Year: 1866

Representative reform is still the all-absOrb-
ing topic of discussion in Great Britain. The
success of the Birmingham demonstration,
which has been quite unprecedented, and which
certainly has materially advanced the cause
which reformers have at heart, seems to have
filed the public mind with something akin to
astonishment. Mr.. Bright, who was the hero
of the day, has, by this his latest effort in the
peoples cause, not only increased his already
brilliant reputation as an orator, bat won for
himself place in the esteem and affection of
the industrial classes of his countrymen, from
which he is not likely soon or easily to be dis
lodged. Whatever be the justice or injustice
of his attacks on his political opponents he has
spoken out for the people once again. manfully
and well.


The excitement occasioned by the Hyde
Park affair had not yet subsidized when
demonstrations Of all but unparalleled
magnitude, and occurring almost stimuli
taneously in different parts Of the city, stirred
London to its very centre. These again
were quickly followed by others, smaller per-
haps, but not less significant, in various parts
OF the country. And now we are in possession
of full details Of this great Birmingham gath
ering-a gathering from which doubtless
much was expected, but of which it is not too
much TO say that among all human assemblies
and in some very important and very
ennobling features. it stands alone. Never
before, perhaps, in the history of the world
have two hundred thousand people volun-
fax for
Of putting forth the often unjust, always
dangerous, though sometimes necessary hand
of force, but of contributing the weight
Of their moral influence towards the settlement
Of . political question. Never, certainly, has
any assembly at all approaching it in bulk
and composed of similar material, been charac-
! terized by more perfect propriety Of outward
conduct That sucha meeting could be held in
one Of the busiest and most populous centres
Of English industry, and that throughout the
entire day nothing should have occurred to dis
turb the order and harmony of its proceedings,
speaks well, on the whole, 1t must be admitted,
for English liberty, and reflects the highest
credit on the intelligence and selfpossession of
the masses of whom it was composed. The
Birmingham demonstration is the noblest and
most effective answer which has yet been given
10 those vile aspesions flung on the Eaglish
people by Mr.. Lowe and those who followed
him into the Gaze Adulldm. IL has, besides,
substantially settled the question of reform
and rendered it imperative on whatever
party may hold the reins of power to, intro
duce on the opening of Parliament fresh Re-
form bill. Great, however, as has been the
success Of this meeting, and much as il has
done, ii is not likely to be the last ofits kind
of which we shall hear during the recess. The
people are at last awake. The fame is certain
10 spread more and more.


In contemplating this Birmingham meeting
II is impossible not to leel, especially when it
is looked at in connection with what is taking
place in other parts OF the world, that the sue
cess OF popular institutions in America Is ex-.
ercising leavening influence upon the masses
Of human society everywhere, and that the
people, in consequence, are NOT merely be-
coming alive to their rights, but are gradually
arriving at knowledge ofthe truth that they
can afford to demand the recognition Of those
rights with calmness and with dignity. Il is
one indication more that the age OF absolute
forms and worn out psivileges is rapidly van
ishing away and that better times are already
dawning upon the world.