The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-25

Aberdeen, II
failed In the year 1859 there conservative govern
ment headed by tie Earl o Derby which attempted 20
dea with this question aud taed In the year 1860 there
WAC moderate liberal governments, headed By Lord Pal
merston, whieh attempted 70 zeal with this question aud
failed Ia the year 1866 ihere was government
panghier-which Wil Notwithstanding the present rage
Tor analysis describe nlodera liberal 90 ernment-
a government which headed again by Earl Russell
which attempted 10 deal with this question and allied
There may be who viii urge these circumstances
argument show that the question was one which
ought MOI 70 lave been dealt with; that there
necessity whatever TO draw the attention of Parliament
10 its consdera ion sir, all that have say the
part my colleagues is that this not the opinion Of
her i'ajesty's government In the opinion of her
Majesys government the seeds perhaps
siderable portion OF those chan ges
were sown In The memorable act of 1882 Until
the ACT OF lS2 was passed the claims of the laborng
classes TO share in parliamentary system
knowleaed and their rights enjoyed and pracsed
Although the mode by which they asserted may
not have been happily adapted the circumstances Of
the present century, there be doubt that those
claRs we're definitely acknowledged and acted upon
dependenty OF party Before the act Of 1882, for ex
ample, was possible for the laborng classes TO return
both members for Preston tosn of nov nearly 100000
inhabitants; they might also have returned two for
the city Of Coventry, then, now the seat OF an i'm
porant and ingenious branch Of manufacturers and
there we're great many places in England in which
they exercised considerable, il not prepondera.ing
influence But ii was though, TT al that time to abolish
those rights and privileges ! think myself
II Is lair to admit thai, ms they were then enjoyed
and prac,ised, they were perhaps, III adapted 10 our
present soca state; and though the laborng classes
the considerable of labor might with the old
machinery have been repres anted that not
for aholishng the right bu, rather for remodel
ing and adapting it TO the circumstances with
which then had to DEAL nor sir did the abo-
ltion those rights pass unregarded this House
Those who the trainers of that Reform bill, and
who supported with enthusiasm by powerful
classes wero able then TO override the objections from
influential quartefs They warned by OF the
greatest authorities OF this House the danger and
impoiicy OF the they pursuing. The
rabe words OF sir Robert Peel on this subject familiar
70 the House. lie warned the government Of the day
that in putting end to the rights Of feemen they
then existed and terminating all those other means by
which the householder IN many boroughs registered his
vote and exercised it, thew embarking in
which eventually must involve them in great danger aud
Inconvenience. The rights of those electors which
then attacked were not lost for want OF adj ocacy
advocacy Of the highest and abest charactev-n this
House. Une of the shining lights of our time Sir
William Folic brought those claims before the House
On more than one OCCASION with that coquence for
which he was remarkable and that power OF argument
for which he distinguished. Other rights for the
then existing generation were, 10 another place. only
indicated bnt saved by less person than Lord
Iyndhurst. sir would not especially after mention.
lug such names, refer TO anything have myself cx-
pressed. If may be permitted to say So under
circumstance would ever refer anything said
here merely vindlcation Of myself my colleagues
But If have made declaration upon public qaes-
ton Of great importance as the organ of party,
If have been requested by men OF great emnence,
express an opinion upon subject of great public
importance this House, think il is assumption to
refer it, the expression of individual but as
in historic illustrative OF the conduct
and opinion Of party. Now. sir, In 1852 when FIRST
had the honor OF seat on this bench tue question of
Parliamentary reform was then rife, though it then
urged in very different SPIRIT aud with very diler
ent objects from those which now animate liz
advocates. In about the first week-cerianly with
in the first month--of accession TO Office it
was absolutely necessary that We should come to
upon that subject. AT that time what was called
picccatdL very much ia fashion, think
IL was upon one of The motions o. the hon. member for
Surrey tMr Locke KingL which he brought forward i'm
nlcdalcy after the formation Of the government Of
1852 That it became necessary for TO consult Lord
Derby and the mos. eminent OF his colleagues the
line should pursue respecting reform. Perhaps the
House viii allow me to quote one passage from whn.
