The Press.
London, England, 1858-08-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS, AUGUST l4, 1858,

bile without the excuse of his sea-sickness. Hap-
pily, the Emperor has too strong a mental frame
to be wasp-stunq into fever. But his subjects
may resent for him what he is above resenting
for himself; and when we remember that he
represents the majesty, and in a modified
sense the will, of France, we most earnestly
deprecate a repetition of such attacks as those
which have wrung this protest from us. "Mili-
"tary despotism and the Erastian priesthood that
" supports it " are not the sole " source of hatred,
" bloodshed, and misery to the world." There
arc not less abundant springs of strife in detrac-
tion, mistrust, and misconstruction; in the sar-
castic spleen which exults in a well-turned
slander, and the unchristian turbulence which
delights to speak evil of dignities.

THE CONSERVATIVE REGISTRIES.
Ouit letters from the country tell us that the
Liberals are beginning to increase their activity
about the registries, and we certainly think that
it is time for Conservatives to look to their
electioneering interest. We are well aware that
sonic Conservatives object to registry clubs at
all, as savouring of "organized agitation." We
have no wish to see England divided into two
great electioneering camps, striving to bring regi-
ments of voters to the poll. If Conservatives
could have their own choice, many of them would
much prefer that the electoral power was left to
the natural interests of the country; but, whether
we like it or not, the Liberals will not give us
any choice. They are resolved to keep up their
registries ; they subscribe largely, and the appa-
ratus designed by the late Mr. COPPOCK is still
kept in working order by the industrious Sir
WILLIAM Harrmi.
In some constituencies it is not necessary for
the success of Conservative candidates that there
should be registration societies, but in others it
would he impossible without their aid to keep
the registry in a proper state. In many towns
the classes which hold Conservative opinions are
so occupied with important commercial and pro-
fessional affairs that the practical part of political
life does not enter into their calculations. They
like to give utterance to their sentiments; they
read the newspapers with interest, and are pleased
with the records of Parliamentary struggles ;
but they are " too busy to embark in politics."
In towns with such classes there should be a
registrilion machinery. One or two experienced
professional men, a local committee of gentlemen
of standing and character (three of whom should
be a quorum), and a local treasurer of character,
would be staff enough for carrying on a proper
registration. Subscriptions might be propor-
tioned to the work about to be done. In some
districts the arrears from past political apathy
and schisms would have to be worked up ; in
others an annual registry should be strictly and
incessantly maintained; but there are some places
where it would be enough to make one large and
energetic exercise of the Conservative resources,
and with a little supervision it might not be
necessary to recur again to registration expenses
on a large scale.
In registration work nothing is of more im-
portance than the discreet choice of the local
professional agent. We have seen so much of
the action of registration that it will be worth
while to give some hints on this point. Speak-
ing generally, the mere bill of costs is not the ob-
ject which a professional gentleman has in view
when he undertakes to manage the registration
of a particular locality. He wishes for its social
advertisement and introduction. Ile becomes
more or less acquainted with many of the
leading notabilities of the district, and hence
it is that so many young and pushing attor-
neys arc so anxious to be nominated as re-
gistration agents. But these gentlemen do
not always make the best representatives of a
local party. The experience of years is required
to give caution, tact, and adroitness in meeting
difficulties. On the other hand, the local solici-
tors of long standing and weighty business will
not like to give up the tune required for regis-
tration purposes.
The choice a professional agents should rest
with the local committees, and the difficulty of
making a choice is often evaded by dividing the

business, and having a couple of agents, and in
some cases even more. "If you have only one
"agent, you are entirely in his hands; if You
" have two, the responsibility will be divided,
" and you will not know on which to rely,"
The objection looks big on paper, and sounds
plausibly when uttered by "a gentleman of con.
sequence," and we have seen committees (of
novices) on whom it has imposed. But the coin.
mon sense of a good practical committee will
know how to triumph over that difficulty.
A registration committee should not be too
numerous in its composition. It is well that
some of the chief persons of the neighbourhood,
who may be expected to subscribe largely, should
be on its list ; and the committee should not he
exclusive as to its class. Very often we have
seen much jealousy caused by the affectation
of high political airs by the members of a
registration committee. The committee should
not be a clique; its composition should be
general ; " some of each " should he put on its
list ; and it should be remembered that "a
Conservative Registry Committee" is one thing,
but that " a Conservative Association," with fixed
times for social and public meetings, speeches,
declarations of principles, &c., &c., is quite
another thing. The talents useful in the last
are often out of place in the first.
We shall have to return to this important
subject again, and in the meantime we direct
attention to the necessity of not neglecting the
Conservative registries. The state of the registry
in the city of London will demand our special
notice on another day.

