The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-27

~ W uSuiuStOu.
The Refers Mevonent In Great Brstaia--Iss
--latest Phase.
1t would be hard even for Mr.. Lowe TO re-
fuse now to admit that the British people arc
really in earnest about this matter Of reform.
Few men Of spirit, indeed, would care to be in
Mr.. loves shoes. We have no reason TO be-
lieve that in his fierce outbursts in regard to
the indifference and incompetenoy OF the poo
pie he was other than sincere. Yet 1t is unde-
niable that If Mr.. loves motive had been to
rouse the masses into activity and to force
the settlement Of the question, he could not
have adopted . more effective method It is
not our opinion that in the initial stages Of
this movement the people wore, one way o.
the other, more than indifferent. II did not
originate with them. 1t was not the Towering
or fruit Of any previous agitation or discon-
tent It originated with their political lead
ers, and was the offspring chiefly Of Mr.. Glad
stones brain. Promises in regard to further
instalment of representative reform had often
been made and had been left just as often I'M
fulfilled. This mode Of dealing with the peo-
pie and their friends was all well and safe
enough so long as the great name OF Lord
Palmerston was living power. Circum-
stances, however, became entirely changed at
his death. If the wings were to continue in
power, it could only be by the hearty cooper
alton of the Bright and Golden party and to
secure the cooperation of that party the re-
demption Of pledges was necessary. Mr..
Gladstone, in rowling the question Of reform,
showed that he thoroughly understood the
situation. II would be great mistake, how
ever, to imagine that because the initiation Of
this movement is not to be traced direct to the
people, it was without their sympathy and en-
couragement Mr.. Lowe is man Of unques-
tionable ability; but the attitude he assumed
towards the people IN discussing the reform
question in the House of Commons abundanny
proves that in the higher qualities indispeu-
sable to great ruler of men he is sadly
wanting.
Mr.. Bright has been abused in certain quar-
ters ~ demagogue and rev0lutionist. He
can well afford to be Indifferent to all such
charges. He had, in fact, no choice but to ac-
cept the challenge flung down by Mr.. Lowe,
and call on the people to back him. That the
response has been triumphant the opponents
Of reform, not excluding Mr.. Lowe, have long
been convinced.
The last phase of the movement, as an
nounced by yesterdays telegraphic reports, Is
not without deep significance. It has been the
boast Of trade societies in England hitherto
that they are non-political Perhaps it is best
they should be so. The organization, however,
is convenient. The machinery, too, is power
full Trades societies, indeed, have before
now brought England to the verge of revolu-
ton. The recent Sheffield outbreak proves
that for purposes Of secrecy they can defy
tho utmost vigilance and scrutiny Of the
law. Mr.. Bright has repeatedly urged the
workingmen Of England and Scotland TO make
use Of this powerful instrument. There seems
to have been some hesitation about adopting
his advice. At last, however, we are informed
that the trades unions have unanimously re-
solved to place their organizations at the dis
posal Of the reform party" II this arrange
ment Is generally adopted over the United
Kingdom II will bein the power OF the people
to dictate rather than submit TO the govern
ment In this matter of representative reform.
II is really much more serious affair than
Hyde Park demonstration.
THE FESIANs ASKING FOR DAAAGEs.--It is