The Express.
London, England, 1866-02-10 00:00:00

MI HOOBl 01 CONYONB AND 1110 IN.

Reviewing last night's debate on the Address, the
Daly News remarks that though the mental connexion be-
tween the insurrection in Jamaica and the impending reform
bill which led Sir John Pakington to touch on them in suc-
cession may not be very obvious, nevertheless it Livery real.
Usenasoieusly, the feeling which makes men oppose the
extension of popular liberties at home induces them to
apologise for the violation and denial of justice abroad.
Men who were ready enough to level upwards from their
OWII, position are by no means so well inclined to level
downwards from it. Mr. Marsh and Sir H. Hoare present
two stages in the tory metamorphosis. The former bases
his opposition to the extension of the suffrage upon an
experience gained is a aat;on taken out of Newgate, end
it might be safer to withhold the franchise altogether from
the artisans than t 6 offer it on the patrooiaing terms which
Sir Hwy would make as the condition. With Mr. Bouvene's
arguments against the nomination boroughs and the in-
equality of the representation of the counties, the Daily
News agrees; but has he ever said so before? Would he say
es now, if a redistribution of coats were proposed by the
government! Her Majesty's ministers will take the course
which in their view is most likely to secure the end
at which he and they alike aim, and if Mr. Marsh and Mr.
Bouverie unite in opposing their measure, the conclusion
will be general that under dissimilar pretexts they have
the Ilan purpose. It cannot be too plainly stated for the
information of the constituencies of the United Kingdom

that those members of the liberal party who, cur the
reform gusatioe, sot with the tones. ue consciously or tan-
oorieciouly oiling for the toriel.

The Herald believes that as Bad Russell has been trad-
ing upon reform for the last 15 years, so he evidently
Imeans to trade upon it for the remainder of his political
career, and he has this time, as before, taken care that
he will bring forward a bill which will have very little
Ghana) of moeptance, and whioh, if tarried, would leave
I the general question unsettled and the liberal party its
reform cry. But the Herald will not affect to suppose that
there is any danger of s mere franchise reform bill paring
the Legislators, for both conservative and all the more
thoughtful and moderate liberals will oppose it.
Formed liberals, the Telegraph contends, will leave it to
the cabinet to asciertain how much of that upon which we
all spec ciao be now carried. If Lord Russell sees that he
can carry the 61. franchise, but that to seek also the aboli-
tion of rotten and nomination boroughs would at this
juncture imperil a bill which, in the foolish hope of finality,
some of the tories might otherwise mooed, even Mr.
Heaved,' might be content to avail himself of the sub.
stantial reform within his reach, leaving the questions of
the future to the state-manitip of the future.
The Star cannot acquit the government of blame. Their
bill ought to have been ready, sad members ought to have
been told that they were expected to speak for or against
It, net to cavil at it—to pass or reject it, not to clamour
for something quite different and quite impracticable.
Government would have made all sure long ago if any
pressing party question of confidence had imperilled their
existence as an administration ; why should they be lees
alert and active in a matter incalculably more serious as
affecting the national welfare, and not a whit less critical
as affecting their tenure of power? While they sleep, the
tory enemy is sowing tares among the wheat. Liberal
members are enjoying the dangerous and depraving luxury
of conservative cheers, and the house is becoming demo.
Wised.