The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-03

Tho Peers Of Britain and the Reform m
The members of the British peerage haU
very generally adopted prudent and grace
iui course rsv or action towards .ha people IN 'n'
new al; 70 the majority of their order dis-
:. tasteful political crisis induced BY the opel
tion of the Reform bill. insreau 81 a..s-rr
ing to band together as local obstruction
lists or seeking to use their many and powerful
influences and interests in opposition to the
registration of their tenants and dependents,
they accept the measure in its most oompfe-
hensive sense as an engine Of constitutional
progress, and endeavor to temper the demo-
cratic upheaving by emerging from their aristo-
cratic isolation and meeting the masses half
way. Earl Saint Germans, Lord Amberley,
Lord Saint Leonards, with few other noble
men, have, indeed, already come down to the
citizen level by entering the registration courts
and demanding to obtain the franchise accord
ing to law, judging, very wisely, that in thin
age Of governmental change by sudden revolu-
ton the possession of the right Of voting a. Z
freeman in the choice Of lawmaker may be-
come, and at no distant day, Of much more
value than an antiquated claim Of being law
maker by hereditary descent. In some In
stances the parish overseers omitted the names
of the peers from the registry claims lists; bui
in every case where the omission was noticed
the judge of the court restored them. The
aristo-democrats or citizen lords of England
have for the most part agreed not to exercise
the right Of voting at the next general
election, lest their sudden appearance at tho
polls should in any way influence the more
humble electors, but intimate that they win
take part in all future contests. Lord Amberiey,
an advanced and educated political progress
sionist, will not only vote, but advocate, the
ballot system Of voting SO that the mind Of
England, completely free and unbiased, shall
be reflected in the House of Commons.
In this the younger members of the British
peerage evince excellent judgment and good
sense. So far they have not perceived EVIL
dence Of the appearance of that red-handed
democracy which their seniors anticipated
it on in a sudden surge against ''existing In
situations" and towards the confiscation 81
property; so in their activity and enlightenment
they have come forward to assume their places
as political leaders, to advise, moderate, oon-
troll, and, if necessary, direct the reform move
ment to legitimate end and healthy conola-
sion. The cavaliers of England, brave in battle.
displayed at all times comprehensive ideas In
politics, which they were shrewd-without
fanaticism-in carrying into practice; and II
constitutes quite an interesting coincidence In
the political history of the present day to find
men Of their class likely to come forward in
Great Britain to set aside the hackneyed pub
lie leaders" in the effort to reconcile the differ
ent classes and interests at general election
at moment when their descendants in mang
Of the Southern States Of the United States
seem likely to play an important and high
toned citizen part in the reconstruction Of
grand oonfederated Union which they had just
endeavored to disrupt with the sword.