The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-08 00:00:00

LONDoN, moND.I APR/L 8, 1567

It was fortunate that ta deputations from Lanca-
shire waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer
on Saturday, because it afforded the right hen.
gentleman an opportunity of stating his views on
the subject of the " instruction" which is to be
moved to-night. Nothing could be plainer or more
straightforward than his speech in reply to the re-
marks of the deputations. These latter came to
offer to her MAJESTY'S Government their sym-
pathy and support in the present crisis with
respect to Reform. The deputation was large
and influential, and in the, existing state of
things must be considered most significant. Mr.

ANTROBUS assured the Chancellor of the Exchequer
that they represented the majority of South Lanca-
shire, and the obj,2et in view of those who belonged
to the Association represented was to show that the
Reform League or National Reform Union did not
adequately represent the opinions or feelings of the
working classes. After some remarks had been
made by various speakers, all more or less approving
of the Government scheme, and condemnatory of
the moves and counter-moves against it, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer made a brief
but emphatic reply. lle said that he was
convinced nothing would be more gratifying
to his colleagues and himself than to meet with
such encouragement. As the right hon. gentleman
truly declared, this question of Parliamentary Re-
form " has thrown its shadow over everything,"
and they felt they should not be doing their duty
if they did not attempt to grapple with it. Alluding
to the scheme before Parliament, he said it was a
Conservative plan, but it was " a popular one."
He further more assured the deputation that the
Ministers would not depart from the cardinal prin-
ciples of their bill. We agree with Mr. DISRAELI
that a personal payment of rates and an adequate
residence are checks to limit the extension of
the franchise, which are very requisite and neces-

sary.
Very correct was the description given by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer of the course of con-
duct of his opponents. " The fact is," said he,
" that what is called the Liberal party is now en-
gaged in opposing popular principles, and gentlemen
are not at all surprised at that. I always felt that
there was a great distinction between liberal opinion
and popular principles, those who prefer liberal
opinions are extremeiy " liberal" in the inter-
pretation of their own privileges, but not of
the privileges of any other class. Nothing can
posssibly be a more accurate account of the mode
practised by those who sit on the left of the
Speaker's chair at the present moment greatly to
their own discomfiture, and as they think greatly to
the detriment of the country. We believe that this
Reform Bill of Lord DERBY'S Government is far too
" popular" in its style and character to meet the
approval of soi-disant Reformers, and it certainly
goes a great deal further than the much-vaunted
proposal of last year. As Mr. DISRAELI very
clearly put it, the Government have rendered it
possible for all those who desire it to possess the
franchise, and every man who desires may obtain
the franchise ; but if he will not make the necessary
sacrifice, and use the needful exertion, there can be
no reason why he should enjoy the privilege. As
the right hon. gentleman truly averred there has
been a great deal of " skirmishing" on the part of
the opponents of the Government; and now, although
it is difficult to annex any " definite meaning" to
the amendment placed on the table by the
Opposition on Friday, the country cannot
be in doubt as to its " exact purpose."
The purpose is to "defeat the attempt on the part
of Lord DERBY to settle the great question of
Parliamentary Reform on national principles."
This is the exact truth, neither more nor less, and
the full, true, and particular account of the mean-
ing of this last move. lie may depend upon it
that Mr. GLADSTONE knew well what he was about
when he framed this pernicious instruction. Mr.
CLAY divined his motive, and declared that if
carried it would destroy the remnant of principle
that remained for the measure. The exceeding
tartness of Mr. GLADSTONE'S reply to the wise
suggestion of the hon. member for hull wi,s per-
haps induced by the perception that his motive was
exposed and his ulterior aim brought to light. If
this attempt to-Light ou the part of the Opposition
succeed, the effect will be, as Mr. Dist:Al-AA said, to
delay the settlement of the Reform question for
another year, and this must have been very well
known to the leader of the Opposition when he laid
his plans, and summoned his followers to the work

in question.
Mr. EDGE, of Bolton, assured the Chancellor of
the Exchequer that the Government and the
Conservative party have given such evidence of an
earnest desire to settle this question that if it were
necessary to appeal to the country both the Govern-
ment and their party would be strengthened thereby,
and Mr. DisnAELI himself made some observations
on the point, and expressed his hope and conviction
that ' if the hour came when the sympathy of the
people of England is expressed in a manner text
cannot be mistaken they will not appeal to the
people of England in vain." We consider it to
have been a most fortunate coincidence that the
deputation should have come at this time, and
certainly no better exposition of the intentions of
the Government could have been made than was
afforded by the speech of the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer. It was decided, and yet not extravagant;
confident, but not presumptuous; and distinguished
more for its regret at the conduct of the Opposition
than animated by the factious and bitter tone which
is so often infused into Mr. GLADSTONE'S speeches.
It was very satisfactory to the deputation, and by
this time it must have been appreciated by
the country in general. We think that,
under the circumstances, the Ministry could
not have done otherwise than accept the chal-
lenge of Mr. GLADSTONE. It is quite evident that
they will be allowed no peace until some decisive
struggle has taken place ; and the permission to
have the second reading was only a feint after all,
for the arch-conspirator was on the alert, arranging
his schemes and plotting ruin and destruction in
his mind while his words sounded plausible to the
house.

A significant meeting was held on Saturday at
Blackfriars for the purpose of allowing
middle-class and working men to confer
together respecting the present Reform
question. Some home-truths were spoken
which, if not pleasant to Mr. GLADSTONE to listen
to, would have been very profitable had he been
present. A letter was read from Mr. TAYLOR,
M.P., in which he said that he considered it was
more important at the present moment to secure
the basis of the suffrage, namely household and
rating, rather than the lodger franchise, which
was not endangered. " The better all Liberals
are prepared to maintain the household suf-
rage will, I fear, be burked' on our side." This
is a very correct definition of the state
of things, and the letter reflects great
credit on the discernment of the writer. The same
idea was expressed by Mr. M'CuLLoGn TonRENs,
who said that he could not go back from household
suffrage, and should vote to go into committee on
the bill. 'rho fact is that a good many members
on the Liberal side will be disappointed at the turn
events have taken, and ashamed of the part their
leader :is playing. :Mr. GLADSTONE'S zeal has al-
together outrun his discretion in this matter, and
he is now appearing before the country as an anti-
Reformer, so that by any means he may impede the
progress
of his political opponents. Such a course
is unlike unworthy of himself and his position, as
leader of the Opposition and a statesman of many
years' reputation. We think the friends of the
right hon. gentleman have ample cause to deplore
the policy whose last greatest exploit will be wit-
nessed to-night.
The Ministers have, indeed, an anxious time
before them, but we
feel convinced that the sym-