The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-03
America In England-The Stump.

America In England-The stump.
We have long been familiar in this country
with the word ''stump." 1t is purely Ameri-
can. 1t has among ourselves distinctive
meaning, and most of us know what that mean
ing is. In Europe 1t is now and it has long
been word richly suggestive of the special
ties of American political life. America in
Europe, rightly or wrongly, has come to mean
the United States. In Europe, therefore, but
especially in Great Britain, the word ''stump"
has come to signify special and distinctive
feature of the political life of the United States
Great Britain. used to scout it, but Great Bri-
tain at last-thanks to the genius Of Disraeli-
has been compelled to accept the 'stump" as
q necessity. 1t is no new thing for candidates
for Parliamentary honors to itinerate within
the limits Of their constituencies but it is q
new thing for first class men to submit to the
meanness and drudgery which humber men
could not avoid-the meanness of making
speeches to so-called sans culOttes and clod-
hoppers. To this meanness Mr.. Glad
stone has submitted, and this, even
according to the English press, is a
humiliation, revolution. Mr.. Disraeli has
carried q Reform bill which gives the people
a power they never had before; which COM
pels the aristocracy of birth and the aristocracy
of intellect to shake hands with the people;
which has broken down all the old barrier lines
and forced equality; and this Reform bill has
placed Great Britain, in spite of Mr.. Gladstone
or any other genius, in the hands Of the people.
Great Britain is now virtually republic, with
all republics difficulties.
In connection with this matter it is impossi-
BILE to overlook the fact that the reforms inau-
gurated by Disraeli have completely tripped
up the liberals. They find the situation to be
at once new and surprising. Not only is all
their old shot gone, but they are afraid to try
any new shot which comes to hand. Even John
Bright, the most liberal of all the liberals, the
most radical of all the radicals, begins to be
afraid of his ancient friends Some Of them,
the most prominent among them, are too lev
cling even for him. He feels himself COM
PEELED to 60 in for caution-to become to GER
tain extent conservative. When we remember
that John Bright is almost certain to be men,
Der of Mr.. Gladstone's administration we do
not much wonder at this. But Mr.. Disraeli
is not the man not to see his chances in
this complication and to turn those chances
to his own advantage. The truth is, the liberal
ranks are in danger Of splitting, and this is the
very thing to give Mr.. Disraeli his opportu-
nifty. Mr.. Gladstone Is certain now to be Pre-
mIer Of Great Britain as soon as forms will
permit It, It is not less certain, however, that
Mr.. Disraeli will find in the new Parliament
material to work upon seriously inconvenient
to the Gladstone, Bright and Russell party,
but by no means inconvenient to himself and
the more liberal Of the tories. Great Britain
will then know what we have not unfrequently
experienced in this country when parties have
split and extremes have met. There Is but
one lesson to be drawn from the situation. The
people are in the ascendant and the arts tocracy
must make the best of it. Aristocratic Eng
land must become, will or nil, like and still
more like democratic America. The people
must become sovereign.
Interesting Foreign Itcms-L4atcst from
Spain.
We have batch Of interesting items this
morning, received by the cable last night from
Europe. From Spain we learn that the city
of Barcelona had pronounced in favor Of
Espartero for King should the Cortes de-
eide In favor Of monarchy. This is
the only expression so far received from
any considerable body Of the Spanish people
on this subject We suspect that II the Cortes
were to proclaim a republic on the general
| plan of the government of the United States it
would be hailed with genera, satisfaction c. .c,,,
Gibraltar 70 the ryr.nveS, and we dare say
that such is the general wish Of the Spanish
| people in their tremendous rebound from The
| effete despotism Of Isabella and the Bourbons
and the Church to popular sovereignty. The
| Cortes, however, in Difference to Napoleon,
may think 1t safest to try the experiment of a
limited monarchy, but it is probable that there
will be no rest in Spain short Of republic.
The idea that Prince Alfred, Of England,
might possibly turn up as the most acceptable
person for King Of Spain, and so be crowned
with the consent of all concerned, we suppose
may be abandoned, inasmuch as the Prince
has just set sail in her Majesty's ship Galatea
for two years cruise round the world, by
way Of the Cape Of Good Hope and the Indies,
Australia, japan, vancouvers Island, &c.
But still, If the Prince should be found
indispensable 10 Spain on her new tack Of
civil and religious liberty he can be recalled.
Meantime this cruise Of the Prince around the
circle Of her Majesty's colonies Is sagacious
stroke of policy touching the affectionate 10y
atty Of the colonies for the royal family and
the imperial government Of England, for Prince
Alfred is a great favorite among her Majesty's
subjects at home and abroad.