The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON 1)0N, SAT LIR OA 17 EV ENING,_APRIL 13, 1867

success. Besides this, he has, although his Nv as
the master mind of the Government, been
under the direction of others more expe-
rienced in Parliamentary and political life ; but
this year for the first time he has been thrown on
his own resources, and the result has been an igno-
minious failure, to which the bitterest sting has
been added by the reflection that it was deserved.
Last Monday offered him a golden bridge of re-
treat from his false position ; but we know the
right hon. gentleman's favourite theory is, cut off
all retreat; and the consequences have been ruin to
his scheme, disunion to his party, and disgrace to
his skill as a Parliamentary leader. Worse
than all this, he has been a renegade
in the cause of Reform, and shattered to
dust the edifice that friends and flatterers had raised
of his reputation as the coming man who was to be
the regenerator of his day, and blend the classic
force of ancient learning with the more boisterous
demonstrations of modern progress.

•
We turn to the more pleasing side of the picture
when we contemplate the position of Mr. DISRAELI,
who may be said to have reached the culminating
point of success as a leader of the House last
night. He has often led his party to a
forlorn hope, but at last they commanded a
majority none could question, and reached a point
from which they might dictate terms. This was
achieved by their consulting the opinions of the
people, and not pledging themselves to the irrevoc-
able decrees of party. Lord DERBY declared last
year that Reform must be considered in no niggardly
spirit ; and he has kept his word. We rejoice the
more at this auspicious conclusion to the excitement
of the week, because eight years ago, at the time of
the introduction of the first Reform Bill of the Con-
servative Government, we advised its adoption by
the House, and had that advice been followed much
subsequent confusion would have been spared. As
it is, however, the Government have increased their
reputation, for the second attempt is by far the
most comprehensive and satisfactory of the two,
and is certain to redound to their credit. It is, in-
deed, a relief to dwell upon the prospect before us
now, instead of thinking of a dissolution or a
change of Ministry, either of which alternatives
would have been much to be regretted at the pre-
sent moment. We are sure that the Government
must be proud of their victory, and no impartial
opponent will begrudge them their satisfaction, for
the fight has not been won without hard work; and
the victory is not theirs only, but is also the suc-
cess of a cause that is dear to the country and
deeply concerns the honour of Parliament.

The independent members of the Liberal party
have reason to thank Mr. ROEBUCK for the terse
and vigorous manner in which he stated their case
last evening. The member for Sheffield is always
listened to with the attention which his ability and
his straightforwardness deserves, for, though his
caustic temper may occasionally give offence, all
parties agree in respecting his patriotism and his
honesty. Tha ingenious party manoeuvres which
unite men of totally opposite opinions under one
leader, the phrases and devices which contrive to
overthrow Cabinets and dissolve Parliaments with-

out coßmitting their supporters to a single definite

proceeding, are powerless with Mr. ROEBUCK. He
is neither to be cajoled, to be threatened, nor per-

&Laded. His shrewd sense detects the manoeuvre,
and his keen and trenchant wit exposes it unspar-
ingly. He has little pity fur other men's weak-
nesses, and after long and eloquent harangues, ela-
borate orations and learned arguments have been
exhausted, Mr ROEBUCK comes in, and in the plainest
of plain language puts the case befure the

House and the country into a homely, every-day
form, narrowing down arguments and eloquence,
and every other ornate addition to the simplest
common sense and issue of right and wrong. It is

this characteristic which gives Mr. ROEBUCK so
much weight in complicated debates, and which
often render his speeches powerful in their effects
on a division. The Government had good reason to
congratulate themselves when so staunch and con-
sistent a Reformer brought his trenchant falchion
to their aid, and it was probably with great satis-
faction that they found the last and most exciting
night of the campaign was be opened by so efficient
an ally. It was on the support which the indepen-
dent Liberals might feel themselves called upon to
give the Bill on its merits that the Government de-
pended. The Reform Bill, as was easy to guess
from the first, was too liberal for many of their own
followers; besides the existence of a large party on
both sides of the House is well known to all party
leaders—gentlemen who, whatever their professions
on the hustings, are averse to any Reform
whatever. It is the aid and connivance of this
band of malcontents that every successive Reform
Bill fo7 the last twenty years has been brought to
a premature end. It is so easy to demand an im-
possible perfection, and when it is not obtainable
to declare that no Bill will do without it. The
manner in which these theoretical Reformers have
acted has been like the conduct of the tyrants or
monster in the Eastern fables, who imposed the
most extraordinary conditions on their unfortunate

