The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-17
Political COnsistency-PresId John
SON aud MIR. DlsraelIs

]
From The Times.
Mr.. Lowe, in his late speech upon the Re-
form question--one of the ablest of the many
able speeches which have been delivered upon
the subject during the present session-put
this question to the House of Commons:-
"What can have induced the conservative party
of England to enter into this ruinous compe-
tition to abandon the most useful and honor
able position they held of defending the ira
ditons of this country and its existing institu-
tions, of scanning measures critically, and
altering them even in minor matters, to say
nothing of measures of vast and unspeakable
Importance What can have made this won
derful changer"
The answer, supposing any leader of the
Conservative party had undertaken to make
one, would have been simple. The change
which Mr.. Lowe condemned in LANGUAGE
glowing with fire and animation, but stepped
in bitterness and gall, has no other excuse to
be offered for it than the pressure of public
opinion and the necessities of the times
Undoubtedly the revolution which few short
months have worked in the views and sem
timents of the Conservative party is astonish-
ing. No one could have anticipated it; no one
was prepared for it. 1t is unexampled in the
history of English parties. Last year bill
was brought in by the Russell Gladstone Gov
eminent reducing the suffrage in boroughs
from ten pounds to seven pounds. The
opposite party threw themselves against this
measure, because it was too radical and
sweeping, and they succeeded in obtaining a
majority in the House, They have now
made themselves responsible not for a
t7 franchise, but for one without any limita-
tions Of value whatever. Under their Reform
bill, any householder may vote, except such
as may be unable to pay rates through poverty.
Lodgers are also admitted to the suffrage. Mr..
Bright may secretly wish to go further than
this, but II he does, he has never dared to say
SO. The Tory party-the stolid, dull, inn
movable party-the party which has always
been keeping things as they were, and has
cried out against all change-ths is now the
party of revolution. AS we have on previous
occasions pointed out, the metastasis is ex-
clusively the achievement of Mr.. Disraeli.
He has led on his followers this session with
desperate courage and determination and he
seems to have felt that it had fallen to his lot
to deal with the great and final crisis in the
history OF their fortunes. We do not know
what the effect of his singular dexterity and
audacity may be in the future, but it cannot
be disputed that the old and renowned Tory
party OF England is dead, and that its dis
unguishing principles have perished with it.
1t finds its reward in governing the country
under an altered form.
There is, however, something of greater in
terest and moment to us in this memorable
phase OF English politics, than the study of
the transmutation of famous party organi-
cation. The events to which we are referring
throw into striking relief one of the main
points of distinction in the management of
politics in England and the United States.
There are many differences, and some of them
can scarcely be reokoned in our favor.
Strangely as it may sound to saw so. Il Is
certain that public men in England have
greater latitude allowed to them for free dis
cussion Of principles than public men in this
country. They may differ with their own
party without being stigmatized as traitors.
and vote against the measures of their side
without being accused of faithlessness or in
sincerity. Lord Cranbourne held high post