The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-24 00:00:00

as well as between Englishmen and native, if the
social system is to move' simply and harmoniously
on the road of progress and civilisation.

Sir ARTHUR BULLER has made a lively and sug-
gestive speech to his constituents, which, if it does
not make much impression, neither is it likely to
confuse or disappoint its hearers. The chief failure
in his discourse was the manner in which he touched
upon the Schleswig-Holstein question. Certainly
that subject has proved to be foolishness and a
stumbling block to many wise and learned members
both in and out of the house, but Sir A. BULLER
seems to have gone out of his way to commit him-
self to absurd opinions, and to make very singular
declarations concerning the matter. Thus he
averred that we had given the " best and most rea-
sonable advice to both sides." Competent judges
have affirmed that we have done exactly the con-
trary to this, and led the victim into danger, while
we suffered the oppressor to proceed with impunity.
At any rate, there is no good in trying to put the
burden of our errors and shortcomings on the shoul-
ders of others, and there can be no comparison be-
tween our conduct and that of the French on the
occasion referred to. Things have come to a strange
pass, besides, if England can never act alone, but
must be dependent upon the skill displayed and the
spirit exhibited by France and Russia, instead of
standing upon her own merits and judging inde-
pendently as to her course of action. It is not
likely that the hon. baronet will find many to sym-
pathise with him in the " proud satisfaction" that
we have done our best, and may be more proud of
our defeat than others of their success. If he does,
we and they will alike discover that theirs is the pride
that goes before a fall, and awaken to the con-
sciousness of the emptiness and absurdity
of their boastful assertions. It is really
going too far, and we must protest against
Sir A. BULLER'S assuming that the Ministers have a
consistent policy of peace, and that the country is
satisfied with it. " JOHN BULL is extremely well
satisfied with the manner in which his business has
been conducted." This is a libel upon the discern-
ment and an insult to the spirit of the nation, and
in no respect is it true ; for deep, if not loud, have
been the execrations passed upon the cowardly con-
duct and perfidious style of our relations with
Denmark, and it was only the pressure of peculiar
circumstances that prevented the manifestation of
popular indignation from being more strikingly
elicited and strongly expressed. As we proceed
in the perusal of this speech, we find that even the
sanguine spirit of the orator becomes a little de-
pressed, and the rainbow hues of hope that illumine

his horizon are a little overshadowed when he sur-
veys the position of his party. Thus, he says, that
" it is a misfortune certainly that the Liberal majo-
rity is not greater in Parliament ;" but he buoys
himself up with the consoling reflection that

it is better to have a small majority than a large
minority. Why, he does not very clearly explain,
but after all, whether small or large in their majori-
ties, the Liberal Ministers alike pursue their do-
nothing policy. There was a time when it was con-
stantly dinned into our ears that Lord PALMERSTON
had a hundred majority ; but what became of it?
A series of little attempts and large failures, until
he was ignominiously turned out, and refused a
hearing in the very House he had so proudly called
his own. Unless there are sound principles to fall
back upon members will not do much ; and if there
are, no matter how small the figure, a defeat cannot
take away the dignity of the position or bring a
lasting disgrace. Sir A. BULLER touched upon
the question of Reform, as was naturally to be
expected ; but he was not very fortunate in his
allusions to it. lie had no right to affirm that " the
Government, and especially Lord J. RUSSELL, were
the most honest movers in the matter." This is
simply a contradiction in terms, for how could any-
thing have been more politically dishonest than the
course pursued by the noble earl, and more unfaith-
ful to the public trust than the manner in which his
immediate adherents followed suit in the affair. It
is of no use for the followers and supporters of the
minima -Sgowksi. to pale_b-mp
_this
very awkward subject ; they had better pass over
that effort sub silentio, for it involves the considera-
tion of a dark passage in the annals of our public
men, and an unworthy episode in the Parliamentary
history of the country. In this sentence of Sir A.
BULLER'S we find the clue to the conduct of many
who opposed the Reform Bill of the Derby Govern-
ment : "He was ready to support that bill which
was brought in by his party." It was considered
in past days that no greater censure could be passed
upon a statesmen than 'to declare that he gave up
to party what was meant for mankind, but it can-
not be said that there are none who now deserve
the reproach and merit the implication that their
acceptance or rejection of a measure depends chiefly
upon who brings it in, and not what it is. All that
is stated about the " apathy of the country," and
the difficulties which Lord RUSSELL experienced
in his task, only make it more apparent how egre-
gious was the error committed in refusing the intro-
duction of a measure brought in by those whose op-
position to Reform had been considered for years an
excuse against attempting to carry out anything
of the sort. It was a mean jealousy, and a party
envy that actuated the course of the Opposition,
and the blame of the affair rests with them con-
spicuously. Mr. BRA ssEY,the intended candidate at the
next election, made a, few observations which were
well received. He did not enunciate any particular
plans to be pursued, but contented himself with
dwelling upon affairs in general, and made some
wise suggestions relative to the conduct of Govern-
ments. There was much truth in his observation,
that " great innovators " did not do so much service
to a State as those who, by experience and position,
comprehended the requirements of their day, and
thus were able to " grasp the thoughts of their
fellow-men and give them expression in legislation."
Perhaps if this notion prevailed to a greater extent
there might be less- of promise, but more of per-
formance, both in the Cabinet and the Parliament.
Mr. BRASSEY considers that we are governed by a
narrow circle of Statesmen, and before long we
must reconstruct parties. Ile also has arrived at
the satisfactory conclusion that the Liberals should
always have a majority, and that the Conservatives
do very well in the Opposition. This is very kind,
doubtless, and certainly it is more than he can say of
his own party, for they do not shine in adversity
but go on in the most captious and extraordinary
manner when they are precluded from the spoils of
office. Mr. BRASSEY, in an amusing strain, went
on in his dissertations, and was candid enough to
admit that it was but fair to give both sides a turn,
thpr6ovmeonboeponelfiycioalf to
power.the coTunhterny,
to
it
ondo
mightaway
witheven
he said, the Opposition will acquire some practical
knowledge of details, and be enabled "to exercise
a constant and beneficial vigilance over the Liberal
Governments." Certainly this last-mentioned
reason is a desideratum, for the incongruous sets
that come into power under that cogmomen require to
be subjected to close scrutiny and to pass under very
searching ordeals. Mr. BRASSEY, however, gives
the present Government a long tenure of office, for
he wishes them to stay in until the great questions of
civil and religious liberty have been solved. If his
desires are granted, Yaw will gee the termination of