The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-11 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, JULY 11, 1853.

Never perhaps was there a more striking or a
more complimentP.-ry demonstration of public con-
fidence bestowed upon a Minister of the Crown
-than that so recently exhibited towards Lord
PALMERSTON in reference to the Turko-Russian
question. On Friday evening, there was a general
feeling of anxiety for information—a regret that
the promised motion of Mr. LAYARD, which would
probably throw some new light on the subject,
had been postponed even for a single sitting.
Very unpleasant rumours respecting an alleged
division in the Cabinet had been extensively circu-
lated, and with a degree of plausibility, a
Traisemblance that commanded general credence.
It was said that although a majority of
the Cabinet were desirous of vindicating
the national honour, and of acting fairly and
above board with all parties concerned, more
especially with the French Government, whose
cordial co-operation during the emergency was of
the most vital importance, a strong minority
under the direction and influence of the First
Lord of the Treasury was endeavouring to retard
the proceedings of their more energetic colleagues
by exhibiting undue subservience to the AUTO-
CRAT, and violating the pledges previously given
to the Representatives of the French nation.
Such suspicions, even admitting for argument
sake that they were wholly unfounded, were
exceedingly prejudicial to the best interests
of society. The most damaging revelations
could scarcely have been productive of more
injurious consequences than the doubts and fears
thus engendered, and when it was ascertained that
the Ministerial Marplot had, through an alleged
misconception, unwarrantably adjourned the dis-
cussion of the subject from Friday until the Mon-
day evening, there was a general feeling of indig-
nation towards the unauthorised meddler, and a
determination that the explanations which even
the Foreign Secretary acknowledged that the peo-
ple had a right to demand, should no longer be
kept back. The public journals (with the excep-
tion of those avowedly under Russian influence)
exhibit an almost unparalleled unanimity on the
subject.

Such was the state of affairs, when the 4‘ Eng-
lish Minister," on Friday evening, rose in his place
to request the delay, not of a day or two, and
apologising for the application, as being rendered
necessary by the temporary indisposition of a col-
league, but to urge the indefinite postponement
of the motion, and to demand the unconditional
confidence of the House and the country—a sur-
render, in fact, of the functions and privileges of
the Legislature into the hands of the Executive.
Had any other Member of the Cabinet preferred
such a request, he would have been greeted with
unlimited ridicule—literally
" laughed to scorn"
for his audacity, and the Public Journals of the
succeeding day would have repeated the sarcasms
heaped upon his devoted head,
until they rever-
berated throughout the length and breadth of the
land. But with Lord PALMERSTON the
affair
was very different, his assumption of respon-
sibility, by appearing as the mouthpiece
of the Government, would alone have been suffi-
cient to have allayed the existing uneasiness, and
afforded the strongest guarantee that a manly,
vigorous: and straightforward policy had been,