cal legislation usually serve very fairly the end for
which they are designed. One of the clever and
ingenious authors of the day has in a sug- 1
gestive little allegory shown us the necessity
of tolerating imperfection in human affairs.
An amateur musician, possessing a perfect ear and
considerable scientific knowledge, sets to work to
improve the old parish organ. He brings every
note to perfect pitch, and anticipates most delight-
ful harmonies when the whole task is accomplished,
when lo ! the result is atrocious discord. The moral
he learns is that absolute perfection is not attain-
able in imperfect things ; and, we apprehend if the
theoretical Reform Bill, which is to admit just as
many as it ought and to exclude every one else—
to make every desirable concession— to yield
unwise favouz, to be absolutely free from injustice,
inequality, or bias of any kind, were to pass through
its Parliamentary stages it would be found more fit
for practical service in Utopia than in the United
Kingdom !
The more straightforward and simple manner of
dealing with the question is to adopt Mr. ROEBUCK'S
method, and,•laying aside all party considerations,
to examine which of the proposals before the House
best answers the desired end of effecting a liberal
enfranchisement without a wholesale admission of
men without character or standing—men whom
the intelligent labouring classes would be very un-
willing to see share their privileges. Mr. ROEBUCK
confessed that it was impossible to decide upon the
individuals who were competent to vote; but he said,
with truth, that as a general rule a man who Las a
settled habitation for a certain time has given a
guarantee to the State. The clear and concise sen-
tences of the member for Sheffield answered very
briefly, but very tersely, the ornate arguments of Mr.
GLADSTONE, and it is no great wonder that the irri-
tation of the Opposition members could not be con-
trolled. Mr.ROEBUCK, in answer to their interruptions,
reminded them that he had no personal feeling, for,
as he had never known the sweets of office, so had
he never felt the bitterness of its loss. "My inte-
rest," he said, "is for the people of England. I
want to give them a bill, and in the present session.
It cannot be said that those who oppose the present
bill mean that." It was very well for Mr. Hons-
MAN to talk about the Conservatives,_ abandoning
principles without acquiring popularity, and dis-
crediting a party without beguiling a nation ; but
if they have done this, we fear they must have
learnt the lesson from those loudly-professing
Liberals who, whenever the harangues of the hust-
I ings are submitted to the crucible of Parliamentary
practice,at the
show
door that
of
f s
ttl: their energies as Reformers are
left

weather. The tempest has ceased, and to-day it has
been warm and settled, with uninterrupted sun-

shine.

The Bourse has been rather agitated to-day, and
various alarming reports have been in circulation of
supposed angry steps on the part of France and
Prussia ; but, as the \linister of the Interior has
upon two or three occasions lately officially contra-
dicted such reports, I do not think they are worth
notice.

The line from Amiens to Rouen has been in-
spected by the Government engineers, and it is be-
lieved that it will be opened for traffic on the 20th

instant.

Oa Wednesday afternoon the Emperor reviewed
in the Place of the Tuileries and the Place Carrousel
the first division of Infantry, and the brigade of
Cavalry of the garrison of Paris. The Infantry
division was commanded by General Picard.
General Lakours commanded the brigade of Cavalry.
His Majesty, followed by Marshal Niel, Minister:of
War, General of Division, M. Fleury, General
Soumain, Commandant of the City of Paris, and
their respective staffs, passed in front of the troops,
whose acclamations accompanied the music of the
drums and trumpets. The Emperor, who had passed
some hours at the Exhibition, complimented the
Commandants of each corps upon the excellent
appearance and discipline of the men under their
command. After the review his Majesty ordered that
the Eagles of all the Regiments should be brought
to the front of the troops, and he then distributed
rewards to the officers, sub-officers, and soldiers,
whose names have been given to the Minister
of 'War. The Imperial Prince is almost
completely recovered from his indisposition, but at
the recommendation of his medical attendants he
did not come down stairs, but witnessed the review
from a window of the Palace. The review attracted
a large number of spectators in spite of the in-
clemency of the weather, and they greeted his
Majesty cordially and continually.
Yesterday the Emperor reviewed in the Bois de
Boulogne the whole of the troops at present in Paris,
and distributed medals and decorations to many
officers and soldiers.

M. Emile de Girardin, the editor of La Liberte,
and his printer, are to appear to-morrow before M.
de Gonet, Juge d'lnstruction, upon the charge of
publishing an article tending to bring the Govern-
ment into hatred and contempt. The Liberte has
an article ad inisericordianz, with the view to excite
sympathy, but there is little or no response to it
from the other journals. It has of late attacked
the Government recklessly and virulently, and has
afforded a striking illustration of the saying of the
English statesman—" Oh liberty ! how many out-
rages are perpetrated in thy name !"