New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-29
THf PROGRESS or THE ENGLISH Reform
NOJEMENT

The campaign against political corruption aud class
tyranny in the British Isles has been opened in Scot.
land under The most cheering auspses as will be
By the English news We publish tNs morning
Bright, tho great leader is evidently warming to bis
work. 10 las drawn the sword and thrown away the
scsblarl He has declared war ~ the knife against
the governing class. lie boldly aFragns the British
Parliament-that has been held up as the model Leg
stature Of the word-and accuses il of high
crimes aud misdemeanors against society. Most
terrible is the indictment he lays against
that august body As to the House Of
Commons, he tells Us that il is the
mere mockery Of a representative assembly, and q
libel upon popular government Under the guise Of
freedom it is the worst of tyrannies; in the sacred
name Of justice 1t perpetrates the most hateful wrongs;
for il deliberately and Systematically sacrifices the in
terests Of the masses to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of ia
yored class. IL is like the "whited Eepucher" OK
which we read in Holy Writ, fair and beautiful as
% il exterior but within full Of dead mems bones
and rottenness" These are charges which,
as they are not lightly made, we believe
cannot be easily got over, nor CONTEMPORARY
dismissed. And what makes the matter more serious,
and more threatening to the parties accused s, that
the people are thoroughly with Bright. 1t looks as If
the case does not admit Of defense aud that judgment
will be given by default. The great leader of Reform
is sweeping through the United Kingdom and carry
ing everything before HIM. Wherever he appears TO
plead for Justice and impartial suffrage, the people
flock by tens of thousands TO give their eountenance
and support TO the he represents and advocates
All the great centen of population and
manufacturing industry have been stirred to
their very depths. Birmingham and Manchester
speak out in a voice Of thunder, followed by Leeds
and the echoes taken up by Glasgow, soon to be
rolled all over Scotland. Ireland, too, desires TO be
heard and shortly Bright will be welcomed in the
Green Isle as the champion of liberty. This Reform
movement, then, gathering volume aud power an it
moves onward, has attained an importance which
makes il impossible for it to be ignored by Tory super
ciiousness and arrogance. The issues that have been
raised must be squarely met. The questions now in
agitation must be settled and we see only one way
in which this can be done. The game OF eajolory, IN
which Palmerston was such an adept will not answer
this time. The day is past for Intimidation. The
Peterloo massacre cannot be repeated. by INVOKING
the aid of the bayonet the Tories would be but court
ing their own humiliation. They have IN TACT no
alternative. They must yield, and for Their own
sakes il would be wise for them to do SO with the best
possible grace. In view Of the progress OF this Re
form movement il seems that the period Is rapidly
approaching for the establishment Of another
really popular government, and then another terrible
aud deadly blow will be given to the pride Of caste
and the iniquty Of class legislation. The influence
of the revolution through which this country is pas
sing is destined TO be powerfully felt in the old eoun'
tries of Europe. From this land the chosen home OF
liberty it 10 destined that the world shall receive that
law which is 10 be the life Of the nations.