Year: 1869

Reform md Revolution in Great Britain.
Never. perhaps, were British statesmen
more completely at their wits end than they
| are at the present moment. The situation,
| truly is peculiar, we think unexampled. A
great work of reform has been accomplished,
and the most aristocratic and exclusive of
governments has been compelled so to extend
the franchise privilege or right-it matters little
which we call it-that the British empire has
virtually become democracy. Another great
work of reform has been undertaken. The
Protestant Episcopal Church in Ireland has
for two and half centuries, at least, been
working mischief and breeding all kinds of
misery. There has arisen class Of states
men who have the hardihood to look evils in
the face, and who have besides the pluck and
daring to make an effort to remove them. The
disestabshment and disendowment of what
is known as the Irish Church is settled so far
as the House Of Commons is concerned. The
House Of Lords, which is Tory to the back
bone, may kick against this measure, and it
doubtless will kick but the House of Lords is
powerless TO resist. In few weeks or months
the Irish Church bill will have passed into
Irish grievances will have ceased to exist


The revolutionary spirit in Great Britain has
demanded and has obtained thus much; but
the revolutionary spirit, which is by no means
local, refuses yet TO be satisfied. This is its
hour and power of triumph, and it seems de-
termned to go on conqucring and to conquer


The late reform in the electoral franchise has
nightly increased the power OF the people
and the power Of the peoples House OF Parlia-
ment. The people have begun to look on the
Lords as a simple obstruction to be got out of
the way as soon as possible. The Lords them
selves, feeling how weak aud helpless and


useless they are, have begun to cry out for
reform. They are not in harmony with-they
are not equal to-the times. With a praise
worthy foresight they have set about improv-
ing their order. II is not easy to multiply the
titled aristocracy, for the titled aristocracy
must have wealth if not lands; but IL men of
property and large wealth cannot be found in
sufficient numbers, men of brains are surely
TO be had. The idea of lifa peerages has come
to the rescue, and one of the most aristocratic
members o, one Of the most aristocratic fami-
lies has successfully introduced bill into the
House of Lords giving shape aud character to
this idea. Democracy has thus forced its way
into the Holy Of Holes of the aristocracy of
England and VIXEN this bill Is passed
the House Of Lords will be an aris-
tocraic assembly no longer. Some of the
old leaven for time will remain; but
henceforth the most exclusive of assemblies
will be reduced to the level of the Senate of
France or the Senate Of the United States
The people. the Lords no longer, will rule the
British empire. This, however, is not ALL
The spirit of revolution is Unsuitable. II is
not enough that the arstocracy are on their
knees and that they have given up so much.
The cry is still for more, and more must be
conceded. 10 was Mr.. Gladstone's hope that
the removal of the great ecclesiastical griev-
ance would touch the Irish heart and call forth
Irish synpathies. Mr.. Gladstone's opponents
said that thus 10 yield 10 Irish demauds would