The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-11 00:00:00

or so.

Pursuing the theme still further, our correspon-
dent seeks to prove that the two leading minds of
the Cabinet are naturally not so adverse to Re-
form as some suppose or wish us to imagine.
The Premier and the Chancellor of the Exchequer
were, thirty-four years ago (in 1833), united with
the Liberals of that period, and do not " entertain
such different opinions, and are by no means such
different individuals now, in 1867, as to what they
were in 1833." They do not think that the pre-
sent time requires so complete a change as the for-
mer days did, and hence it is easy to found misre-
presentations and even accusations upon their acts
and speeches. We entirely agree with the general
opinion expressed by this writer when he says that
" a reasonable and fair measure of Reform we shall
have from the present Ministry this session I feel
satisfied, provided they are left alone and not dis-
turbed by any factious opposition." This is the
sum and substance of the matter, and its importance
and significance cannot be too much dwelt upon by
all who really and sincerely desire a settlement to
take place this year. In this communication we
have alluded to the Opposition and the country are
entreated to give the present Ministry a fair trial,
and we hope and trust that they will. Mr. GLAD-
STONE, to his credit, has promised to do so,
and we hope he will not be weary of
his moderation before the long and difficult
work is over. Other measures of Reform, relative
to important matters in Church and State, are also
prospering under this Administration, and many
impartial witnesses will attest the truth of this
remark, that it will be a good thing if the Whigs
keep out, for they are more useful in Opposition
than in office ; and it will be very beneficial if they
should be banished for several years to the bleak
and dreary regions of the Opposition, as no right
measure of Reform or progress would they ever
bring forward during their recent seven years'
tenure of office.

Mr. GLADSTONE'S conduct this session we have
already made mention of in eulogistic terms, and per-

haps the statesmanlike course be has pursued, inde-
pendent of party and prejudice, appears more
remarkable than ever when we contrast it with that

of some others.

Of all great mistakes and a:

grievous errors none exceed that of taking upon
oneself the responsibility of exciting those whose
knowledge and experience of public matters is
necessarily limited, and whose passions are easily
aroused, and not likely to be restrained within due

limits when roused. We think that the course
which has been pursued by the Reform League, and
other societies of a similar sort, has been most mis-
taken and most misguided. It might have been all

very well some time ago when the prospect was more
blank, and those best qualified to judge felt doubtful
as to the chances of any comprehensive scheme being
carried ; but this argument will not do now ; and
there is no real reason to give for the fuss that is
being made, and no valid grounds are afforded by
the existing state of things for the zeal and excite-
ment shown in certain quarters. Last Saturday a
meeting was held in Trafalgar-square, called by the
London Working Men's Association—Mr. GEORGE
PuTrEn was in the chair—and on the whole the pro-
ceedings were not characterised by so perverse a
spirit as on former occasions. Of course some ex-
aggeration was to be expected, such as when Mr.
POTTER declared that the resignation of the three
Ministers of State was partly due to their previous
meetings. Very foolish advice it was to urge upon
the working men to continue to meet, so that the
Members of Parliament might be kept up to
the mark. It is the very worst policy to
pursue that of keeping up an agitation of
any kind, and it generally defeats its purpose
in the long run, by dispersing those who at first
might have been favourably disposed, but draw
back upon finding things pushed too far. Great
disapproval was expressed to the plan of
plurality of voting, and the Liberal party was called
upon to offer the most determined opposition to it,
which was very absurd, to say the least of it. All
we can say is, that, if the predictions of some
speakers are realised, and both parties in the
house combine to shelve the question, or if the
Government, by dissolving Parliament, cause an-
other year's delay, it will be mainly attributable
to those who deaf to reason and insensible to re-
monstrences persist in the prosecution of their mis-
chievous purpose, and go on disseminating doctrines
which can never be successfully introduced into
the political constitution of the country.
The chief point of interest just now, however, is
the conciliation of the course likely to be pursued
by the Opposition, and since it is always difficult to
retrace steps, and almost impossible to arrive at a
calm decision during the discussion of au exciting
topic, we hope that this week—the last one
of comparative quiet for some time—will
not be lost by those whose influence
will have weight in materially affecting
the welfare of the community. •It is not
necessary to know all the details of a measure in
order to decide in what spirit it shall be received ;
that is generally pretty well known beforehand.
It is of great moment that this Session should see
the question of Reform settled ; and if the Minis-
terial proposition be not met in a fair and generous
spirit that result cannot be attained. Upon the
Government rests the responsibility of bringing in a
measure that shall be adapted to the exigencies of
the case ; but upon the Opposition and the Inde-
pendent members will lie the reproach of its failure,
for if they can they may mould it into the form
most conducive to the interests of the public,
and the claims of those who are not duly represented,
and if they do not choose to do so they will as as-
suredly heal its doom. We would impress upon the