The Press. — London, England, 1857-02-28 00:00:00

e+r -- 7 1., . //‘ b • No. 200.—VoL.V. LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1857. STAMPED . -SIXPENCE. UNSTAMPE.D..FIVEPENCE. El2c rtss. That is the bes; answer to those insolent insinuations which suppose that Lord DERBY would ever sanction any political combination which was not based upon principle, and dic tated by the highest and purest regard for permanent public interests. It. is this honour able feeling among our greatest statesmen which has preserved England from those fac tious coalitions to overthrow existing Govern ments which have constantly proved the ruin of constitutional freedom in other countries. Opposition, notwithstanding all efforts to weaken it, and all rumours of division in [its ranks, was never more cordially united in devotion t) its leaders than at the present time. LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1857. We do not conceal our regret at the course which a few members—like Sir JOHN TYRELL and Mr. BENTINCK—have thought proper to adopt. They have no doubt acted from con scientious motives of public duty. It is quite clear that if they prefer the lead of Lord PALMERSTON to that of Lord DERBY, they can not too soon change their places in the House. The meeting was so cordial and so unani mous that we feel justified in warmly congra tulating the Conservative public on the result. It is possible to foretell the political changes which are in store for us We know only that the Administration of Lord PALMERSTON can not last, and that from its constitution it is impossible that it can fulfil the wants of the country, or even satisfactorily conduct neces sary public business. Hence it is the more important that the Conservative connection should continue united, as it is the primary and highest use of a Constitutional Opposi tion to be pre pared when called upon to un dertake the responsibilities of Government. THE Conservative Members of the House of Commons assembled yesterday morning at the mansion of Lord DERBY, in St. James's square, to hear a statement from the Noble Earl on the present aspect of political affairs, an(' especially on the position of the Conservative party. About one hundred and sixty members of the House of Commons were present. The Noble Earl commenced his address by an allusion to the course which a few members of the Opposition had thought it consistent with their duty to adopt on occasion of the recent division in the House of Commons upon the Budget. Lord DERBY stated that the course pursued by Mr. DISRAELI had been concerted with him, and had met with his entiro approval. Lord DERBY said he had heard it stated that the amendment moved by the Hon. Mem ber for West Norfolk originated in a feeling of disapprobation at the report which had been circulated of a coalition between the party which the Noble Earl was proud to lead, and the Right Honourable. Member for the Uni versity Oxford. That report was totally false. He had never seen Mr. GLADTONE upon the subject, nor had he ever held the slightest communication with him upon it. But the Noble Earl in the most dignifici and em phatic manner declared that should any mem ber of the Conservative connection attempt to dictate to him the course he should pursue with regard to any political personages what ever, he would regard such dictation as an insult, and no longer recognise that member as attached to his party. This declaration was received with long-continued cheering. To resume. Lord DEanv said that an im pression appeared to prevail in some quarters that the interests of Protestantism might suffer in his hands. The Noble Earl referred to his past career, no less than to his well known principles, in refutation of such a sup position. A slight and graceful allusion to his devotion to the Established Church of these realms in times past, was receiv ed with vehe ment plaudits We must not omit to state that Lord DERBY expressed high admiration of the talents and character of Mr. GLADSTONE. He noticed emphatically the fact that the Conservative party was at present in a minority in the House of Commons, and insisted that nothing could possibly be more unwise than to decline such accessions of strength as would place it in a position to undertake the government of the country. In reference to the important subject then before the House of Commons, Lord DERBY expressed his entire approval of the resolution moved by Mr. COBDEN. It was substantially the same as the motion he had introduced in the House of Lords, and had supported with all the earnestness of conviction, and all the ability he possessed. It would be impossible to describe the en thusiasm with which this allusion to the speech delivered by the Noble Earl on Tuesday evening was received. That speech is in every circle the theme of admiration, and has pro duced, we believe, a more powerful impression on the mind of the country than any address delivered for years past. After Lord DERBY resumed his seat, the meeting was addressed by several " represen " tative men " of the House of Commons. Mr. SPOONER was received with the respect due to the consistency of his political career, and the sincerity of his religious convictions. He spoke with generous warmth, denouncing the pre tended zeal of Lord PALMERSTON for Protes tantism, and expressing his entire confidence in Lord DERBY as the head of the Conservative party. Mr. NEWDEGATE expressed equally loyal sentiments, and with equal warmth. The Noble Earl said that no one could be more opposed to coalitions effected in defiance of political principle than himself ; but that when members from identity of sentiment were frequently drawn together to the same lobby, it was impossible to doubt that a bond of political union was established which no party could refuse to acknowledge. We pause here for a moment to say, that no public man in our history has more un equivocally expressed his disapproval of factions coalitions than Lord DERBY. The proof is before us in the volume of the late Sir ROBERT PEEL'S " Memoirs " just published. When requested by Sir ROBERT PEEL to join his Administration in 1834, he replied:— Lord MAncu, as the head in the Lower House of the great house of Lennox, and a repre sentative of the landed interest, was listened to with great attention. He declared that his confidence in Lord DERBY was so complete, that whatever course he might deem it expe dient to pursue, would receive his cordial, earnest, and disinterested support. This declaration was received with rounds of cheering. Colonel GILPIN, an independent member of the Opposition, not only declared his entire confidence in Lord DERBY, but expressed his high sense of the services of Mr. DNRAELI as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons. The manner in which the Right. Honourable Gentleman's name was received must have been no less gratifying to him than to all the members_ present, as showing thatithe The reputation of those who take a part in public affairs is a matter of national importance ; and confidence in public men has been more shaken by coalitions than by all the other acts of personal misconduct taken to• geth , ir. • • Any reasons which may be urged in vindication of the present junction would be powerless as opposed to the public sentiment, which revolts against all political coalitions, especially when they are ma.lo the immediate stepping-stone to power. (Page 40.) MINISTERIAL EXPOSURES. THE House of Commons continues to present a scene which, we say unfeignedly, every lover of constitutional freedom must regret. There is no more pitiable spectacle in the world than to see a man acting, through some fancied necessity, against his convictions. His con science prompts him one way ; his interest, or his connections, or one of those thousand ties which with weak men are a plea for fate, and an excuse for baseness, binds him another. He is a moral wreck ; the victim of adverse winds and tides, stranded on a rock, left the sport of elements which tear to pieces his being. Such is exactly the lot of the Ministerial majority. Their perplexity would be ludi crous if it (lid not inspire a graver feeling. One (lay they vote with their Ministerial staff, another day they vote against it. All their traditional sentiments and cherished convic tions have to give way when they are told that a majority must be had. The word goes forth, " You must keep in the Ministry." They obey with a sigh, and cast another stone to the cairn which monumentalises their degradation. It is impossible that this state of things can last. if the Ministerial majority were headed by their natural leaders, they might vote that black was white with comparative impunity. The fidelity which is associated with princi ples of loyalty is estimated by a different stan dard from the adherence which is dictated by mercenary considerations. Partisanship is a kind of patriotism. It is often and virtuous. It resembles thl in its simple trust and confident instincts is a better guide than the Ministerial majority follow Bench, as unfortunate dogs di masters follow the treacherous L disinterested he faith w - ice in superioir 1 . 11 n reason. But . r i r tbs. TreasM' lesOting s MAyors pp • • - 1:t 4 ,. 1 4 4 :: 4 t 2 l IL" t'e