The Express.
London, England, 1861-05-04 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY. MAY 4.

Bivoaz the country could recover front its
surprise at Lord Dunes display at the Mandan-
house, the result of the great party fight has shown
how little the arrogant and boastful language of
the Tory leader is justified by the position of his
party iu the House of Commons. An astronomer
who wants to have the credit of managing the
stars had better not attempt to divert the course
of the comets or postpone the eclipses. If Lord
DER/Y had not been about to try to defeat
the Government, his pretensions might have
been admitted when he affected to uphold
Ministers by his good pleasure and for his own pur-
poems. As it im, his great speech recoils on him-
self, and only serves to mark the difference be-
tween inflated assumption and hard reality. The
result of the division on Thursday night has, how-
ever, lessons for Liberals as well as for Tories.
The Budget, as a whole, is of a decidedly liberal
character. The feature which the Opposition
singled out foe their especial hostility, is one dear
to the Liber►l party. Yet, as we see, it can be
carried. Why I Because the Government iden-
tified itself thoroughly with its sluices'. It was
known that the measure must pees unmoblated
in its essential provisions, or that a party defeat
must be sustained. And no one can doubt that,
by a similar manifestation of decision, the success
of other liberal measures, long waited for by
the nation, might have been assured. Two
hundred and eighty antagonists may seem
more than enough of obstruotivea to progress ;
but experience abundantly proves that no
minority of such dimensions is able to prevent the
passing of a really useful measure, about which
the Ministers of the day are really in asinest.
Turning to the division list of Thursday night,
we spa that about an equal number of liberals
voted with the Opposition, and of Conservatives

voted with the Government. Whether or not it
be intended to make another trial of strength on
the question of the Paper Duties we know not ;
bet nothing of a public nature has occurred to in-
duce any material change of opinion in the interval
that has to elapse before a second division can be
taken ; end specific reasons exist for believing that
some who voted with the minority two days ago are
sot likely to repeat their votes on the next cession ;
while some who were absent may be counted on
as likely to swell an increased majority. But it
is hardly worth while analysing minutely the indi-
vidual cousiderations that might help to add super-
numerary strength to the Ministerial prepoode-
ranee. Its large enough for all good purposes;
large enough to seal the fate of the Budget, and
to reprieve the many tremblers whose
hearts misgave them during tits last ten
Lys as to the possible consequence of a
doubtful division. Lord Draer's announcement

that even if able to snatch a victory in the meant
Parliament, ho knew that ho was too weak to form
an Administration that could oornmand permanent

support, was tantamount to notice of eninevitable
dissolution in case Mr. HURAFALeII resolution were
carried. This accounts for the leave number of
abosatees on the Tory side • and this will account
for their absence on Masday night, should their
leaders see the Meseta., of going through the
formality of another division. That Mr. Durant
and Sir STUMM) Num-acorn would win, if
they could, on the paper duties, we quite
believe; but we are by no means so sure
that other men of mark in the party want to
do more than to make a good fight on the pies-
ton ; and there can be no doubt, after what we
have seen, that some twenty or thirty
unhappy mutes of conservatism are utterly impene-
trable to speculative considerations, and are
doggedly determined to keep es long as they may
the fruits of their borough investments. The public
may make up its mind, therefore, to see the lest
resolution of the CIiANCZLLOR of the Elea MIQVER
aimed by a larger majority than that having re-
ference to tea. It is of importance, however, that
the friends of his policy should not prematurely
come to the conclusion that the fight is was. Masy
a great battle has been lost after it was gained ;
and if indolence or overvanguineness of temper
were to lead some score of Liberal members to neg-
lect their duty, it is obvious that Toryism might
yet be able to thwart the progress of Mr. GLAD-
WriuN E'S measures. With ordinary care and ordi-
nary constancy there need be no uneasiness as to
the issue of future divisions. The remission of
the duty on tea was decidedly the best card
the Opposition bad to play, and we know
not that they could have played it with more effect

under the circumstances. But the House of
Commons having deliberately decided by way of
resolution that the import tax 041 tea shall re-
main at the rate of one shilling and 6vepence in
the pound for another year, then is no longer
that alternative of remission to set ep as against
Paper. The only choice now left is that between
the abrogation of the Excise charge on the manu-
facture of Paper, or uo remission at all of indirect
tame. Parliament will hardly hesitate keg as to
the decision it ought to come to on such a point.
It has greatly remitted • million sterling in the
shape of direct taxation. It has refused to remit
any portion of Customs duties on an article like

tea. Will it tabe Use further step of refusing any
reduction of indirect taxes in the shape of Excise,
and thereby place itself in the invidious position
before the country of having relieved property of
a Portion elf its burdens, but refused to lighten
those that pram on labour? It.* as we have
often said, and as we must still repeat, a Parlia-
ment intensely retrograde and reactionary at
heart ! • but we shall never believe it capable of
committing an act so utterly suicidal as that
which we have just described until we see the deed
perpetrated.