The Press.
London, England, 1856-10-25 00:00:00

STAMPF.I) SIXPENCF.
LONDON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1856. UNSTAMPED-FIVEPENCE.

possible to say how long this calmness may
last, or how soon events may arise to stimulate
democratic passions all over Europe, we wish
our readers to consider whether parties do
not subsist for other purposes than to main-
tain active and perpetual warfare with each
other.

political party could be collected, disciplined,
and brought to act together. All history
bears witness to the truth of this assertion.
NVnen the party of Administration has once
acquired a very decided preponderance in any
country, it exercises a kind of despotism to
which no effectual resistance can be offered.
The Constitutional Opposition wastes away,
public objects and interests are neglected,
and purely selfish intrigues and struggles are
substituted for those generous contests which
elevate the national mind while they secure
the independence of the Crown and contri-
but:3 to the efficiency of the public service.
The Conservative party has undoubtedly
work to perform at the present day, though
that work is not of a showy character. The
experience of the past session establishes the
necessity for its vigilance But in the absence
of that kind of excitement which compels
association, the party must rely on ties of
political connection and on general identity of
sentiment to preserve its consistency and
strength. By the observince of this principle
alone can it withstand those trials to which
every party in Opposition must be exposed,
and be ready for action when the time for
action arrives.

What, for instance, is the independence of
the Crown worth if the system of party is to
exist, not by means of great organised poli-
tical connections, but as extemporised com-
binations, got up as often as material interests
arc thought to be imperilled? One great party
there always must be under every form of
constitutional government. There must be a
party of Administration. This party is com-
posed in general of all who have received, and
of all who expect to receive, favours from the
Government. It must number among it many
of the most active, dextrous, and ambitious
men of their day. If no other party exists
equal at any time to undertake the govern-
ment, the party of Administration, as the sole
distributor of patronage, must possess such
influence as will leave the Crown but a crea-
ture or a prisoner in its hands. What
effectual change can the Sovereign make in an
Administration when its members must be
chosen from one party, and that party is
agreed how the places shall be filled? What
GEORGE 11. said to the chiefs of the great Whig
oligarchy, who forced his closet and dictated
to him their terms, will—should ever the party
of Administration alone subsist—have to be
said in sorrow or in tears, and with his feeling
of degradation, by the Sovereign of the time,
" I see that Ministers are the King in this
" country."
It is at this kind of supremacy over the
Legislature and the Throne that the Liberal
party aims—over the Legislature by breaking
up the party in Opposition, over the Throne
by rendering it impossible for the Sovereign
to choose a Ministry, except from the Liberal
ranks. A kind of dynastic order prevails in
Liberal councils. A future Premier is nomi-
nated befi4.e the existing one is displaced.
Lord PALMERSTON was chosen before Lord
ABERDEEN was dismissed ; and now it is 110
secret that, in spite of his notorious weakness
of character, and the humiliating tendency of
his whole course of foreign policy, Lord
CLARENDON is named as the successor of Lord
PALMERSTON as confidently as if the Sovereign
had no choice in the matter, or as if the Pre-
miership was to be regulated by rules which
would enable us to designate certain politi-
cians as Premiers Apparent, or Premiers
Presumptive.
We do not undervalue principles—we do not
disregard material interests—but we say that
if through the policy of the party of Adminis-
ration no question were raised on either, there
would not be the less necessity for a party of
Opposition. On what ground would it then
stand ? On the only sure ground on which
any party can stand—on the strength of its
political connection. If this tie be weakened,
there is none other of equal stability to replace
it. Political connection is the only permanent
and honourable bond of party on which de-
pendence can at all times be placed, and it
should be maintained for precisely the same
reason that an army is maintained during
peace. We could dispense with our army at
the present time, but the common sense of the
country would regard its disbandment as an
act of madness. Yet an army for national
defence might be formed much easier than a