The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-08
the NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS
Upon CURRENT ToPIos-ooMPlLED EVERY
DAY FOR THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
pr,,,.O Rsform-Oonfuslon of Parties.

Rr,t,sh Reform Confusion of Parties.
From he Herald
The words "British reform" have been 50
dinnod into our ears for the last twelve
months, that we are in danger, through fami-
niarity. of losing the deep significance with
which they are weighted. The agitation has
beep protracted and keen. 1t has proved the
death of one ministry; it will not surprise us
ifit should prove the death of another Nor
has any purely domestic question, within the
memory of the present generation of English
men 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 op--
posed to representative reform, announced
their willingness to take it up and attempt It's
solution in a truly liberal spirit.
This thought for time was encouraged,
rather than otherwise, by the spirit in which
defeat was endured, and further concessions
made. If anything was wanting to conhrm
the belief that the Tory party 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
others, however, who, better acquainted, per-
haps, with the working of the British State
machine knew well that there were breakers
ahead and that the real difficulty would be
felt when the bill should have gone into Com
mittee ofthe 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 it has
been somewhat difficult to know in what light
it was viewed by the great body of the people.
We did not know that in trial OF strength, on
a point which might perhaps have been more
skilfully conceived and even more adroitly
mt. 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 know that Disraeli, as
a szilful tactician had far eclipsed his rival on
the liberal side; that having aroused himself
from that imperturbable passiveness in which
he delights to indulge, his wit had become
more sparkling, his satire more keen, and that
however unlOvable in some respects, he had
become unquestionably the most popular man
in the House of Commons-man of the people
and son of Israel as he is, the pet of the landed
gentry of England. But while Gladstone was
Wincing under defeat, while Disrael was ex-
ulting in triumph, and while that magnificent
party whom Palmerston had so often led to
victory was apparently crumbling to pieces,
the people-What of them What were they
doing? 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
before 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.
On Monday the Reform League exhibited to
Parliament sight which will not soon
be forgotten, and manifested strength
which may well be dreaded. Popular
demonstrations on a similar scale are to be
made all over the country. Meanwhile un-
faithful members who voted with the Govern
ment to avoid dissolution of Parliament and
the expense of 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
already begun to conduct themselves in a
more worthy manner. 1t is extremely difficult
to say when or how this reform struggle is to
end; but this much it is safe to say, that out
OF 1t the people will come victorious. They
may not bring with them what they wish, but
they will bring with them q firm conscious
ness of strength, and an abiding conviction
that that strength may not be despised by any
power or class in the land.