Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-05-29
REFORM IN ENGLAND.

REFORM IN ENGLAND.
The struggles Of the untitled classes
in England, for radical reform in
Parliamentary Representation, and the
right to the enjoyment of the elective
franchise, has been protracted for more
than half a century. 1t seriously com.
menced in 1892 and had then the in
nuence Of but few Of the MOBILES. But
he French Revolution soon after oc-
curing, with its horrors and bloody
atrocities, the movement IN England
for Reform, was at once checked. and
almost died out. The long and des-
Peratc struggle which England had
with Napoleon the Great, and with the
United States up TO 1912, turned the
sttentlon Of the whole British people to
the great conflict and postponed: all
plans for Parliamentary Reform. As
soon As the war terminated and peace
once more smiled upon the British
nation, reformers again stepped for.
ward with renewed zeal, and presented
improved schemes for abolishing the
rotten borough system, and soon drew
10 their support a very large and infu-
entail class OF British statesmen.
Again the Revolution in France IN
1880 put stop to all agitation upon
the subject, by the mortal fear of the
nobility, that if the English masses,
were allowed to have any more power
in the government, anarchy and Rev
olution, similar to that across the
English channel, would surely follow.
But the rotten borough system was
abolished, and the Reform movement,
stimulated by our example and the
free Constitution Of England gained
ground so rapidly, that even the nobil-
ity would take up the cry Of Reform.
that they might gain that inhucnceand
popularity with the people which would
insure their election to the House Of
Commons and prepare the way for
them to become members of the min
istry. Lord Palmerston was one OF
these policy observing lords who talk
reform from his lips, while his heart
was and still remains the most intense
ly tory. With courage that kncws
upon what it leans, he will beat the
most radical Liberal in the enumeration
Of liberal views at the hastings, and
will promise everything that rcasona
bic Englishlncn can ask or expect I'M
der monarchy, but he always takes
care to employ such language as will
bear adouble meaning, and loaded
down with conditions and exceptions,
that when he opposes any particular
reform movement, his enemies utterly
fail to prove the Inconsistency between
his declaration and his acts.
Thus il has been for years, with this
willy politician. His whole strength is
in the liberal party, while his whole
life has been devoted to throwing new
guards around the nobility and the
Royal prerogatives. Golden and
Bright were no match for him in talk
ing Of the necessity of Reform, but they
were in earnest while he was only
hunting after power, and while in
parliament these two noble minded
statesmen were always found in oppo-
sition to Palmcrston.
The late elections in England result
ted in the most triumphant success OF
the Liberal party. 1t was power or the
loss of power with Palmcrston, and he
trusted to the chapter Of accident, to
defeat any Reform movement which
the new House of Commons might
endeavor to secure. lie sought power
upon any conditions, and relied upon
the dexterity so often employed by
him, TO avoid the consequence OF being
sustained by the Liberals and Radicals.
The new Parliament has assembled
and the new Queen has sent in her
meaningless speech, full Of empty gen
erxlities and tiatterlng compliments, to
her faithful Commons, and Palmerston
has made his speech thereon. 1t was
aIcomplete Palmerston speech. 1t
promised Reform at some future pc iod,
but not now. 1t conveyed the idea
that Reform was the darling OF the
Premier's heart, his pet object and
would be brought forward at some
"more convenient season, said"
II will be, however. | believe. the duty
Of the Government in the ensuing recess I,
give that matter most serious and anXiou.
consideration, and hope-indeed am con
fident--that at the beginning of the mex,
session We shall he able TO propose to Par
lament some measure which will be calcu
lated to satisfy the just expectations of any
parties, and TO correct any defects which
may exist in the present Reform Act, as wei
% to admit to the franchise those classes o
persons who at present are excluded from
H. Hear, hear. More than this trus
the House will not expect me to say n
present
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