The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-08
The Reform Movements in Eng,nnd

The Reform Movements in e nSIand.
Since the failure of the reform bill
IN the British Parliament, and the
consequent change Of Ministry, the
reform movement has been taken ND
by the people of England almost in
mass. No longer question before
Pafilament, it has become popular
question. Instead of discussions in
the Legislative body, wherein dozen
members take part, the people dis
cuss 1T IN immense mass meetings.
Considering the present temper of
the world-now not very placid-it
may well be surnised that the re-
formers will press their demands in
manner that will call for concifia-
tlon and concession, or Of violent re.
preston
The reform meetings are about to
take place in varions parts Of Eng
land. The move1nentis is undoubtedly
formidable, and may result in some
disturbances.
The cause Of reform is greatly
strengthened already by its failure in
Parliament, and it will derive fresh
strength from any imprudent at
tempts that may be made by the Go
vernment Or the police to break up or
prevent public meetings. The right
of the people peaceably to assemble
and state their grievances is a vital
principle in tue British Constitution,
and cannot be denied. The Govern
ment will be too prudent to deny or
abr1dge it. A riot was caused by the
opposition Of the London Commits
sloner of Police to the proposed re-
form meeting in Hyde Park.
On the 18th Of July, Sir Richard
Henry Mayne, Commissioner of the
Police in London, issued a printed
notice, pointing out the iuegality of
political demonstrations in HYDE
Park, stating that such meetings
were inconsistent with the purposes
for which the park is thrown open to
and used by the public. Sir Richard,
after alluding to the proposed reform
gathering on the 23d, intimated that
no assemblage of persons in large
numbers would be allowed to take
place in the park, and that all neces-
sary measures would be adopted to
prevent any such meeting and effect
nally to preserve the public peace.
He also addressed letter to Mr..
Edward Beales, Chairman Of tho Re
form League.
Mr.. Beales, in his reply, says:
AS at present advised, and until /
am furnished with your authority for
issuing this notice and interfering
with this meeting, if I use any intiu-
ence, which I do not promise to do,
to prevent its being held, or to induce
its being held in some other spot,
shall do so only in order that the peo-
pie may avoid doing anything which
can in the least degree tend to throw
II shadow over the justice Of their
cause, or provoke collision with the
police force, however advisedIy and
unconstitutionally that force may be
called into operation, but without for
q moment admitting your right or
power to interfere, or in anv wav
waiving the right of the people to
hold such a meeting.
The subject attracted notice in Par
lament, and the Home Secretary,
Mr.. Walpole, was called upon for an
explanation. Mr.. Walpole indicated
the action Of the Commissioner.
think I need not, he said, point
out to the House the consequences to
which such assemblages of men in
Hyde Park might lead-that they
might, and probably would, lead to
riots or to disorderly conduct ooh,
oh,' from the opposition, and cheers
from the ministerial side of the
House certainly to conduct which
would interfere with the recreation of
quiet and orderly people hear,
hear for whom the parks, which
are property of the Grown, are open,
but not for public demonstrations Of
the kind proposed.
The Earl of SALISBURY said:
l hope and trust that the Govern
ment will persist in preserving the
parks exclusively for the recreation
OF the people. Let them be kept
solely and entirely for the recreation
of the people, without any respect to
partisans, whether Of reform, or of