The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-09 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY O, 1855.

Several interesting explanations were last night
given in reference to proceedings duringtiio lie
ialateis
Ministerial crisis. Lord GRANVILLE, w
resumed the position of President of the Council,
which he had vacated in deference to Lord JOHN
RUSSELL, is, it appears, to be the leader in the
Upper House---a matter respecting which he
spoke with conmmedable modesty, and in terms
calculated to produce a very favourable impres-
sion on the House and country. We have long
appreciated the talent and business habits of the
Noble Lord, but we confess that, considering his
youth, it would have appeared more suitable if
the important duty had devolved on Lord CLA-
RENDON, whose position, as Foreign Secretary,
would seem to indicate him as the legitimate
leader, when the Premier sits in the other branch
of the Legislature. The arrangements, however,
which depend in a great degree on personal feel-
ing, and cannot affect the strength or effi-
ciency of the Government, are matters which
may be fairly left in the hands of the
different members of the Cabinet to settle
among themselves, and with which the public are
scarcely called on to interfere. It might be that
the numerous and onerous duties of the Foreign
Secretary were such as to render him unwilling
to assume the leadership in the Lords, and that
it was for that reason the new President of the
Council was to a certain extent elevated to the
chief position in the hereditary branch of the
Legislature. His exposition of the intended
Ministerial policy is practically the same as that
put forward by the ABERDEEN Government, so far
as internal affairs are concerned ; while with re-
ference to the War he declares that " Lord PAL-
MERSTON and his colleagues mean to take every
measure in their power to carry it on with all
possible vigour and energy until that day, and
not a day later, when a just and honourable peace,
comprehending both the interests of Europe and
the honour of this country, shall be attained."
Similar professions were also made by the late
'Government ; and we have seen how wide was the
difference between the promise and performance.
We have, however, greater faith in the vigour and
energy of Lord PALMERSTON than of Lord ABER-
DEEN, and greater confidence as to what may be
considered " a just and honourable peace, com-
prehending both the interests of Europe and the
honour of this country," by the present than the
late PREMIER. The words may be the same, bu
they are to be interpreted by a Tory different
standard.

The most interesting explanation, however,
was that given by Lord DERBY, in clear, distinct,
and unequivocal terms. The Noble Lord dis-
played a soundness of judgment and disinterested
patriotism that must materially add to the high
estimation in which he is held by the nation, and
which leads to the hope that the obstacles which
prevented a union of parties, and the formation
of a really strong Government may not prove in-
surmountable on some future occasion. The sub-
stantial difference that existed between the
Derbyite and Liberal parties was removed by the
total and unqualified abandonment of Protection.
We have shown that in legal, fiscal, financial, and
monetary reforms the former are just as likely to
assent to large and comprehensive measures
as. the latter—indeed, in one respect, that
of a more equitable adjustment of the In-
come Tax. We might confidently anticipate it
from Mr. DISRAELI, while it is proved to be
hopeless so long as Mr. GLADSTONE remains
at the head of the Financial Department.
The Parliamentary Reform so urgently demanded
would, we aro convinced, be more likely to be
carried, and be better worth obtaining, for it
would include " the Ballot," with the Whigs in
Opposition rather than in office. In the one
case it might be again, as it has already been,
shelved ; while, on the other, it would be pressed
forward with the utmost force. The country
would not have obtained the repeal of the ob-
noxious Corn Laws so speedily or satisfactorily
had the Whigs remained in office, and not seen
the propriety of becoming converts in order to
win their way back to the Treasury Benches.
Although Lord DERBY might have reasonably
hoped for greater forbearance, under the existing
circumstances of the country, than had previously
been displayed, he was unquestionably right in
seeking to obtain the aid of Lord PALMERSTON,
whose services were unanimously desired by the
country ; and, also, in offering to accept with
him some of his late colleagues, although we con-
fess Mr. GLADSTONE is not one of the parties
whom we should desire to see selected, as it
would be fatal to the hope of an equitable adjust-
ment of the Income-tax difficulty. It was quite
clear that he would also have willingly received
Lords CLARENDON and LANSDOWNE. So that
Lord PAL3IERSTON might, had he pleased, have
carried with him from his late colleagues a large
proportion of the new Cabinet. Satisfactory
arrangements might have been greatly facilitated
by the disinterested conduct of Mr. DISRAELI,
who at once waived his own powerful claims, so
that he might not stand in the way of the union
so greatly to be desired. This conduct will no
doubt be duly appreciated, and, when the pro-
per time arrives, may produce important results.
The obstacle to the arrangement, which would
have been so beneficial to the country, arose from
some who are now in office. In obtaining the as-
surance of the co-operation of Lord rz, LENBOROUGII
and Sir EDWARD BITLWER LYTTON, the Noble
Lord materially strengthened the Government.
One mistake he seems tohave committed, He did not
propose to place Lord PALMERSTON at the head of
the War Department. That, however, was the
position for which he was peculiarly qualified,
aarlidofsotr which he was indicated by the general
'wt sh of the country, to which he was elected
almost by acclamation. It was the error
Proved fatal to the restoration of Lord
apcEonaßlYitioton i°sMpeoes.sib'l.eV,e have seen, however, that
and we venture to say that
it will not long be deferred. Every personal
feeling should be sacrificed In order
rp to r
existing• t oin
wryi sn u f
grrt e
orh
ami as-
really powerful Government,
hand to mouth ; and, nT
asord D
phically depicted, " ....
compelled to cut
measure, and to pare off that, and to consider with
regard to each measure not what was for the real wel-
fare of the country, b
half-dozenwli what wool
there
—c oinocrileigataercsi ca:ae
men, or
half-dozen
great triumph of Parliamentary skill and
to boast of hav-
Msesisniiosnteroiafl
Parliament, strength,
ttoansdcramble through the