A WISER AND A SADDER EX-OFFICIAL.
Mn. BERNAL OSBORNE, we regret to say, is not
himself. He is not altered in heart, but sadly
altered in position. Formerly he was what was
called an " in" ; at present he is very sensible
that he is an " out" ; and the world, considered
from an "out" point of view, though agreeable
and droll enough, is nothing like as droll nor half
so agreeable as the world from the " in" point.
While the ex-Premier has been contemplating
the uses of stones at Festiniog, and endeavouring
to extract an interest out of his Irish estates, the
ex-Secretary for the Admiralty has run down to
Dover, and expressed for the benefit of his con-
stituents the dissatisfaction he finds in every-
thing. lie is not satisfied with the latitudi-
narian opinions of his own party ; he is greatly
grieved at the indecision and tergiversation of
many so-called Liberals; and, in language which
entirely exempts him from the suspicion of
flattery, but which we cannot term feeling, Mr.
Osnonmc endeavours to persuade Lord PALMERS-
TON what he is. " lie is an old statesman,
" unfortunately." " Old," he repeats, " very
" old ;" in fact, "in his seventy-fourth year.'
" An old man, my lord, a very old, old man."
But his brother in exile solicits a little political
charity for him, in consideration of his advanced
age, and the manner in which " he stuck " to
office " in a time of great peril and difficulty."
Having paid this humble tribute of admiration
to a Minister " who (as he expresses it) is now
no more," the Honourable Gentleman next
considers the act of the eighty independent
Members who concurred in producing Lord PAL-
MERSTON'S Ministerial decease. It is instructive
to observe here how Mr. OasonNE informs us
" they suddenly turned round ;" but, as we after-
wards learn, Ilibernic6, "they were consistent all
through." Their conduct did them honour—a
statement with which we thoroughly agree.
But, if we are to adopt Mr. OSBORNE'S
opinion, " these eighty men had no idea." They
simply voted on the wrong side—a mistake
for which Mr. OsHonsE feels no great regret,
as Lir as he is personally concerned, but
which he does regret for the sake of that
"statesman who is in his seventy:fourth
year." To Mr. Osnon.NN, as far as he is per-
sonally concerned, the reflection is extremely un-
pleasant that so old a statesman is at present
t thrown on one side, his merits forgotten, and
all his demerits written in brazen characters:'
If the ex-Premier's fate makes the ex-Secretary
for the Aftmiralty only melancholy, he elm
derive no political comfort from the part played,
a 44 the maim 14 greseilt owlpied, kY 1414

RUSSELL. " One would have naturally
suppo•
ged," Mr. OSBORNE says, that Lord PAL-
liSTON being politically no more, Lord JOHN
~:sseLL would have been sent for to make the
necessary arrangements. But the session having
pasled without the accomplishment of Mr.
"osiouses supposition, the star of Russell being
apparently in an unfavourable house, and political
lx)dies portending anything but conjunction, the
Honourable Member for Dover feels that he can
^•ly indulge before the admiring electors in free
independent banter. Ile respects Lord Jobs
:SELL as a great man, but raises a laugh at his
expense as a little patriot. He has not, oddly
enough,
a particle of affection for Lord J. Rus-
sues proteg6, the Jew, as a Jew, but regards
• upon the broad principle—pay your taxes and
dinners, and you have a right to represent
matter what opinion in Parliament. The
(Ouse of Commons Mr. OSBORNE wishes to see
to men of all degrees. Upon the broad
(4etoral basis which he appears to favour, future
P.'s will be under no necessity of being men of
property, or birth, or learning. In a House of
Commons constituted on the plan and to the
Mad of Mr. OSBORNE, it would be enough
representatives read or write imper-
ly, or even simply made a mark.
wish to see," says Mr. BERNAL OSBORNE,
a remarkable elegance of illustration, " men
. all degrees in the House of Commons, and
not to see it kept as a rabbit-warren for the
A. I hope to see the honest labourer, in
whose cause I have been so maligned and mis-
represented, voting and giving his opinions in
that House." The ex-Secretary for the
did not inform his constituents what or
bum he wished to see in the House of Lords.
plain that he did not hope to see Lord
Timm: mu), and possible that in his place he
:,t have wished to see himself or his " warm
friend Mr. BRIGGs." " The honest labourer,"
vhose cause Mr. OsnonNE espouses, must, of
course, be of the Honourable Orator's own way
thinking. No matter if he were in the receipt
parochial relief, so long as he were not a Con-
ervative, or did not wear top-boots; for in either
case—and especially if a Conservative in leather
-• would want worth in Mr. OsnonNE's eyes,
would be, as all Conservatives are pro-
nounced to be, impostors.
Conservative Government which has passed
Indian Bill, restored without any renunciation
national honour friendly relations between
ranee and America, redressed a wrong at
"aples, inaugurated a new colony, entailed no
• burden on the State, and won favour with

,pponents from its industry in the public
service rather than from the aptitude for jest or
accomplishments in insult, is, no wonder, an
eject of disappointment and daily remorse to
()swim:. "The very nanie of India," he
us, is insufferable. Ile is unable to look at
curry for dinner because it comes from India.

w•as unable to take part, not to say make a
on the debate, on account of certain strong
feelings he had about Lord PALMERSTON. We
astonished he could speak at Dover without
being reminded of the Conspiracy Bill and an
unfortunate and old statesman.

The confession with which the Independent
(ember concluded his speech was strange, and
solemn. " The Liberal party is at this
minute something like that noble river alluded
lin the Queen's Speech. The Liberal party
in a state of decomposition." Toll for
theralisin—PALMERSTON is no more; his prin-
Tics are scattered ; and yet need his friends
despair as long as Mr. BERNAL OSBORNE
remains!

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