The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-31 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE UPON REFORM.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has published
as a pamphlet his recent speech on the Bill for the
Extension of the Suffrage, with the following
preface :

"In this speech will befound the expression of
an opinion that the Legislature should exclude from
the franchise on two grounds only. First it should
exclude those who are
presumably in themselves
unfitted to exercise it with intelligence and integ.
rity. Secondly, it should exclude those with re-
spect to whom it might appear that, though no
personal unfitness can be alleged against them, yet
political danger might arise from their admission;
as, for example, through the disturbance of the
Equilibrium of the constituent body, or through
virtual monopoly of power in a single class.
"General statements of principle, advanced in de-
bate, if they are such as, in the view of candid:minds,
text of the speech which contains them.
to require explanation, ought to find it in the con-

-- _
ft objection has been taken, and even alarm ex-
pressed, with respect to the breadth of the particular
other reply than to publish it. as it was delivered,
t now
wit:it: question. I cannot make any
context, and to leave it, subject
Btootnagltyeetg: nr
to
equitable allowance for faults of hasty
expression, to the discerning consideration of the

reader.
Anothercould more readily have
i
conceived—namely that a proposition, appa-
rently of wide scope, is reduced by large and
scarcely definable exceptions within rather narrow
limite. Still, the exceptions appeared along with
the
ta is, I
proposition, and formed part of it.
"
cs If, indeed, I am asked whether it was a deli-
berate and studied announcement, I reply that it
was not; it was drawn forth on the moment by a
course of argument from the opponents of the mea-
sure, which appeared to assume that the present
limitations of the franchise, disavowed as they have
been by such an accumulation of authority, re-
quired no defence from their newly-risen advo-
cates, and were to be accepted without inquiry, as
in themselves, at least presumptively, good and
normal. But lam aware that this circumstance, if
the opinion be blameable, will afford no apology.
"Further, I spoke with reference to the present,
or rather, indeed, with a view to retrieving arrears
of the past, and neither time nor, as I think, reason
permitted me to attempt the solution of problems
of real intricacy which belong wholly to the future,
and which are little likely to become practical
except for another generation.
" lf I regret the manner in which my declaration
has been interpreted, it is chiefly because of its ten-
dency to produce in other quarters an exaggerated
estimate, likely, when brought down to the dimen-
sions of fact, to cause disappointment.
" The question is whether the statement be a gra-
tuitous and startling novelty, or whether it is rather
the practical revival of a strain which, five years
ago, was usual and familiar; which had then de-
rived abundant countenance from the very highest
organs of political articulation, and which now only
sounds strange because within that period it has
fallen into desuetude.
" As the opinion of an individual, the whole mat-
ter is of trifling consequence. But the consistency
of parties and of Parliaments is a subject of weight
and moment, for upon this depends that store of
public confidence which is of such inexorable neces ,
sity and of such inestimable value for the maintens
, ante of our free and happy Government."