New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-30
THE NRFORM AGITATION IN ING.
LAND.

gethcr successful; yet it radically changed tho
political aspect Of the European continent. and
it stands forth in European history aS The start
ing point Of new era. The thrones were not,
as many leaders of the Revolutionary party were
ssnguine enough u hope, overthrown; yet the
people were, in nearly every State. admitted To
o real participation in legislation. France did
not remain Republic. but it preserved unver-
al suffrage. Austria and Prussia lost again
ms democratic constitutions Of 1913; but
they remained constitutional mcnarches.
The Roman Republic vas overthrown; but
the unity of Italy Was nearly consum.
mated. Liberty OF speech and OF the prrsS were
frequently interfercd with in all the European
countries. and nowhere was tho Democratic
party allowed to speak ort freely and show its
strength; ye, hardly year passed when the
aspec, Of Continental Europe, as a whole, did
no, become more liberal. Public opinion
throughout the continent of Europe is to-day
essentially progressive and democratic, and
much better prepared for great conlucsts than
it was in lais; i, only needs freedom Of organ
izstion and freedom of ueton 10 assume the chief
control Of European politics.
A singular contrss, 10 this political progress
Of continental Europe is presented IN England.
There the liberty Of action which IA denied 20
the Progressive party o! every Other Eurnpoan
country. EXISTS without the least limitation.
At the same time, there il mere need Of demo
cratic organization in England that anywhere
else in Europe. for while, in most OF the other
countries, the iness OF the people ara repre-
sented in the legislative assemblies, in England
only the sristocracy and the middle classes
arc posses scd Of the elective franchise. The
bulk Of tho population, embracing the vast
majority Of all the mechanics. are outcasts es
Ear a. their political rights ar. concerned. 4, is
estimated that only ABOUT one-seyenth Of the
adult male population is ezthled 10 The right OF
voting.
| Yet. strange To suy, Gir classes thus excluded
from political RICH, remain in the most com.
plete apathy. ii there has been during the past
iivs years anything like a national organization
OF the Progressive and democratic party, il has
altogether failed TO make its existence felt or
even known. There has been c!amor for an
ex,eus on OF the elective franchise, ard both the
great political parties have repeatedly prom.
iced their advocacy Of such measure; bnt
when put to the test, they have both failed 10
redeem their pledges, and there has been no or
gained party powerful enough to bold them az
cOuntablr.
AT length. We hear again Of an attempt 10
revive the geiorru oqitation. A Natiopal Re-
form Union has been organized, which has is
| hrsdguur,ers in Manchester. Under it, auspices
successful public meeting has recently been
held at Bradford, whero men OF the ability and
political standing OF Mr.. Forster Sir Frank
Crossley, Mr.. R.ineS and Mr.. Stsns.eld, have
spoken noble and timely words about the great
want Of the English people. and plss.ied warmly
| Tor an extension OF the elective franchise. The
nianagers OF this meeting have fully succeeded
| in bringing their yiewa md wi,Aes ~ tho
knowledge Of TIE people Of England. livery
respectable journal o. The country de.
votes to them leading article. and discusses
once moro the Reform question; pebhc stten-
ton appears to b. thoroughly aroused, and
many other meetings NAV therefore be expected
To follow.
With tho reiornuiory Ideas edroos,ed At
Bradford, we OF course feel the deepS: syn-
psthy. For their complete success We entertain
the most ardent wishes Bu, We regret 70 bo ~
yet unable to regard the progress OF the move
msnt in very hopeful light. W. see some able
snd gifted leaders, who would honor any coun-
try ard any party; bu, whore Is the bulk Of the
progressive army Crowded insss-moetings are
something very different from an organized
II party. and oratoyical successes have never
yet been the weapons which conquered tho
prsrogatives Of aristocracy. Whoever has any
acquaintance with the politics ~ France,
Of Germany, oil Italy, knows TINT tlrse coun.
tries, though far from enjoying az mach liberty
II speech and OF action q. England. have o
laige, well.disciplined and snthnsia ,ic Demo.
cratic party. which is Independent Of any
personal leadership. aud which would continue
its organization, should IL even be abandoned by
al its leading men. which measures ia strength
At every election, and which haa in its service .
very largo portion Of tho periodical press
We have no hope OF lasting democratic
progress in England until il shall have enrolled
! tho mas Of ia discnfgepchised population IN =