The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-22

have no knowledge of here, it is impossible
not to perceive that these fears NAV be better
grounded than the Conservative party Imagine
TO let every industrious and every honest man
exercise fair share of political power cannot
be mistake. There is no danger in doing
right, least of all in doing richt to those who
have been wronged. But in the densely popu-
lated countries OF Europe there are large classes
VINO nve by their wits, who will not work, who
oenDerately make trade of begging or steal
ing. Let any one read that very curious book
"London Labor and the London Poor" and
Judge for himself whether the persons therein
described are fit to govern for others. The
sweeping extension of the franchise now to
take place in England is therefore undeniably
bold experiment According 20 republican
ideas, it must prove a healthy change; but we
have to take fairly into account the different
conditions which exist in an old country like
England. When we find Liberals like Mr..
Gladstone shrinking back from household
suffrage, and even Mr.. Bright crying out that
it is enough, we may well ponder the grave
and eloquent warnings which Mr.. Lowe has
urged upon the needless ears of the House of
Commons.
Mr.. loves latest device to counterbalance
the effects of the Reform bill is the same as
that which Mr. Buckalew recently recon-
mended to the Senate-namely, the adoption
OF the cumulative vote. We need not remind
our readers that Mr.. J. S. Mill is the earnest
advocate of this scheme, or that the judgment
of practical politicians has hitherto been de-
cidedly against it, It is a design to secure to
minorities their due share of representa-
ton, and it derives great weight from the
fact that so able a man as Mr.. Lowe has
taken 1t up, and that no fewer than 173 mem
bers OF the House of Commons voted for it
the very first time it was proposed. But
neither this eXpedient nor any other will an
swer the purpose which Mr.. Lowe has at
heart. The progress of the democratic prin-
ciple is steady and resistless. The Ministry
have yielded much, but the cry will still be
''give give !" and the classes which demand
concessions have been armed with the power
to insist upon them. See the terms in which
the candidates for Parliament now address the
electors They are ior surrendering every
thing to the triumphant working classes"
They go, as 1t were, with bag crammed full
OF offerings to the poor, and invite them to
thrust in theie hands aud take out what thew
please. There is Mr.. Dixie, proprietor of the
Ahenosro, and protege of Prince AIbert's.
putting mp for the newly created borough of
Chelsea, and promising to be as plastic as clav.
There Is nothing he will refuse to do. When
once this spirit has seized a nation, there is no
toreteling what cherished institutions of the
past may not suddenly be swept away Like
eaten inside by white ants, they may crumble
to pieces at the least touch, and at the most
unexpected moment.
We are fully disposed to believe that an
altered future is before the mother country
The old moorings have been cast away. the
old channels destroyed. The tone and charae-
ter of the House Of Commons will be chanced
and we do not know why We should hesitate
TO say that we hope it may be changed for the
better. But 1t is very curious to mark the
mlsgivings which prevail on the subject in
England. Even those who vote for the Reform
Dill are fearful that they are calling Franken-
stein into existence which may be the means
OF their own undoing. Possibly Earl Russell,
veteran retormer though he is, may yet try to
raise an embankment against the inundation.
1t Will be but plank swept away by the cur
rent. The malcOntents must be content to
rest upon hope, which, as the poets say, is the
surest consoler under adversely. Certain it is
that the day is coming when a Queen of
England who pockets a sum equivalent to two
million dollars gold a year, and ignores her
commonest duties, will no longer be possible,
and when the estate of Peers will be made
useful or swept away altogether. The national
hospitality OF Great Britain is now dispensed
by noblemen who have more public spirit
than the monarch, and whO do not think it an
obligation binding upon a Christian to
squander millions in scattering painful efigies
VI departed relatlVeS broadcast over the land.
In the meantime We are to have another life of
st. Albert written by the Queens express
desire. We suppose it is not disrespectful to
express fervent hope that this is the last
we shall hear of him. 1t is instructive to
study the lives of the good, but when
their transcendent virtues are necessarily
dinned into our ears, we may easily
have too much of them. We should think
that the English are rather tired of being pep
pered, so to speak, with images of one who,
both as husband and Prince, was only pro-
perly appreciated after his happy translation.
Prince Albert alive was not estimated very
highly, but of course everybody understands
him better now. And it has long been ascer-
tanned that nothing is so safe as to praise the
dead, for they are the only persons who are
not liable to do things afterwards to prove that
their panegyrists are hypocrites or numskulls.
Lord CranboTne declares that the monarchy
Is even now dead-the Reform bill has killed
1t. 1t might be buried for all the good that
1t has been to the nation during the last
seven years.
True RHdicaIIsm.
From the Nation.
Many well-meaning persons imnrassed with