The Sun.
London, England, 1852-07-27 00:00:00

THE

traceable affinity between these occupants of the
cross benches and the occupants of the benches of
the Opposition than between the former representa-
tives and the strenuous upholders of the DERBY
Administration. Upon the one great question of the
day—the question upon which Ministers originally
entered office—the dominant and absorbing ques-
tion of Free Trade—the Liberal Conserva-
tives are identical in their sympathies with
the leading men 'of the Opposition. Upon
the yet more remarkable questions of reform in re-
ference to the organization of Parliament, and the
extension of the franchise, and the better distribution
of electoral districts, the Peelites are more intimately
associated with the ultra-Liberals of the Opposition
than with the ultra-Conservatives of the Administra-
tion. Whatever may be the result of the delibera-
tions now going forward in the camp, of the " Doubt-
fals"—there can be little hesitation on their
part, when the " tug of war" -commences,
as to whether their votes shall be given to the mea-
sures of the Cabinet or to the measures of the banded
foes of the Government.

Foremost among the difficulties of the Opposition
is obviously that of its divided leadership. Never-
theless, while in this particular there are discoverable
the provocatives of divisions among the auti-Minia-
terialists—a similar souree,.first of confusion and sub-
sequently of disbandment, may be discerned in the ranks
not so much of the Ministerialists themselves, as of the
very members of the Administration. An extraordi-
nary variety of subjects might be enumerated in re-
gard to which the different members of the Cabinet
are diametrically opposed to each other upon prin-
ciple. Insomuch has this proved the case ever since
February, that the leaders of the Government have
delayed the necessity of clearly defining their
intended policy from time to time by a series
of adroit and singularly ingenious postpone-
ments. It was maintained by them to this end,
for example, that the Cabinet would re-
frain from speaking out plainly and with any
degree of generally satisfactory explicitness until
such time as the country had pronounced its
decision, either in the negative or in the affirmative,
as to the continued existence of the DERBY Govern-
ment. As if the necessity for a Ministerial expla-
nation were no greater before than after any such
national demonstration ! As if the patriotic course
could be other than a candid avowal of the views
of the
Ministry prior to the dissolution of the
Parliament ! As if common justice did not
require that the appeal to the country
should be preceded by the announcement of the
views entertained by the councils of the Govern-
ment ! But no—in the silence preserved in this
emergency by Lord DERBY, his prudence and not his
patriotism was implicated. He could not by any
possibility heve framed a Ministerial document an-
nouncing their intentions, upon which he purposed to
carry on the affairs of the Administration, without
instantly scattering confusion amongst the other-
wise apparently compact body of his colleagues. In
this respect the Cabinet has been situated as a man is
situated who is labouring under the affliction of mo-
nomania. Talk to him upon the ordinary business
of life and be is agreeable enough, and rational
enough for practical purposes. But whisper a word
about the themes upon which he happens to be
-lazed, and there are speedily evidenced the most irre-
fragable testimonies that the silver chord is frayed
and jarring, if it be not altogether loosened, :ind that
the golden bowl is cracked, if not irreparably
broken. So with the Cabinet. It maintains
a decent appearance so long as the routine
business of administration is all that is required to be
accomplished by its members ; but so soon as it be
compelled to define, with something like accuracy, the
nature of the principles upon which it builds up the
scheme of the new Government, so soon will the signs
of its inherent incongruity become visible. The Op-
position will then appear a compact and cor-
dially united body, when compared with the
divided views and interests of the Administra-
tion. The Opposition, thereupon, will not only
appear, it will actually become "compact and
united" in the hope of destroying the energies of a
tottering and hesitating Government. It is with
these confident anticipations that we look forward with
eagerness to the first assembling of the new Par-
liament. During the brief session of the ensuing
Autumn it is possible, n..) doubt, that the Ministry
may gain their Ligny—but after Ligny, in the more
formidable session of 1833, comes Waterloo!

All honour to Mr. Commissioner 13nieeirs ! Al-
hough firmly convinced of the propriety end justice
of the rule which he had established, " not to admit
any insolvent to bail who had accommodation bills
Dr liabilities for other: persons on his schedule," he
has bowed to the decision of his brother. Comae,.
sinners in order to obtain an uniformity of proce-
dure in an such matters. This is as it should be.
The Hon. and Learned Gentleman, by so doing, has
made no inconsiderable addition to the many valuable
services which he has rendered to the community. It
requires no ordinary amount of moral courage to ac-
knowledge a fyaulltdin, but
a matter thereisase i higher quality, a
where
you are still
satisfied of the correctness of your own views, and the
beneficial results that would attend their general
adoption. There is a forbearance in the act deserving
the highest approbation, and which We have no doubt
will be generally appreciated. ,teeheesei „
Although we differed from the Learned Gentleman
on the propriety of the regulation, we freely and
willingly admit the fearful extent of the nuisance
which it was intended to abate; most justly and
truly it wes designated as " a desolating system"—
a desperate expedient of propping up a tottering
credit with delusive paper. Anything that could
even mitigate, if it could not altogether abolish, the
glaring grievance, would be exceedingly valuable,
not only to the parties who are defrauded by means
of such acceptances, but even more so to the un-
thinking and luckless young men, who seal their own
ruin the moment they become parties to such trans-
actions. It was with the hope of inflicting a heavy
blow and a great discouragement to the entire system,
of checking the "fatal facility" which has lured and will
still lure so many victim; to the sacrifice, that the re-
gulation was adopted and propagated. Iu that respect
the motive was unimpeachable, and we could scarcely
object to any means that could achieve the great
deBideratum• But, as we have already stated, we do
hot believe that it would have the intended effect ;
first, because •
It would have been only partial in its
uperatiee, e a
-• imoonriiY' b awe it would add to the
tempters, number of the 'ac
by giving additional secu-
rity to their demands. Men who become involved in
such transactions seldo contemplate iwnsilollvleenacdy.toThtheye
some almost miraculous occurrence
are still disposed to hope against hope, to believe the
ent and reflecting mind,
1 plieqrufei cicat
ltyi o nab
absurd
dt hteo
=I i ayb ipl irtuyci The hope may appear
but it is indulged in ; and
we are thoroughly
rec con-
vincedan that the only way of diminishing the evil—it
can never be wholly eradicated—is to direct all the
powers of the tribunal against the creditors in, place
of the debtors, unless the former can come into court
ttirYcslaecatn hands, and show that their con-
duct ion has been entirely blameless.
withT in thefhe perfectly
will always be borrowers if lenders can be
met with. The latter are generally of prudent and
calculating dispositions, they charge sufficient to
become their own insurers, and to provide amply
against any possible loss. But if satisfied that the
victim must undergo a lengthened imprisonment,
either by wayeof a remand or by the refusal of bail,
they will consider it Its an additional guarantee and
enter more freely into such transaction.
There is a wide difference between different classes
of accommodation bills. A father may become in-
volved through a desire to save his child from
ruin, or a son to rescuehis parent. If the party to
whom the security is given be aware of the nature
of the transaction he
cannot be injured, nor can
he justly complain of
- the conduct of his
debtor, who rosy have been influenced by
the highest and purest feelings and -
principles.
Again, there may be cases where,
although there are
no such extenuating circumstances, there is yet no
de • ception, the creditor being pefectly cognizant of
all the circumstances of the transaction. There un-
questionably is a grievance, but
both parties are in
fault, both are worthy of punishment, but which will
best serve as en l
examp e to deter others from of-
fending in like manner.
Wo do not, of
course, allude to commercial bills,
Nybich Dhoialci be tTeAted •
m g ..totally different