The Press. — London, England, 1855-02-24 00:00:00

184 THE WEEK. Another Ministerial crisis has arisen, and through the same agency which for the last two years has been the cause of constant confusion in our Councils, and weakness in our Administrative—the Peelite faction. The Coalition was, in the first instance, the result of its greed of power,—the misfortunes of the war were due to its incapacity, —and the long Ministerial interregnum, which has brought contempt on our whole system of Government, is the direct consequence of the unfortunate position it has assumed. When we last wrote it was uncertain what would be done with respect to the Committee of Inquiry. Lord PALMERSTON was noto riously anxious to quash it, and he caused hints of a dissolution to be spread abroad, should the Commons persist in their vote. But the debate of Friday night, last week, must have shaken his resolution. Mr. ROEBUCK declared his intention to proceed ; Mr. DISRAELI, as the head of the great Conservative party, urged in a most powerful speech that the inquiry could not be allowed to drop ; and many independent members on the Liberal side,—among them Mr. HORSMAN, Mr. LAING, Mr. MUNTZ, and Mr. SEYMOUR, announced their resolve to support the inquiry. After this expression of opinion Lord PALMERSTON must have felt that it would be vain for him to attempt to shake the deter mination of the House, and from the feeling of the country he must equally have felt that a dissolution on this question would have re sulted in his complete discomfiture. What was to be done ? Mr. ROEBUCK'S Committee, as originally nominated, suggested an idea that it had been made up for the purpose of being rejected. The names were decidedly hostile to the Government. Only three members were likely to be favorable—Sir J. PAXTON, Mr. ELLics, and Mr. LOWE— the other members had already condemned the Government by their votes. But the earnestness of the House for inquiry rendered it evident, that in some way or other a fair and efficient Committee would be appointed. Lord PALMERSTON saw the necessity of yielding; his Peelite colleagues were bent on resistance. Communication was held with Mr. ROEBUCK, and he changed the constitution of his Committee, replacing several of the eminent Conservative names by members of less decided character. On Tuesday the division in the Cabinet assumed a definite shape. and Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. HERBERT, and Sir James GRAHAM, asserted they could not consent to the Committee ; they tendered their resignation, the Council adjourned to the follow ing day, and then they formally resigned. The disorganisation in the Cabinet was known on Wednesday afternoon; on Thursday morning it was formally announced in the journals. A crowded House as sembled in the afternoon to hear the Ministerial explanations, but, as Lord PALMERSTON intimated that they would be postponed until the following day, the House only went through its formal business. On Friday it was announced that Mr. CARDWELL, who it had been supposed would eucceed Mr. GLADSTONE as Chancellor of the Exche quer, had followed the example of his Peelite colleagues and had resigned. Then for the moment the Government seemed brought to a dead lock. No one doubted that Lord PALMERSTON might get some persons to fill the vacancies, but at a time like this, administrative experience, as well as ability, is required to fill the chief posts of Government, and Lord PALMERSTON must be well aware that these qualities he cannot command. Perhaps now he begins to comprehend the fatal mistake ho made in refusing to join Lord DERBY, and to be aware that the proposed combination was the only possible mode of forming a really strong Government. The House last night presented a more animated appearance than we have witnessed this session. It was filled at an early hour, and there was a numerous attendance of Peers. The appearance of Sir J. GRAHAM, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Mr. S. HERBERT was looked for with some anxiety, to see the places they would take. When they entered they assumed seats on the second bench below the gangway on the Ministerial side, in the same line with Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. CARDWELL, on entering, took his seat on a back Ministerial bench. Lord PAL MERSTON did not enter the House till five o'clock, and great impatience was manifested for his arrival. Sir J. GRAHAM immediately rose and spoke with all his wonted self possession and propriety of language. It was at once seen from his tone that he had decisively separated himself from Lord PAL MERSTON, and that he considered the latter had shown great weakness and want of principle in not resisting the committee, which it was understood would be resisted when he consented to join. One part of his speech was listened to with deep attention. He stipulated on joining that the diplomatic negotiations proceeding for an honourable peace should not be in any way interfered with, and to this Lord PAL MERSTON cordially assented. The serious tone in which Sir JAMES spoke showed that he considered the negotiations had really a pacific purpose, and that he thought them likely to take effect. This hint was quite sufficient to rouse Mr. BRIGHT. It was amusing to see how greedily he swallowed the bait. Peace is Mr. Bareiris vision by day and dream by night. He thinks of no other object. We verily believe that for peace he would to-morrow recognise the Czar NICHOLAS as King of England, and illuminate his house on the landing of his Imperial Majesty at Dover. Shrewd on other subjects, he is a mere visionary on this one. No sooner did he hear that Lord PALMERSTON was actually conduct ' with earnestness, than he recanted all his the Noble Lord, and paid him all sorts of mingling them with pathetic entreaties to JR of blood. He claimed respect for Lord the Noble Viscount was in office while JOHN and, amid the irrepressible tittering of the 'ell on the Premier's age as a title to reverence, expression as he pathetically alluded to the to his sun going down. As Lord PALMEBsTON SATURDAY, just now presents a rather more juvenile appearance that he has done of late, these compliments amazingly tickled the House. The debate was prolonged to a late hour. It was so damaging on the whole to Lord PALMERSTON, that it appears