The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-05 00:00:00

lof the train. It should rather have been one of
premeditated homicide against the parties who gave
such orders, the probable consequences of which
were so evident. Mr. Justice WILLEs made some
very sensible remarks upon the liability of railway
companies, and the advisability of enacting some
law to render them responsible for avoidable acci-
dents. In the present case the catastrophe was
courted. Why was the danger signal suspended?
Surely there are more colours than red, green, and
white. If an extra signal was required, the com-
pany would have found it cheaper to have purchased
a few hundred blue or yellow figs than to pay the
thousands of pounds compensation which this acci-
dent has entailed upon them. How many more
lives must be sacrificed before a Government regu-
lation compels the adoption of sufficient break
power ? The driver saw the danger in time to have
stopped his train tad he had the means of commu-
nication with the guards or they with him, and
more powerful breaks. In all probability the recent
disaster at Margate might have likewise been pre-
vented.

Another Conservative triumph at Exeter has just
been recorded to swell the long list of the Minis-
terial reverses, and this election at Exeter may
fairly be considered in the light of a great party
triumph, inasmuch as there were great efforts made
to return the Liberal candidate. It must be a great
mortification to the latter and his friends, and the
Government cannot but feel, if they will not ac-
knowledge, the strong proofs so often afforded to
them by the issues of these elections. It is true
that it is too late for any detziment to accrue to the
Government policy this year, and whether an
opponent or a supporter comes in no perceptible
difference will be felt for some months, The cer-
tainty of this fact will, doubtless, take off the edge
of the disappointment, but not the less it is a great
blow to the losers. It is a sure proof to all who
attentively consider the state of parties, that
gradually but surely the Ministerial strength is
being sapped, and that no power can long with-
stand such deteriorating influences. It is all very
fine for the Government adherents to be constantly

dinning into one's ears at any great crisis, that if
there is a defeat of Ministers they will appeal to the
country. This sounds very grand to the uninitiated,
and doubtless some members who prefer conve-
nience to conscience may be influenced by it, but i❑
the abstract it cannot be said that any gain would
result.. It is not possible for the Government to
change the whole tone and temper of the consti•
fuencies throughout the country by their having
recourse to a dissolution, and the opinion of the
public at large is pretty well manifested by the
decision of these elections. There can be no doubt
that if Lord PALMERSTON bad put his threat into
execution and dissolved Parliament this year, he
would have had a very large majority against
aim. It is a satisfaction to think this, at all
events, and to rest assured that, however the ad-
verse influences brought to bear have compro-
mised the expression of opinion in the House of
Commons, they who sent forth those represents.
Lives would have had them act quite otherwise.
This fact is sufficiently proved by the circum-
stance that in many cases a Conservative is elected
where only Liberals have before held the beat,
which is a double victory to one and a double
defeat to the other. Lord COURTENAY expressed
himself as strongly opposed to the foreign policy
of the Government, and this was doubtless hie best
chance of success, This will not be the last time
that the avowal of such a conviction will be re-
corded at elections. Oft and again will it be
round that the unwise and unbefitting course pur-
sued by the Ministers has been as ruinous to
cneir ow❑ prosperity and popularity as inimical
to the interests of their country and prejudicial to
its reputation. Lard COURTENAY truly observed
that the " result of the foreign policy of the Go-

vernment had been to leave the country without
a single ally in Europe. It appeared to him they
tied bullied the weak and truckled to the strong."
This is an epitome of their course. It is only
too true that to such a degree of degradation
have we sunk. Indeed, so distressing is it to
contemplate the position that England now holds,
and so perverted is the influenco which she should
exercise, that a patriotic politician must contem-
plate the state of affairs with deep regret and heart-
telt vexation. Beyond and above the considers•

ions of party, there is the question of

the welfare of the country, which it
should ever be the common object of all
shades of politicians to secure. The internal ar•
rangements of Et nation may be modified and
changed without any great difference being made
apparent, but it is otherwise in external affairs.

iVhen the proper influence of a country like ours

is lessened or lost, it is very difficult to retrieve the
position, and make np for
past deficiencies. Thus
it cannot be said that under the present aspect of
affairs there is much cause for congratulations, or
rejoicings in any political event or election result.
The only consolation is, that if the opinions of the
country are roused, if the feeling is against the
truculent course we have lately been compelled
to pursue, a reaction may take place. It is
something to reflect upon, that at no public
meeting, or no place where a public mani-
festation of opinion is made, do we find anyone
advocating the cause of the Ministers, or giving
credit to their foreign policy. This feeling will not
die away, as they or their supporters may imagine
—on the contrary, the sentiment
will deepen as
time wears on, and exposes, more and more, the
sad effects and ruinous consequences of the policy
of Earl RUSSELL. Wnen peace has been finally
declared, and the unfortunate Kingdom of Denmark
nas been torn to pieces, no less by pacificatory in•
novations than by warlike oppressions, then the
people of this country will see the truth in its full

enormity and fatal evidence. When they see the

spoliation, and think of the eacrlfice, they must

condemn the course our Government has taken.
The effects will be that the Ministers will lose

every election that is taken separately, while all
their influence and all their misrepresentations

will not avert their overwhelming defeat at a gene-

ral appeal to the country. Mr. COLERIDGE appears
to have thought discretion the better part of valour,

'or he does not seem to have said anything in
'avour of the foreign policy of the Government.

This was very wise, as it could have availed him

nothing to attempt the advocacy of such a course of
!allure: The so-called Liberals who wish to serve

n the ranks of the Alinisterialies will find that
hey have no easy task before them for some time to

come. Indeed, it will be very difficult to say on
what grounds they eau rest their claim for sapport,

And in what manner they can make out that they

are likely to do service to their constituents if they

are returned. As for Reform, that is out of the

question, and, as :he once vaunted foreign policy,

that is a reproach throughout the world. It is not

easy to define the future at any time, and just now
it is especially complicated ; but, at all events, any
defeat of the Ministers at elections ie some gain. It

affords the shadow of a hope that the day may not

be far distant when their long abuse of power will

be over, and when the people.of England may be=
huld a happier state of things .than can ever appear

fander tbtir unwise and mischievous policy.