The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-07

ing IOr Vno present. anu are 8i0u " 0O0 o
signs of clear weather ahead.
British Refern-Csnfusien Of Parties.
The words aBritish reform" have been 80
dinned into our ears for tho last twelve months
that we are in danger, through familiarity, OF
losing the deep Significance with which they
are weighted. The agitation has been pro-
tracted and keen. It has proved the death Of
one Ministry; It will not surprie US Il it
should prove the death Of another. Nor has
any purely domestic question within the mem
DRY Of che present generation Of Englishmen SO
thoroughly aroused the feelings Of all ranks
and classes Of the people. The question by
many was supposed to be settled when, on the
occasion Of the opening Of Parliament, the
party now In power, but historically opposed
to representative reform, announced their
willingness 10 take it up and attempt
| its solution In truly liberal spirit.
This thought for time was encour-
aged, rather than otherwise, by the spirit
In which defeat was endured, and further
concession made. IF anything was wanting 70
confirm the belief that the tory patty were to
have the honor Of leading The British people TO
/, the full enjoyment Of popular privileges"
that was furnished by the easy manner in which
the Reform bill now before the HOUSE passed
/ its first and second readings. There were
(, vSsners, however, who, better acquainted, per
haps, with the working of tina British Stale
machine, knew we'll that there were breakers
/ ohooH nd rot kkn In
felt when the bill should have gone into Com
mittee Of the Whole House on the third read
| ing. Experience has shown that the latter, and
not the former, were correct
Since the bill has gone into committee 1t has
been somewhat difficult to know in what Hgh!
il was viewed by the great body Of the people.
We did know that in trial Of strength, on
point which might perhaps have been more
skilfully conceived and even more adroiuy
| put, Mr.. Gladstone sustained defeat. We did
know that the liberal party did not rally round
their leader as they ought to have done, and
that for some cause or other their ranks were
demoralized. We did knot that Disraeli, ~
skilfal tactician, had far eslipsed his rival on
the liberal side I; that having aroused himself
from that fmperturbable pas dveness In which
he delights TO indulge, his wit had become
more sparkling, his satire moro keen, and that,
however unlovable in some respects, he had
become PROFESSIONALLY the most popular man
In the House Of Commons-man Of the people
and SON ofIsrael a. he is, the pet Of the landed
| gentry Of England. But while Gladstone was
wincing under defeat, while Disraeli was exult-
ing in triumph, and while that magnificent
party whom Palmerston had 80 often led to
victory was apparently crumbling to pieces,
the people-wbat of themt What were they
doingf We could not tell. We know now.
Our recent cable and mail dispatches show
that in spite Of what some journals say to the
contrary the crisis Is greater than ever. The
people, dissatisfied with the measure now be-
fore the House, and dissatisfied particularly
with the conduct Of representatives who have
betrayed their cause, have again taken the
matter In their own hands. Monster meetings
have again become the order Of the day. A
great demonstration was made few days ago
in Birmingham, John Bright, laundering in
the evening. in the best Of humor, but with
greater vehemence and fearlessness than ever.
Yesterday the Reform League exhibited to
Parliament sight which will not soon
be forgotten, and manifested q strength
which may well be dreaded. Popu-
lar demonstrations on . similar scale are
to be made all over the country. Mean
while unfaithful members who voted with the
government to avoid dissolution Of Parlia-
ment and the expense Of q general election,
dreading dissolution after all, have commenced
to write penitent letters TO their constituents,
and as the last recorded division, in which the
liberals had large majority, shows, have al
ready begun to.conduct themselves in more
worthy manner. II is extremely dificult to
say when or how this reform struggle il to end;
but this much It Is safe to say, that out Of It the
people will come victorious They may not
bring with them what they wish, but they will
bring with them firm consciousness Of strength
and an abiding conviction tat that strength
may not be despised by any power or class in
the land.
senator Wilson On Csnascatien.
We have heard good deal during some
time past about the sword Of Damocles hang.
ing over the heads Of the Southerners and
over certain high ofAsia',, intimidating them
L. 4, co~t.;c xhscv~ ana "a ohsto;v g. It,