The Express.
London, England, 1868-11-30 00:00:00

POLITICAL PROTESTANTISM.

Fitom the strength of the alleged Conservative
reaction upon which the speakers and writers on
that side have had so much to say in the way of
Pelf-congratulation, there is a certain, though pros -
spectire deduction to bo made, and it may do no
harm to point it out by the way. In the first
_ _ _ _

place there is a not inconsiderable class of Liberal
voters who have, after all, only hazy ideas of
what Liberalism in politics means, who think, and
indeed openly say, that it does net make much dif-
ference to the country, certainly not to them, which
side holds the reins at any given time. Politicians
of this flabby order are easily frightened by a
strong cry like that of danger to Protestantism
into voting against the colours they are ordinarily
supposed to wear ; for though they do not under-
stand or really love the Liberal faith—because
they do not know what justice means—men of
this stamp politically have usually a good deal of
timid superstition at the bottom of their natures,
which serves them for religion. Indeed, men who
are thoroughly bribable, either by direct or indirect
methods, are found to be quite capable of a sort
of half-sincere furor of what they call Pro-
testantism. Voters of this clam have been " largely
" influenced " to the Conservative side in the recent
elections ; yet such men cannot form an element
of permanent strength in any party. But that is
the least important point. There is another class,
and a largo one, of sincere Liberals, who, not
having been educated up to the GLADSTONE mark
in respect of political conscience—not feeling, as
yet, that to love a creed embodied in an institu-
tion better than justice is infamous, have had
sincere, however silly fears that justice to Ireland
meant opening wide the door to Popery. Voters
of this description have, in large numbers, re-
frained front voting at all. They would not vote
for a Conservative; they were afraid to vote for Mr.
GLADSTONE ; just as at Westminster numbers of
electors, at once sincerely religious and sincerely
Liberal, but incapable of understanding Mr.
Mat., and terrified at the very name of BEAD-
Leven, kept indoors instead of going to the poll.
Now these men, in thousands and tens of thou-
sands, are simply awaiting the education which
Mr. GLADSTONE and the course of events will
assuredly give them ; and when they have got it,
they will know their place, and take it. It is
always a great pity when honestly religious voters
are alienated. Iu times which now seem ante-
diluvian, the fondness, the positive affection of
the Dissenters, as a body, for " Lord JoaN,"
as be was lovingly called, was an important politi-
cal power. When once those religious voters who
have now hesitated or held back, are enlightened
and reconciled, as they soon will be, we shall dis-
cover, without wanting the light of another
election cast upon the facts, that the Conservative
reaction is like Mrs. Partington's devil. A clown
behind a scooped turnip, with a candle-end in it,
stood in her path as she passed the churchyard
one night. Undaunted, the old lady walked on.
Disappointed at the failure of the trick, the jester
called out, " Aint you afraid? I'm the devil :"
" Then you're a poor ereetur," said Mrs. Parting-
ton, and, giving him a contemptuous dig with
her umbrella, passed on her way.