, 1866-05-12
FROM EUROPE.
The Division on the Reform Rill.
From Our Own Correspondent

lfEom Our Own CotrespoDdentl
LONDON. April q, 1860.
Having been present at tho debate on tho
Reform B'll last night, and stayed until the
divfsion-that Is to say, until four O'Clock
this morning. l feel myself rather sncapacl.
tated tor reporting more than tho result and
probable consequences. Tho mere physical
exhaustion might have been surnounted after
two or three hours sleep; but the mental
strain consequent upon the close of debate
which forms tho critical point, OF crossing
line, In English hfssory-the stepping-stone,
In fact, 10 eventual democracy-lays me, rs
It were, on my back Your readers will
readily understand how important was the
issue decided last night, or rather this morn
Ing, when they learn that the Prince Of Wales,
Duke Of Cambridge, many of the foreign am
bassadors, and most Of the great peers of the
realm, sat ont the entire Debate until past
three p. M, and never left for their homes uo-
til the division Ind been taken. Putting
aside all feeling or vanity ns An Englishnar,,
looking at the question with the cold, ana
ly'ical eye Of a mere philosophical observer,
cannot but regard the division which has
Just tnkcn place as the most important event
which has tsansplred In Europe during tue
present ccntury-aye, during centuries for 1t
Is the opening Of political power and influence
to "mill1ons " In country which, with all
its faIlings, Is still the mother Of free instltu.
tons and the freest nation Of the Old World.
The Government has carried the secoud
Reading b. majority Of only rse in the lar
gest House known during the present centu-
~. namely: 6s1. "a very small majority,n
your readers maj say; ia virtual defeat"
say the Timks and the Tories. Let II be
borne in mind, however, that this Is the arst
division on the issue Democracy sers,s Ar
istocracy !" and that, too, in Parliament
elected under the influence Of Lord Palmer
ston. Everything depends upon the use
which the Government will make OF It's small
victory, and We must wait to know this until
Monday night. have to-day endeayored to
learn, Us well as can, what steps the Admin
istratlon are disposed TO take. They have
but two alternatives; either to resign, or dis
solve Parliament. II Hthey be compelled 10 do
the former, Immediately On the meeting ol the
House, under the lead OF the Tories, test
resolution will be Introduced which must
place the Government In minority; and
the Qeen will then be compelled to agree
to q new election which will assuredly give
am led to believe that Earl
Russell and Mr. Gladstone, between
this md Monday, viii prove to he,
Majesty that the Government cannot he car
sied On without new appeal to tho constit.
uencies; and nm finally assured that 3fr:
Gladstone, who has the nerve to brave the
whole fury OF the aristocsacy, will not be
" "chokcd of'' by the non eossunus OF
woman. wish your readers to understand
that tie people" Of England nre more thar
ever resolved upon reform after the seeming
check oi Inst night. Wherever / have been
today, conversation turus upon nothins clst
than the division In the House Of Commons
on the Suffrage Bill; and crcn talk of 1t with
quiet, determined expression which fore
bodies eventual success. Mr. Gladstone.
speech closing the debats was, without cxccp
iion, The noblest and finest piece of o1atory
ever heard in our Parliament and 1t will as
surcdly rank him even beyond those grea,
advocates Of liberty whose names arc magni
fled In our history. 1t l may be permitted
such smile, he proved himself during TIL.
debate q Napoleon in strategy and Cara
bsldt in dash and energy. Thank God, be /;
man of the people, very Democsa,
49, 1A %Ay NNNAHE5N oAA PA<4AuLLous VIII tQuI
Bright by his side md i've millions OF free
born Englishmen behind them, there is nc
fear for the result. What that result will be,
your readers alall know by Wednesday.
steamer. The excitement In this metropolis
aud, OF course, throughout the country, Il
! quite equal to tho astonishment and disgust
.elt BY the loyal North when the news reached
you Of the rebel attack on Fort Sumter. You
/ paid of that debt with tremendous interest
md ne Who are bone of your bone, flesh d
your flesh, and soul Of your soul, will c1acl
IN equal rctribution. Meanwhile, would
simply add this: the present Government
will, believe, continue in Office; II they re-
sign they must certainly return within few
weeks. But everything seems to prcsagt
their continuance In power
The funds have fallen considerably to-day
under The belief that the Government will
continue in Office. All other securities, In
cluding American, hare been similarly af
lectcd. JouS Bull, Jr.