The New York herald., 1869-06-09
ENGLAND.
The House of Lords and the Irish Church
Bill - Shall Hereditary Legislation be
Abolished

The House of Lords and the Irish Church
Bill - shall Hereditary Legislation be
Abolishede
LONDON. May %, 1859.
The time has arrived for a great reform in Eng
iand-a reform OF which people have hitherto
thought rather than spoken but the active discussion
OF which cannot be longer postponed This reform Is
nothing less than the entire abolition OF hereditary
legisiation-the sweeping away Of the House OF
Lords as an hereditary body. At first glance such
proposition may appear extravagant, and those who
are not closely watching the progress Of events may
well be pardoned for doubling tnat the British peo-
pie could ever be brought sanction such sacriege
of their glorious constitution. But for many years
past the conviction has been forcing itself
Slowly 1t Is true, but not the less SURELY
upon the minds OF the English masses that
tue House OF Peers, as at present constituted is an
institution utterly unified to the age In winch we
hVe entirely removed from sympathy with the peo-
pie and inconsistent with the idea OF free govern.
ment. 1t Is true that the Lords have hitherto
evnced disposition TO yield TO popular sentiment
although reluctantly aud at the eleventh hour
Catholic emancipation. the repeal OF the Corn laws
the removal OF Jewish disabilities, the extension OF
the Suffrage have all in their turn received the assent
OF the Upper House; and there are those who believe
that on the Irish Church bill Its members will prove
TO the measure. But the mere fact that one branch
OF the legislative body-not responsible TO the peo.
pie, not chosen by any portion or the electors ana
owing its position TO the accident Of birth has
the power to thwart the Will OF the ma.
Iorlly ahd TO oher an insurmountable obstacle TO
reform when has received tue Enforcement OF the
nation il none the less startling because expediency
or fear resians those who could work the mischief
II they felt 50 disposed. IL Is felt that the evi IS
serious one aud requires radical cure. IL has been
discovered that Tue Feerage Is not free from those
iraltes and iallngs 10 which all hcsn is heir.
man v no IS born lord Is liable TO be deficient IN
Intellect In yrtu In honor and IN honesty az IL the
man WHO happens to own q less exalted descent;
ard people are beginning TO ask themselves why
they should he ruled by ioOls and knaves simply be-
cause the IOos and knaycs happen TO be the dc.
scehua1s Oh lhe hefoes the courters the robbers
Oh DyROne century. his grace the Duke OF Stilton
may be as old aud as rich you please: but N his
heal happens 10 be uiled with inaygots like his
Iaygritc cheese, IN place OF brains, why should the
accident OF Drth enttle him TO put his veto upon the
Will or the people and to block the wheels OF the
The .eers or Great Britain are entitled 10 respect.
They have in their time done many noble acts and
there are among theln even IN the present day,
or hgh honor and OF brilliant attainments. But
they might be all nbeciles, rufnans or rascas. and
uader the EVIL OF hereditary legislation their power
woulu be Just the same II this evil which requires
60 be removed, and such q man as John Bright can
not 90 better than devote himself to Its eradication.
IL should indeed be the preparatory step TO all other
Ielorins, Tor IL ls ABSOLUTELY necessary 70 get the
Stumbling block OF an irresponsible legislative
body-a House that Is beyond the reach or the
headway can be made on the road OF reform.
Here ana there an inch may be gained through
tue pressure OF lear fn the hope OF stopping
lurther progress out when a real advance is at
umplel tue barrier Will be raised which nothing
snort OF revolution Will overcome. Better for ali
luat The obstruction should be removed peacefully
ala cohstitulOnaily than that Il should be swept
ava bY the fury OF the storm.
-, IL Is not proposed 20 bosh the Upper House OF
thc bfush Parliament II IL not proposed to inter.
.eIS zen with the character aud standing OF its
ncuV-b Let them oil be or noble blood-dukcs
matguAe5. eurls ylscOunts aud their lineal descend
ants-Out let them owe their seats TO the votes OF
the electors o Great Britain a. DO the members of
the Lower House, ana not to the mere accident of
birth. ltls conceded on all hands that the House of
Lords az az present constituted, Ii too lar removed
from tie people; that II must be brought nearer IN
them--be made more in sympathy with
them. The nedglng refOrmers of The day
have sought TO accomplish thls resnit
by adding TO the present body batch OF lie peeIs
but this u simpy admission that the eyii exsts
IL Is no panacea. not even a partial remedy. Tne
substitution OF an elective House Of Lords for an
hereditary House oil Lords Will alone The eSi.
eencies Of the case and ~ this point the efforts OF
hr. Bright aud hls friends ought 10 be directed.
The Duke OF StilteD born In the last century, VINO
has lived for the past tar years nursing his