impossible for him to maintain his place, and it is positively painful to see a statesman of his character placed in a position which he has not even the requisite energy to The Army Estimates were moved by Mr. PEEL on Tuesday, after an energetic speech by Mr. LAYARD, dwelling on the mismanagement which had occurred. Lord PALMERSTON answered individual cases forcibly urged with general claptrap. Mr. LAYARD instanced the appointment of Captain Cultism, at the head of the transport service at Balaklava, an officer seventy years old, who could not leave his ship after dark for fear of losing his life through catarrh, and often con fined for five or six days together; and Lord PALMERSTON replied, " Look to the glorious charge of Balaklava." The estimates must have been felt as a withering condemnation of Mr GLADSTONE'S provision for increased expenses last year. Now the increase is counted by millions of money, but Mr. GLADSTONE, in March last, cautiously asked for only 832,0001. increase, and on the Bth of May following, after hostilities had broken out, for 300,0001. more. What more conclusive proof can be required that the Government at that time had not the slightest thought of the magnitude of the crisis, or the energy and resources which would be required to conduct the war ? The votes asked were granted, no one, enormous as the sums were, venturing to interpose a word in favour of economy. The Ordnance Estimates have been published: they present an increase over those of last year of nearly two millions ; the total for all our naval and land forces amounts to nearly thirty eight millions. How is this vast expenditure to be met? An attempt to realise it from the income of the yeas would break down the industry of the country. Yetthis is the key-stone of Mr. GLADSTONE'S system of finance. Evidently a huge loan will have to be raised. There can be no question of its expediency—it is inevitable. A resolution for the repeal of the penny stamp on newspapers was carried on Monday night, and a bill to regulate the details of the measure brought in, but the resignation of Mr. GLADSTONZ will, we imagine, lead to its postponement. The principle of the measure is very simple. There is to be no compulsory stamp on news any more than on other printed matter, but all printed matter of the weight of four ounces will pass through the post for seven days after publica tion if it bears a penny stamp as at present. The papers published at present, with the single exception of the Times, are of less weight than four ounces, that journal, with its single sheet supplement, slightly exceeds four ounces ; so a provision is inserted for its benefit, that for ten years the weight shall extend to six ounces, instead of four. This is the most objections' feature of the scheme. Why ten years ? The limita ti on is absurd. A much better plan would be to make the permanent limit four and a half or five ounces, which then would include all the matter which the Times or any other journal can cover by a penny stamp. An extra size would then, as now, bear an extra stamp. Whenever the measure comes forward, we hope this common sense amendment will be made, and then the Times, by its own showing, would have no ground for complaint. To the debate on the admission of Russian produce we have alluded in a separate article. But we may briefly notice the contra diction between the arguments of those economists who support the existing system. It is said that it is for the benefit of our trade that we should obtain Russian produce as cheaply as we can. Very well. Then why attempt to check its transit through Prussia? Our Govern ment most inconsistently supports the principle of admitting this produce, and yet avows that it is desirable to throw difficulties in the way of its admission. The war will never be earnestly carried on till the admission of Russian produce is rejected, and till all considera tions of maximum injury to our enemies by a blockade, and minimum injury to ourselves by obtaining our enemies' goods as cheaply as we can, are thrown to the winds and a decided principle is adopted. No intelligence of moment has been received from the seat of war this week. It appears to be true that our troops have p artially withdrawn from their lines, and their places been occupie d by the French. Prince MENSCHIKOFF reports from the Crimea, under date of the 12th inst., that he had discovered some of the French mines and partially destroyed them. Sorties were made nightly. From the progress of the French, whose force now amounts to upwards of 100,000 men, and from the movements of the Russians in the field, it is supposed that a general action cannot long be delayed. The accounts which reach us from the hospital at Scutari are more distressing than ever. Under date of Feb. 12, we hear that the number under medical treatment is fully 7,000. A correspondent writes to us : A wounded man is now a rarity here, and, indeed, it is pleasing to meet with on since they listen so attentively, and with such intelligence, to words of comfort and a& vice compared with the men reduced by fever or other diseases. Great exertions have been made at Kulleli, which in a very short time has been fitted up for 1,900 sick. The arrangements made give it much the appearance of the admirable French hospital at Pere. Thirty thousand men have been in hospital since Septem ber. Her Majesty, we are informed, is about to have the graveyard at Scutari planted and closed in by a wall. The death of Mr. JOSEPH HUME has brought his name once more, and for the last time, before the public. The notoriety he obtained was a great tribute to his diligence ; but the public, in view of the ruinous effect of the army retrenchments effected of late years, through dread of what reformers of Mr. HUME'S stamp would say, are little disposed to listen to his praises. His name is connected with no great public measure ; and since his political friends came into power, he has been found exceedingly tractable. ing a pacific negotiation previous suspicions of tl TIT Tz elittivie4eornpliments , 44, - J o etre , a -Tatther effusior fr yl ." * l*Wsiew,„ because th to , . 4' '- : : 4irekkeete t unborn, 1 ‘:•. ..s. 4 *". ' , • ! tatted to dwe i ito‘ i, _ • 1 . ' . ---.'"'•:'.-.` '''. :giinto poetic 111 4 4 . •.. .... days, and • :.,./ klaaVast .ma v THE PRESS.