The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-25 00:00:00

Chinese question, did not give any expression as
to the general policy of the PALMERSTON Cabinet
I 1 we carefully analyse the election addresses of
nearly one thousand candidates now seeking
seats in the House of Commons, no single one of
them, in alluding to the vote on Mr. COBDEN'S
motion, regards it as a vote of censure on the
general policy of the PALMERSTON Cabinet.

This narrowing of the issue of the approaching
election not only evidences a timidity lest the
. country should keenly criticise the deeds of the
noble lord and his colleague since 1853, but is
intended to draw off the minds 'of all classes of
the English, Scotch, and Irish constituencies
from the paramount topics of interest and !im-
portance to the nation at large, and induce them
to dwell upon and vindicate by their votes the
warlike exploits of his term of office. The very
introduction of the address to the electors of
Tiverton is faulty. It is political double-deal.
ing—the hypocritical cant of a wily statesman
and the diplomatic juggle of one whose whole
life has been more accustomed to study the pecu-
liar phraseology of national treaties, and the
skilful fencing which belongs to envoies and
ambassadors extraordinary, when entering on
" special missions," or commissioned to sit in
" conferences," and negociate a peace between
contending nations. It did not require his lord-
ship to proclaim the energy and ability displayed
in the late conflict with Russia. The nation
admitsthesepraiseworthy actions. To soundthem
forth just now, partakes of bombast, particularly
when Lord JOHN RUSSELL has been severely cen-
sured for proclaiming his exertions in matters
more -humane, patriotic, and beneficial to the
people at large, than all we gained by our
campaign in the Crimea, or our march into the
provinces of Persia.

We will not re-argue the Chinese question.
Lord PALMERSTON'S declaration thereon will not
alter our opinion previously expressed, that the
conduct of Sir JOHN BOWRINO and Mr. Consul
PARKES was not only arbitrary and uncalled for,
but bloody and inhuman. As the vindicator of
these iniquitous proceedings, it ill becomes Lord
PALMERSTON to designate the Governor of Canton
as an " insolent barbarian." Barbarity consists
in the infliction of torture and the shedding of
blood without a reasonable and a just cause No
one who peruses the pages of the Parliamentary
Blue Books upon the quarrel in question, but
must admit that neither truth, reason, nor the
semblance of justice, can warrant, excuse, or
palliate the proceedings of the British officials at
Canton.

But, independent of these considerations, the
Chinese question may be said to be at an end.
A high, experienced, and well skilled plenipoten-
tiary is about to proceed to China to arrange all
the matters in dispute ; hence the lugging in of
this topic, and making it the bone of contention
on the hustings, is mere political humbug. If
Lord PALMERSTON and his colleagues ask for a
continuance in office, and appeal to the country
to ratify their claim, let them, in the name of

ermi Qra r, rfl 1,3 +1,.,: r oap: oa-; r all
their competitors. Let them not raise a cloud
of political dust for the purpose of blinding the
mental vision of the electors. Let them point
to deeds performed, instead of promises given to
attain a triumph, unwarranted by any merit on
the part of those who seek the victory. Do the
present Ministers intend to pursue such a course?
We say no. Their chief disposes of the domes-
tic policy which he will pursue, in a few vague
generalities. Lord PALMERSTON says :—" At
"home, our guiding principles will be, judicious
" and well regulated economy ; progressive im-
" provements in all that concerns the welfare
" of the nation ; the continued diffusion of infor-
" mation among the people, and such well con-
" sidered reforms as from time to time may be
" required from change of circumstances, and by
" the increasing growth of intelligence." . Here is

a political programme that adapts itself to the
tastes and wishes of nearly every class of politi-
cians. It is not such a one as the Tories would
discountenance. Mr. CHARLES TURNER, if asked
to-night, at any of the ward meetings, or on the
hustings on Friday, would tell us, " I cordially
" agree with all the principles Lord PALMERSTON
here puts forth." Mr. HO RSPALL would do the
same, and we may be sure that Mr. EWART
would gladly accept the promised but scanty in-
stalment of Reform set forth.

Taking Lord PALMERSTON'S address to the
electors of Tiverton, as an index of what he
means to do, there is nothing to justify the idea
that he is to be relied upon as a Reforming Mi-
nister. The electors of the United Kingdom
will do well to ponder over the address, and see
if they can find in it a single sentence to warrant
them in placing their social and political claims
in his keeping.

EXCLUSIVE NEWS.—In yesterday's NORTHERN
TIMES, by the aid of an express from Southampton,
we were enabled to publish the fall details of the
news brought by the West India mail steamer, in
anticipation of the delivery of the mails, and in
advance of all our provincial cotemporaries, Who
had simply the brief announcement furnished by
the telegraph companies, and which was posted in
the Exchange rooms early in the afternoon of the
previous day.

THE NOMINATION DAY—TIIE POLICE COURT.—Mr.
Mansfield announced yesterday in the Police Court, that
as Friday next is the day of nomination, the court would
not sit until two o'clock that day, but on Saturday the
court would sit as usual.

ADVERTISING FOR A CANDIDATE.—The following curious
advertisement appears in the Berwick Advertiser of Satur-
day :—".Wanted, a candidate fOr the representation of the
county of Berwick in the Commons House of Parliament,
the present hon. member not having, as yet, signified his
intention of again coming forward. Parties of moderately
Liberal principles, and having the other requisite qualifi-
cations, are requested to make immediate application."
THE MERSEY LINE OF AUSTRALIAN PACKET,.—Yester
day, that beautiful clipper ship, the Indiana, belonging to
Mr. Thompson's Mersey Line of Australian packets,
sailed for Melbourne with a valuable cargo, and about
201 passengers of all classes, all very respectable in their
position. The ship was fisted up in the first style of
comfort, and was replete with everything necessary for
the passengers. She will be succeeded by that fine clipper
the Eagle Speed.
MEMBERS OF THE NORTHERN BAR CANDIDATES FOR
PARLIAMENTARY HOONOURS. —,Several distinguished
members of the northern bar are missed at these assizes.
Amongst these are Mr. Warren, Q.C. (author of " Ten
Thousand a Year") candidate for Midhurst, Mr. Over.
end, Q. 0., for Sheffield, Mr. Roebuck, for ditto, Mr.
Atherton, for Durham, Mr. Digby Seymour, for Hull,
and Mr, Hall, for Leeds.