The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-16 00:00:00

and the result was injurious to all parties. It is
always well for the interests of civilisation when
an entente cordiale exists between England and-
France, and there is every reason to congratulate
Lord STANLEY upon the result he has obtained by
his prudence and foresight, no less than by his firm-
ness and impartiality. It inspires confidence for
the future as well as affording satisfaction for the
present, and allows us to think this country may
once more assume her proper place among the nations
of Europe, and that when complications arise and
distrust prevail, the only thought may not be, what
position will the French EMPEROR take, but that
some speculations will arise concerning the
policy of England. At first much attention
was not paid to this Conference, for many
thought it would be very much after the
fashion of former things of this sort, and, after
much debating and demurring, that war would be
the finale.

The speedy solution of the difficulty took every
one by surprise, and seems to have allayed all
apprehensions far and wide. For many reasons
we shall be glad if the present policy of this
country serves to unite us in friendly terms
with our French neighbours, not only on its
intrinsic worth, but because in this alliance being
strengthened we may see a sure indication of
the influence of l'russia being on the wane ; at
any rate, to the great extent to which it has
been carried of late. The Moniteur speaks in
hopeful terms of the state of things, and declares
that "a real solidarity unites the subjects of
the EMPEROR with those of Queen VICTORIA.
Since the Treaty of 1860 no nation profits more
than England by a guarantee which strengthens the
peace of the Continent." From Brussels we hear
that the Minister of Foreign Affairs in yesterday's
sitting of the Senate announced to the numbers
that the security of Belgium was increased by the
Treaty concluded by the members of the London
Conference. It was observable that the in-
telligence of the signature of the Treaty was
not received by the French Senate with remark-
able enthusiasm ; but the reason assigned is, that
there was a general desire not to manifest any par-
ticular satisfaction on account of the Prussian Am-
bassador being present, and it was not desired that
any idea should get abroad that they feared the
outbreak of war. A chance is afforded to Prussia
by the present pacific aspect of affairs, and if ehe
chooses to avail herself of the opportunity she may
escape the possibilities of war for a long time; but
if not, the time that war exists will be but tem-
porary, and the nations of the continent will be
again exposed to the horrors and suffer from the
mischances of war, a catastrophe which we trust
may be averted.

Those who have still some curiosity left resp 2ct-
ing the opinions of Mr. BRIGHT, Mr. FORSTER, Mr
MILL, and their political associates, on the subject
of Reform, had last night an excellent opportunity
of gratifying it. A meeting was held in St. James',
Hall, which is intended apparently to be the first of
a series, when all these gentlemen were present, and
Mr. BRIGHT at least addressed the audience at
length. The meeting was largely and respectably
at-tended, and the speeches were naturally by no
means devoid of ability. For their logic we cannot
say much, the beginning and the end of every
speech and resolution being to the effect that the
question of Reform was being settled by the Con-
servatives when it ought to be settled by the
Liberals. Very true; but whose fault is that ?
The language and policy of a good many professing
Liberals remind us strongly of the good old fable
of " The Dog in the Manger." They would not
introduce a comprehensive measure themselves,
and they are full •of virtuous. indignation
that any one else should presume to do so.
A long and uninterrupted tenure of office by the
Whigs gave us very little to be gratified for in the
way of Parliamentary Reform ; nevertheless, Mr.
BRIGHT, Mr. FORSTER., Mr. BEALES, Sir H. HOARE,
and other gentlemen whose lives are now embittere.i
by the imperfections of the Government measure,
contrived to exist very confortably, and to go
through their political and Parliamentary duties,
saying and doing very little about the all-important
topic. The winter of 1858-59 was signalled by a new
crusade led by a man of undoubted ability and energy.
The same gentleman, who yesterday declaimed to
an admiring audience about the enfranchisement
of a great people, and encouraged them to believe
that, in spite of " the temporary calamities of the
struggle," the march went on, was the leader of tha.
crusade, and made powerful speeches in several
parts of the country. He prepared the way for Lor.,.
DERBY'S failure in dealing with the question in 1859
Then, as now, Mr. BRIGHT, and those who think with
him, refused to believe that a Reform Bill worth
having could come from the opposite side. The
consistent opponents of commercial monopoly havr
no objection whatever to a political monopoly on
their own account. The Reform question belongs
to their presence. Woe betide the poacher ! But
after all the great exertions and eloquence em-
ployed by the Liberal party to defeat Lord DERBY'S
bill and Government together were followed.
by what ? The Liberal party came back to
office with a strong majority, and with every pros-
pect of a long continuance of power. It was no
secret that Lord DERBY, wearied with the fatigue,
and annoyances of office, was 'averse to any fresh
experiments, and that the new Cabinet had a fair
field before them. We all know the result, how
year after year slipped by, and how by common
consent Reform was quietly laid on the shelf,
ready to be taken down and talked about if ever
the Conservatives, the " enemies of Reform," should
stumble into office again. Where was Mr. BRIGHT'S
energy and eloquence all these years ? If Mr.
MORLEY had been as busy then as he is now, might
Iwe not by this time have gained the Ballot? If
Mr. BEALES bad begun invading Hyde Park in Lord
PALMERSTON'S time, who knows but that nursemaids
and equestrians might altogether alike be banished
by this time from the covete.l enclosure, and
that the effigies of your conspicuous " Leaguers"
might not have secured the long vacant
pedestals now occupied by Sir EDWIN'S lions. But
Whigs, and Liberals, and Reformers spent all those
valuable years " nursing their wrath to keep it
warm," until the time should come when it might
explode, not against convenient, old-fashioned
abuses, but against political opponents. Every
restriction put on the franchise originates in a wish
to " cheat the people of their rights," every
concession is extorted by " fear of the people." No
doubt both Whig and Tories talk a great deal more
loftily and patriotically than they act, -and . all
political parties have their little intrigues, and
contrivances, and cabals. But in a national
question like Parliamentary Reform we should
like to see and hear less of all this recrimina-
tion and reviling. Men who put themselves for-
ward as progressional patriots should at least b.!
consistent. They should clearly define what
measures they want, and uphold them front
whatever party they come. We have
always noticed that most of our Reformers are very
careful about committing thentselv. s to details.
Mr. BEALES, indeed, wants m•tultoo I suffrage, so
we have the prospect of his agitation going on
a good many years; that is, if he can get any oue
to listen to bim. Mr. BRIGHT, wizz pre&ed, has