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

Fhtest desire OF giving offence TO any member o. the
House. which w0nid he foreign 10 my nature-I must
o repetition N M 81 1863 loud cheers II
cannot endure ths measure should be thrown out
upon some cunnns captions point of deta--cheers
and cheersl aud that then those who have IN
Cured the responsibility should shrink from fulfilling
their duty ~ carrying measure this subj ct uIeael
1t is not interest 10 bring forward vague resolutions
We from the House such q sanction of ecr
views and such assistance by the expression Of their
that We can bring in bill which viii pass With
promptitude And therefore these vague resolutions are
exactly what We should avoid they would not
In our course | want 10 meet this question fairly
because am sure IL viii facilitate our future course
arrive possible, and as much az peg
sible, az mutual understanding will take Of the
most difficult questions which in tie resolu.
tions. Our first resolution probably must refer the
extension Of the suffrage Well, II bring forward
resolution which merely declares that il Is expedient
tuat there should be an extension OF the suffrage in
counties and boroughs should call that vague reso-
luton "a laugh and Shear, hear y The House is
agreed and has agreed, not only in this but preceding
Houses, and In an unmIstakable manner that there
should be considerable extension OF the sufiage IN
counties and boroughs; but the House. certainly
not this House. has yet formally stated
the mode by which the extension should take place
But resolution is brought forward proposing the
mode by which extension should take place. either
by the creation of other franchises the reduction
OF existing tenures OF franchise, why then you have
resolution which advances tue Question Ii, however,
am asked, am told shall be asked whether II ia
not useless TO bring forward resolutions such ques
ton AS the franchise without defining and describing
mnutely the quail fca.ion then / say that Is
reasonable condition. tCheersl say II Is
able condition, because 1t is condition which IL
possible for any government to comply with II you
forward with resolution which declares il is
expedient the franchise should be extended by reduc.
tion-that is principle which when laid down cannot
be misunderstood. But how you TO settle the amount
Of the frauchsey Take your borough franchse--how
can you fix in your resolution even IL you agree 10
the principle Of the extension of the franchise, the
amount OF your franchise, when that depend
upon principles not less important than the extension
Of the franchises (Cheers) wish to illustrate this
point. The amount OF the franchise depends upon
many considerations, but IL depends mainly upon
principle OF the greatest importance and that is prn-
cpe upon which this House has given an equvoca aud
ambiguous decision. Yet without right appreciation
and clear conception Of which 1t is impossible make
any proposal to the House which lead to practical
result l mean the basis upon which your franchise
shall restnamey, the principle Of rating. Hear bear
Until decide what shall be the basis OF your fran
chise, and IL You FIX upon rating the basis of your
franchise, until the House OF Commons has in clear
and unambiguous manner decided that point how il
possible in resolution TO forward and recon.
mend particular franchise? put this forward
because it is an important Point which may DO
thrown In teeth II do not propose resolu.
ton in which the exact character Of the borough
franchise Is defined. 1t may be said that tring
with the subject but say that it is utterly Impossible
II you proceed by resolution. You must have resou-
ton to decide whether the basis Of franchise
be rating or not. tIiear, hear viii not trouble the
House with too many details OF tho character OF the
solutions which. II the House win give The oppor-
tunty, intend to propose. They will be, hope in
the hands OF members to morning; but perhaps
the House will permit me 10 ad TO two points
upon which think it highly important this House
should come to clear and uncquivocal decision And
must say that am anxious the House shall decide
what principles Mey man 70 construct The Iious3 u tom
he Ea9tiss cJnStitu0n(hear, hearlor do tteF mcga
recJl1st, uc' The principles Of the t5stion
tant that this question snail be dec ded Now sir her
MoJesty's government intend, If they and II this
House will allow them, TO rconstuc; this House the
principles Of the English constitution (Chcers will
not advert to any remarks which may have made be.
