The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-05 00:00:00

hoped by the real friends of Reform, and they had
indeed some reason for indulging in the expecta-
tion, that factious fights were over for this session ;
and it will be a great disgrace to the Liberal party t
if they attempt to make much ado about nothing in
the consideration of the Lord's amendments. Mr.
BRIGHT has again committed himself, and written
a letter on the subject of the representation of
minorities. Ile calls it a " childish or nefarious
scheme," and advocates the adoption of the
wildest measures in order to defeat it. The in-
fluence of the hon. member is not, however, so
great as it once was on the question of Reform, for
he has veered about so much, and really does not

seem always to have his own mind.
Of all inconsistencies, however, the greatest is
•
the outcry raised by the Liberals against the clause
introduced by Lord SALISBURY. It is impossible
to deny that much greater freedom would prevail
at elections were this adopted, and that so many
voters would not as now be excluded, from fear of
the consequences, or even from dislike to the
inconveniences of the news of riot that
take place on these occasions. If any one would
attentively consider the clauses arrayed by the
Marquis of SALISBURY we do not see how they can
possibly make out that they are contrary to the
principles upon which our elections are carried on ;
and if they improve the practice, so much the better
for the real interests of the community and the
credit of our representative system in general. The
provisions are simple and yet effective, and it is only
those who are prejudiced beyond conviction who can
object to the scheme. It stands to sense that the most
successful plan is that by which the greatest num-
ber can vote, and there is no doubt whatever that
by the means of voting papers far greater freedom
will be enjoyed, and the voters will be more nume-
rous. A course of procedure which, in some cases,
leaves the election virtually at the mercy of the
most noisy and turbulent characters, must need im-
provement of some kind, and it is inconsis-
tent with all that has been said in favour of
changes that this attempt should not be
made to improve the state of things. We are
sanguine enough to believe that when it comes to
the point the wishes of the agitators will not be
realised, and the House of Commons and the ma-
jority of it at any rate will pursue the same
course as that which has now during this session
preserved the Government measure from defeat,
and brought it through the numerous perils that
menaced it. As for the lodger franchise question,
as altered by the Lords, we do not attach much
importance to it one way or the other, and indeed
it may turn out that through the increase of rent in the
metropolis the question of ten or fifteen pounds
ceases to be a practical part of the business. To
interfere with the vote on the representation of
minorities would cause great disappointment in
many quarters ; and we should hardly think the
House of Commons would think of such a thing. It
is one thing to let a thing alone, and another to
hold out the promise of amending it. It might have
answered not to pass this clause at all, but
having done so, though only in one branch
of the Legislature, it would give rise to
angry and disappointed feelings to draw back and
cast it aside. The clause of the Marquis of SALIS-
BURY is so excellent that it would indeed be matter
of regret were it defeated or sent back. On the
whole, we think that the progress of the Reform
Bill through the House of Lords has been satisfac-
tory, and there is no real cause for the fault-
finding in which some have indulged ad libi-
tum. There has been no disposition on the
part of noble lords to shirk the matter. On the
contrary, they have gone further in some respects
than the other House has done. In an affair of
this sort some compromise must be made, and the
House of Commona will best consult the interests
of their constituents by meeting the Lords' amend-
ments in a fair spirit, and abstaining from raking
up old grievances, and giving rise to fresh agitation
by struggles and contests that will be vexatious attd
most unwelcome.

We learn from the news brought by the Scotia,
from New York on the 21th ult., that Congress,
satisfied with its mischievous labours, has adjourned
until the 21st day of November. Whatever the
difficulties of the country—financial, diplomatic, or
domestic—it was painfully evident that Congress
would do more harm than good in its endeavour to
set them right ; and, therefore, it can only be
matter for general satisfaction that the Senators and
Representatives have had enough of political exer-
tion in the dog-days, and have dispersed to their
several destinations, Before breaking up the Senate
gave another illustration of its ill-will towards

the PRESIDENT by rejecting the appointments of
Mr. GREELEY asMinister toVienna, and of General
M'CLERNAND to Mexico. It will soon be a matter
of course if a man is appointed to any particular
position that he is not to fill it whatever his capa-
cities or claims. So far as Mexico is concerned, it
appears doubtful whether a Minister will be sent
there at all. Mr. SEWARD is said to be averse to
sending one, and indeed in the present condition of
Mexico it would be difficult to decide to whom
to accredit the Minister, if sent. The adjournment
of Congress at this particular crisis has had, how-
ever, one singular effect. Owing to its adjourn-
ment before the PRESIDENT had taken action upon
the bill enabling the negroes to hold office in the
district of Columbia, it has failed to become law.

Very probably the Radical party themselves will
not be very sorry for the omission, since, in spite
of a few enthusiasts, the immediate political equality
of the negro is not a popular principle. The difficul-
ties about the administration of affairs in the Southern
States are in no way diminished. Some prominent

Democrats urge the PRESIDENT to remove the district
commanders by right of his constitutional powers
as Commander-in-Chief, but it is hardly probable
that Mr. JOHNSON will proceed to such an extreme
measure. The leaders of the impeachment move-
ment prevented the report of the proceedings from
being presented to the house just before its adjourn-
ment. Reports were only furnished privately with
•n injunction to secrecy. From this we may rea-
sonably conclude that the report is not favourable
to their wishes. But the impeachment, however
much talked about, is not likely to come to pass.
The Radicals, who most desire it, are perplexed by
its possible consequences, since they do not wish
Mr. WADE to assume the Presidency even tem-
porarily. Chief• Justice CHASE and General GRANT
are the two most formidable candidates for the un-
enviable office.

From Mexico the news is still the same. Murder,
execution, bloodshed in every form. What will be
the end of the dismal story, and when it will arrive,
are questions that may well be asked on both sides
of the Atlantic.

The news from Calcutta will be turned to with
painful interest, but will be read with little satis-
faction. Accounts from Orissa report that the
distress is increasing, and that largo numbers of
persons are arriving at the relief centres. The
reports of the Famine Commissioners have been
published, and are far from being satisfactory.
They exonerate almost every one, and declare the
calamity to have been unavoidable ! Unavoid-
able to a certain extent, it might no doubt
have been, but its effects could have been