The Press. — London, England, 1855-03-17 00:00:00

• //4 t rt r No. 98.—VoL. 111. LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1855. PRICE SIXPENCE. Cly rtss, for a few months, been constantly in opposi tion, and has had to struggle with the difficulty arising from the desertion of most of its leaders who had been trained to official life. Yet it has made continual progress. Every Minis terial change has restored to it some of those persons who, from connection and principle, are its legitimate adherents. By acting to gether it has gained confidence in itself, and acquired that common feeling which arises from unity of sentiment and object, and from mutual respect. It has borne no part in those combinations which, since the fall of Lord DERBY'S Administration, have proved fatal to the reputation of many eminent public men, and damaged the character of representative government. Offers of place, freely made, have failed to obtain recruits from its ranks ; and this fidelity is one of those plain proofs of public virtue which everyone can understand. The fall of the Coalition and the construction of a pure Whig Ministry have removed the last pretexts for division among men of Con servative tendencies, and it is to this party alone that they can now look for the main tenance of their principles. We regard this as a great point gained. The union of the Conservative party is essential to the safety of England, and perhaps to that of Europe. It has never been divided without producing some political convulsion, which has frequently gone beyond our own shores. After the dissension produced by the Emancipation Bill in 1829, the Mike of WELLINGTON'S Go vernment fell into universal discredit. It was deserted by a considerable portion of its following. The " glorious days of July" in Paris quickly succeeded ; and when the Reform Bill was introduced, the party organisation was destroyed by which alone it could have been effectually opposed. Again, the Conservative party was divided by Sir ROBERT PEEL when he proposed the repeal of the Corn Laws. His Ministry fell a few weeks after the bill was carried. The Whigs returned to power, and the throne of LOUIS PHILIPPE—as he himself declared — received a shock from which it never recovered. That division was not healed when the Ad ministration of Lord DERBY was formed. The consequence must be fresh in the recollection of our readers. A fraction of the Conservative party went over to the Opposition. the Coali tion, brought together with utter disregard of principle, seized the Government, and the Russian war, which may yet prove one of the severest trials this country has ever known, followed naturally on Lord ABERDEEN'S acces sion to power. At the present moment the whole strength of Conservatism is needed to meet the dangers which threaten us. We cannot spare one unit of its strength. We know not what turn the war may take—how long it may endure—in what social and financial difficulties it may involve us. The extraordinary expenses of the year will probably not fall short of twenty five millions sterling. It is in the nature of war to become more costly as it proceeds, and to bring scarcity and dearness in its train. Our manufacturing industry which has swollen to an extent that even in time of peace could not be regarded without some iipprehen- 'sion, begins to exhibit symptoms of collapse. In the manufacturing districts the revolu tionary passim' which invariably accompanies operative distress, is rearing its head, stimu lated by the deplorable mismanagement of the war, and the vile clamour which has been raised against the aristocracy. To meet these elements of danger we have the feeblest Ad ministration ever known,—a Premier without a following,—an Executive without strength,— a Government without confidence, and indivi dual Ministers destitute of talent, energy, or even of 'official experience, with no better qualification for the posts they fill than can be found in their connection with the worn out stunted stock of Whig exclusiveness. We insist on the necessity of strengthening the Conservative party by all practicable means, without reference to individuals. With the late Ministers of the Coalition we have no concern. Their few followers have for some time past been gradually dropping away, and this fact must alone be sufficient to convince them how futile would be the attempt to raise a banner of their own. They could retard the movement we desire only by affecting to join in it. The first requisite of Conservative union must plainly he Conservative principle, and while that basis is faithfully adhered to, the structure can never be too comprehensive which is raised upon it. LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1855. "PRESS" OFFICE, Friday Night, March 16. NOTWITHSTANDING the rumours afloat favor- able to peace, the situation at Vienna re- mains the same as indicated in our last number. These rumours are partly from financial sources interested in the Money Market, and are partly the superficial con sequences of diplomatic gossip. All the Powers, belligerent or otherwise, are in favour of peace, and are willing to ac- cept the conditions which RUSSIA, even with humbleness, now offers, wax THE EXCEP TION OF FRANCE. Nor will the political equilibrium be one whit more secured if the policy of France be pursued and accom plished. France will, however, succeed in pro longing the war ; for England, at present, is " under her thumb," and Austria is in volved in dark and embarrassing engage merits with the French Emperor, from which, however, she is endeavouring to relieve herself. _ . IRISH LEGAL APPOINTMENTS. THE increased power gained by the ROMILII Catholics under Lord PALDIERBTON'S rule has been much discussed, and we are not sur prised at the feelings of elation manifested by the politicians of that party on finding that the practical government of Ireland has now been flung into their hands. Our attention has been drawn to some important facts illus trating the new Romanist promotions in Ire land. In the legal representation of the Crown in Ireland there are seven principal persons. These are the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney and the Solicitor General, the Counsel to the Castle, and the three Sergeants-at-Law. The duties of the three first of tbeselunctionaries are similar to those appertaining to the same officers in England. The " Counsel to the Castle" has a peculiar post. His duty is to confidentially advise the Chief Secretary on all matters relating to prosecutions. He has to attend daily at the Castle, and the letters from the magistracy and chiefs of police are all subject to his supervision. When the higher law officers are absent in Parliament his duties increase in onerous responsibility. It is also worthy of notice that. (unlike the rule at the English bar) the three Sergeants at-Law in Ireland are all Crown Sergeants; they take precedency next after the Attorney and Solicitor General ; they go circuit as temporary judges ; and they have a presump tive claim to permanent possession of the judicial ermine. Of these seven influentiallegal fitnetionaries, all connected with the department of the Crown, there are at present only two Protes tants! The statement of such a fact might at fi t be received with incredulity, but we c demonstrate its accuracy. Lord Chancel r BRADY is a Protestant, and none other can by act of Parliament hold that office. Mr. At present our readers may rely that the Emperor Louis has resolved to place himself at the head of a French army of the highest class and invade the Crimea at the com mencement of the early spring. His Ma jesty's departure is postponed for the present, chiefly owing to the unwearied and strenuous remonstrances of his oldest and best friend, M. PERSIONY. It is probable that the siege of Sebastopol will be raised. Before the departure of the Emperor Louis for the Crimea we have reason to believe that he will visit England, accom panied by the Empress. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER has announced to-night that the Budget will not be brought forward before Easter. Our readers will, perhaps, recollect that we gave this informati'n a week ago. Lord PALMERSTON will shortly b© raised to the Upper House. Tim political history of the last nine years is not without encouragement to the Conserva tive party. During that period it has, except