The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-22

Puio OuiiotiaulIy W DO tluuichlcu onu cSs0D-
llshed on purer basis!
Reform md Habeas Corpus in England.
BY telegram from London, through the At
lanic cable, we have the very important
intelligence that the Derby Cabinet intends to
ask Parliament to suspend the privilege Of the
writ Of habeas corpus in England, and thus
afford the executive an extraordinary power
of dealing with the Fenian alarm excitement
and more direct and summary method of
Furnishing Fenian offences against the law and
Crown
The very rumor Of such an Intention on the
part Of the Premier Of Great Britain Is ominous
of the near approach of great political crisis
in that country as the carrying of it into effect
would be likely to premise changes and conse-
quences Of the most startling character, both
in its social relations and the body polite.
It is proper, therefore, to inquire why is the
suspension Of the habeas corpus to be pro.
posed? Will Parliament vote 1T VIII the
people Of England endure it,
Earl Derby, we are told, counsels the ex-
treme measure ostensibly as o means of reach
ing the Fenian organization. II may be,
however, that he in reality seeks to touch the
new combinations which tho reform league
associations are consolidating for the more
advantageous working Of the nsg Reform bill
in the political interests Of the people, and
| thus head OFF, by "law and order' system
Of control the preparations for that great
democratic electoral campaign, In which the
leaguers will use the powerful engine Of the
votes Of about three hundred thousand newly
enfranchised misunderstanding for the most
part in the cities and large towns-in order to
effect peaceful revolution. -e..
| British reform in the hands of the tories is
plain contradiction. and, Notwithstanding Lord
Derby's claim to the paternity Of the new
measure, and Mr.. Disrael's ingenious theory Of
the political birth and descent Of the principle
in and through the titled houses of the land,
the masses Of tho British people perceive the
contradiction and reject the illusion. As an
aristocrat Earl Derby dislikes reform; as d
party man he despises its promoters. II,
therefore, be effects the suspension Of the
habeas corpus, we, at this distance, infer that
he will direct the new power thus afforded to
the Grown in order to regulate" tho monster
reform demonstrations which ore sure to take
place, under the plea that they are revolution
airy Irish asscmblages.
The present Premier OF England il we'll
skilled in the executive science of government
repression fer, as Lord Stanley, whom Chief
Secretary Of Ireland, he spent the best portion
Of his official energy in combating popular agi-
tations with Arms acts, the branding Of arms,
Party Professions acts and the. enforcement Of
the Convention act against political delega-
tons and spoken treason. He now sees
Fenianism used a. very potent ingredient Of
the English reform agitation, and it may be
that he seeks to turn tho tables on the reform
ers by fighting them under cover of Fenianism.
Will Parliament sanction the measures This
is to be doubted. People must not forget,
however, that England is just now deeply
alarmed by the effects Of the Fenian outrsges.
England loves order and homo quiet, and her
wealthy, commercial and middle classes must
have il at any cost They abhor Fenianism,
and II Lord Derby should call an extra session
Of Parliament and submit to the House Of
Commons official reports Of very exciting
character, 1t ia not unlikely that tho great body
Of the members from tho rural districts, unit
ing with those representing the great trading
and military and naval interests, would fur
nish-irespcctlve OF party Pledges majori-
| ~ to vote the suspension. Tho House OF
Lords would sustain them, arguing that loyal
men and good citizens have nothing to fear
Should the House Of Commons reject the pro-
position. the Premier win probably resign
and thus inauguratc ministerial crisis Of
sufficient duration 10 permit the present sgita-
ton 10 subside, the home parties TO harmonizs
more agrceably, and some foreign difficulties
| to be adjusted.
II the suspension Of The hsbsas corpus is to be
carried will the people endsre-iti This qnery
involves the most serious considerations To
the English nation she suspension OF the habeas
corpus is repugnani in tho extreme, and Che
adoption Of such course juss new. particu-
larry at the suggestion Of Stanley, Of Derby,
will be very likely TO bring she rising wave Of
| the new order Of democracy In full Wow Of the
solid phalanx Of tho aristocracy which sur
rounds the throne. Then will be presented
the most interesting issue OF modern politics |:
VIII the wave receds, or ehe titled bafons give
wayi
Dickens and DeiDy asd Thcir Tickets.
Mr.. Dickens goessto "Boztown" to road on