The New York herald., 1870-01-12
ENGLAND.
Jobn BRIGHT Sketches a New British Reform
Bill.


Bill.
BIRMINGHAM. Jan. H. 1870.
The members OF Parliament for Birmingham nd
dressed their constituents In Town Hall tonight
MIR. Bright on this occasion made his hrsJ appear
ance ON the platform since his entrance into the Cab
net AMI he met with an enthusiastic reception from
MS townsmen. Mayor Prirns presidc0, ana Alder
man Stnrge moved vote OF thanks to the Ministers
for their general policy, and especially for their
course In regard TO the Irish Church.
In speech supporting the resolutions Alderman
Surge expressed the hope that the government
would continue the work OF reform ana amend the
Irish land laws, give the people the ballot, reduce
expenditure and difruse education.
Mr. Bright on rising to address the meeting. was
vehemently cheered. He thanked his fellow citizens
Tor the resolutions, conveying they did an avowa
OF confidence In the government lie believed that
at the end OF the next session of Parliament q
similar vote would be earned ana received
He proposed no retrospect; he preferred to look
forward. Yet he touched on the law in regard to
compoundng rates and alluded also to the dlsestab
llshment of the Irish Church On the latter measure
ne SAID MS constituents had spoken loud enough Tor
al to hear and for all to understand. 1t was one
OF the completcst measures ever presented
TO the House OF Commons. But difficulty
occurred in the place to which all. who
can, go when In London-rne House Of
Lords-a place Of the greatest antiquity and OF
the greatest influence. On this occasion there was
more passion displayed than Is generally seen there
bringing the occupants OF the benches to the edge
OF an ugly precipice. Passion. however, cooled
The wsest reflected, and after mutual compliments
ana congratulations the bill was passed by
the Lords, who thus admitted that no Institution
however ancient grand and historical 1t might be is
safe opposed to the convictions and voice OF the
people. Considering the constitutional training OF
the peers, their friends might well rejoice
the Catholic grievances were extinguished.
the Irish grievances only were left now. He
asked Parliament to 90 something for the
Irish nonCatholics and land reform. The difficult
ties OF the question appeared formidable at uis-
tance, but were easily surmountable on approach
The state Of Ireland might be painted In few
words. The land had few owners, whlle half OF the
popuatcn were tenants az WILL The owners ne
elected TO cultivate the soil, but faithfully collected
the rent. The Industry home and life Of the tenant
are ut his mercy or that OF his agents. The owners
are Of the same race the Cccupiers OF the soil.
The only difference between them ia that OF treat
ment of law, OF politics. The Catholic tenant
and the Protestant owner might be friends ana yet
feel the rule. Irish proprietorship reay con1sca-
ton, which is the result OF conquest and is only
justtfable as conquest
To this wrong penal laws have added VASTLY
greater Ones
Parliament is called upon to give right to the
tenants, but to save the property Of the owners.
ALI would be right II the irish were as eager
Tor reform-if they were landlords as II they
were tenants. The reign OF dscord must be
stopped The 300 600 policemen and soldiers must be
Withdrawn from ireland. The question was the
hardest ever presented to the people or Parliament
The government was preparing measures OF reform.
Serious popular consideration was invoked for
them. There was no party question respecting It,
and a party ngi't would be impatrlotic.
Nearly four years ago he had blamed Mr.. Clad
stone for the suspension Of the writ OF habeas cor
pus. He had also blamed Mr.. Disraeli for not pro-
ducing measures of amelioraton. He knew
that an unreformed Parliament must re-
fuse action and therefore he pressed reform,
o wider franchise and freer representation.
This was no class question. The Will, justice and
power dwelling only in the nation could treat It, lie
believed now great results must follow. reform
Parliament can do as much for Ireland as
Ireland, II independent or an American State,
could do for herself. IA voice, 'No."D Ireland now
has churches and schools, and soon will have ree
lands and votes. Ireland is not wealthy, but we
can buy from her oil she has to sell. and
sell to her cheaper than can any other nation
our plans Of pacfcation may fail. / hope
not. we propose . new conquest OF Ireland
without the shedding OF blood; our only weapon
VIII be frank and generous justice potent to reunite
nations long separated by oppressive neglect loud
cheers).
George Peabody's Landed Property-SeIzure
by the Crown.
LONDON, Jan. IL, 1870.
The Crown has seized some land near StOckwer
which belonged TO the late George Peabody. The
seizure s mace on the ground that Mr.. Peabody was
an alien and had never been naturalized as sub
ect Of Great Britain therefore he was unable to hold
land In the kingdom.
The Court Of Probate takes similar ground In the
case.