Year: 1866

proceed to take such steps to secure indem-
nifty as the case will justify and opportunity
render practicable.


Tho Political Situation In Great Britain-Mr.


Bright's --latest Appearance.


Never, perhaps, did any purely domestic
matter in foreign country more thoroughly
engage the attention and enlist the sympathies
of the American public than the present politi-
cal agitation in Great Britain. It is not that
we on this side Of the Atlantic have anything to
gain or lose by the result, whatever the result
may be. The cause is altogether different.
Apart from all such selfish considerations, even
ifsuch were possible, the struggle Is full of in.
terest. 1t is struggle for liberty, for justice,
for right-a struggle the conduct Of which
hitherto has covered the people with honor
and repslled in the most triumphant manner


the vile accusations heaped upon them by their
enemies. Since the time of the Hyde Park
riots-riots which would never have taken
place but for the blundering interference of
the nt-demonstrations of the most
imposing kind have been made in all parts of
the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands
Hocking to the standard of Mr.. Bright; yet, SO
far as we are aware not single instance Of
violence has been recorded. The spectacle ex-
great people calmly rising in the assertion


Of their rights and fully conscious of power


which, IL put forth, must prove irresistible, but


unwilling to employ force where reason should


prevail. The assertion of Mr.. Bright in ST.


James Hall on the evening of Tuesday last


was as true as it was bold-that If resistance


were persisted in on the part of the legisla-
ture "what was now only great expression Of
opinion would become great expression Of


power" A struggle so noble in its objects
and 80 nobly conducted cannot fail to COM


mand attention and sympathy among the lovers
Of freedom in all parts Of the world.


1t is not to be denied, however, that much Of
the interest which attaches to this movement
among the American people is due to the al
tered circumstances under which intelligence
of transatlantic affairs is now received.
Thanks to fhe Atlantic cablo and the enter
prise of the HERALD, the public here have been
as fully and as Immediately cognizant of every





the British public themselves. The old sepa-
rating barriers of time and distance have been
practically annihilated. The two countries, to
all intents and purposes, have been brought


nearer. The ties ofrelationship between the peo-
Piles have been drawn closer together. 1t would


be strange, indeed, if such change, which is
destined at no distant day to exercise 80 pow
erful an influence on the common public sen.i-
ment Of both countries, were not already making
itself felt We are not selfish enough to


refuse to admit that the public sentiment
Of Great Britain le not Without Its influence


here. Nor Is it possible for an intelligent OBJ
server Of events on the other side to deny that
the influence of the United States, long since
potent among the Industrial classes in the
community, and certain to have marked
effect upon the political future OF the
country, is telling with rapidly increasing
power at the present moment. The lovers
Of freedom in all lands are related by the
bonds of common brotherhood, and what Is
matter Of interest to one, cannot and ought
not TO be matter Of Indifference to another.
Enjoying such facilities for mastering every


varying aspect of this movement, we cannot


those who are struggling to attain position


which ii is our pride to have won.


So far as we are in possession Of the details
Of the London demonstration it does not ap-
pear to have differed from its predecessors in


any essential particular The number that
m thn cin w Iornr
Their conduct was orderly and dignifed.
If Mr.. Secretary Walpole and those who


acted with him were not convinced


before, they must be fully convinced now
that the violence of the Hyde Park demon
stration is to be laid to their charge and not to
that Of the people. Mr.. Bright on this last
occasion does not appear to have softened
down the tone Of his language, but from the
outlines we have received of his speech he
does not seem TO have been either more vigor-
Ous or more severe than usual.


II may now, we think, be safely concluded


that henceforth the movement enters upon


new phase of its existence. The preliminary


demonstration period is ended. The circle is
now complete. It began with London-it
ends with London. Popular opinion has been
sufficiently expressed. More cannot be done


till Parliament assemblies. Relying on the
successes they have won, reformers can well
afford to wait the decision Of government.
That Mr.. Disraeli will introduce q reform bill
is now no longer doubtful. What will be the
character Of his measure or whether it will be
accepted as satisfactory are different questions.
If the tories succeed in meeting the wishes OF
the people they may count on a long lease of
power. II they are not successful they must
make way for those on whom the settlement of