The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-22 00:00:00

too good reason to distrust political professions on

this ground.

It is to be hoped, however, that Mr.

GLADSTONE will not be one of the recanters, but

will prove himself worthy of the confidence reposed

in him by the body of Reformers, by giving his con-
sistent support to a just, temperate, and enlightened

measure.

The Attorney-General's remarks are always
worth listening to, and whether people agree with
him or not they are forced to admit his abilities
and acknowledge his moderation. He is, indeed,
one of those politiciens who does not offend against
prejudices, and never run counter to others' views
in a violent manner. The speeches of such men
always impress and influence more than those of
partisans whose zeal is tempered with no discre-
tion, and who go to such extremes in their lan-
guage that few can follow them. Last Friday, at
the annual dinner of the Craven Agricultural So-
ciety held at Skypton, Sir ROUNDEL PALMER
replied to the toast of the " House of Commons."
The hon. and learned gentleman was loudly cheered,
and his animated discourse appeared to give
great satisfaction to those who heard it. Of course
the hon. and learned gentleman was biassed by
party views, but he did not make his remarks in a
spirit of acerbity, but, on the contrary, endeavoured
to be good-humoured and entertaining throughout.
After declaring his satisfaction at coming into a
neighbourhood with which he was himself associated,
he went on to expatiate upon the members of the
Yorkshire boroughs. But when he came to men-
tion Sir CHARLES WOOD he indulged in terms of
extravagant praise, which were quite out of cha-
racter. He seemed sensible, however, of the diffi-
culty of his subject, for he admitted that the right
hon. baronet was " entitled to more than most people
seemed to be aware of the respect and gratitude of the
country." Such language is perfectly absurd, for it is
a well-known thing in all well-informed circles that
Sir CHARLES WOOD has shown great incompetency
for the places which he has been called upon to fill
for family reasons, and not because his merits
qualify him for them. When he was Chancellor of
the Exchequer he upset the Ministry that was
favoured by his services. And as for talking about
his doings in respect to India, the less said the
better. It is quite out of character to assert that he
restored to us our Indian empire; "or, at all events,
restored it to that state of good government with-
out which our empire would not be secure." In
the first place, there was no question of danger when
Sir C. WooD last acceded to office—revolts were
over, and all things happily progressing. If anything
could have endangered the position or blighted
anew the prospects it would have been the bungling
manner in which the right hon. baronet discharged
his duties. Of course they were onerous, but still
he was too wedded to his own opinions to hear rea-
son, or to take advice from any one else. He gave
great offence to the authorities in India by the
manner in which he refused to attend to their
wishes; and, indeed, his whole career as Secretary
of State for India has been a series of blunders and
a tissue of absurdities. The people of this country
are far too sharp-sighted to be deceived in such
matters ; they can appreciate public services by
whomsoever rendered, but they cannot be forced
into admitting claims that arc founded neither on

right nor reason.
Sir R. PALMER mentioned that politics were
supposed to be excluded from such a meeting as
that before them ; but how, he naturally asked, was
it possible for him to discourse about the House of
Commons and not to mention politics? His diffi-
culties were augmented, as he humorously ob-
served, by the fact of his speaking of a new House
of Commons. Of course, he predicted favourable
and flattering things of its future, and in this he
was very likely not far short of the mark, for many
have been returned who are well qualified to render
good service to the country, and after such a course
of do-nothing as distinguished the last Parliament
there must be a reaction set in.

Sir R. PALMER was able to lay the flattering
unction to his soul of an overwhelming majority for
Ministers being the result of the late appeal to the
country. Like many other things, this " clear
working majority" looks very well on paper ; but
how it will be when theory is resolved into practice,
and words are exchanged for actions, is quite another
affair. Mr. DISRAELI has given great offence to the
leading members of the Ministerial party by express-
ing him self-satisfied with the results of the elections.
This has dashed the full tide of their felicity and
marred the effect of their grand-sounding phrases.
Sir R. PALMER believes that, aided and abetted by
this strong majority, the Government will continue
their work of progress " without which it is
certainly impossible for any party to govern."
This is true in the abstract ; but how far has the
present Cabinet acted on it ? Their principles have
been very undefined ; and the only ruling passion
that can be fairly said to have actuated them to any
great extent has been the desire to keep in office,
at any cost, and with any sacrifice. It cannot
be said that the opinion was anywhere very
forcibly expressed that this Government was
an able and successful one. These terms, which
Sir R. PALMER thinks so appropriately to define
the course of his colleagues, may be applied by ex-
treme partisans, or vehement supporters, but are
not calculated to represent the prevailing sentiments
of the community. With a frankness which many
might worthily emulate, Sir R. PALMER declared
that he did not " pretend to understand everything.'
fie had been bred up to the bar, and had served an
apprenticeship to Parliament. It would be wise if
many followed the example of candour thus
afforded to them instead of thinking or seeking
to make others think that they are qualified to
judge of all matters, great or small, domestic
or foreign, and can dictate the right course to be
pursued by those in authority, when, perhaps, they
are the most ignorant and ill-informed respecting the
affairs alluded to. The hot,. and learned gentleman
referred to the cattle disease, which he styled
an important subject, and be declared that it
occupied the most " anxious consideration " of
the Government, and had doneit is satisfactory itsosabteifsofarery f
had
assumed such proportions•
of the attention which is directed to
the public to be thus informed upon gtohoedmauatttheorribtyy
those in power. Sir R. PALMER mentioned
againstthe factthe
of many persons entertaining prejudices
importation of foreign cattle, but he said it would
be a great evil if they kept to this notion, and that
it was not at all fully proved that the disease was
generated abroad. The cholera was also adverted
to in this comprehensive speech, an 1 it was truly