The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-22
The Army Fnrohass Question In Eng
land-Akothcr Step Toward Democracy.

the system Of purchasing rank in the British
army is very significant It shows that he is
resolved to march with the spirit of the times
and to popularize the institutions of England
in accordance with the demands of the people.
Being unable to carry this measure through
Parliament as a legislative act, In consequence
of the determined opposition Of the aristocratc
and tory party, and especially Of the hostility
OF the House of Peers, he made flank move
ment and induced the Queen to issue
royal warrant abolishins the purchase of COM
missions in the army. This he announced In
the House of Commons on the night of Thurs
day last. We do not know whether this act
OF Her Majesty is retrospective or not, whether
the whole system Of commissions is to be
changed at once or only new commissions are
to be affected by it; but the change is evidently
both radical and important Mr.. Gladstone
said the Ministers had advised Her Majesty to
take this action, which effectualy disposed Of
the question In accordance with the manifest
will Of the country.
Seldom has anything occurred in Parliament
that created greater impression. The Pre-
mier's declaration was received with vehement
cheering in the House Of Commons, though
Mr.. Disraeli and the tory members generally
were unable to restrain their anger. They
bitterly denounced what they termed the arbi-
trary course Of the government, which they
were hardly prepared for. Mr.. Gladstone was
defiant, and challenged the opposition to move
o vote Of want of confidence. In the House
Of Lords Earl Granville defended the policy OF
the Ministry. Our special Geographic de-
spatches depicting the scene represent the
Lords as being deeply moved, though decorous
in their demonstrations The opinion outside
was that the action Of the Ministry was bold
or even desperate. The public, generally ap-
| provi ng of this action, seemed TO anticipate
| from 1t results favorable to democratic pro-
gress. Such is the substance Of the news re-
ceived from London.
The opposition press and members Of Par
Lament sssail the conduct Of the Ministry as
unprecedented and violation Of established
usage. Some go so far as to say 1t is uncon-
stitutional There Is some reason In this, for
the Crown to anticipate or override the action
of Parliament in such an important measure Is
arbitrary-is going much further in asserting
monarchical prerogative than the kings or
queens of England have been in the
habit Of going in late times. The
measure is good one, no doubt and
we cannot but admire the boldness of the
Queen and Ministry in everything opposition
so promptly on this question, and in conced-
ing at once so much to popular opinion; but
1t gives the opposition an argument and it
might prove dangerous precedent should
| despotic monarch hereafter choose to assert
| the same prerogative to force illiberal mea-
sures upon tho country. True, Mr.. Glad
| stone assumed that the House Of Lords,
! though impugning the government plan for
the abolition of the purchase system, had
begging the question and savored rather Of
political trickery. 1t Is evident he was
afraid and did not wish to leave the matter
to vote Of the Peers. In great popular
measures, as in that of the Reform bill, for
| example, the Crown has been In the habit of
overcoming the opposition of the House Of
Lords by the creation of new liberal Peers.
It has rarely of late years taken the power
from the legislative body over important
measures, even II 1t could consttutionally
do so.
We suppose, therefore, that the exercise of
the monarchical prerogative in abolishing the
system Of purchasing commissions in the
army will lead to great discussion, and will
try to the utmost the strength Of both tho
Ministry and the opposition. Mr.. Gladstone
has, undoubtedly, foreseen this and weighed
the matter well. His challenge to the oppos-
ton to move q vote of want Of confidence
shows that. He feels assured, We suppose, that
II q vote Of want Of confidence were carried
he could safely appeal to the country; for the
measure he has forced by sort Of political
coup dttat is very popular one. In the case
of dissolution Of Parliament and q new
| Parliament being elected Mr.. Gladstone
| would, probably, obtain Q much larger
majority than he has now. The apprchen-
sion of such q result may calm down the
opposition, or rally to the support Of the
| Ministry sufficient number of moderately
conservative and independent members to
prevent vote Of want Of confidence being
| carried.
| This act OF Mr.. Gladstone shows that he is
holder statesman than the world generally
has given him credit for being. It shows,
too, that he lie disposed to advance with the
liberal and progressive spirit of the age, and
that he will not endanger the peace and
government Of England by obstinstely oppos-
Ing public opinion. The statesmen of England,
when in power, feel the responsibility Of their
position. Mr.. Gladstone is but following the
example Of other distinguished conservatives
who were his predecessors. The Duke of
Wellington carried the Catholic Emancipation