Mr. Bright was re-elected for Birmingham without opposition this day
week. On Wednesday evening last he addressed in Bingley Hall a monster meeting of his constituents, amounting to over twelve thousand persons, and spoke for an hour and ten minutes, amidst repeated signs of almost passionate enthusiasm. The cheering which again and again greeted him was of that enthusiastic character which is half public feeling and half personal affection,—the kind of enthusiasm which even the most popular leaders do not inspire till there has been a doubt about their strength, and a tremor lest their career might be verging to its close. His speech, on the whole, justified the enthusiasm. Doubtless, his review of the Education ques- tion was not statesmanlike,—had it been more so, it would have been worse received,—but he appeared to pledge himself to do all in his power for the repeal of the 25th Clause of the Education Act, and his audience did not doubt that so much as this was in his power. For the rest, he distinctly warned the meeting that " multitudes" differed from him about
education, and that there must be delay to give the Act time to fail, before there could be reconsideration. Against the cumula- tive voting in the election of School Boards Mr. Bright spoke with the curious bitterness which not even its introduction into the United States to alleviate the evils of the tyranny of majori- ties, can diminish ; and it seems that, on the whole, the Birming- ham League is moderate enough to be content with Mr. Bright's return to the Cabinet, and to withdraw for the present that policy of war to the knife against all Liberals except those of its own type, which it had announeed. This is a wise retreat from a very false and awkward position, and we only hope Mr. Bright's influence may avail to procure such a change of the 25th Clause of
Education Act,—simple repeal is impossible without giving up compulsion,—as may secure the newly-restored peace.
