franchises went, the two years' residence was altered to one year, voting papers were discarded, the county franchise qualification was lowered from £15 to £12 occupancy, and the system of redistribution was very largely extended. One triumph the political pedants enabled the Tory Peers to obtain, against even the wishes of the leader of the House of Commons: the three-cornered voting process was established, whereby, in all important divisions affecting the existence of Governments and the policy of the nation, Manchester, with 53,000 electors, can give one clear vote, and Tiverton, with 1400 electors, gives two votes. With all its merits and shortcomings the bill was passed, and it received the royal assent on the 15th of August. The operation of the Reform Act of 1867 made an important alteration in the position and power of the Radical party. The gains which have accrued to the Liberals since 1868 have been made in the borough constituencies, where alone the Radical feelings of the people can obtain expression. There is now, both in Parliament and in the Cabinet, an absolute equality, if not in numbers, at least in influence, between the Radical and the Whig sections of the Liberal party. This improved state of things is the result not of any sudden impulse, but of the natural development and growth of the political life of the country. It is true that the later stages of that development have appeared to be more rapid than some of the earlier ones, but they are just as natural for all that. The action of general laws can often be best traced in the history of individuals, and the career of Mr. Gladstone illustrates the progress of Radicalism in its later phases. Step by step he has gone on giving effect to Liberal principles, and increasing his knowledge of, and therefore his trust in, the masses of his countrymen. That the present Premier is ready to work in perfect harmony with his Radical colleagues, and to allow them their legitimate influence in the councils of the nation, need not be said. Only on such conditions would Mr. Bright have become a member of Mr. Gladstone's first Cabinet, or Mr. Chamberlain or Sir Charles Dilke of his second. Opportunities have thus been afforded to the country to learn that it can rely not only upon the political principles, but on the administrative ability, of the Radicals. The result in practical legislation has amply justified the expectations which were formed. During the comparatively short time in which the united Liberals have been in office, since the Reform Act increased the Radical power, every department of national life-religious, social, commercial, industrial, and intellectualhas been invigorated and improved. The Irish Church has been disestablished. The churchyards of England have been made national instead of sectarian property. A system of national education has been created, and the national universities have been widened and popularized. The land laws of Ireland have been remodelled, by which the injustice of ages has been removed, and the foundation for national peace and unity has been laid. The laws affecting the combination of workmen have been changed, the relations between employer and employed have been placed upon fair and equitable terms, and protection has been given to the lives of the men. The army has been made national by the abolition of purchase. The game laws have been amended; and the law of landlord and tenant improved by the recognition of the tenants' right in the improvement of their holdings. The protection of the ballot has been given to electors. Trade has been purified by the adoption of a sound bankruptcy law. A nearer approach to absolute freedom of commerce has been secured, and the last remains of the old corn law removed. There are, perhaps, none of these great works in which some defects may not be pointed out, which have been the result of a compromise, avowed or understood, between the two sections of the party, but in all of them is to be found the spirit of Radical policy and the ability of Radical statesmanship. These later triumphs are only the legitimate realization of hopes founded on old struggles carried on by the pioneers of political progress. For more than a century the way had been pointed out to all practical reforms by the advocacy of Radicals, before the indifference of Whigs and the opposi tion of Tories were overcome. Yet, even after accepting the policy of the Radicals, it had been the custom of the governing classes to assume that outside of the narrow limits of their circle, the country could not look for men to direct its action and carry on its government. Radicals might originate, but Whigs and Tories must administer. That assumption is to a great extent dispelled, and a practical equality is now admitted. But in such a case equality can only exist on the condition that something more is possible. No party can permanently maintain such a position in the government of a great country unless it can, on the necessity. arising, undertake to govern alone. This is a position which, especially since the passing of the Franchise Act of 1884, the Radical party will be justified in occupying. They have a definite policy, both in home and foreign affairs, they possess a number of skilled politicians and administrators, and all they want is that very steady cohesion which can be acquired only by the consciousness of power and the opportunity of effective action. It does not follow that this power of separate action need be exercised; the demonstration that it exists may be sufficient for the purpose. The Liberal party always has been, and probably always will be, composed of men differing to some extent as to the rate of progress which should be made in the direction in which all desire to go. If it is no longer desirable that all its movements should be directed by the section which is least advanced, it does not follow that the counsels of men who call themselves moderate should not be listened to. What is essential is that any Government which is constituted should be in accord with the opinions and wishes of the majority of the people. As this ground-root of representative institutions forms the very essence of Radicalism, it is certain that Radicals ought to be prepared to give it effect by accepting the responsibilities and exercising the powers of government. It is at once a blessing and a glory to our country that, on the one hand, peaceful and legitimate means have been devised for the admission to power of the advanced intelligence of the time; and that, on the other hand, as the result of generations of efforts, a party has been formed and educated and strengthened until it is able to give effect to the national will without violent changes of social and political ideas, but in full conformity with the laws which govern the actions, shape the policy, and determine the destinies of states. |