Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-05-05
English Reform.

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Earl GREY and Major CARrwsl0Br founded
. society for parliamentary reform. The
question that Was to revolutionizs the
English government sooL found is way
into the House Of Commons, but received
little favor or promise. Some embraced
The general principle but could no. assent
TO the particulars Of the scheme. It,
friends were few, and ventorins upos an
sxpsriment-its enemies many, and en-
trsnchsd in prejudicss against innovation.
Circumstances gave it . favorable re-
csption among the people. The country
was in . disastrous condition. Ireland
WAS on the eve Of rebellion. France had
vanquished her enemies on the continent,
and England maintained the contest alone.
specie payment was stopped and CONNER.
cial disasters had depressed every interest.
Any change seemed to promise relief
The people, regarding the evil one Of con.
stitutional origin, naturally turned to par.
Elementary reform With sanguine expects.
tons.
In such . soil enriched BY many over.
flows Of the stream of power, and At such
. season when oil the agencies of rapid
growth and early maturity we're ct work
the principle Of reform was planted. Yet
prejudice, privilege, power, caste, prece.
cent were leagued against it. The prize
was great one for the people and worthy
of contention the exsction was also great
and resisted bitterly by the higher orders.
The struggle was continued. Its friends
strengthened in courage-its enemies in
pertinacity, until in 1882 it succeeded in
extending the franchise, purified the House
Of Commons, making it the predominant
branch; admitted populous towns to rep.
resentation, and disfranchised old, rotten,
deserted boroughs from which members
without . constituency enacted laws for
the realm. The happiness and prosperity
that have sprung from that victory have
imbusd the English people with the genu.
inc spirit Of advancement. The opponents
Of enlarged representation have gradually
extinguished their resentment and surren.
dsred to the liberal idea until but q poor
minority remains. It is not very surpris-
ing. therefore, to see II this day the Con-
sentative government Of Lord DERBY
bringing forward plan for further reform.
ing and extending parliamentary repre-
sentation in England and Wales. The
measure Was liberal and we'll received. 1t
proposed to extend the franchise to dodgers,
persons having deposits in Saving Banks
to the amount Of sixty pounds, graduates,
attorneys, clergy Of the established church,
medical men aud certified schoolmasters.
II was generally we'll received BY the
country, but Was defeated in the House of
commons, not for it, dement's, but by
political combination Of ultra Radicals and
ultra Tories, with . few others intent upon
the overthrow Of the Ministry. The race
Of politicians Is not confined to our own
country. A defeat like this 10 no longer
disastrous. The policy has vindicated it.
self BY > quarter Of century of unpsral
lelled success. Reform has become q vital
force in the English constitution. The
great spirit Of progressive freedom cannot
die out Like the century plant it requires
On sgs TO develop it into . blooming real.
ity. But once developed the principle
becomes perennial, continuing to diffuse
far and wide the seeds Of healthy and
vigorous system.