The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-22 00:00:00

EIGHWATZE AT.LOXDOI

To.D. =l6;ajr, 771: AM.
To-111.aaow —Plaratag, Qt. als.--ithasem. Ws. t.

germs of Plum, Dues, are rucetvel
sew u o'clock for iirsertroa eine make. Prise 111. ed.

LONDON, TUESDAY, DEC. 22.

MR. BRIGHT AND MB. LOWE.

TII E chief contributors to this morning's journals
are Cabinet Ministers. TLe utterances of Mr.
GLAte-foxe, Mr. Mauer, Mr. Lowe, and their
colleagues, surpa.s in interest the other topics of
the hour, and the entire country is occupied in
sifting, comparing, and analysing the speeches of
yesterday. Everyone wanted to know what Mr.
BRIGHT had to pay respecting his new position,
and it is possible that some few will be disap-
pointed at the ease with which he has put himself
in his true light before the country. Nothing
could be more dignified and patriotic than the
BRUIT/ENT of the Bowan of TRADE'S explanation
of his conduct. That which has been well
known to his private friends, which has
circulated freely in the clubs, and which
Las been caught up and repeated in the
newspapers, is now given to the world in
the first lesion. and by Mr. Dufour himself.
He did not want oMoe. He was looking forward
to being more his own master than formerly. Ile
Lad private and personal reasons of an almost
overwhelming character, urging him to refuse
place even when pressed upon him by Mr.
Ch.Anssoh-x. But the interests of the Liberal
party prevailed, and the new Cabinet minister
" surrendered his inclinations, and he might say
" also. his judgment, to the opinions and to the
" judgment of his friends." So far as to the
general caue.ca governing Mr. BRIGHT'S accept-
ances of office. Now for the particular reasons
which have made him President of the Board of
Trade. His health forbad him to accept the
Secretaryship of State for India, and though he is
still satisfied that the principles he has advocated
fur the government of India are sound, he sees
that public opinion is not suildently advanced for
their adoption. The duty of an " advanced "
member whose views are not always shared by his
colleagues is stated in a few clear words :
A Cahiuet, as you know, is composed of some 14 or 15
members of the two houses of parliament. The question
which the government itself may propose, and the ques-
tions which may be submitted to parliament by others,
will require to be discussed sad cousulted upon by mem-
bers of the cabinet ; and you are aware that unless there
be harmony among the members of any Administra-
tion there must necessarily be failure' and disaster.
It is therefore possible that in seeking the
maintenance of this harmony the member of
the Administration may appear at times to take
a different line from that which they have taken when
unconnected with the Oeverameet. !I there should

be any such occasion—if any one of my constituents
should find that I have at any period to come boon in a
lobby different from that in which at some former period
1 have been found, let him have each patience as he can ;
let him understand this, that until I say I have changed
my views, those views remain unchanged, and that the
different course which I may be compelled to take is one
which does not affect principle so much as time and oppor-
tunity, or that it is a temporary and inevitable concession
to the neoessity of maintaining harmony of action among
the members of the Government. I must ask you
to look always at the general result. If I should
remain] in office one samion, two sessions, three
Mbor more(look at the close of each, and observe
& bessail result of the administration and
C.!OI.
ffff 4141tanttry, under the leadership of the
t+,•;,17 '4,
•.•:,'•. • . .
•
'1• '
ot,"1, ••• , :_, •:-1
112c1VdSM3 is