The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-27 00:00:00

Obtnins 511 AT.

LONDON, SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1846.

From the consideration of the fate and destinies
of single measures, the public mind is now specu-
lating as to the fate and destinies of the aggregate
Ministry. Whether the Government is to be sub-
mitted to the guidance of the protectionist party,
under the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, or of the Whigs,
under Lord JOHN RUSSELL, or is to lie continued,
under the renovated auspices of Sir ROBERT PEEL,

whether the present Parliament be dissolved, or the
forces of Sir RonEuT coalesce, with those of Lord

JOHN, according to the insinuated recommendation
of the Hon. Member for Stockport, form at the pre-
sent moment the matter of serious consideration to
the general community. However much these im-
portant problems may be involved in a mysterious
uncertainty, and however conflicting and confident
may be the rumours afloat respecting the destina-
tion of the red boxes of official dignity, it would
not be difficult to prognosticate the catastrophe
of all this legislative confusion. What, indeed,
has already transpired would be alone suffi-
ciently indicative of the future. The Prime
Minister, at the very moment of achieving the great
reform of Eighteen Hundred and Forty-six, is de-
feated upon another question by a majority of no
less than seventy-three; and this majority is ob-
tained, moreover, through the acknowledgedly personal
antagonism of the agricultural party. The leaders
of these bucolic non-contents having advocated, both
by avowed opinion and by the significance of their
votes, the first reading of the very measure, and having
now rejected that measure, through the rigorous
acrimony of their pique towards the Premier,
clearly indicate the resolute and unappeasable cha-
racter of their enmity ; and, likewise, the futility
of that Minister continuing in office under a
double and overwhelming discharge of consistent op-
position and splenetic hostility. The PEEL Adminis-
tration has therefore but one alternative if it purpose
the continuance :of authority; the Ministers will be
compelled either to demand a dissolution of Parlia-
ment, by that movement releasing themselves from
the troublesome presence of the protectionists, or they
must contrive a coalition with the representatives at
present seated upon the Opposition benches. Other-
wise their withdrawal from office is unavoidable :
they might as lief fold their arms and slumber over
the desks in Downing-street during the remaining
moiety of the session for all the public business
which they can execute. SINBAD the Sailor might
as rationally attempt the enjoyment of life when
saddled with the " old man of the sea," as
the present Ministry might endeavour to discharge
the duties incumbent on them, as the guardians of our
Constitution, when encumbered by the flagitious and
unconscientious hatred of their former associates.
Nevertheless, amidst all this confusion and entangle-
ment of parties, and amidst all these jarring interests
of statesmen, one consolatory reflection remains to
the people of Great Britain—a reflection which en-
tirely deprives the pending Parliamentary conflict of
anything at all approaching to a painful
anxiety ; and that Jeflection is simply that
whatever may be the consequences of the struggle,
and howevermuch the Cabinet may be altered or pre-
served, the destinies of England will inevitably be
confided either to Sir ROBERT PEEL or Lord JOHN
RUSSELL, or by mere possibility to both ! Believing
those two celebrated statesmen to be actuated by the
noblest principles of patriotism ; believing that their
ambition is principally the realisation of happiness to
their fellow-countrymen; seeing the reality of this
fact avouched in the long, consistent liberality of
1111
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one, and demonstrated beyond all misconcep-
tion in the magnanimous and ever-memorable
self-sacrifice of the other—we can bide the
issue of circumstances without any feelings
at all approximating to those of trepidation,
eebartai.til'n of the ultimate advantage which must result
to Oshoerr:
ease to the multitude. Sir R. PEEL'S visit
House is of itself an intimation that de-
cisive steps .„ being taken ; but no matter
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Now,
nw thatthe
Ministerial promoter of free trade.
freedom of commerce has been sanctioned
by the SOVEREIGN, and thus rendered the law of
cer-
the
land ; now, moreover, that we may count with
tainty either upon a PEEL Administration or a
RUSSELL Administration, or an amalgamation of both,
we can remain satisfied under all circumstances.

The States of the Duchy of Saxe Coburg were
opened on the 18th instant, the Minister, Baron
ns
STwi officiating in the absence of Cie Duke. For
the first time public were permitted to be present
at the ceremony.
A new ordonnance on the subject of the cen-
sorship of the press has been issued in 44v4ria?