The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-09
MING TELEGRAPHPHLA ADELPHA, THURSDAY, AUGUST g. 1866

Such gatherings are doubtless CONTAGIOUS, and
we shall expect to hear that they have been
followed by similar demonstrations in all the
larger towns of the United Kingdom. 1t would
seem as II the English people we're determined
at last TO arouseithemselves from their lethargy,
and to show that now they are really in earnest
about the question of reform.
Indifference on their part has led to the failure
OF every attempt which has been made in that
direction since 1882. IL was this conlessedly-
the want OF interest taken in the question out of
doors-whiCh led Earl Russell to abandon his
proposed reform bill of 1854. The reproach is
to rest upon the people no longer. II will be
we'll tor themselves, now that they have taken
stand, If they be not too easily driven from their
purpose. They have put their hand to the
plough-they may not safely look back. 1t is
evident that the Ministry are gravely embar-
rassed, and not little disposed to yield to the
popular sentiment SO forcibly expressed, if we
can Judge from the mild and conciliatory
speeches of Derby and Disraeli in particular.
These demonstrations, If they become at all
general, cannot fail to have an important bear
ing on the fate of the present Government
There are few, we believe, on either side of the
Atlantic, but wish them fair chance of success
The circumstances, however, under which they
assumed the reins of power were not peculiarly
favorable, and they can scarcely count on
popular support. In few more Gays the sit.
tngs of both Houses will be discontinued, and
Ministers will be safe until the next session of
Parliament. ReformCrs, however, are not
likely to be inactive during the interval, and il
the scenes OF London are repeated in the various
centres OF population throughout the country,
we may expect to find, on the reassembling of
the Houses, that the cry for reform has become
louder and more imperious than il has been
since the days OF the first Reform bill. The
resignation OF the late Ministry virtually put
this reform question IN the hands o the people
1t practically said, We have done what we
could: we have redeemed our pledge but have
been unsucCesslul; it rests with you whether
you will have this question settled at once or
indo fnitely postponed.
Results, we have little doubt will show that
the trust has Lot been misplaced, and that the
people are alive at once to their rights and to
their duty. In such circumstances what will
Ministers do? They have but two courses open
to them. They must either introduce Reform
bill of their own or give place to those on whom
the task would seem more naturally to devolve.
Dis1aeli who is the maste .spri Of the new
Cabinet, promised the people that If any bill was
introduced It would be an English Reform bill. y
There may be more chance OF reform being
obtained under the Tory Government than
under that OF Lord Russell. with all its profes.
slOns OF liberalism. The force OF circumstan ces
may compel the present administration to
abandon their rigid conservatism in favor of
popular rights.
There IS nothing in the antecedents OF the
present Government which ioIbids them to in
uoduce measure OF re, run. Lord Derby took
an active part in the passing of the first Reform
bill, and although he has .ong since tallen from
his INST love, and grown in ObstTUCtiveness as
he has grown in years, he yet gave a reluctant
consent TO the Reform bill OF his COLLEAGUE in
1859. There is nothing inconsistent i'm Mr..
Disraeli making fresh attempt to supply the
detects OF hi ''ianCy franchise" Disracli has
the most comprehensive and enlightened mind
in the Government The same instincts and
class of thought which places the Hebrew race
foremost among the tnancieIs and statesmen of
the world, directs the course Of Disraeli and
lifts him far above his aTisocTatic colleagues.
Hebrew intellect has developed itself tor CEN
turles past in Europe. 1t has given it a Fould
and Rothschild.
SPAN and Portugal have received their best
finance ministers from the Hebrew race and
now, in the English Chancellor OF the EX.
cheQuCr,we see the guiding talent of that people
prominently displayed. Lord Stanley is notori-
Ousiy a liberal at heart, and he is retained in
his present political connection only by the
strength OF family ties. But will the reactionary
party, with whom they are compelled TO act,
permit the more ibera-minded OF the present
Government to move in the direction of reform
Not, we fear, willingly. Even if such step
were taken and a Tory Re orm bill introduced,
what chance are there that the measure wolld
pass or that the country would accept il at their
hanOs? Stlll, the Derby Government may be
forced to try the experiment.