Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1855-06-12

Reform In England.
most Important and remarkable debate has tl-
ken place in the House of Lords. 1t is well known
that for months past an immense clamor has been
raised in England against the aristocracy Not only
in social circles aud in public meetings, but IN tne
press over the whole country, murmurs OF dissats-
faction have been deep and loud and fequens Is
gentleman who has recently returned from tour
in that country informs US that in allpublic convey
ances and wherever men most congregate the uni
versa topic of remark was the necessity OF deliver
ing the government from the hands of the arlstocra
cy. The oppression of the people, the mismanage
ment Of the war; the decline Of all respectabIity
abroad, have all been dwelt upon until sense oil
wrong and injustice has become inwrought in the
public mind.
But it was hardly to be expected that measure
of reform looking the complete subyersiOn OF ex
istng prejudices, and long settled customs and opln
ions on this subject would have commenced in the
House of Lords But from the debates in the British
Parliament, it appears that Lord Marlborough has
introduced series of propositions in the form OF
an humble address to her Majesty, the Queen" in
which it is most decigivey declared to be the sense
of the House, that the Offices of honor and trust at
home or abroad ought to be conferred only upon
those whose talents and services entie them to snc
distinction and that the practice, SO long settled OF
bestowiug places upon those who happen to belong
to noble families, ought to be abolished. In the
course ofhs extended and eloquent speech, he re-
fers with great magnanimtv to the fact that those
who sit in that house enjoy the distinction IN con-
sequence of the merit of their ancestors, who were
created peers of Their ealm-not from favor Out On
account of their talents and service He concluceS
by saying
"My Lords, how can we, sitting here by the
hereditary right conferred, for the most part upon
our ancestors for their services TO the STATE ZOE 'e
fitness for public employment, how can we Feiuse ~
alout that principle? 1t is the principle OF our own
origin (cheers) II was because my father was u
great lawyer, not because iiewas party man. mat
he was selected Chief Justice lie liad no lslh-
ly connexions; he rose aitogetheF lay nus HthGss.
II was not favor it was fitness that made Mr. ore'
Chancellor and Earl. 1t not favor, 1t was nj
ness that made Sir James Harris, the great uip4o-
mutiSt Earl of MnlmeshUry. Ii was nottnvor when
raised the father of the noble lord opposite (Loru
Canning) to that Office the reward for which was
the Pecrage which the noble discount now holds
1t was not favor which raised dhe brothers Cecil to
be Ministers of Elizabeth and james, ana the Onnu-
crs of two great families We are here Tor the ser
vices of our ancestors 1t is for us then, who sit
here by that right and enjoy dignity and honor ny
reason of their services and their Illness TOR puohe
employment TO turn round and say II Is true our
ancestors by fitness but our relatives shall en-
10Y advantages from connection With us, and from
favor" MOI trust your lordshiPs will adopt DIT
ferent view of the interest and honor OF your
House; trust you will agree on this occasion to
place yourselves in front Of the people (Cheers; !
For feel that in this protracted contest, we shall
often have need Of the support OF the people AND
desire 70 secure that support, by identifying thu
House wild public opinion" OLord Ellenborougt
having removed the address, resumed his seat amlc
general applause.)
The Earl of Derby, and others, supported the sam'
views, and II members of the House Of Lords votee
in favor of the declarations; ISL voted Ngains
them The wonder is not that they are rejected by
90 large a majority, but that SO many in the Hous
of Lords should be already prepared to sustain :
measure which ia but the beginning of a revolution
in England, which may be delayed for years, bu
must inevitably come. 1t would be better for tn
honor of TIE orstocracy to receive it gracefully
and Weld rather to the Justice of the case, thar
to be compelled to. submit to the overwhelming
demands of u justly complaining and incensed com
| munity.