Year: 1869

''"soe ~ was rcau tniru Tune, anu passeu


March 22, 1882. BY this time the excitement
in London and throughout the three kingdoms


was intense. ''Down with the Lords" and


Swamp the Lords" were on almost every lip.


Sixteen new peers had already been created,


but it was known that the majority of the


Lords was still against the BILL A further
creation of peers was threatened. Meanwhile
the bill was again in the Upper House. On
the second reading it was carried in conse-
quence Of the ''waveriug" of the Lords-some
absenting themselves and some changing
sides-by majority of nine. Convinced that
the bill could not pass through committee, a
deputation from the Cabinet waited on the
King at Windsor, advising his Majesty to
create some eighty new peers. The King re-
fused his consent. The bill in consequence
was rejected May Z, 1882, Ministers finding
themselves in minority of thirty-fve.
Earl Grey resigned. The Duke of Wellington,
having been called to his Majestys side, tried,
but in vain, to form Ministry. Earl Grey
was recalled and the wings returned to power
May Is, 1892. The opposition Of he King
had given way, and permission was granted to


earl Grey and to his Chancellor, Lord
Brougham, TO create such q number of new
peers as will be sufficient to insure the passing
Of the Reform bll-frst calling up peers
eldest sons" The King at the same time used
his influence to induce their lordships to desst
from further opposition, and thus render unne
cessary so extreme an exercise Of the royal
prerogative. The advice was taken; the
greater part of the opposition peers absented
themselves from the House, and the memora-
BILE first Reform bill passed into law-receiving
the royal assent June z, 1882.


Such is the history of the struggle between
the Lords and the Commons in 1912. In
the present instance the situation is not yet
quite so grave. 1t will be seen, however, that
when the first Reform bill came finally before
the Lords 1t was carried through the second
reading by majority Of nine. The life-and-
death struggle did not begin until the bill went
into committee on the third reading The
Irish Church bill is precisely in that position
now. 1t is not our opinion that the Lords
will make any attempt to throw the bill out.
There can be no doubt, however, that the bill,
as we have said, will be very considerably
altered. Will Mr.. Gladstone's Cabinet, backed
people. adopt the notifications Of the Lords?
II Of triang character they may. II of a
radical character they will not. Much, there
fore, depends on the common sense which may
guide their lordships. They see that the fall
Of the Irish Church will be a heavy
blow at all the privileged orders, that
1t viii put in peril the churches of
Scotland and England, and that the
spirit Of which 1t is the expression will
not rest satisfied until 1t has accomplished the
overthrow Of the aristocracy and the crown.
They will not, therefore, tamely yield. But
the Commons are united as the Commons have
not been united In many long years. Con-
vinced OF the righteousness of their cause, and
led by an able and skilful leader in whom they
have the utmost confidence, they are not in a
mood to yield. We are not, therefore, by
any means assured that the fight is ended
but we are satisfied that the Commons must
ultimately triumph. The Lords may resist as
long as resistance is safe, but they viii not
render necessary now what they did not
render necessary in ls32-the creation Of as
many new peers as shall be necessary to in
sure the passing ofthe bill. There may be some
delay and much stir and excitement through
out Great Britain before Mr.. Gladstone's bill
becomes law, but justice must prevail-the
popular cause must triumph.