Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-08
THE REFORM MOVEMENT IN GREAT
RRTTATN

The accounts Of the great reform de-
monstration held in London last Monday,
mark it as perhaps the most significant
occasion Of the sort ever witnessed in the
metropolis Of Great Britain. It was
mass meeting Of the people after the
American style. Throughout England,
during the past few months, large and
enthusiastic assemblages have gathered
at various points to hear the speeches of
reform leaders, but the London meeting
was prepared as demonstration, and
intended to produce an impression on
Lord Derby Cabinet 1t is represented
that fifty thousand persons, composing
members Of forty-sevcn trades>unions,
were in procession. They were formed
and paraded through many Of the leading
thoroughflres, and halted at a Park in
the West End, where stands for speaking
had been erected. Fifty reform orators,
headed by the great tribune of the Eng
lish commonalty, John Bright, addressed
the minds and stirred the hearts of the
fierce democratic" There was no
violence, and..n clamor except that which
bursts resistlcssly from the throats Of
earnest men when moved to demand pro-
lection Il their rights and interests. A
noticeable feature was the display of the
American and Feuiau colors, and the
marching to the music of the "Wear.
ing Of the Green" Great excitement
prevailed through the day in the city,
and all Of every class, both those
who sympathize with and oppose the
movement were impressed with the
manifestations Of popular feeling, and
are more or less anxious in regard 10 the
consequences Ii is not probable that it
shook the foundations Of the throne, or
spread panic in the English cabinet, but
it was doubtless sufficient to set thought
ful minds a~working, and may be the
prelude TO important changes in the
British Constitution-mor important, in
deed, than the most. advanced reiormer |
now desires for innovation acknowl
edges no defined let's or limits
The leading object Of this reform
agitation "a to remove the inequalities |
and injustice Of the present franchise
system; :, admit what is called the middle |
class ia that society to greater partici-
patton in the work Of the Government; |
and to move forward the working class.
now, as it is contended, virtually ex-
cluded from all share in the administra-
ton, in corresponding ratio 1t will
be remembered that few months since |
a reform in the elective system, brought |
forward by Mr. GLADSTONE, one Of the
most brilliant as well as sagacious OF the
statesmenof Great Britain, was defeated.
1t was a measure, which while it did not
come fully up TO the standard Of the
was acceptable to them, and
its rejection was the source Of great dis
and the melting cause Of the
present vigorous and determined effort
The leaders say they hope for nothing
from the Derry Ministry, and their oh
is to defeat tin the Commons and eject
it from power. The present Cabinet
is a mosaic, having elements representing
all the hues Of opinion except those pc.
culiar to democrats, as the liberals are
styled DERBY is high Tory
however, and wields, with one or two
colleagues, controlling influence. |
BRIGHr, the reform leader, Is fear.
less, shrewd, aud allie, and speaks
with trenehant tongue lis speech
At the greet meeting to which we
have referred, has not vet come to hand, 1
but At Manchester aud other places he
dealt in no mcaly mouthed phrases.
The British Government Is strong in
every sense, strong in material resources,
strong, with whatever faults it may have,
in the affections Of its people, and stronger
all in the fact that &c is the aceretion Of 4
centuries, and that its pri nciPles have /
approved themselves adapted to the char
acter aud temper Of Its subjects, and pro-
motive Of degree Of national prosperity
almost unparalleled Il has suffered
every vicissitude VI fOrtune--now raeked
with frequently recurring civil wars, and
then basking in prolonged peace under
wise and jnsi administration The modi-
fcation from absolute into limited mon
arehy was gradual, and by insensible
gradations the limited form has become
to be a mere form, but yet sufficient to
cohore its parts into q stable and wen