The Express.
London, England, 1859-03-23 00:00:00

tory in isrliamentary dialectics is a plain and
straightforward declaration of what thaw who claim
to be its chiefs would do were they called

on to frame a scheme.

Without a distinct

and palpable flag round which to rally,
energy or enthusiasm there can be none ; and with-
oat these, the heitintentiona and the greatest abilities
will find themselves baffled by the dense mass of
IMO selflah resistance which lies in the way of
everything like reel progress. Let us frankly con-
fess it, believer, we are glad that Lord Joire
RUSSELL did not suffer himself to be beguiled into
anything which might hereafter be construed into a
pledge that he meant to fall back upon the terms of
compromise vainly offered in 1864. Elements of
good there were in that proposal, no doubt, as there
are even in that of Lord DERRY I the 101. franchise
in counties formed a prominent feature in both. But
a el. rating franchise for towns, limited in its
operation by the condition of two years and
a half residence, would have proved, as we NOW
practically know, but a miserable dole. We mint
never hear again of such a proposition. The more,
indeed, it is discussed, the more unsatisfactory it
appearlethat the electoral privilege should be founded
I upon any arbitrary amount of rating. Rateability
is another matter, implying as it does proven par-
ticipation in the local ditties of citizenship. There
is terra firma there ; and firm holding ground for
the ship's anchors. To this, sooner or later, we are
sure to come, and if the obstinacy of one aristocratic
party and the irresolution of another should prolong
the period of suspense before we get into harbour,
and if during the interval the State be tossed and
damaged by the winds( and waves, upon their heads
will rest the responsibility who at a juncture like
the present have withheld wise lied generous men
from obeying their natural impulses, and saying out
boldly what they know to be inevitable and tree.
The speech of the night was thatof Sir E.LIITIOW,
who, laying aside somewhat of the artificiality that
has often marred his efforts as a debater, spoke like
a keen and determined Fenian, but also like a man
who had a definite and practical purpose before him,
and who was really absorbed by it. In this oblivion
of sell eonseioeusnees lies the true secret of rhetorical
emcees; and the Secretary for the Colonies, foes
getting for perhaps the first time in his life the
author of " Pelham," waster the first time thoroughly
successful. It was a speech addressed not only to
the prejudices and passions of the House, but to those
of the privileged community out of doors, to whose
ultimate verdict Ministers are evidently screwing up
their courage to appeal. Instead of attempting to prove
that the Bill was a liberal measure in conservative
guise, the right honourable Baronet intrepidly offered
to wager the present Bill against any which the
leaders of Opposition might frame as being lees of
a concession than theirs could possibly be. Reiterat-
ing the words, and expanding the ideas of Lord
STANLEY the night before, Sir EDWARD denounced
all concession to the working classes as subversive
of the freedom, the safety, and the honour of Eng-
land. Ones go below the 101. franchise, and you
can arrest your downward stem. Admit the
working men by tens and twenties, and then hun-
dreds and thousands will speedily force their
way in. Their partial eafranchisement would be
a fraud, and their general enfranchisement
filo de ce. The Home of Commons as a
representative body in its highest seem would
caw to exist, and be replaced by an assembly
of mere delegates, which, as in America, would fail
to command the respect of those by whom it was
chosen, or, es is Franca, become the tool of despotic
ambition. "If they accepted the amendment of tie
" noble; lard, the result would be to Ow ingllaloolt
" intelligeme at the commend of ignorant nosailp,
" and uninstructed numbers."
This is sot orglonent ; it badman/4 a Onnonli•
ties, an invective. It is a beii mei rag Idr Mogi/