The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-31 00:00:00

doom of ABERDEEN and of many of his colleagues
has been sealed. But nothing authentic is
as yet known as to his successor—the
pilot who is expected to weather the storm,
and successfully extricate the vessel of the State,
from the breakers into which she was thrown
through the carelessness and incapacity of the
party previously responsible. All that is known
is, that ABERDEEN is unquestionably out, an
announcement which has given the greatest satis-
faction to the people generally, with some rare
exceptions—where a stray member of the Peace
Society, untaught by experience, and still in-
dulging in delusions that the most homoeopathic
dose of common sense would have dispelled,
considered the " dear and excellent" Earl as the
beau ideal of a statesman.

That most important point being disposed of—
the ABERDEEN incubus being completely shaken
off—the next question arises, Who is to be his
successor ? To whose care is the honour and
safety of Great Britain to be confided in this
crisis ? A few hours will solve the interesting
problem. Our country subscribers will probably
hear the result in this impression of our journal.
But as yet nothing decided is known. All that
can be given is at least nothing but gu'ess-work.
Three persons are generally spoken of as the
probable successors to the chief place in the Go-
vernment. The conflicting claims of the Earl of
DERBY, of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, and " last,
though net least," of Viscount Palmerston, are
earnestly canvassed. It seems to be admitted
that any one of these noblemen might undertake
the task, from which all others would shrink.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE has also been men-
tioned, but, however capable in other respects,
his advanced years and increasing infirmities
would preclude the Noble Marquis front aspiring
to the honourable but onerous distinction. We
cannot forget that he has already more than once
declined the task of " forming a Ministry,"
and we cannot think that existing circumstances
are such as to render a LANSDOWNE Government
more probable than it was some time since.

The other noblemen above alluded to are those
wko may be regarded as the only real candidates
for the important position. Ind we earnestly
hope that the prize may be conferred. on " the
most deserving," that no " German Peers" may
influence a judgment that may prove very injuri-
ous to the country if too hastily or recklessly
made.

Lord DERBY would undoubtedly prove the
real Simon Pure under ordinary circumstances.
He is the recognised head of her MAJTST'YS Oppo-
sition—the leader who was displaced at the time
that the Joint-Stock Administration obtained the
seals of office. He is, therefore, naturally
looked to as th• legitimate successor, and
the chances in kis favour are by no means
to be despised. We must, however, remember
that the victory was chiefly that of the Liberals,
and that but for the opposition of many Rus-
CELLITES the division might not have proved so
fatal to the continuance of the ABERDEEN Admi-
nistration.

There are also many arguments in favour of
Lord JOHN RI7SSELL. Although a member of the
late Government, he was not responsible for
the evils which so greatly • excited the
public indignation. His protest and seces-
sion from the condemned party might be re-
garded as one of the chief causes of their over-
throw. His personal experience and vast influ-
ence with the House and country would give him
additional weight in any nets combinations that
may be formed. Still there are reasons
why his selection at the present moment
would be, to say the least of it, difficult
and inexpedient. Next comes Lord PALMERSTON,
a nobleman, perhaps, at this moment, more popu-
lar than any man, gentle, or simple in her MA-
JESTY'S dominions. There is, however, one great
impediment to his appointment. He was one of
the Ministry so unanimously and justly condemned
by the voice of public opinion. Although every
one feels that he is not responsible for the de-
plorable errors that have led to the over-
throw of the ABEILDEEN Government, it would
be quite opposed to all precedent to suppose that
he would be sent for in the first instance until
there had been a failure by some other party to
meet the exigencies of the position.

There is, therefore, a difficulty as to any one
of these singly. But why should they not com-
bine ?—why should they not forget 'minor diffe-
rences for the purpose of carrying their coun-
try triumphantly through her present perils ?
The War is the great matter to be con-
Sidered. On that, DERBY, and RUSSELL, and
PALMERSTON can meet on equal grounds, and
why may they not give the nation the benefit
of their combined energy, experience, and power.
That would, indeed, be a coalition that would be
hailed with delight by every unprejudiced and
independent man in the United Kingdom.