Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-09-07
wEaKNEsS OF TIE ENGLISH
S0VERNMENT.

When the first Reform Bill was cafiieu
thirty years ago, it was by a majority IN
the House Of Commons against a majority
in the House of Lords. Now the struggle
in England is BY a majority of the people
against the majority Of the House OF Com
mons, and there seems every prospect that
the people will ultimately win. II they
do, i, will produce a far greater effect upon
future history than a transfer OF the gov
eminent Of Germany from the former
Bund 10 the new arrangement. The pro-
ceedings about the Hyde Park meeting
have already shown Lord Derby's govern
ment. Tory though it be, to be quite
weak, as the House Secretary made mate
rial concessions to the demands of the
Teformers.
On the 25th of July, after the riotiug
was over, but whilst the excitement still
continued. Mr.. Beales. the Chairman OF
the Reform League, at the request Of the
Home Secretary, went TO the Home Office
attended by other officers of the League,
and from there went into the Park, made
speeches, and published the following
placard, as the result Of the interview.
So far, it would seem as if the Govern
ment had been fairly frightened and al
mos, empowered Mr.. Beales to act as a
sort Of Deputy Home Secretary:
THE REFORM LEAGUE AND THE Gov
ERSMExr.-The Government, by the Right
Hon. Spencer Walpole, the Home Secre-
tary, have this day agreed with the Coun-
Gil Of the Reform League to facilitate in
every way their obtaining a speedy decIs-
ion, either in Parliament or in a Court Of
law, as to the right Of the people 10 hold
public meetings in the parks; and i: is
earnestly requested that in the meantime,
and until the question is decided, no fur
Their attempt be made 10 hold a meeting in
Hyde Park, except only on next Monday
afternoon, July Goth, at 6 o'clock, by
arrangement with the Government; and it
is further earnestly requested that all will
abstain from disorderly acts, and do every
thing in their power to preserve the peace
and protect property-the Government
undertaking, on their part, not to make
any further demonstration Of the military
or police. EDMOND BEALEs, Pres't."
Reports at the Reform League Club
even went much further. But the next
day the Home Secretary denied in the
Times that such an arrangement was made,
but there is intrinsic evidence in the course
matters took that the reformers had some
informal assurance that they would not
be molested, especially as Mr.. Beales and
his friends did address the crowd in Hyde
Park without molestation On the 25th,
two days after the riot. There is reason
to believe there was some sharp practice
on both sides. But the important matter
is, that the Home Secretary sent for the
Reform League deputation, when Mr..
Beales assured him that the crisis was Of
the utmost gravity, and suggested that
the police and military might be with
drawn from the park. The Secretary
certainly did not set down his foot and
say NO" but thanked Mr.. Beales for his
conciliatory tone, and replied that the
Government did not wish to stop public
discussion, but did not think the parks
the proper place for such meetings, al
though willing to submit that to the legal
tribunals; and he certainly offered that if
Mr.. Beales would only assur the Hyde
Park crowd of that; "in that case, l will
undertake TO say" declared the Home
Secretary, 'that unless any mischief arise
tonight there will be no demonstrations
Of military or police. . l was going
to say I place myself in your hands, gen.
tlemen, but l leave it for you to put an
end to these proceedings without at all
compromising what must be settled judi
cially." Now, certainly this was abdi-
eating for the time in favor of the Reform
League.