The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-31

Probable Results oil tue E0gi1sh hofOru biIi.
A few days more and we shall be informed
that the Reform agitation, which has been
maintained with great spirit for the greater
portion Of the last two years, has peacefully
half a million additional voters directly from
the ranks of the people cannot fail to immensely
popularize the government of the mother
country, and TO assimilate it in certain impor-
tant particulars to that of her daughter on this
side of the Atlantic The stride which Eng
land has just made towards popular govern
ment is unexpectedly large. 1t will do much to
settle the question of Reform for at least an
other generation. 1t would be absurd, how
ever. to imagine that the goal has been reached;
that demands, on the one hand, and concessions,
on the other, were equally to cease. The present
Reform bill has not been more necessary TO
complete what was granted in 1882 than, in forty
or fifty years hence, another Reform bill will
be necessary to complete what is granted now.
Lord Crauborne and Mr.; Lowe were undoubt-
edly right when they spoke of Mr.. Dsraelis bill
as pointing Enthusiastically towards democratic
institutions. England Is yet far from universal
suffrage but universal suffrage is not on that
account less certain to be fact of the future.
The tendency Is clear and decided, though the
progress may be slow.
1t is not our opinion that any portion of the
English people, from the occupant Of the
throne downwards, have reason TO apprehend
evil as the result of this measure. The House
Of Commons have passed Reform bill greatly
more liberal than either wing or tory intended
1t should be. It Is not, however, whit either
too large or too liberal. 1t has grown ire
sistibly in the hands of its trainers its excel
lence, too, has increased with its bulk, and the
people of England are indebted for what they
are receiving rather to the force of circum-
stances than to the wisdom or foresight of any
of their statesmen. Not few there are who
stand behOlding with wonderment and fear
this offspring Of the genius and the daring of
Disrsell. They can see 1t only In the light Of
a national misfortune. II Is to be the fruitful
parent Of uncomfortable ills. The tide of de-
mocracy, with its up-swelling and on-sweeping
pillows, Is to overwhelm the Church, the no
Such fears are totally groundless, though to
excite them may serve the temporary purpose
Of scheming or angry politicians. So sweep.
ing a revolution would be to the advantage of
no one, and there are at stake moral and ma
teral interests sufficiently powerful to prevent
it That the large infusion Of popular energy
into the constitution for which the bill pro-
vides will work changes in the social and
political system of the country,'it would be alb.
surd to refuse to admit. The pulse OF the ma
ton will have at once nrmer and quicker
beat Government will come more immedl-
ately under the control Of the national will;
absurd privileges and obsolete rights will
suffer; the immense revenues of the Church
will be utilized and turned to some practical
account, and the nobility aud the crown will be
compelled to identify their interests with those
of the people. But these will be blessings
rather than misfortunes and they are to be
considered prospective rather than immediate
results. Republicanism, as exemplifed in the
United States, rather than C@sarism, az exem-
plined In France, Is the model after which
England Is shaping herself; but the transiorma-
ton will be slow and deliberate, and may not
be found to be incompatible with the consecra-
ton of most that is truly noble in a constitu-
ton which Is at once ancient and honored;
which has already weathered many storm,
and which, Notwithstanding Its faults, has itself
furnished the model Of free institutions ell
over the world.