The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-23 00:00:00

THE C.OTERNM ENT AND REFORM.

Assuming that any course the government may
pursue as to reform is likely to be fatal to them, the
Tious observes that when the practical difference is likely
to be small there is s'i the more reason for viewing the
question as it may affect the character of a political party.
There is to be considered not only what is the must grace-
ful way of dying, but what political patrimony is to be
left to succeeding generations of conservatives, and what
esteem in the eyes of England to come. If the conserva-
tives have no measure, or, what we have said comes to
the same thing, can only hold out the vague hope of one
some future year, they certainly renounce the right they
have always claimed, if not always used, to an equal
share with their opponents in all public work.
The taunt that they should have pla*ily said last session
that they would have no reform would soon be for-
gotten, but if they met parliament next month without
a me sure they would thereby reciogrim that their own
office is simply to utter quiet obsti action, which is not the
conservatism of the leading members of the cabinet. The
liberals, it would then seem, are the party to originate, to
act, to form the future England, to be the possessors of
that hope which continually fulfils itself.
Two other articles in the rim" of this morning relate
more or less directly to reform. In one of them the
volume of Hr. Disraeli's speeches which has just been
published is referred to as proving that the right hon.
gentleman is honourably distinguished by his careful
study of reform. That he has hitherto failed as a reformer
is due to the fact that in advocating simply lateral exten-
sion he has failed to appreciate and satisfy the popular
movement—the tendency to equality which is equally
characteristic of our time. The reformer meet face the
necessity of reducing the electoral qualifications. So
much is incumbent upon him. He must further face the
necessity of redistributing the seats. A reform bill might
be desirable if these things were not wanted, but these
are the requirements which make a reform bill inevit►ble.
The Cb.umellor of the Exchequer sees what is to be done,
but the scheme he has hitherto advanced would fail to
accomplish it, and would succeed in provoking the resent-
ment of those still rnenfranchised.

In the third ease regret is expressed that another metro-
politan demonstration should have been decided upon.
The Times meanwhile bep the organisers to spare us the
blocking up of the principal west-end thoroughfares.
Surely the meeting at the Agricultural-hall, which would
hold many more than walked in proceasion in December,
would suffice.

THE JAIWCA commirrez AND THE ETRE DEFENCE FUND.

Referring to the late extraordinary letters of Mr. Hamil-
ton Hume, secretary of the Eyre Defence Fund, the Daily
Neva says it must be '-uposaible, even for Mr. Eyre's bit-
terest opponents, not to feel some pity for one whose par-
tisans gratuitously discredit hie cause by exhibitions of
bad taste and bad manners. Mr. Hume's cor-
respondence is quite in Lieutenant Brand's style
—a degree more polished, but by so much less
vigorous. A much graver topic, however, is sug-
gested by the letter of Messrs. Sheen and Rays,—
namely, the statement that the defence of the actions
against Colonel Nelson has been undertaken by the go-
vernment, and that this course on the part of govcrnm• nt
will indirectly furnish facilities and funds to the defence
of Mr. Eyre—as the witnesses are, for the most part,
the same. Such a prooeed'sg on the part of the
authoritiesdeanands the serious consideration of thepublic.
By the report of the royal commission, the subordinate
officers were authoritatively impeached, and it is unseemly
for the government to defend the authors of the injuries,
unless the costs of the plaintiffs are discharged as well.
In the Crawley owe the witnesses ou both sides were
brought home from ladle at the public expense, and it
is the duty of the government in this use also
to supply every facility by which the courts may be
enabled to do full justice. The presumption is in favour
of the prosecutors, not of the accused ; for the Royal
Comnrssion report that an immense number of indefen-
sible barbarities were committed by those in authority.
In such circumstances the aid of the public is due rather
to the sufferers from, than to the inflictors of, these out-
rages. By the course which government may take we
shall know on which side are its sympathies, and whether
it is fit to be the government of a constitutional kingdom
or not.