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

The Reform Mevenent In Great Brstai.--Iss
Latest Phase.
II would be hard even for Mr.. Lowe 10 re-
fuse now to admit that the British people are
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 incompetcnoy Of the poo
pie he was other than sincere. Yet it 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. II is
not our opinion that in the initial stages Of
this movement the people were, one war OF
the other, more than indifferent. II did not
originate with them. II was not the Towering
or fruit of any previous agitation or discon-
tent. 1t 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 80 long as the great name OF Lord
Palmerston was q 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 a 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-
coursgement 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 abundanHy
proves that in the higher qualities indispen-
sable to o great ruler Of men he is sadly
wanting.
Mr.. Bright has been abused in certain quar-
ters ~ demagogue and a revolutionist. 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 Geographic reports. Is
not without deep significance. 1t has been tho
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 10 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 ct the dis
posal Of the reform party" II this arrange
ment ID generally adopted over the United
Kingdom It 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 FENIANs ASKING FOR DAMAGEs.-It is
said that some Of the Fenian prisoners, who