New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-11
LORD DERBYS GOrERYMEYE.

The British Parliament meets this year under
peculiar and exceptional circumstances. For
many years past the Sovereign, in opening the
annual sessions of the Legislature, has had lit
tie to do in reference TO purely domestic nat
ters beyond offering congratulations on the ex-
banding prosperity OF the nation But this
time the ease is materially different. Popular
excitement in respect 10 an extension OF the
franchise to the laboring classes is at fever
hight On this subject the people manifest an
cainc-tnc5s aud determination which cannot
possibly be mistaken by their rulers. They
wH have the political rights so long and 80
unjustly withheld from them by proud and
selfish oligarchy, and the rcsolute tones in
which they now demand those rights show that
they are in no mood to be trifled with. Never
since the memorable period Immediately ante
ccdcnt TO the passing of the Reform
Bill of 1882, when revolution was immi-
ncnt, has the popular mind in En-
GLAND been so profoundly moved, as
at present. But purely political troubles are
not the only threatening clouds on the horizon.
There is the serious conflict which has arisen
between the employers of labor and the work
ingmcn, and which has led on the part of the
self protection, having its notifications in
every part of the Kingdom, and which, silently
spreading and working for some time past
already makes itself felt as the embodiment of a
mighty power There is also the sad condition
of The poor in London and the other large
cities and towns, the miseries of whose pitia-
bic Indulgence has boen wofully aggravated by
the unusual severity of the present Winter,
and the want of employment for large num-
bcrs of operatives now on the verge Of starva-
ton. And last, there are the troubles in Ire
land, where n cruelty unjust system of land
tenure, and an Ecclesiastical establishment
obnoxious to the great bulk of the population by
producing in the minds of the people ranking
sense of injustice, and breeding n widespread
disaffecton, have made rebellion an ever
present danger. These are some of the sub
jccts demanding the attention of the British
Parliament, and with which the classes now in
power will be compelled 10 dcal-and that not
as the subject of Parliamentary Reform was
dealt with in the last session. We altogether
mistake the present temper of the masses in
England if they this time allow the Loves and
the ElchOs of the Commons, and the fossil re-
actionisls who abound in the House Of Lords,
90 dispose Of their claims by snccrs ut their
ignorance and vepaty, and to meet their just
demands by unjust reprOachcs and cruel taunts.
The question ariseS-and il is one OF the high
est interest not only to the people Of England
themselves, but to the friends of popular free
dom and constitutional government in other
cOuntres-hOw will the Derby Ministry and the
Tory party act under the circumstances VIII
they gracefully yield to the popular pressure in
the matter of reGOm9 And will they honestly
grapplc with the social questions demanding
adjustment in the interests Of the masses
Of the operatives Of England, of the tenant
farmers and Roman Catholics of Ireland, of
the pauperized and famishng multtudcs with
which the great centeIs of population in En-
gland are Overcrowded? So far as the Ministry
itself is concerned the programme for the SEES
sion, outlined in the Queens speech, may be
accepted as furnishing a pretty hopeful
answer. Not to speak of the very natural
desire on the part OF Lord Derby to re-
tain power, there is Il liberal element
i'm the present Government Of which previous
Tory Administrations have been devoid; be-
side which, we may fairly assume that Lord
Derby is unwilling to incur the tremendous
responsibility of riskng a revelation which n
stubborn resistance to Reform is almost certain
10 precipitate. With the Speech from the
Throne then, as presumably embodymg the
views and policy of the Administration, there
is no room 10 cayil. But what Of Lord Derby's
followers in the two Houses OF Parliament
What OF tho country gentlemen"-the