Year: 1867




Dimculty.


In to-day's HERALD we publish an able and
instructive letter from the pen Of our special
correspondent in London. To our American
readers the letter cannot fail to prove highly
interesting. By skilfully drawn parallel he
shows that the attitude Of the different political
parties in England at the present time in re-
gard to reform resembles, in many important
particulars, the attitude sustained by the various
parties in this country towards the great anti
slavery movement previous to the outbreak OF
the war. Our correspondent, looking at things
from too exclusively American standpoint,
perhaps slightly exaggerates the perils Of the
situation but, making allowance for this, his
views are doubtless in many particulars cor
rect. Il is not possible for any one to doubt
tina. the affairs of England at the present
moment are in a truly critical condition.


While we wait the appearance of Lord
Dcrbys Reform bill it is, perhaps, premature
to discuss the probability of the situation.
Will they, manfully accepting the necessities
Of the position, come forward with such
measure as shall compel the cooperation of
their whig rivals, few days more must deter
mine 7 If they do not come up to the exi-
gencies of the occasion they have no choice
but to resign or make fresh appeal 10 the
country. In either case it is not difficult to de-
termine into whose hands the government of
the country win fall. In the event of q general
election taking place tho liberals are certain
to be returned with an overwhelming majority,
and the name Of Gladstone will be rendered
more popular than ever. Should the neces-
sity again, be laid upon the liberals to
attempt the settlement Of this reform question,
their going the length Of manhood suffrage,
may, we think, be safely doubted. At the
same time it is undeniable that the only bill
which will be accepted by the country as
satisfactory solution Of the difnculty
must be greatly more liberal in its provisions
than the bill which was defeated last year by
an unwise and unnatural coalition. With
Fenian insurrection in one part Of the kingdom,
with the entire population clamorous for an
extension of the elective franchise, and with
dangerous and menacing organization under
the very walls of Parliament, it may be found
to be necessary to concede measure Of re-
form greatly more sweeping than either whig
or tory could have wished.


Never, perhaps, was England more thoroughly
reused by purely domestic question. Nothing
in the present generation Of Englshmen has at
all equalled the excitement which now prevails
Interest in the struggle, great from the COM
mencement, eliminates as time advances
Expectation stands on tiptoe. Wcighty is the
burden which rests on Mr. Disraeli's shoulders.
That, intellectually, he is quite equal to the
occasion no one who knows anything OF his
immense abilities can for moment doubt;
but whether he win be able, by his controlling
influence, to make great and historically
obstructive party equal to the occasion is
question altogether different. The interest
which crowded tho House Of Commons with
all that was greatest and noblest in England,
and which thrilled throughout the land on the
recent occasion when the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer announced the policy Of the govern
ment In regard to reform, Is not to be compared
to the interest which now centres in the same
House and points to the appearance Of Lord
Derbys promised Reform bill. What shall be
its character Whether it shall be so liberal
as to satisfy the wants of the country, or so
illiberal as to provoke o universal outburst of
popular indignation, we must leave to time
to decide. Meanwhile we are safe in asserting
that . revolution has already commenced in
Great Britain, the steps Of which may be quick
or may be slow As circumstances determine,
bu! sue tendency Of which is unmistakah..;JI
levelling, and which is certain in the end
materially to affect the ancient and privileged
orders Of the kingdom.