The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-07
len. in attempting to reverse Its policy Of free

a
and mad seen three adm'nistrations-the admin
istratOn which had called 1t together, the admin
istraIion which followed, and the administration
then in office. Lord Paimerst0n was opposed to
an Immediate dissolution, 1t was necessary 10 dis
pose of considerable public business. Mr.. Disraeli
approved OF the course of the government, since
IL Would be to the advantage OF the country is
members should be returned entertaining definite
opinions. The result OF the general elections IN
increased majority OF members to support the ad-
ministratiOn OF Lord Palmerston. The recollection
through snrc the Crimean war, and the marvellous
energy of spirit that seemed proof against the m
% az ne ne resa e
ton OF a very powerful phalanx OF government
supporters, while those members OF the liberal
unriendy toward the great Parliamentary chief
found that even their popular regulations were
encies that nad formerly supported them.
CONSERVATIVES MEASURE OF REFORM.
The great point on which public interest centred
In 1852 involving the fate oil the Ministry, was the
promised measure OF Parliamentary reform. Lord
Derby now held the seats Of office. Mr.. Disraeli
sketched the plan which the Ministry mad adOp ted
for enlarging the representation OF the people.
The measure was defeated by majority Of thirty.
nine. After the result was announced the Cham
cellOr stated that his colleagues would recommend
an early dissolution OF Parliament. The Ministers,
production OF the bill, and held themselves free on
that ground. He was not afraid to 60 to the husngs
on the question: for the proposed measure was .
large and liberal one. 1t was not, however, Said
Mr.. Disraeli, on the Reform question only that he
appealed to the country, put he appealed to them
a whetner they could sanction the overth Ry
Of government which had been defeated.
by what he called an ingenious man9uvre.
QUIET GENERAL ELECTION.
The newly elected Parliament met on the 31st OF
May, 1859, and debate on the conduct OF the Mn
istry was regarded as a trial of strength. On
division the Ministry was placed in q minority OF
fifteen, and Lord PalmerstOn succeeded to Office
Another election
preceding Parliament having sat for six cOnsecu-
tive sessions. No event OF the kind occurred I'M
der circumstances or as little excitement as can
be expected to attend the choosing by great ma
ton OF its representative body. 1t was not in the
constituencies, for there was no prominent oues-
ton or pending controversy which the voters were
called upon to decide-nO definite issue to be
tried, no election CRY to stimulate party zeal in
1866. The late Parliament had expired by lapse
of time, and new House was required
to be chosen according to law. Lord Palmersto
presented his claims Tor a continuance of the sup
port OF the country with confidence, appealing to
the success OF his efforts In maintaining peace and
to the triumphant result of his financial and COM
mainly centred on the contest ior the University
with formidable opposition by the supporters Of
Mr.. Claiborne Hardy. The polling continued five
days ana mr.: GLADSTONE snnered deieat. thus re-
the University OF Oxford, he at once resolved to
appeal to another constituency. The representa-
though elected In that district in 1865, he was de-
feated by the same constituency in 1868, when Mr.
Gladstone had to seek home at Greenwich, which
has just reelected him by small majority.
TIE LAST REFORM ACT.
The general result OF the elections in 1855 was
to the strength OF Ministers IN the House OF Com
mons. 1t had majority Of seventy-seven. The
the head Of the Ministry. The Important position
OF leader Of the government In the House OF Com
mon devolyed upon the most eloquent and gifted
OF Its members, the Chancellor or the Exchequer
and one requiring the highest power Of intellect
which Mr.. Gladstone undoubtedly possesses, but
also the attributes OF tact, adroltness and know.
ledge OF the world in q conspicuous degree, The
political history OF the year 1866 turned upon the
question or Parliamentary Reform. This one sub
ject absorbed very large portion OF the time and
almost the whole energies Of the House
OF Commons, it brought about change
Of parties and caused considerable popular excite
ment, and though no result was reached it yet
produced conviction that some alteration in the
representative system was inevitable ana only u
question OF time 1t was effected two years later.
1t devolved on M. Gladstone to introduce and
conduct through the House the measure, Of which
notice was given at the beginning OF the session.
The total number OF votes to be added to the con-
stituencies in England and Wales under the bill
measure met with at its first PRONUNCIATION was
somewhat ambiguous by members Oh decidedly
liberal opinions It was welcomed with much salts
faction as q fair and honest measure. On the
other hand, the bill was vigorously denounced as
q democratic and dangerous measure. Occupying
an Intermediate position between the two was q
section Of the liberal party known as
"ADULLAMlTES,"
comprising some very able and eloquent speakers,
among whom Mr.. Lowe and Mr.. HOrsman were
conspicuous, who manifested at the outset a
strong dlsapproDatiOn OF the government measure
and regarded it as step In the direction OF de-
mOcracy which was fraught with dangerous con-
sequences. This section OF the House became
much distinguished in the debates which alter
wards took place on the BILL and the divisions in
the liberal party which arose from their oppose
ton contributed more than any other cause to the
ultimate overthrow OF the government. The Min
istry was defeated on q proposition OF making
rating the basis Of franchise IN the Doroughs by a
majority of eleven in q house OF go members, only
thiTt y-elght being absent. Earl Russell and his
Ministry resigned, and arliDerby, with Mr.. Dis
raeli as Chancellor, succeeded them In June, 1866
The country was not III satisfactory condi-
ton at this time. The shock given to
trade ana the sagnaon ssS OF ENTERPRISE en-
the following year their paralyzing influence, while
the fears caused by the Fenlan movement IN Ire.
affairs The disquietude Occasoned by the pro.
ceedings OF this organization HAD extended to Eng
land. perplexing the minds of politicians ana com.
plicating the problem so long found insoluble of
the paclfcatiOn of Ireland. Lord Stanley in
speech delivered at banquet given at Bristol to
Her Majestys Ministers, January ~, 1868, spoke OF
the urgency OF the case OF Ireland.
CAUSE OF THE DISSOLUTION IN 1865
ut Is one" ne said, ,, which suppose at the
mind of any person who takes part in public
affairs. mean the painful, the dangerous, and to
Of things that exists i'll Ireland. 1t is perfectly
clear that If there Is to be any legislation affecting
the social position OF the various parties III
Ireland, such legislation ought not to be
the work of dying Parliament returned by
constituency which is itself about TO be consider.
ably modified" The English Reform bill had passed
the year before, and the Irish and scotch measures
were passed into laws-all under the auspices OF
Mr.. Dsraeli, who had now, III 1868, become Prime
Minister, in consequence of the retirement Of the
Earl of Derby. whose health began to fail, and
dissolution took place.. The Parliament then
elected, as is known, was largely liberal and sus-
tained Mr.. Gladstone. Its successor Is now in
course Of being chosen.
CONSERVATIVE WANT OF PRINCIPLES.
The conservative party in It's long career can
only lay claim to aiding in the passage of a single
series OF popular measures OF national Importance
namely, the Reform bills OF 1S6s-6s. In fact all
parties were in favor OF an extension OF the
franchise seven years ago. the only differences
being as to the details. When In office, on other
occasions, Mr. Disraels supporters stood up as the
opponents OF all attempts to introduce ameliora-
irons in existing abuses, provided they had the
sanction OF age, and have been consistent, except
In the one instance stated. OF combating all
concessions to the masses. They opposed Catholic
emancipation and the removal OF Jewish disab.
tiles, and continue TO resist granting to non.con.
forming religious bodies equal privileges before
the law with members OF the Established Church.
Mr.. Disraeii, in an address since the dissolution,
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