The Press.
London, England, 1857-03-21 00:00:00

Conspiracy is an ugly word, but there are
times when the troth must he spoken, and
things must be called by their proper names.
The Official Liberals believed that the most
favourable opportunity had arrived which was
ever likely to occur for securing the perma-
nent ascendancy of their connection.
The vigilance of the House of Commons on
financial matters ordinarily imposes a check
on lavish or corrupt expenditure. A majo-
rity returned on the cry of " PALNIERSTON for
ever," would offer no opposition to a great in-
crease of the national expenditure, and a
corresponding increase of Governmenfpatron-
age. Could but fifty, or forty, or• even
thirty more Ministerial hacks he returned,
the supremacy of Liberal placemen %ould
be firmly assured for the next six years at
least. In that period the connection might
be so strengthened as to ride rough-shod over
Throne and People, and plant its roots so
deeply through the whole country as to render
its domination sure and permanent.
The Premier had his game to play—imme-
diate prolongation of office; his adherents had
a higher stake to contend for,—thv knew his
age, and they speculated on his infirmities.
In their" private and confidential" communi-
cations they did not hesitate to nominate his
successor. His name was useful to them for
the present. " PALMERSTON for ever," might
collect a Ministerial majority, and then Official
Liberalism might assume whatever shape
seemed best calculated to perpetuate its power.
The Premier believed he had a servile follow-
ing ; his following believed they had a con•
venient tool.

To carry out this daring design the elec-
tioneering machinery which had been orga-
nised was put into gear, and every possible
means were taken to hurry forward the elec-
tions, that the public might have no time for
reflection. The Ministerialists have perfectly
succeeded in all that relates to official manage-
ment. They have made but one error ; they
have mistaken the spirit of the country. They
have not found it• so easy as they believed to
replace Conservatives with Palmerstonians, or
to crush the independent opinion of rebellious
Liberals.
Their "Old Guard "—the name of Palmerston
—is failing them. It is melting away before the
rapid and converging fire of opposing forces.
The cry of " PALNIERSTON for ever,' which they
hoped to identify with popular sympathies,
and the glory of England. is found to' be but
a stalking-horse for the concealment'of designs
subversive of public freedom and national
honour. The country will not he the dupe of
this monstrous imposition. Common sense
and generous sentiment rise up to repel it.
England, in spite of the enormous growth
of Government patronage, is not yet ripe for a
coup-d'etat. We believe that the celebrated
motion of the great philosophic statesman of
two generations back, that " the influence of
" the Crown has increased, is increasing, and
" ought to be diminished," would be strictly
applicable to that mighty Ministerial connec-
tion which has grown up and been continually
strengthened by Liberal rule since the Reform
Bill. But, God be thanked, it is not yet
strong enough to bring the nation to its foot,
to extinguish principle, and to trample out
liberty. The scheme was daring, the manage-
ment was skilful and unscrupulous ; but we
confidently expect that it will be defeated at
the hustings, and that the electors of the
United Kingdom will not intrust the destinies