fore that subject or at least should like not to
advert them, because is painful to repeat oneself
M WcnricOme Ia be m IN
this subject We think that the English constitution il
not mere phrase. We believe that we live under a
monarchy modified in It's action by the Coordinate
authority Of the Estates OF the Realm and look upon
The Commons oil England, whom we represent, one
merely archaeological view OF tie constitution Of
England Ia laugh; but think show the House that
hey will DO very unwise If they quit without duo
sideralion the ancient traditions OF the poy under
which they live. and under which this country has
singulary hourshed Undoubtedly, under the great
OF centuries the relations between the e.
alcs Of The Realm in this country have greatly altered
and changed No doubt the Commons ac reppessst
hare abs, bed tie arater part g hs authority lic those
the House tina. this is reason why should forget
tho constitutional scheme under which this country has
so long prospered but rather, II deeply and fay con-
surviving guide against the impending perplexites
surround US Hear, hear No doubt the Commons OF
England, by the immense increase Of population and
property have assumed character with reference the
other estates which never contemplated in the days
OF the Planagenes aud the Tadors 1t very great
error suppose thai 1t merely the OF popu-
ation and property on the part Of the Commons
which has brought ABOUT the present form OF the
English consu and the present character and func-
ions Of the House of Commons. Take or these
Estates. Take the peerage OF England That Is very
powerful body II probably the wealth lest assembly
property which Is most popular in England, because Is
connected With The fualment Of duliesI mean
he land Nor are the power and influence OF tho peer
sge to be measured by their property. Their social in
Use word in O large sense-their national
MI uence is very great l have often myself felt that
N. n 4 m of
En- land than in their own Houss What, then, has
PLACED the Commons Of England in the commanding
II our financial eolsitatnn II is the claim that we
asserted two centuries ago-parai!y recognized then,
placed this House the taxing power That is the cause
Of position and character OF the Commons OF Eng
land. The moment that power was established every
class every interest In tins country sought representa-
in this House, and naturally, because this House
alone can they defend their rights their property
Hear hear.) People complain of the influence tio
undue influence Of the peerage In the House of Com
mons. Why, sir, the Influence OF tho peeiage in the
House Of Commons Is not usurpaon OF rights; it
is Differences TO our authority (Cheers And so Is
with all interests. Here they come because here
power is reposcd, and 1t is herr only that they
guarded respect 0fhe exercise OF that power by the
presence OF their representatives. The consequence is
thar ry class and every interest has sought and
certain degree has Obtained, rcpresen tation in this
House That 10 the OF the ty OF character.
hut IL IL the variety OF our character that has
given deiiberative power Hear, hear)
II il our del!berntive power that has given us
hold upon the executive which Is tho BEST aye the only
security for the freedom We enjoy. lCheersl Well. sir
her Msjcstys government counsel and coun,enance
nat scW change that rdyied character Of NE
Hote Of ttnmens Hear. hear) They will respect and
reverence the which have elevated rude popular
assembly OF the days OF the PlaD,agenes into
which commands the admiration Of the world. (Choers)
We do not find that there Is any security for retaining
that character unless oppose policy which gives
any class in this countyI whether II be high
low whether IL be influenced by denocracai or by
0garchicai ieeiing-a prcponderant power In this
House. tCheers) And therefore, In any measure that
we may bring forward, shall that the elective
franchise must be regarded a popular privilege
and not as democratic right Hear, hearl II,
Sir, wanted 10 see what are the consequences OF
allowing class In popular assembly TO have pre-
ponderang influence, what passing In the world nj the
present time Is fruitful OF instruction tEiSar hear)
never presume criticize the institutions OF ctner States
Indeed, hold, ana hold most sincerely, a general
principle that the institutions Of every country are
pretty we'll adapted 10 the population who live under
them But take the instance Of cur nearest neighbour
Taerc q Fame in me rsry " crffi.afion perhaps
II not in the House OF Commons and in England
might even venture 10 sayhe Hrs ~ European nations
inferior 10 an rirociy Of mind ia ocrt intellect 10
ond(u perseverance,, ana ~ fa pdfroc fecIing scsch
ai.cuys fof Well, Ia France, TINS gifted nation has
popular assembly aud Is elected By universal suffrage