The morning call., 1892-02-08
POLITICAL PROGRESS N ENGLAND,

To-morrow the seventh session Of the
Twelfth Parliament Of Qdeeu Victoria viii
be opened. perhaps by the sovereign in per-
son. As this VIII probably De the last ses-
sion If this Parliament and new election
wiz almost certainly be ordered III the fall.
its proceedings VIII be important, IS each
party is beating round for some issue % 90
10 the people on.
Within Jfe uast year there have been
changes .n party leadership, and, 80 some
degree, in party platforms. The Duke Of
Devon hire rs died, which transfers the
Marquis Of Harrington 10 the House Of
Lords, and probably makes Chamberlain
leader II the Administration party in the
House; Parcel has died, and tie leader
ship Of the Irish Nationalist has deyolved
90 Mccarthy. Both men are moderate,
and inclined to yield something 10y way Of
compromise; Gladstone continues 20 lead
the Liberals in person, aad his recent &C
cessions Of strength have probably Con-
armed bis adherence 10 the policy lie
announced when be took command Of the
opposition. The fourth party. OF the Boys
party" appears O. have vanished from the
scene. its Influence was always more ap-
parent than real and its leaders more re-
ualkable for snowy smaTiuess than for solid
craftsmanship.
Salisbury. aim viii probably be 20 force
the lighting on the question Of home rule
for Ireland, and 10 rely on the quiet which
low prevails in the turbulent island. and
upon English race prejudice against Irish
men. todefeat Gladstone as lie defeated him
al the astelocti0H. Gladstone is too skililul
a politician to accept battle on these terms
IF be can avoid it. lie VIII probably either
try 20 shift the issue from Irish home rule
20 home rule for Scotland ana Wales as
Well as Ireland, so as 10 give the controversy
q national aspect and appeal TO the country
Oh a broad platform Of local seii-goyeru-
neat. OK be Will introduce a measure cur
failing the legislative power If the House
Of Lords, and 20 70 tie people on plat
form denying the right Of land to govern.
II the House Of Lords rejects either Of
these measures, as the Peers viii il they
dare, his issue Is made to his taste, and he
can 90 o. the constituencies with confidence.
In this case the present session Of Pariia-
meut would not last many days after the
passage Of the appropriation bills.
Those who have not kept pace with the
march Of events in Great Britain are un-
aware that a peaceful revolution is 10 prO-
CIe5s in that kingdom. The suffrage act
Of 1884 and the agitation ever home rule in
Ireland have been initiatoTy steps IN the
movement
II the Thirteenth Parliament Of Queen
Victoria should resolve itself, under the
pressure Of events, into & constituent as
sembly it would probably become one Of
the most notable assemblages the world
ever saw. The work Of demolition which
il would have to accomplish would be I'M
precedented; in England throne, press,
church, land tenure, title and privilege are
all inextricabiy interviewer and deeply
rooted in the soil. On the surface the in
situations of England never appeared bet
ter anchored than they are. But in their
secret hearts EngliShmeG fully realize their
inc0nErujty; they would acqUesce in their
abolition if the transition seemed recon-
cilable with the maintenance OF law, order,
trade and industry. In 10 country in tie
world is political intelligence more conspic-
nous than in England; such enormous alb
surdrjes as hereditary legislators, a state
church. a law Of entail, a privileged class.
tithes and titles. must TeYOlt EDglishmen as
they ast0nish foreigners. Tie only reason
why they have endured so long is mat
British subjects nave been afraid of dis
turbiDg the condition Of things under which
England has been prosperous, orderly and
peaceful. If the leaders Of the Thirteenth
Parliament could satisfy the masses Of the
British people that ancient abuses can be
abolished without tearing down the whole
national fabric, the England Of the TWEEN
! tieth century may be as different from the
! England of to-day as the France Of to-day
is different from the France Of the Third
| Empire.