Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-08-09
New Departures in England.

stitution which has been declared as fixed as
the everlasting hills, she is fast diminishing
the short space that separates her govern
mcnt from democracy. None Of these events
have been of a magnitude that could be ap-
propriateiy termed revolutionary, and yet
they have been sufficient indicators of the
direction in which the country is moving.
Ii j. now but a very short time since the
measure for the disessa blishment Of the irish
church was almost defeated by the refusal of
the Lords 10 sanction it. But it will he re-
mc;n bcrcd that rather than provoke coils
ion and raise a popular clamor against its
very existence. the Upper House at length
yielded. admitting freely that there could be
no successful opposition to tie Commons
Ii was then predicted that by their action
the Lords had substantially abdicated all
direct control and would never again consti-
tute sn active part of the English govern
ment How true was this prediction recent
events have shown US
The Gladstone ministry not long since,
yielding to the popular demands, introduced
into the House Of Commons what was known
the s. Army BILL but which became
through amendments, at the time Of its
passage ia that BODY, merely a bill for the
adjustment Of the system Of purchasing
commissions iu the army. The House Of Lords
returned the bill to the Commons loaded
with amendments which substantially de-
featcd its provisions Such boldness on the
part of the peers took every one by surprise.
For years they had not dared to take such
bold action. Were they to be allowed TO
defeat the will Of the people Were the
Liberals of England, backed by the entire
middle and lower classes, to submit to the
negative Of the aristocracy? Was Gladstone
to calmly see himself and his friends entirely
routed and driven from office by the blind
stupidity Of few gentlemen who falsely
fancied that they still possessed a veto upon
the popular will 4? Such a thing was not to
nc suffered even 10 thought
Three courses were oren to Gladstone.
lie could either dissolve Parliament and order
"a new election, trusting that an overwheln-
ing popular vote against the purchase system
would bring the Lords to reason, OF be could
introduce the bill without amendments into
the Commons and force it through the [ PIPER
House by threatened or actual creation OF
new peers. or, the purchase system had
its origin in a royal warrant, he could pro
cure a warrant from the Queen aboishing
the system without the aid Of Parliament
lie chose tile latter method, and one morning
hc gave all England a surprise by his quiet
announcement in the House Of Commons
that the purchase system had been abolished
by royal warrant. So much taken by sur
PRISE were his enemies that even Mr.. Dis
raelI's bitter tongue could not find vigorous
words Of denunciation. But the next day
perfect storm Of abuse ragged about Mr..
Gladstone The old :" Thunderer," the
Times. Illuminated its fercest bolts for the !
devoted ministry, the tories denounced the /!
action Of the ministry as revolutionary and I
the peers grew eloquent in their bitter TRADES /
aEainst the government, in a manner that /
taken in connection with the occasion, re /
minds Us strongly OF an American Indian at
the stake. singing his dying songs Of the I
Of the past, and hurting bitter /
defiance at his enemies with his last gasping /
th.ir courage oozed away, and the attempt
to censurc the ministry was defeated by a
large majority. Gladstone stands firmer to- /
DAY than ever before. His adhcren5s are
filled with fresh courage and the Liberals are
infused with an entirely new vigor. Thi-
was very evident when the ballot bill came
M IN the Commons the next day after Glad
stones so-called coup detat The ministry
stated in almost 50 many words, and in a
IN inner which AZ lin called forth the conser-
natives in denunciation, that they intended
to carry the measure this session no matter
what should be the pposition.
1, is possible that the House Of Lords viii
again assert its prerogatives, but apparently
its power Is gone, and England is a govern
meut Of the people, restrained by a tradition
Al constitution and the tremendous influence
which tie arist ocracy are still enabled to exert
through their control Of elections for the
House oC Commons and their exalted social
rank
While the pcerage is thus losing it's power,
the wrath of the people against the crown
docs not slumber- The notorious incompe-
tcncy or rather the carelessness Of Queen
Victoria, added 70 the burden Of supporting
in luxury her large and worthless family. has
created an intense feeling of restlessness
among the over burdened taxpayers OF which
the Radicals have not been slow t. take
advantage How strong this lceIin. has
become, could be seen in the recent meetings
III sympathy with the French and still la ter
IN the assembIages which have protested
against any appropriations for the royal
princes When the two radicals in the
House Of Commons stood alone in the dvi-
sion upon the question of voting large
Appropriation for the Marquis of Lorne,
over against benches filled with an over
whclming mass, they were greeted with
shouts of derision, but the people received
them with open arms, and that vote has given
Professor Fawcett stronger hold upon the
affections Of the English people than all his
labars in science.
The visit of the Prince Imperial Of Ger
many, tie son-in-Iaw Of Victoria, and his en-
rcrtIinment by the Prussian Ambassador at
London instead of by the Queen in a palace |
has given the Republicans another oppor- /
tunity 70 express their h 'stility to royalty, |
which Is not lessened by the explanation Of |
the Queen : treatment of the imperial visi- /.
tors waich Mr. adst1ne was compelled to
OH r. hat is the USE they say, OF
paving two millions year for the empty 1
honor of queen and large sum besides for
l.,- ,-ai.cos ber .,stIcs her ratioua and bar !