The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-09 00:00:00

vernment by the Conservatives. The Ministers,
frightened at shadows, " turn their backs on
themselves," and as the Tories assert and boast-
fully published, sounded the Hon. Member on
his intentions ! The Speakers anciently made
their " excuse" to the Commons and the King
on their election, modestly declining the honour
to the principle Nolo Episcopari ; and the
Ex-Speaker, we presume, following the old pre-
cedent of coyness, took time to consider his
answer. Doubtless the Conservatives held a
council, and in Carbon-terrace assented to the
generous offer of Ministers—conceiting and de-
lighting themselves with the complete success of
their last political snare. We know that many
firm and fast friends of Lord Grey are extremely
concerned to see his Administration thus
lowered in public estimation, and to witness the
triumph of Toryism over his resolution and
judgment. We received last night a curious
letter, detailing the rejoicings at the house of a
certain clique politician in the metropolis, on
the successful explosion of this Tory mine; but
we decline to use its contents, as we do not
covet such sort of private information. The
genuine nature of the contents, however, prove
the joy of the Tories on the prospect of the
Cabinet intention of enlisting the Ex-Speaker
in their service. Mr. Manners Sutton voted
for Mr. Baring and other Tory candidates
at the recent elections, which, doubtless, pe-
culiarly adds to his claims on a Whig Mini-
stry ! But we oppose this projected extraordi-
nary re-appointment of the Ex-Speaker, on the se-
rious and incontrovertible grounds we have before
stated. It is of paramount importance that
Lord Grey should avail himself of every oppor-
tunity to strengthen his means of good Govern
ment, and to show to the public and his real
friends that men of liberal and enlightened poli-
tical views will be promoted in lieu of Tories
and Aristocratical Serviles. A just impression
prevailed, most injurious to the present Admi-
nistration, that the fear of enemies has been
more calculated on and respected than the
strength of friends. We fully admit'the difficult
and critical situation of Lord Grey during the
last two years, and that many unreasonable ex-
pectations may have been indulged by the great
body of the Reformers, who have never entered
into the labyrinths and inextricable windings of
palaces and parties. But the question of Reform
was the only bond of union among the Minis-
terial supporters in Parliament during the last
Session. The liberal Members were not satis-
fied with the indications of the Government.
The new House of Commons will not be that
" manageable" assembly a "leader" could desire.
The Administration must take higher ground
than heretofore ; they must originate, not re-
luctantly tolerate, propositions of practical and
decided Reform. They must determinately en-
deavour to destroy the fatal influence of the pre-
sent Tory incumbents in every department of
" Church and State," by the promotion of men
of liberal principles and political aptitude, when
vacancies occur in the different offices of autho-
rity and trust. Where can Ministers more
favourably exhibit such a spirit and determination
as in the election of the Speaker of the new
Parliament ? The whole system of the procedure
of the British Legislature requires revision
and organic alteration. The modes of legis-
lation in this country are really more defec-
tive than those of other European countries.
The House of Commons cannot now perform its
legislative duty without a new and complete sys-
tem of subdivision of legislatorial labour. The fee-
gathering plunder and enormous salaries, exist-
ing throughout every department of the two
Houses of Parliament, must and will become
subjects of immediate inquiry and remedial mea-
sures. The enterprise and commercial capital
of the nation cannot much longer be impeded
by the " Private Bill " system. These topics,
however, would require a volume if we dis-
cussed them in detail ; but we may sincerely ask
every liberal and well informed representative of
the people, whether they do not supply infinite
arguments against the re-election of Mr. Man-
, ners Sutton. We have fully and fairly ad-
'slitter! the Hon. Gentleman's courteous and
able discharge of his official duty in the unre-
formed Parliaments which have enjoyed his
services as Speaker ; but, we ask, what single
act of judicial or legislative Reform has been
promoted by Mr. Manners Sutton during his
long period of office ? Is a Tory of his age—
of his confirmed opinions and habits—of his
probable prejudices and limited knowledge of
modern political science—a fit and proper Pre-
sident of the first Reformed House of Com-
mons ? Are his predilections for the Conser-
vative party—is the very mode and plot of his
intended re-election—credit or support to the
Whig Administration ? On many grounds,
not necessary to specify, it is expedient that the
Speaker of the House of Commons should be
favourable to the Government—especially not
hostile to liberal opinions ; but we will defer
other observations on this extraordinary ru-
moured intention of the Cabinet. The whole
difficulty has originated in the refusal of a
Peerage to Mr. Manners Sutton. The manly
and straight forward conduct of Lord Grey—
that course befitting his dignity and acknow-
ledged characteristic discretion—is to translate
the Ex-Speaker to the Upper House ; when
the Premier will be saved the ignominy of
proposing a Tory Speaker, and the factious
Conservatives will be deprived of their pre-
sent exulting triumph.—Morning Chronicle..
An Evening Ministerial Paper, mentions as
something new and strange that Admiral Ricord,
who commands the Russian fleet in the Medi-
terranean, has been detected in acting a
treacherous part, and one calculated to foment
and keep alive the civil dissensions of that
country. In starting this supposed " novelty"
in the political world, our contemporary has only
discovered what is vulgarly called a " mare's
nest." Several months have now elapsed since
we published some accounts of the conduct of
Admiral Ricord, which proved beyond all doubt
his participation in acts hostile to the tranquillity
of Greece, and at variance with the open profes-
sions of the Cabinet of St. I'etersburgh as to
its pretended anxiety for the consolidation of the
peace of that unhappy country. About that
time the Treasury Journals were such implicit
believers in the honourable intentions of Russia,
and such admirers of the good faith that marked
her policy, notwithstanding the perfidy and crimes
which worked the destruction of Polish inde-
pendence, that they would no more give credit to
charges of foul and dishonourable conduct against
the agents of Russia in Greece, than Lord
Palmerston could be induced to believe in the
reality of the war against Holland, although
our vessels of war made spoil of' her mer-
chandise, and our French Allies committed
wholesale murder of her rpeople. We also
recollect copying some interesting particulars
relative to the misdoings of the Russian Admiral,
from, if we are not mistaken, an Aberdeen paper.