new
men" allowed to sit in the Cabinet? BURKE,
in 1782 ; SHERIDAN, in 1806 ; MACKINTOSH, in
1831 ; register the policy of the Whigs, in ex-
eluding men of genius, without long pedigrees
or broad acres, from their Cabinets. Mr.
MACAULAY'S case is no exception. The Right
Honoumblo Gentleman commenced public
lifelunder the special patronage of the Marquis
of LANSDOWNE.
Thus the difficulties from the abolition or
retention of their family boroughs—the
danger to the Whig oligarchy from the de-
mocracy of the towns—the anti-Radicalism
of "No Ballot"—and the question of opening
up the Cabinet. are all great difficulties in
the way of united action for the Whigs.
But let us not be deceived by the presence
of those difficulties. The Whigs will probably
rely on their old policy of conquering by cla-
mour. Let them throw public affairs into con-
fusion, and England into excitement, and their
servile parasites and organised " touters " will
raise the cry of " The Whigs alone can save
" the country." As in 18.29, 1831-2, and 1846,
public opinion will be coerced by seditious
clubs and confederated democrats. A clamour
must be raised by the Liberals, and Lord JOHN
RUSSELL will do his best, or his worst, to
foment that cry, and regain bis popularity.
He hopes to consolidate his friends and fol-
lowers by giving them a new object. His
restless character pants for action. lie de-

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