The Press.
London, England, 1858-02-27 00:00:00

THE PRESS, FEBRUARY ,(27, 185 R

and Peelites are out of Court. The Palmer-
stonians, already weaker than their rivals,
would be still farther neakened by a dissolu-
tion ; and there is no possibility of a combina-
tion between all three. A Conservative Govern-
ment, then, would seem to be the natural re-
sult of the present political situation. The Con-
servatives are numerically equal to the most
numerous section of their enemies. But that
which renders them stronger in proportion to
their numbers is the fact that they aro
now the only party in the State animated by a
common spirit, inspired by defined principles,
and governed by a leader whose title nobody
disputes. Flectors who vote for a Conserva-
tive at least know what they are voting for.
Members who vote ngainst Lord DERBY are at
once made to feel themselves seceders. These
are important advantages. They insure una-
nimity and energy in their country sup-
porters, and compact organisation among
themselves. So far, then, as the despatch of
public business is concerned, fur more vigour
and decision is to be expected from a Conser-
vative Government than from any other
Government at present possible.
One thing yet remains for• the sake of which
alone perhaps it was worth while to enter
on the above considerations. Twelve years
of Whig• Liberal government have wrought
a great change upon the people. Un•
like the House of Stuart, they have learned
much and they have forgotten much. They
have forgotten the prejudice which identified
Toryism with obstruction, and titled dema-
gogues with true Reformers. They have learned
what is to be expected from the alternate domi-
nation of kindred cliques, distracted by all the
petty animosity of family dissensions. They will
no longer be victimised by those hoary politi-
cal hacks to whom experience has taught
nothing but a mastery of official slang. Eng-
land is weary of that old old tale,
A tale of little meaning, tho' the words are strong.

She sickens for a National Administration—
for a party which shall display something of
the old characteristics of English statesman-
ship; that pacific but dignified demeanour
towards foreign Powers which adds moral weight
to our alliance, and insures its permanence by
insuring its due appreciation : that wisdom
and sincerity in domestic legislation which,
while yielding to the universally expressed
wishes of the people, resist the clamour of
agitators, and sustain the efficiency of Govern-
ment, ; and, though last not least, that cordial
sympathy with ancestral institutions which is
still a component part of the Englishman's
character, and leads him to detest the political
gambler who uses them as counters in the
game.

We have reason to believe that the above
considerations will be found to have great
weight outside of the Conservative ranks, and
that considerable support will be accorded to
Lord DERBY'S Government by many who do
not belong to his connection, but are weary
of the weakness and vacillation of their own.

• standard, and seek to exercise the
right
of
independent views on all occasions. Such
men may be, and often are, animated
by none but the worthiest motives,
and it is well to expose here the
cardinal fallacy which misleads them. Their
grand error is in forgetting that we dwell
under representative instittitions. It is not the
tongue of an orators nor the brain of an ad.
ministrator that are of value merely in poli-
tics ; there must be representative force in the
politics and line of action recommended and
enforced by the debater or the Minister.
English society is a vast agglomeration of
weighty interests and important connectiona,
and how can " isolated " noblemen and gentle..
men attain their full representative significance
while they choose to live apart, without inti.
mate association with the great parties of the
State? We may admire the talents and
various good qualities of such men, but they
will never obtain that decisive force which
they deserve to win so long as they hover on
the borders of party, changing their passports
so often that one at last forgets to what
demarcation they belong. Such politicians
in place of becoming ruling statesmen can
graduate only as spirited speakers or for-
midable critics. But they want originative
power, and instead of mastering events, they
are moulded by circumstances, and, in spite
of genius, personal standing, and public worth,
they at last sink down in general estimation
as " the gifted impracticables of the Senate."
These reflections occur to us while we think
with regret on the course followed by somo
eminent politicians to whom Lord DERBY ten-
dered office. We entertain feelings of much
personal respect for those distinguished per.
80113. Their talents are undeniable, and their
political convictions and modes of thought
are certainly more favourable to Conservatism
than to the incongruous faith called "Libe-
ralism." We are certain that the connection
to which we allude could never work harmo-
niously with a Coalition made up of " The Fox
Club " and Marylebone Radicalism, and their
views on religious affairs would not tally with
any section of the Radical party. They prefer
to seclude themselves, and act together, with-
out aspiring to lead either of the hostile par-
ties in Parliament. We are sure that in in-
tentions those eminent persons are swayed
only by honourable motives ; but we would ask
them, is their conduct likely to be as useful to
the country, or as honourable to themselves,
as ought to be the case with men of tried
abilities and practised powers ?
Have such politicians reflected on the
history of " the Grenvilles?" There was a
connection that hesitated between " court
and country," between Whigs and Tories,
between Protestantism and Roman Catholic
politics• " The Grenvilles" had grand tilt-
' ditions, vast wealth, and a powerful following.
Independently of their own names and of
their influential kindred, " the Grenvilles "
reinforced themselves with the talents of the
ablest lawyers, and they called even dema-
gogues and pamphleteers to their aid. They
grew to entertain the idea that between "im-
practicability" and "indispensability" there
was some necessary connection. They de.
dined the handsome offers made to them by
the Duke of PORTLANDarId Mr. PERCEVAL ; and
they derided the notion that " two young
Irishmen " like Lord CASTLEREAGH and Mr.
CANNING could play leading parts in the Senate.
They also scoffed at the opinion of " Sir A.
WELLESLEY " being a great general. Alas !
for human foresight ! " The Grenvilles" saw
the Peninsular war carried on triumphantly,
the Peace of Paris made in 1814, and the
Battle of Waterloo fought, while they were
" out," and carping at the talents that carried
both " court and country " through the diffi-
culties of the time ! A few years rolled by,
and the proud and intractable " Grenvilles"
were glad to strike their colours to Lord
LIVERPOOL, and get worse terms in 1822 than
had been offered them many years previously.
And they had in the meanwhile lost the glory
of having concluded the war!
Ought the example of such a case he lost
upon the consideration of certain " isolated
politicians," whose weight and following are
not greater than those of " the Grenvilles „