Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-04-28
Won BY TEE PEOPLE.
Universal Suffrage, With Plural
Voting, Adopted in Belgium.
The Strike Abandoned and Fur
Their trouble AVerted.

A cabIegram from Brussels, Belgium
avs: The Belgium revolution has sue
ceeded. The reigning aristocracy has sur
rendered, and Belgium will hereafter be
governed by the people. The victory for
universal suffrage cost several lives and
serious bloodshed; but. considering the ter
rible sacrifices which until the last mo nenc
it seemed would be necessary the price paid
Is not a great one. The right of self govern
ment has not been granted willingly. 1t was
wrung from the present authorities by
display of Revolutionary force such as had
not been seen in Europe since Paris was IN
the hands OF committee.
The manifestation Of popular Will was
imposing and truly terrific. 1t oVeraWed
ana conquered the arrogance which ha1 de-
fe1 it. 1t has been a day OF suspense AMI
fear throughout Belgium. The entire coun-
try was under arms, and business OF every
description was paralyz2d. The terrible
nature Of the crisis was emphaSIzed as never
before when 20OyO Socialists met just out
side Brussels AMI voted sOlemuly and with
put excitement 70 sned the last drop OF their
blood to secure the right of suffrage. The
leaders advised the muttitu e to refrain
from violence till thu decision Of Parliament
was known later in the day. The MOB con-
senteI.
Their fellows in other places exercised
less sglf-restraint Soon came the news that
wounded in Antwerp. The bloody work was
going on again in Mons and other places.
Brussels waited There was Enthusiastically
an air of dread and apprehension upon the
:ity. All the large places of business were
closed and the shutters were up. The res
tdeatial streets were completely deserted.
Tbs public quarters were thronge1, but few
women were about. All vehicles, except
few cabs, disappeared. The army and the
mob stood and waited. Cavalry and in
fantry held all the streets within half a
mile of the Kings palace and the Par
lament buildings. There were no hostile
demonstrations against the troops.
Meantime the Lower House or the Legis-
Iature assembled. The House voted to sit
until the committee agreed on some suffrage
measure. 1t refused to adopt the Govern
ment suggestion TO act on the budget, which
was waiting. The members instead went
outside to view the strange sight IN the
streets of the city, which was in state Of
siege.
Thousands of troops filled the straets con-
yerring at Parliament Hail. Beyond them
the mob stood waiting. 1t was nearly 4
O'clock but there had been no collision. The
multitude was silent, and not even sullen.
There was, however, no mlstaKlng the att!-
tu1e of their unnumbered thousands.
Members of the Chamber went back to
their seats profoundly impressed. kilograms
poured in telling OF renewed fighting in the
provinces a mild but salutary panic took
possession of the House.
The committee were forced to report. They
brought in a measure providing for uni
versai suffrage for citizens above twenty
five years of age, with an additional vote
for Heads OF families, and another for those
possessing educational qualifications. 1t was
briefly debated and quickly brought to a
vote. The result was 119 in favor, twelve
against and fourteen aostent ions. The fig
uTes we're received with amazement on all
sides, indicating as it did the panic-stricken
condition of the House. The news quickly
spread. and was received with Immense re-
lief if not entire satisfaction by the people.
1t was thought that the Senate would act
Immediately on the Suffrage BIZ.