The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-26 00:00:00

'LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1856,

The review of the session by the recognised
Leader of her Majesty's Opposition was anxiously
looked for by men of all classes and varieties of
political opinion throughout the length and
breadth of the land. Many important measures
had been introduced : some of these were founded
on recommendations from the Throne ; others of
scarcely inferior interest had been brought forward
by Ministers, but few, indeed, received the Legis-
lative sanction 1 " The massacre of the innocents"
commenced at an earlier period, and was conducted
with greater virulence than on almost any
previous occasion. The contrast between " the
sayings and doings" of the Government was,
perhaps, more decided than in any former
session j and there was no valid exeuse for this
untoward state of affairs. The War had virtually
terminated early in the session ; but all the bur-
dens and taxation incidental thereto still oppress
the tax-paying community. They continue in
full operation, without relaxation or modification.
NO step was taken towards inquiring into the
operation of the Bink Charter Act, or rendering
the twelve months' notice that must be given
before any great alterations in the relations be
tween the quasi. NAtiontl B tnk and the commu•
nity can be inaugurated.

The financial and monetary measures being thus
deliberately shelved—the War being terminated
—there was surely ample time for carrying out the
other mew:wire which the Government considered
indispensable. But they followed the precedent
established by the virtuous PENELOPE, and con-
trived to undo at one time what they were ap-
parently advancing with all their power at an-
other. No reasonable complaint could be preferred
against the matters introduced ; and if the per-
formance had been at all in accordance with the
promise held out the nation would have been
well contented. But unfortunately one matter
clashed with another. There was a laborious
idlenesi—and, from aiming at too much, nothing
was accomplished. This afforded an excel-
lent opportunity for attack. The Opposi-
tion unquestionably occupied the " vantage
ground," but it was abandoned at the very CDITI
mencement of the contest, and so perfect a mas-
ter of Parliamentary strategy as Lord PALMER,-
STON readily availed himself of the mistake of his
opponent.

Mr. DISRAELI did not come forward as an
assailant. He commenced by stating that he had
no intention of preferring any indictment
against those who ware mainly responsible for
the management of affairs in the House." This
at once divested the subject of its attraction. It
was a courteous assault with blunted weapons.
The buttons of the foils were well padded, so that
no possible injury could be inflicted, and the
subject at once lost its piquancy and interest.
The Right Hon. Geatleman also framed plausible
excuses for the shortcomings of
_his political ad-
versaries. If ho inflicted serious wounds he also
provided an universal medicine, showing that the
failure in carrying beneficial measures into prac- j
tical execution was mainly attributable to " the
want of confide/I,e' of the House, or, in other
words, to the obstructionslereatedi by the
party of whom he himself was the re-
cognised leader.%There were many excellent
propositions rejected or postpone]. in no,
nseq,uence
of the Guerilla waritre inliotained by those who
would not hazard a regular conflict on any great
matter that could lead to a change of the
Ministry. But although they would not venture
on a pitched battle, they could raise formidable
impediments. titmol +he failure in legislation,
the vexatijrus delays iu watters on which the
pahlio Riuct was earnestly interested ; but the