The Press.
London, England, 1854-04-15 00:00:00

to him to say that he never was more success-
ful than in announcing his failure. His emo-
tion and his tears naturally excited some
sympathy; but the delight of the House to be
fairly rid of the incubus which had lain on it
from the commencement of the session was
too hearty to be disguised ; nor was there at
the moment any disposition to contrast the
speech he made on its introduction with that
Which he delivered on its withdrawal. Then a
period of foreign hostilities was stated, on
the authority of Mr. Fox and Lord GREY, to
be a fit period for urging forward constitutional
reform ; but sow the occurrence of war
offers the only plausible reason for defer-
ring it.
In truth, the arguments of those who pre-
tend to favour the bill, yet to be glad of its
postponement, proceed on the assumption
that one evil is quite enough at a time. Why,
say they, should we have to combat internal
dissension while we are engaged in foreign
war? Let us fight the common enemy first,
and fight among ourselves afterwards. To us
the prospect is far from pleasing of having to
encounter a new reform agitation whenever
we may have the good fortune to get clear of
the war in which Lord ABERDEEN'S tricksy
diplomacy has involved us.
We are inclined to think, indeed, that not
even that contest, which it will require the
united energies of the country to bring to a
successful conclusion, would have saved us
from the division all parties aro so glad to
escape had the bill proved as acceptable as
was expected to the Radical allies of the
Ministry. The real reason of its withdrawal—
a reason often plainly avowed—is to be sought
in the apathetic indifference with which it was
received. As there was 110 popular clamour
in its favour there was no need to persevere
with it. This is to establish the most dan-
gerous principle of legislation that can prevail
in any country. It is to say, in effect, that
measures are neither good nor bad, neither
necessary nor inexpedient, except as the cry
of a mob may pronounce them ; and that the
considerate judgment of the Legislature shall
be as dust in the balance when weighed
against any hasty or interested agitation in
the popular mind.
The position of Lord JOHN RUSSELL must
have been personally painful ; and we have
yet to learn the reason of his delay in an-
nouncing his intentions. Why did he defer
till Tuesday the statement he was expected to
make on Monday? Is it true that he sought
to gain a pledge from his colleagues that they
would support the reintroduction of his bill at
a definite future period, or that he canvassed
them to know how many would follow him
should he decide on resignation ? The Noble
Lord is himself sincere. He has resolved to
connect his name with anew Reform Bill ; and,
though we share in the general satisfaction at
the withdrawal of this most dangerous measure,
we cannot regard without a feeling of dismay
the sanction which has been given to it by his
colleagues, nor doubt that, of all those who
concurred in the expediency of its withdrawal,
his Radical friends were most sincere in their
congratulations from believing that, as this
bill was a great advance upon the one pre
viously introduced and given up, they shall
at last succeed in forcing concessions which
will perfectly satisfy the democracy they re-
present, and excite that clamour in favour of
them which has been so earnestly but vainly
solicited for the measure just abandoned.