The national Republican., 1867-07-15
THE REFORM MOVEMENT In
ENGLAND.

presents some very remarkable phrases.
After much careful scrutiny and potent
observation Of the various deeds and
strange tendencies Of these different
classes Of reformers, we find 1t difficult to
settle in our own minds what some of
these people are driving at.
1t has always seemed to us that the first
requisite Of a reformer is tolerant spirit
towards those who may differ from him.
We do not mean that be should endorse
what he believes to be wrong; but be
should allow that the adherents Of old
customs. theories, and forms Of belief may
be as honest in their notions as himself.
AT any rate, he should never think Of cor
recting these errors in belief and practice
by violence. We had looked on as the
reform movement in England was pro-
crossing, and had almost come to the belief
that that intolerant spirit which has here
tofore governed reforms would not be
manifested again; but how true 1t is the
victims OF intolerance are often themselves
the most intolerant Of men. The perse-
cuted Of to-day become the prosecutors Of
tomorrow.
The recent Birmingham riots illustrate
md enforce this truth SO plainly that none
can deny it. 1t is a painful fact that q
wild and inconsiderate fanatic like the
Protestant preacher who harangued the
crowd in that city should have the power
to occasion such bloody and destructive
riot as occurred there few weeks since.
The chief staple Of his argument was what
he asserted to be the intolerant and per-
seo".iHg spirit Of the Catholic Church, and
the maddened populace, who follow the
lead Of this man, turn upon the peaceful
Catholic community in their mad rage,
destroy their property, and seek to destroy
the people themselves.
Will men who seek reform, either in
church or state, ever learn that neither
civil nor religious liberty can be promoted
and secured in this way?
They have in England associations
known as Reform Leagues" and "Trades
Unions" &C., and through these agencies
the laboring men are seeking extended
suffrage, good and fur wages for their
labor, and cheap bread. They have many
great and wise leaders, whose counsels
they will do well to follow. Among these
leaders We may mention JONI BRIGHT.
BE is the friend OF the laboring man, but
he is also a wise statesman. His influence
Is potent. but in one Of his recent speeches
there were manifest some indications that
even he felt that in dealing with these
turbulent masses, much caution and con.
siderable restraint was necessary. We do
not wonder at this. Some recent mani.
festations on the part Of this ground tier ol
society in the United Kingdom gives un.
mistakabie evidence that torch may be
lighted that will put to the flames the
beautiful fabric Of liberty, and thus, before
it is hall completed, it may be utterly de
stroyed.
We may allude, in proof of what we now
say, to the meeting Of the workingmen ir
st. James Hall, London, the other day
The society which attempted to hold this
meeting is known as the Workingmen',
Conservative Association and they were
to meet for perfectly legitimate purpose
simply 10 express their views Of the move
meRt in progress. In short, they favored
the Government and the Church. Some
non.conservative journals gave the hint
denounced the gathering, and advised tb,
workingmen of the radical type to attent
and see for themselves. The up-shot o
this business was, the leaguers took pos
session Of the meeting, and the other party
believing that their rights to meet peace
ably for t cir own purposes had been in
teriered with, stoutly defended their righ
to organize for themselves.
A riot ensu'd, and the police had to in
terfere. Such conduct as this does no
help the leagucrs, aud it will not tax,
many such occurrences to put back theil
cause for years. 1t is 10 such exhibition,
as this to which Mr.. BRIGHT refers, for be
understands the mischieyous influence,
which are sure to result from such con
duct. The Tory ministry and the aristoc
racy look on calmly, and expect to se
these people make shipwreck Of thei
cause, and put up sort of devoted praye
that they may do SO. We have Away
viewed these movements, which promis
more liberty, good wages, and cheap brea
to the labOrng classes Of England, wit
favor, and have always taken deep inte
est in the reform and reformers OF En-
land; but, from recent mauiirstat OF
there, we must confess to some miseiyinl
as to wneihcr these enterprises are to b
crowned with success or not.
We close, as we began, by saying tha
those who would be genuine reformer
must be tolerant towards all who difie