New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-02
TEEK R Tot IN. LONDON AND TmK
DRRHY MINISTRY.


Tho accession Of the Tories to power has been sig
nalized by monstrous blupdcr on the part oil the
Government in the prohibiting OF O Reform meeting
arranged TO be held In Hyde Park. London. IL Will
be remembered that mmcdiaieiy after the defeat OF
the Russell Gladstone Ministry, and before Lord
Derby had succeeded in constructing an admin
stration, popular demonstration In la'or
Of Reform took place in London Ihis'
which purely an impromptu affair, arising out
of the unexpected defeat of tho Liberal Government
although imposing in its character, came too late 10
prevent the rcns OF power from passing into the
hands Of tho Tories But shs victory Of the enemies
Of Reform did not disheartcn the people. 1t had the
effect rather of convincing them of the necessity Tor
united vigorous and perseyering effort on their part
in order to obtain justice. So it was arranged that
another mammoth meeting should be held
in London, Hyde Park being selected Tor
the purpose. This meeting was to BIO iol'
lowed by others Of q similar character in different
parts cfRngland. The key note was to be struck
in London; tho provinces would respond. In this
movement the new Government saw danger to their
party and they accordingly determined to Strike
blow which might operate as an intimidation
by the authority Of the Home Secretary the meeting
was accordingly prohibited, on the two-fold ground
that the holding of il would be inconsistent with the
purpose for which the Park was thrown open to the
public and that such gathering was calculated
to lead to riotous and disorderly conduct, and
10 endanger tho public peace. The sequel IS
known The people, unaismsyed by the Government
ukase, assembled at the appointed place. and finding
the Park gates locked, tore down the iron ratings and
forced an entrance The military were called out
but fortunately blood shed, although the as
semblags vas dispersed. The Reformers were not
however, to DO turned from their purpose, for on
Monday last, we learn through the Atlantic cable, q
mammoth meeting was held in London. at which
resolutions were passed declaring that the people have
no faith in the present Ministry Through the same
source We are Informed that the conduct Of the Derby
Government in this matter has imperiled its ex-
istence.
Nothing could be more unwse than this inter-
ference of the Government with the constitutional
rghts of the peopc: could anything be more un-
tenable than he ground upon which the refusal to
allow the meeting to be held in Hyde Park was based.
The Park, il was commanded Is the property OF tho
crown. aud intended, under tho permission OF the
Sovereign, Cor tho enjoyment and recreation Of
the inhabitants Of the metropolis and for
that alone. This smscks Of tho political
dogmas Of the days Of the Stuarts. 1t is setting up
for the crown an interest distinct from and antago.
pstic to the interests Of the people, as determined by
the people themselves aud if carried out to its egti-
mate issues suol doctrine would DO certain to pro-
woke serieas collision between tho crown and the
peoplo After such a declaration from the Govern
ment, We are not surprised TO learn that the Derby
Ministry is in peril.
And yet better things than we have here could
hardly be expected from Tory Cabinet. The Tories
mag make professions of beray to suit the purposes
of temporary expediency, but at heart they are
welded TO reactonary principles and enemies OF po-
ltical freedom. Bred in the school OF narrow and
selfish olignrchy. and inheriting traditions which
sanctify the claims of caste to the controlling power
and the principal honors and emoluments
Of the State they baye no confidence in
popular government, no genuine respect for popular
rights But their efforts TO arrest the progress Of Re-
form in England will prove aboriye, and will only
hasten the contamination at which the friends OF
progress are aiming These efforts are the old story
OF attempting push back the swelling waves of the
Atlantic with a mop All in vain. These Tories
must either abandon their impossible task they will
be swept away by the advancing tide. The world is
moving onward. The star of Liberty is in the as
cendsnt.