The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-05 00:00:00

Obienilkv 2"Atits

LONDON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1849.

Although a chivalrous sentiment induces Prince
Louis NAPOLEON to stand by his first Ministerial
advisers during the time when they are most exposed
to hostility, it is evident that he already meditates a
modification of the Cabinet. M. DUFAIJRE is even
now spoken of as a possible acquisition to the Govern -
ment, and a more efficient Minister of the war de-
partment than General RULEIERES is expected to
replace that officer before many days have elapsed.
Whatever changes may take place in the Adminis-
tration, it is certainly quite manifest that those
changes must be an improvement. They cannot by
any possibility be otherwise, for of all the Cabinets
that have been constructed since the annihilation of
that framed by M. GUIZOT, the Cabinet of
M. ODILON BARROT has contrived to obtain
for itself the largest amount of unpopularity.
Its skill has, as yet, been only displayed in an extra-
ordinary aptitude to embroil itself with the National
Assembly ; and although the misunderstanding which
has arisen between the administrators and the legis•
lators, may, to the superficial observer, appear to have
abated in violence, if it has not been altogether aban-
doned, these who scrutinize the position of political
parties in Paris correctly cannot fail to recognise the
continuance of a mutual feeling of abhorrence.
Meanwhile, the opinion entertained in France of
the attitude assumed by Great Britain in regard to
the revolutionized Continent is, to say the least of it,
sufficiently eccentric. Accordding. to the Journal des
itself a fenetre
Debats, England has place
to scan the progress of the democratic con-
vulsions. Its policy, says the same organ,
is neither Tory, nor Whig, nor Radical; it is
everything and nothing- There is a humorous ob-
tuseness in this estimate which is assuredly amusing.B
Had the English Government during the year 18
been either Whig, Tory, or Radical, had it taken up
in the true party spirit either of those great fac-
tions, we doubt very much if Europe would not long
before this have been involved in a general war.
Supposing the Cabinet had been Tory, it would
inevitably have adopted measures hateful at once to
the Continental peoples and to our own countrymen.
Had it been ultra-Whig in its principles it would
have wanted that elasticity which was absolutely re-
quisite under the circumstances. Had it, in fine, been
of an ultra-Radical character it mighthave plunged the
country into appalling difficulties by inducing the nation
taraternize with the extreme parties in different insur-
ge at!dominion s. For the happiness of Europe and for the
maintenance of the quietude of England, the Govern.
ment was—to express its character in a single word
--Liberal. It was not a factious Government, not a
strictly party Government, not a Government pledged
irretrievably to worn-out doctrines, nor, again, a Go-
vernment fascinated by new-fangled and impracticable
theories, but a Government of enlarged opinions, a
Government adapted to the age and its ideas, a Go-
vernment democratic in its sympathies, liberal in its
ambition, and conciliative in its policy. Such has been
the clear and harmonious colour of this Cabinet
which some are disposed to vilify as of
a neutral tint. Without committing itself
to any course from which egress was impossible,
it has nevertheless preserved to England its dignity
and its predominance. Without tampering impertim