The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-20
The Coming Revolution in England.


The Dsraeli Cabinet, according to our latest
news, has sustained another and damaging
defeat. To those who have been paying any
attention TO the current of events in Great
Britain 1t has been abundantly manifest that
Mr.. Disraeli, notwithstanding his unquestioned
talent and genius, has been found sadly wanting
in the circumstances. No doubt his hands
have been tied. The oligarchy to which he is
bound hand and foot is heavy and hard to
move. He knows what is wanted now, as he
has known any time these last twenty years !;
but proud and privileged class is never
willing. even after timely warning, to give up
its rights. Mr.. Disracli has served the party
not wisely, but TOO well, and even now, no
doubt, with many pleasant "reminiscences of the
past he shrinks from finally breaking with
those who have made and permitted him to be
what he Is. In this Mr.. Disraeli has unques-
tionably made mistake. lie has more brains
than any half dozen OF those who recognize
his lead he is not without warm friends among
the more thoughtful and dashing men of the
liberal ranks. A bold stroke at this particular
juncture was expected by those who have
watched and who have reached that point of
belief at which they felt justified in trusting
their man. The bold stroke is yet wanting,
and the result il that while his enemies grow
stronger and become more compact his friends
and followers scken and die away.
We were not so much surprised al his failure
in the matter Of the Irish Church. II was
a strangely mixed question. The move of
Gladstone was so bold and dashing, and was.
besides, so thoroughly unexpected, and so
thoroughly uniustiiied by the antccedcnis Of
the liberal chiel. that Mr.. Disracl could not
but he bewildered, and for the simple reason
that he knew not what TO ask his followers to
do. IL was a surprise, and Mr.. Gladstone had
the full advantage of IT, as was expected both
by him and his friends. II was different, how
ever, with this Scottish Reform bill All the
particulars Of the bill are of the Ministrys own
making. The feeling which has existed in
Scotland in regard TO the various provisions
has been known to Mr. Disrael since the
moment IL was read in the House or Commons.
which is now many weeks ago. The Scottish
members have been open mouthed on the sub
ject. Public meetings have been held in vari-
GUS parts Of the country and in almost all the
cities aud towns Of the kingdom, protesting
against its provisions. NJ. Gladstone. in his
Reform bill, had provided that Scotland should
receive seven additional members, not through
the enlargement OF the present House of Com.
mons, but at the expense, or, rather, enforced
Of ia, s.I.
stituenccs. The little kingdom is not without
its grievances; but II has O quiet and deter
mined way of its own of demanding Justice
" knows the value OF waiting, and II seldom
waits TO no purpose. Mr.. Dsracli ought TO
have known all this and fashioned his poIicy
accordingly. lie has not done 40. On the
contrary, he has ignored all the demonstrations
which have taken place in the interval since
the bill was Introduce, and persisted in his
original policy. The result has been failure
which a little more skill and determination on
his part might have avoided. The worst part
Of the whole affair IL that he has very
unnecessarily contributed TO Mr.. Gladstoncs
success.
After all. however. these party gains and
party defeats are triiing in comparison with
the great fact that England is now in process
of change which is completely to alter her
character as well as her constitution. The
struggle which is now in progress has had no
parallel since the revolution which began even
before 1923 and which did not end till 1855
u revolution which involved the death of the
KIM, and Tho dcatruction az tic ,,o,,,cbV
the establishment and destruction OF the
Commonwealth, the restoration of o
monarchy almost as absolute aud some
what more foolish and vicious than that