The Press.
London, England, 1855-07-21 00:00:00

678

the interests of a worn-out Ministry has been
held in supense too long. Is the deplorable
inaction of laKt autumn about to be repeated ?
Will Parliament separate and leave all the
powers of the State in the hands of LOrd.
PALMERSTON ? If so, we ?roust be prepared to
accept all the consequenoes of ths.t. Ministerial
instability which Lord JogN Rusasu. warns us
is far more dangerous than would be a total
change in the aitasasteg *Ltd compagition
Government.

THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE
REGISTRIES.
WE directed attention not long since to the
necessity for the supporters of Conservatism
adopting measures through the country for
organising their power, and not longer defer-
ing the consideration of the state of the
registries. The Liberals in various districts
are already beginning to take thought for the
next general election, and apathy now on the
part of the Conservatives would be criminal.
Momentous consequences must be involved
in the result of the next general election ;
and the existing state of the political world
shows that it is not likely the present
Parliament will be allowed to die a natural
death. This session is the third year of
its duration, and nothing is less probable
than that it will_continue without dissolution
until 1858.
In urging our Conservative friends through
the country to be vigilant and active at the
present time, we do not mean that they should
plunge into a course of political agitation, or
busy themselves with great public demonstra-
tions of their principles or their power. The
registries should be steadily maintained with-
out raising the excitement of electioneering
contest, and the roll ought to be kept clear of
unsound votes. While anxious to quicken the
action of the Conservative body in its local
connections, we disclaim any desire to annoy
or cause vexation to bond fide Liberal voters,
but we strongly desire to purify the registries.
If we do not betimes take steps for that
object, it is plain that our opponents will sap
our strength, and seriously injure the action
of the Conservative element in the country.
Turning to the prospects of our party gene-
rally, we may remind our friends in the coun-
try that since we last addressed them on
this topic the scandals of the Cabinet, the
retreat of Lord JOHN RUSSELL before the attack
of the Conservatives, and the general disrup-
tion that may be witnessed in the Liberal
ranks, all show that a great political victory is
within the reach of Conservatives, if they
stand together firmly and exclude dissension
from their ranks. Although not respon-
sible for the present war, the Conser-
vatives give a firm and loyal support to
the Crown, and have left a memorable in-
stance of an Opposition conducted without
faction, and unsullied by any attempts to
interpose obstacles in the service of the
Executive.
The superior moral tone of the Conservative
party, its more chivalrous temper, and more
dignified conceptions of public spirit, are pro-
ducing much effect even upon bigoted adhe-
rents to Liberalism. The opinion is begin-
ning to spread far and wide that upon either
the ventuali' • of the present contest
be best secured by
at the helm They
power in support of
with strength for a
len peace could be
honour, the Con
it better than the
rushed into a war
ions of its probs.-
maiderations which
ives in their duties
and should nerve
on behalf of the
which they are

of the eventualities of the
the public interests would be
the Conservatives being at
can command more social pot
the Executive to arm it wit
prolonged contest ; and whet
made with safety and ha
servatives could conclude it
imbecile Ministers who ruE
without any definite notion
ble results. These are cont
should stimulate Conservativ
to their own political body, I
them to sustained exertion
honourable connection in