The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-20 00:00:00

THE NEW MINISTRY.

The result has fully justified the opinion given in
the Ersress on Saturday that the Marquis of
Loothowst and the Earl of ABERDEEN—secure of
the co-operation of Lord JOHN RUSSELL—wouId be
called upon by her Majesty the UELEN to form the
New Administration. Lord br.aar having formally
tendered his resignation, bads LANSDOWNE and
ABERDEEN were summoned to Osborne on Saturday
to give the Sovereign the benefit of their experienced
counsel in the prevent political emergency. The
former was suffering from gout and unsble to leave
his house, and the latter went alone to reeoive
the Quares commands. The Earl of Aszaoraz is,

however, to confer with the Marquis of LANSDOWNE
in the formation of the sew Cabinet. To-night the
parliament will doubtless be informed by the 1./arby-
ites of their retirement from office the moment their
successors are ready to take the seals of office ;
and a few days will see socceasors duly installed
in the various offices recently held—with so little
credit to themselves or advantage to the ooantry—by
the unsuccessful and unregrettod Ministry of the
Earl of DERBY.
Whether the Marquis of Lansnowtex or the Earl
Of APF.BDEEN is to be Premier, or whether the former
will give more than advice and co-operation, ab-
staining from office—whether Lord JOHN RUSSELL
will really occupy any post in the coming government,
or whether, like Lord Lasspowtsz, he may simply
give general support so far as his principles will
permit, without assuming the responsibilities of
office—how far the ex-Whig Premier may be checked
by former position, or how much be inclined to waive
difficulties of position and prestige, for sake of mak- '
ing a government in enticed times like these—
remains to be seen. Beyond the fact of Lord ABER-
DEEN'S interview with the Qusr.x, on behalf of Lord
LANSDOWNE and himself, nothing is known. When
giving, on Saturday, the list of names then regarded
as the intended occupants of office, we could
sot cloak from ourselves the difficulties that must
inevitably arise during the working together of
such men. Lord LANSDOWNE is almost universally
regarded with esteem for his Liberal tendencies as a
Whig and for his services in favour of education during
days of intolerance; Lord ABERDEEN comes down to
our times endorsed by the praises of Louis PHI-
LIPPE, and, far better, with the expressed admiration
of Sir ROBERT PEEL. Mr. ULADSTONE is known for
his talents and by his zeal as a free-trading follower
of the hero of 1846. Sir Ilexes GRAHAM has par-
liamentary power, official experience, and general
capacity for place—whilst in the list of those men-
tioned as likely to fill the other posts of a coming
administration are many names ,ikely to be taken
as pledges of good service in the cause of the public.
But the men who take office now see surrounded by
very remarkable influences. Our nearest neighbour
amongst nations is is an abnormal state. Our
national security has been questioned at the very
time when an unmistakeable will has been shown by
the country against anything like aggressive war.
The new government will therefore find amongst its
earliest duties that of giving the country the cer-
tainty of complete national power of defence, without
the preparations for that condition being so made as
to involve the suspicion that foreign war is meant
under the cloak of home safety. The Ministry
will find another difficulty to deal with in the state of
the existing House of Commons. The Opposition is
strong, and, can only be safely met by tho occu-
pants of office securing the sympathy and support
of the people. How can that support be heartily
given unless her MAJESTY'S new Ministers pledge
themselves honestly to attempt the redress of the
present grievous vices, anemones, and grievances
of our representative system ? With a host
of Parliamentary petitioner,, ready to prove
the moat extensive and abominable briberies
sad corruptions, how can a Government ask
for popular support without guaranteeing a satisfac-
tory plan of parliamentary reform ? These aro
points which the new Government will have to con-
sider with a view to an early decision. Surrounded
by such difficulties, it is not to be expected that a
very prompt selection of the new Ministers will
he wide.