New-York tribune., 1867-06-27

crs of the Liberal party; but he rejOiccd that
they were shaking off their apathy, and that
they were determined to speak out for them
selves and to show throughout the length and
breadth of the land that their feelings and
principles were Numerically the reverse of
those that had been falsely attributed to
them. All this, and great deal more,
Lord Derby poured into the ears of
the deputation and Mr.. Disraeli, in his turn
taking the cue from his chief, lauded tho
working classes as eminently worthy of the
great trust which the Reform bill was about
to place in their hands. Both chief anu subOrdi-
nate, however, adrotly mingled business with
herOics A general election, they limited, would
follow the passing of the Reform bill, and they
hoped that the working classes would then
keep in mind that the Tories had been their
friends and cast their votes in favor of the
Government that had enfranchised them.
We are inclined to regard this Downing-st.
episode as one of the most significant incidents
of the Reform drama, the first act of which is
now apparently drawing to close. In the
new type of TOryism-the Conservative
workingman mo sensible person will believe;
and these deputations from Constitutional AS
sociatons are transparently nothing more than
electOneering devices, or, what in hOmey YER
nacular, we call lodges Still the fact that
the Tories are setting to work to cOnclate
the working classes, are descending from their
loftiness to address honeyed words of tiattery
to the ears of the people, show clearly their
consciousness of the fact that the old basis Oh
which their power rested is doomed to destruc-
ton. Why, not more than twelve months have
passed away since Robert Lowe, in his place
in the House of Commons, amid the yOclferous
cheers of the Tories attacked the working
classes in the most bitterly yituperatlve
language. If you want to find brutal ignOr-
ance, ne said, if you want to find venal-
ity, if YOU want to find drunken
ness, you must 20 among the working
classes; and he urged this as a reason
why the elective franchise should not be
extended to the great bulk of the people.
The Tories then applauded the orator to the
echo but now, according to Lord Derby and
Mr.. Disraeli, the British workman is everything
that is excellent-the prince of good fellows,
in fact. SO much for the power of self-bcneh-
cence in winning respect from others. Dur
ing the last twelve months the people of
England have been doing good to themselves.
They took up the gauntlet thrown down
by the Tories last year. They have been
making imposing demonstrations all over En-
gland. They have been demanding their politl-
cal rights in terms and tones indicative OF fixed
to have those rights at all haz-
ards. They have made their voices heard and
their power felt in tie councils of the nation.
Twelve months ago Lord Derby announced it
as the mission of these his later years to stem
the tide of democracy, and Dsraeli expressed
his hope tAat the Government of England
might never he placed in the hands of a democra-
cy Now, however, all is changed; and we fird
these very msn bidding forpOw at ths hands
of the once despised and illuminated people,
and. tl,. more etiectually TO carry their ends,
trying 10 arouse a spirit of antagOnisr1' be-
tween rhe working classes and the middle
class. In view Of these remarkable signs of
the times. who does not see chat a revolution
is coming in England which will have the ed
feet OF transferring political power from an
ogarcliy % the people, To whom such power
Iightfully bclougsi That revolution, we be
licve, will Ice peacefully consummated but it.
is inevitable. and the Tories are showing them
selves wise in their gcnelation in preparing
themselves f,r the change.