The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-10 00:00:00

on the condition of receiving an equivalentin money
or in customs' advantages from Switzerland. Dr.
Kern will explain his views in the third or foul th
sitting of the Conference.
The Monifear ils la Flotte, of Sunday, publishes
the orders of the Court of Pekin to the Mandarins
governing the maritime provinces of the celystial
empire. The proclamation of the Mandarin of
Wharneoa calls the English' infamous foreigners,"
and says, " let every inhabitant of China who
encounters an Englishman, give. him the fate he
deserves," and proclaims that " he who obeys not
will be conadered a traitor, and may expect a pun-
ishment as prompt as it is terrible."
The, advices from Berlin states that the confer-
ences between the Danish Charge d'Affaires, Baron
Billow, and Herr von Manteuffel are terminated;
No preliminary condition of the Diet has been
consented to. The Zollverein CouLrence were
to meet yesterday, the 9th.
The Sehleswig Diet having refused to apportion
the general expo' sus of the kingdom among the
communes of the duchy, the King has made the
apportionment by a royal decree, published at '
Copenhagen, without the Dietal concurrence.
The Paris Debats of yesterday has a long article
on the recent diplomatic correspondence between
Austria and Sardinia. It expresses regret at the
course taken by Austria., and is surprised at the
time chosen for such a demonstration, immediately
after the amnesty by the Emperor, and just as,
through the good offices of England and France,
Jiplomaticrelations were about being re-established
between the two Powers. It states, in conclusion,
that both France and England have formally
disapproved of the course taken by Austria.
Intelligence from Madrid, to the date of the 7th
instant, is not of the slightest importance. One
of the ministerial journals says that the govern-
tnent has no official reason to suppose that the
United States are at this moment contemplating
any attack on Cuba.

Contrary to the general expectation of ardent

admirers of Lord PALMERSTON, the excitement

consequent upon his late defeat is beginning to
subside, and in more quarters than one they are

by no means satisfied that his appeal to the
country will result in a manner that will enable

him to retain office. Already it is felt that the

cry about the Chinese atrocities will not go

down—that his conduct on many of the leading
questions of Reform, merits disapproval—and
that not a few of the leading constituencies will

sadly tease their late representatives for following
the Premier into his lobby, and voting against the

ballot, the extension of the franchise, and

Sunday bands in the Royal Parks ; also
his advocacy of centralising measures, ad-

ditions to the income tax, dear tea and

sugar, church-rate contributions, aristocratic
administration, &c., &c. On all these topics his

policy has been opposed to the feelings of the
nation, and merits condemnation. We are the
advocates of progress—we desire the elevation of

the masses ; and wish to see them not only properly
educated but admitted to their legitimate par-

ticipation of the elective franchise. If they con

tribute to the taxes of the country they are justly
entitled to have a voice as to the mode in

which they should be expended. On this
ground we feel it necessary to direct the

attention of the electors of the United Kingdom
as to what is their real duty in the present crisis.
We have already acknowledged the ability of
Lord PALMERSTON, and given him credit for his
lengthened and zealous services to the nation,
but we cannot lose sight of the fact that in the

attempt which he is now making to retain the

seals of office, he is only endeavouring to estate•

lisp himself as a parliamentary autocrat.

feeling was the primary cause of the late decision

The Liberals whc* joined with the opposition side
of the house have long been dissatisfied with the
proceeedings of Ministers. They saw that no
real reform could be carried through Parliament,

in consequence of the supineness of Govern

merit. Mr. HArrEa's instructions have been to
make the most of the broken up and disorganised
state of parties in the House of Commons, and
alternately to enlist the sympathy and support
of those who were at the head of every section
of politicians, so that when subjected to opposi-
tion in one quarter, the Ministry could obtain co-
operation and the means of rescue in another.
This should not be permitted. Again, aristocratic
influence has been a predominant principle in
Lord PALMERSTON'S Ministry, His treatment of
Sir Jonx M‘NEILL and Col. TULLOCLT is one
proof of this. For all these political errors of
omission and commission, Lord PALMERSTON and
his colleagues are shortly to be put upon their
trial before the country—all who have supported
them throughout their career, as a government,
are implicated in their misdoings and short-
comings. They will have to give a satisfactory
reason for the betrayal of many promises and the
violation of earnest pledges.
Good must result from the approaching elec-
tion. I f Lord PALMERSTON can obtain a working
majority, he will be taught a lesson not to act
the part he has played since he became
premier. All who support him having
passed through the ordeal of an election,
will learn that the career of an inconsistent
politician will not be permitted in a Parliament-
ary representative. We are sorry to see that
certain parties, who desire for themselves a little
notoriety, have been getting up addresses to
Lcrd PALMERSTON, extolling his foreign policy.
No one, not even his most determined political
opponents, ever thought anything to the con-
trary ; but we repeat, that it is absurd to sup-
pose that the electors of Great Britain will give
their votes on that matter alone. They will
not lose sight of Reform ; and, despite of Trea-
sury gold and Court influence, they will choo-=e
between a time-serving statesman and one who
enters the House of Commons to promote his
country's good.
Although not wholly approving of these
addresses being made so much of, we do not
agree with some of our metropolitan cotempora-
ries who have decried them, and who attributed
to all who signed them sordid and selfi3h
motives. True it is that they are most desirous
of the extension of trade in China, but we do not
think that any of them would for a moment
tolerate unwonted deeds of blood and cruelty.
The Liverpool Merchants may be twitted with
being the prime movers in the late slave trade ;
but who ever found them the abettors of that
traffic since the law pronounced it illegal and
unholy. We are not the same people now