The Press.
London, England, 1858-08-07 00:00:00

746

be only honest-minded, impartial supporters. Un-
mixed praise is no praise. There are some
things we wish they had not done. We wish
they had not passed the Jew Bill. We think
that there was no real necessity tor this, and that
it was as impolitic as it was contr to Cop-
servative principle. There are, indeed, extento-
ting circumstances in it; Lint, after all, the thing
is done. This is, indeed, the one great blot on
the present Admjnistration. Wf wish also that
the Government bad shown so ifrong
a dip-
position to coquet for favour with the rapists.
Their Reformatory Schools Bill for Ireland is
open to grave exception. It is putting further
power into the hands of the priests. In our
army, navy, and prisons, too, the Papists have
been granted privileges which we deem not safe.
The established religion of the country, being the
religion the Sovereign is sworn to uphold, ought
always to be the first consideration with any Eng-
lish Government.
But still, as we have said before, Lord DERBY'S
State policy has been, on the whole, highly com-
mendable. In his Church appointments, from
some cause or other, he has not been so happy.
Not one of the three appointments he has made
has given satisfaction. Lord DERBY seems
to be badly advised in these matters.
lie might easily have found, no doubt, had
he sought it, neglected merit somewhere in
some clergymen who had done signal service to
the Church in the Protestant cause, and yet
never had received preferment. Two or three
such appointments at the outset would have
made him prodigiously popular. It is our sin-
cere desire to see Lord DERBY'S Government
strengthened ; therefore, we thus speak. Nothing
would have tended to strengthen it more (espe-
cially if, as is probable, an appeal will shortly
have to be made to the country) than some un-
questionably good Church appointments, in
which he showed that it was merit, not party,
that was his governing consideration.
But to resume. Upon a review of the whole,
there cannot be a doubt that Lord DERBY'S Go-
vernment has made not only great, but solid pro-
gress, since it came into power. It is, by the general
admission, far more firmly fixed in office now
than it was when it was first placed there. Then
its duration was to be a matter of a few days ;
it has now been in office five months. And
during that short period more useful measures
have been brought forward, more beneficial re-
forms effected, more solid progress in legislation
made, than during as many years that their inca-
pable predecessors held office. They have been
Liberal" in the best sense of the word. This
has given them a prestige, which we trust they
will do nothing to lose. By judicious conduct
during the recess they may yet more strengthen
their position. The term Liberal has lately been
quite as much misapplied as the term Conserva-
tive. Double-mindedness is always to be
avoided, and therefore any terms that may
foster it. But, taken together, the terms
may denote what is large-handed yet safe.
We agree in the principle laid down by
BURKE, that " a State without the means of some
" change is without the means of its own conser-
" vation." We would not exclude all alteration;
but if we made changes it should only be to pre-
serve. A policy of progress was what Lord
DERBY announced when he came into office;
for, as he justly observed, ." Conservatism is not
opposed to progress." His Government have
proved it by their acts. The term Conservative
alone certainly expresses only one side of what
ought to be an enlightened legislator's principle.
We would suggest, therefore, that for the future
the Derby Government should take to them-
selves the title, which would more truly desig-
nate them, of " Conservative Progressionists."

THE ALLIES ON THE PEIHO.
IT is, we confess, with no comfortable feelings
that we read of "our successes in China." Not

that we are anxious about the strategical sound-
ness of our movements. We "do most potently
believe " that even greater delay and indecision
than we have thus far exhibited would cause us

no serious danger. Even without the energetic
aid of our French allies we could doubtless laugh
sot only at the open resistance of the Chinese
orces, but at anything in the way of stratagem

THE PRESS, AUGUST 7, 1

or surprise which their semi-barbarous cunning
fear either

teir ground,
will be
painted
protects his
tory as cer7
further ques-
bring int.
Aeads is oh-
have prov
no advan-

can give
finless , a chance
against European troops. It is an abuse of lan-
guage to talk of " fighting" against such oppo-
nents.

16,

is likely to suggest. We have little fes
that the Celestial warriors will stand their
lor that our soldiers d blue jackets
stopped in puriult by e worst of the
terrors wherewith a C ' ese brave pro
individual " reg." e assume victory
tain, aaj are olidy perplexed by the furtl
tion, what glolbr pro* it is likely to 1
The rern un cr *e Spy of these heat]
vioualy ' nil. 1 eeeat Oplmeuts hav(
(bad fresh proof beeit n ul) that nc
tages of numbers, armapten , or position
these helpless Orientals the shadow of 8