The Press.
London, England, 1857-02-28 00:00:00

No. 200.—VoL.V. LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1857.
STAMPED . -SIXPENCE.
UNSTAMPE.D..FIVEPENCE.

El2c rtss.

That is the bes; answer to those insolent
insinuations which suppose that Lord DERBY
would ever sanction any political combination
which was not based upon principle, and dic-
tated by the highest and purest regard for
permanent public interests. It. is this honour-
able feeling among our greatest statesmen
which has preserved England from those fac-
tious coalitions to overthrow existing Govern-
ments which have constantly proved the ruin
of constitutional freedom in other countries.

Opposition, notwithstanding all efforts to
weaken it, and all rumours of division in [its
ranks, was never more cordially united in
devotion t) its leaders than at the present
time.

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1857.

We do not conceal our regret at the course
which a few members—like Sir JOHN TYRELL
and Mr. BENTINCK—have thought proper to
adopt. They have no doubt acted from con-
scientious motives of public duty. It is quite
clear that if they prefer the lead of Lord
PALMERSTON to that of Lord DERBY, they can-
not too soon change their places in the House.
The meeting was so cordial and so unani-
mous that we feel justified in warmly congra-
tulating the Conservative public on the result.
It is possible to foretell the political changes
which are in store for us We know only that
the Administration of Lord PALMERSTON can-
not last, and that from its constitution it is
impossible that it can fulfil the wants of the
country, or even satisfactorily conduct neces-
sary public business. Hence it is the more
important that the Conservative connection
should continue united, as it is the primary
and highest use of a Constitutional Opposi-
tion to be pre pared when called upon to un-
dertake the responsibilities of Government.

THE Conservative Members of the House of
Commons assembled yesterday morning at
the mansion of Lord DERBY, in St. James's-
square, to hear a statement from the Noble Earl
on the present aspect of political affairs, an('
especially on the position of the Conservative
party. About one hundred and sixty members
of the House of Commons were present.
The Noble Earl commenced his address by
an allusion to the course which a few members
of the Opposition had thought it consistent
with their duty to adopt on occasion of the
recent division in the House of Commons
upon the Budget. Lord DERBY stated that
the course pursued by Mr. DISRAELI had been
concerted with him, and had met with his
entiro approval.
Lord DERBY said he had heard it stated
that the amendment moved by the Hon. Mem-
ber for West Norfolk originated in a feeling of
disapprobation at the report which had been
circulated of a coalition between the party
which the Noble Earl was proud to lead, and
the Right Honourable. Member for the Uni-
versity Oxford. That report was totally
false. He had never seen Mr. GLADTONE upon
the subject, nor had he ever held the slightest
communication with him upon it. But the
Noble Earl in the most dignifici and em-
phatic manner declared that should any mem-
ber of the Conservative connection attempt to
dictate to him the course he should pursue
with regard to any political personages what-
ever, he would regard such dictation as an
insult, and no longer recognise that member
as attached to his party. This declaration
was received with long-continued cheering.

To resume. Lord DEanv said that an im-
pression appeared to prevail in some quarters
that the interests of Protestantism might
suffer in his hands. The Noble Earl referred
to his past career, no less than to his well-
known principles, in refutation of such a sup-
position. A slight and graceful allusion to
his devotion to the Established Church of these
realms in times past, was receiv ed with vehe-
ment plaudits
We must not omit to state that Lord DERBY
expressed high admiration of the talents and
character of Mr. GLADSTONE. He noticed
emphatically the fact that the Conservative
party was at present in a minority in the
House of Commons, and insisted that nothing
could possibly be more unwise than to decline
such accessions of strength as would place
it in a position to undertake the government
of the country.
In reference to the important subject then
before the House of Commons, Lord DERBY
expressed his entire approval of the resolution
moved by Mr. COBDEN. It was substantially
the same as the motion he had introduced in
the House of Lords, and had supported with
all the earnestness of conviction, and all the
ability he possessed.
It would be impossible to describe the en-
thusiasm with which this allusion to the
speech delivered by the Noble Earl on Tuesday
evening was received. That speech is in every
circle the theme of admiration, and has pro-
duced, we believe, a more powerful impression
on the mind of the country than any address
delivered for years past.
After Lord DERBY resumed his seat, the
meeting was addressed by several " represen-
" tative men " of the House of Commons. Mr.
SPOONER was received with the respect due to
the consistency of his political career, and the
sincerity of his religious convictions. He spoke
with generous warmth, denouncing the pre-
tended zeal of Lord PALMERSTON for Protes-
tantism, and expressing his entire confidence
in Lord DERBY as the head of the Conservative
party. Mr. NEWDEGATE expressed equally
loyal sentiments, and with equal warmth.

The Noble Earl said that no one could be
more opposed to coalitions effected in defiance
of political principle than himself ; but that
when members from identity of sentiment
were frequently drawn together to the same
lobby, it was impossible to doubt that a bond
of political union was established which no
party could refuse to acknowledge.
We pause here for a moment to say, that
no public man in our history has more un-
equivocally expressed his disapproval of
factions coalitions than Lord DERBY. The
proof is before us in the volume of the late
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S " Memoirs " just published.
When requested by Sir ROBERT PEEL to join
his Administration in 1834, he replied:—

Lord MAncu, as the head in the Lower House
of the great house of Lennox, and a repre-
sentative of the landed interest, was listened
to with great attention. He declared that his
confidence in Lord DERBY was so complete,
that whatever course he might deem it expe-
dient to pursue, would receive his cordial,
earnest, and disinterested support. This
declaration was received with rounds of
cheering.
Colonel GILPIN, an independent member of
the Opposition, not only declared his entire
confidence in Lord DERBY, but expressed his
high sense of the services of Mr. DNRAELI as
Leader of the Opposition in the House of
Commons. The manner in which the Right.
Honourable Gentleman's name was received
must have been no less gratifying to him than
to all the members_ present, as showing thatithe

The reputation of those who take a part in public
affairs is a matter of national importance ; and confidence
in public men has been more shaken by coalitions than
by all the other acts of personal misconduct taken to•
geth,ir. • • Any reasons which may be urged in
vindication of the present junction would be powerless as
opposed to the public sentiment, which revolts against all
political coalitions, especially when they are ma.lo the
immediate stepping-stone to power. (Page 40.)