New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-07
THE LYNDON RERORU DENONsTHA


When tue MoravOn left with the mails Of the 23lh
ult the all-absorbng topic Of public discussion IN
England was the Reform demonstration which took
place in London the 2d Of the month, and the de-
plOrabe occurrences connected herewith, resulting
from the understandable interference of the GOV
eminent with the proposed meeting in Hyde
PARK II proof was wanting that Tory Gov
ernInent Is an anachrouism IN English politics 40
the present period, it would be supplied by the
events IN question. The very first act OF the Derby
Ministry on succeodins 70 Office +, to make an attack
Oh popular rights to provoke collision between
the crown aud the people. II is by no means difficult
10 understand the motives which prompted ina, et.
tack. During tho late debates in the House
Of Commons on the Reform question the Tories
insisted that the people Of England were per-
fcctly indifferent about an extension of the
suffrage, and that the agitation Of tia. matter
was purely the work Of agtators and demagogues, got
mp to subserye unworthy party purposes. The people
il was contendcd, are wen content with things as
they orc England, it was argued, enjoys an unpre-
ccdcntod measure o. material prosperity. Bread is
abuudant tea aud sugar are cheap, there Il plenty
Of employment .or the aborng classes, and no end Of
shows ior the diversion OF the masses. What more
then, It was ashed, can the people want In
comparison with substantial comforts, political
right. are clinera, and the people. convinced Of dis
care nothing about Parliamentary Reform. Holding
such views, it must hayo greatly surprised and cha
grnod tie now Administration to discover, upon their
displacement Of the Liberal Ministry that the people
really DO care about the franchise, and are in good
earnest in their determination 10 have all the rights
that are secured to them hy the constitution under
which they live. But it would never answer for the
Tories TO be found in greyou, error. The eloquent
sophi.t ries which had been ingeniously employed
against Mr.. Gladstone Reform bill must not be laid
bare By popular action out.oid0ors. The agitators
and dcmagoguc- must not bc allowed TO have their
own way And 80 a determined stand must at once
be taken against thc Reform moyement-a bold stroke
must be delivered to oyorawc ia promoters. Hence
the refusal to allow Hyde Park for the meeting;
hence the spocioas plea that the object Of
that meeting was not The fair and temperate discus
sion Of q public question, bat the intimidation Of
Parliament by O. display of physical force. This
policy however. So con,oumt with Tory principles
and predictions, ha, proved complete failure. The
extracts we publish th, morning from the English
journals show that Ia he conflict provoked Icy Lord
Dcrhy's Government, Tie popular cause ha,
gained signal triumph. The temper and
moderation Of the Rciorncr, Of London I'M
der the provocaion they received at The
hand. Of the Government We're admirable ior the few
outrage. committed or tho 2ih are traced 90 a band
of those disoricrly spirits aboInd.ne IN great cities
always ready to take advantage OF periods Of popular
excitement to gatiiy their propensity ior mischief
and Iundcr. NJ thanks to the Homo Secretary and
SIR Richard Mayue that blood wa, not shed in
pr9r1. on-,hat III, yves not sacrificed 20 an ap0llmg
extent on Monday, the 23d July. But thanks to
The working CLASSES. vho despite the ISLANDERS that
have bccn hrapcd upon them 10y men who can ,ee no
excellence but rather every hing that il evil and re-
voting, ia the democracy. had that confidence in the
Justice Of their cause end that abiding faith in IFS
eventual triumph 10 restr1in their passions under
circumstances calculated 10 excite them 20 open re.
volt.
We have said tla' the Torics eve ont Of thsrproper
place in the Government. They are evidently be-
hind the age They are blind TO ia, sign OF the
timc,. They have not yet learned Gith in han.an
nature improved By the influence, OF Religion and
Education. They stupidity and tcnocioa'y
hold to the dogma Of the political nom
age Of tho masses, APPARENTLY obliy!ous
Of the fact that society IS moving onward, and that
We live in tho nineteenth century Of the Christian
era But the doom Of the Derby Ministry is already
sealed. With the example before their eyes Of the
working Of free institutions in this country the In
sh people will not consent to be ruled any longer
by raciioniFs.