The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-22 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1865.

The professed reformers are determined to num-
ber the Chancellor of the Exchequer among their
ranks. They are proud of their distinguished con-
vert, and are sensible of the advantage which his
eloquent advocacy and powerful support is likely to
confer upon them, both in and out of Parliament.
Mr. GLADSTONE'S name is a tower of strength to
many ; and some timid or cautious persons are en-
couraged and strengthened in their convictions by
the fact that a statesman of experience and acknow-
ledged ability is ready to accept and confess them.
There is no doubt that Mr. GLADSTONE'S presence
in Lord PALMERSTON'S Government goes far to re-
concile the advanced Reformers to its continued
tenure of office ; and there is a general belief that,
when the right hon. gentleman is in a position to
act independently, he will come forward as a vigor-
ous supporter of reform. His views, as professed
in the memorable speech that startled some of his
associates from their tranquil and selfish pro-
priety, were extended enough to satisfy the most
ardent Reformers. There was room, however, for
some doubt whether Mr. GLADSTONE was not taking
the theoretical rather than the practical view of the
question, whether he was not taking one of his
favourite abstract surveys of a world as it should
be rather than of the busy, complex, corruptible,
and indifferent assemblage with which reformers
and legislators have to deal. He appeared indeed to
think so himself, for immediately after the delivery
of the speech, in which he declared himself to be an
advanced reformer, he attempted to modify the
strength of his declarations, and by the famous pre-
face to nullify what was in the speech. This course,
like most inconsistent and vacillating movements,
did him no service with the prejudiced Whigs of his
own party, who still look upon him as a dangerous
innovation, while it shook the confidence of the
Liberals and checked their rejoicings. Still, after
such a public declaration, Mr. GLADSTONE mast be
considered as a prominent member of the reforming
party, and very possibly he is a more genuine one
than many of the professed leaders. He has fore-
sight and ability enough to see that reform must
come sooner or later, and that he who aspires to lead
the popular party must guide their advance rather
than oppose their progress. Mr. GLADSTONE has no
wish to be left behind in the political race, to see
others influencing opinion and playing a prominent
part, while he remains in the uncomfortable incon-
sistency of the Whigs, who, professing Liberalism,
oppose every Liberal measure ; and, calling them-
selves the popular party, generally think place and
power far more important than the interests of the
people.

The members of the Reform League have just
addressed a congratulatory letter to the Chancellor
of the Exchequer on the result of the election. The
epistle, though less concise than it might have been,
expresses in graceful and complimentary terms the
confidence of the members of the League in the na-
tional sympathies and love of freedom of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer. While acknowledging the
Peculiar strength and interest of the ties which