said that occasion. objected TO the motion Of the
hon member for Surrey, my objection being broad
onc-nnmey, that Parliamentary reform not
ject which ougn, be treated in piecemea manner
and sad with reference 10 this motion, and with the
full concurrence OF Lord Derby and of my colleagues:
BuL have also another objection to this bnl have
preston Of deep ana sincere cSnviciiom on my partsa
think IN tie construction of that memorable law the Re
form act OF 1882 there great deciency which
consisted in want Of due consideration OF tae rights Of the
system, by the SURFACES Of the fremen the political rights
Of the abarer were acknowledged BY the constitution
moment wish to maintain that there strong
with but thea never heard reason why more salts
factory could not hsse gesn n en
county which at times has been painfully felt that
That will at least show that the question was one
which, having been taken up originally when the Reform
act introduced into this House, by party iii The
state not then successful has since been entirely
deserted by them on every fitting occasion there have
been expressions OF opinion similar those just quoted
but have ,ad this because the declaration
which the House has now heard was made by me es a
Minister after duly consulting those with whom have
tho honor Measures OF Acknowledgement OF
kind conid not ,e tolerated; but 1882 it
difficult 10 carry them with immunity. The position Of
the laborn classes IN 1892 differed from their posito
in 1867; but such the excitement produced by the
measure OF 1882 in The country generally, especially
among those influential classes Who considerably
bcnchited by Il, whose power immensely in-
creased by that II was utterly impossible that any
1882 could have been ssuIy opposed either in this
House or by those who OUTSIDE the House, were moro
inmed aciy interested in the question. That however,
which Sir Peel told The government Of Lord Grey in
eyltably happened. He said, AS time advances and
tile country prospers you viii find The iabsrtng class,
icLoss PtTtancR dly rights you dSroyag. wu
take nc ppouEity q ccimag d9d.a Tie priregs achca
yoH hare touCht ey taken fun "a ard for chich you
eGlc no sub,t,tu en- ear hear Since 1852 this coun
Try has doubt, great progress But IL Ia during
the ten years that progress has been most remark
atlc viii not nov ai.emp, TO inquire into the causes
particular causes, which have brought about that
great advance. But thak ! may say there is
sovereign cause which i at the bottom OF every
to social lie. IMat l believe to be main cause
OF vast changes haze seen IN the condition and
feelings Vi classes. We All familiar with The material
results which the application o. science has produced
1hcy are piodisous; bgt, 10 my mind he moral 'eW
are ie,s s,dI,nnp. The revoulun IN iccomoIion,
winch would strike every day miracle II we
familiar with IT, has given the grea, body OF the in
habant q this country In some degree the enlghteniug
advantages travel The mode in which steam power
is applied The printing press In these days produces
elects more startling thaa the first discovery OF printing
In fifteenth century. II is that has raised
vases; IL Is science that has increased the desires
and the opportunities OF men, and II is science that
has ennooed labor There a,e CON ,clo san lis
cts mus be ~ cQitGtisc he condition If mes.
That is controversy. ! am ANXIOUS TO-
night ON that or any other subject TO enter
controversy; but this think, may be said, and
dogma viii not be impugned-there is doubt that the
Application Of science TO social life hG eeroted Me con-
dlioR Of the tcakaag eases Cheers Having sand
this IN all sincerity, must rcpud.a.e opinion which
i too prevalent, and as think, Is utterly uaounded
the opinion that, especially In this House, the eg-
male claims II The iaboring class to their due snare
In the Par ancntary system have met with vexaiious
opposition. have encountered sinister spirit OF ne
gicct ana intent ona delay. Checrs On the contrary,
cir forming my opinion from what | have out of
doors and, am sorry TO add, IN some measure within
these walls, should say that these claims have been
trcaed rather with epcurean feeling, which,
anxious no; 10 be troubled BY the settlement Of
agreeable and, perhaps, as some think, dangerous
qucstUn, would agree TO anything for immediate
ease without any thought OF duty towards those
who may follow us loud cheers) All can say Of
such ceiling Is that think 1t dangerous than
any OF those opinions which perhaps to-day may have
alarmed the minds Of SOM, and which. pIaciised,
would injurc the future OF those who preach Them. /
Ia