New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-27
ENGLISH LIBERALS AND PARLIAMENTARY
REFORM

REFORM.
Two distinguished members of the Liberal party in
England have recently been speaking on the subject
of Parliamentary Reform-thc late Chancellor OF the
Exchequer at Salisbury, and Mr.. Roebuck az Sheffield
These speeches-wbich have appeared in our columns
present noteworthy contrast, as representing re-
spectvey the sentiments of that section Of the Liberal
party sincerely and honestly in favor of Reform and
of those who, with boastiul professions Of lbera.y on
their lips are nevertheless at heart opposed to the po-
ltca advancement 'of the masses. Mr. Gladstone
speaks cautiously, but boldly. The necessities Of his
position, as very recently member Of the Govern
ment and as one who might a, no distan; period be
again required to the responsibilities OF Office
compel him to weigh his words; but he Is maniesty
alive to the significance Of the great popular uprising
in England. which has followed the rejection
of the Reform Bill he introduced into the House Of
Commons, and the displacement OF the Ministry in
which he held 50 distinguished place. Conserva-
tive from instinct and the force Of early training and
early associations he is a. the same time emincnty
liberal in his political views; and, as careful student
of the signs Of the times" he Is evidently con.
WINGED that the measure Of justice involved in an
extension Of tie franchise cannot be much longer
withheld with safety to tie existing institutions Of
his country lie sees that the people have set their
hearts upon having impartial suffrage, and that, if
the Tories persist in their opposition to the demand,
The ground.swcll that is already assuming portenous
volume and force will most asuredly break ulOn the
aristocracv Of the kingdom with terrible AID desc
atng force which they will find them,elve, poweres5
TO withstand. Alive TO this danger, he would avert
it by wise and timely concession lie feels that The
time for tcmporizing has passed, and he tells the
people Of England that in the approaching struggle
be will "oudeayor to avoid those hai-heartel modes
of speech and action which undoubtedly are in favor
with certain portions Of the community" Significant
word. discriminating that the speaker, backed by
The people, j, prepared 20 insist, in tLei ni"f@7' VI
the t1ii measure of justice'
u,- what shall we say of John Arthur Roebuck,
Who commenced his political life radical Of the
extreme SCHOOL, This gentleman V.oiesse, 40 present
q horror Of DE fierce Democracy. and seem, a. de-
light in parad.ng hi, sympathy iorabsolutsm in every
form-now extong the leaders OF a p-o-Slavcry
hellion, aud now defending the tempered despotsm"
of The cfeic Austrian monarchy. Tie success of the
peoples cause will, IN his opinion hand England over
to tie reign OF ignorance and vice. and be conse-
ducuty deprccates such success, and employs what
little influence be has lel 10 endcavorng 20 prevent
the triumph Of the right. But We venture TO pre-
Diet that his efforts in this direction will prove
A. abortive a. his endcayors 20 prejuiice the
cause orthe American Union with Europe during the
period of our recent troubles. The fact is people no
longer believe in Roebuck. Possessed, it must be
admitted, Of no common measure Of intellectual
ability bis course for years past has been Of 30 giraffe
and selrstuuiyng a character, that the conclusion
Is D g. t,tff-f
be thatdisappointmcnt has embitered his temper and
made him utterly reckless OF hi, character as public
man. The American people have survived the en-
yenomed and indecent attacks be made upon them
three years ago, while they engaged in life aud
death struggle for the preservation of free government;
and the cause Of impartial suffrage Will yet triumph
in England despite the opposition Of such sefrcnds
of freedom rs this renegade liberal. Roebuck
is the type of a class There men in England
calling themselves Liberals whose hollow professions
of friendship for the cause of progress only enable
them the more eigectuay to obstruct that cause. In
the long run however their insincerity and double
dealing are sure to be unmasked, and they must ult.
mately sink under the contempt OF those they have
deceived and attempted to beray. But it is not in
England only that such characters are to be found
Have we none Of them in this country men pro-
Tossing patriotic regard for the Union, but who are
laboring insidously to undermine tie foundations
upon which alone the great Republic can acquire
sodity and secure perpetuityi Let the people mark
these halfhearted Unionsts and be upon their guard
against them 1t is perilous to Liberty to leave her
interests in the hands Of scheming temporzng poll
ticians She is safest when in the keeping of those
most interested in her preservation, and 1t Is upon
their unseepng vigilance she mainly depends for her
security. And who are they but the people them
selves!