The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-25 00:00:00

THE S U

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w!iili
.and well-earned reputatien. We have not a We are not inclined, nor do we profess to have the
hp,4aretr .ct of :he eteneneede:iens which we have power, to dissect or ands se this statement in its
Graneni
y hoed the sa,isfaetion of pronouncing on Lord somewhat extensive details • but assuming it to he
is u° doubted
€ s public c ,nduct. his aptitude for business cone ct in reasoning, as it unhappily is in fact, it will,
in 'Lcooun ?.hted ; ha his displayed much ability and tact ; we are ccnvinced, be understood by the public gene-
conileeducting various Bills through Parliament, ! rally—certainly by all intelligent observers of public
and
be
with the trading interests of the country ; ' affairs—that even such a loss and hazard to this
br, possesses considerable power as a debater. 1 country as are involved in the occurrence to which
but
general ii young, and little experienced even in it refers are very greatly deepened and increased
pou„.. political affairs whilst he can by no by the causes which it assigns for that occurrence.
klyt:liitty have mastered the vast and complicated That England, in the present critical state of
etueor ..bof foreign policy. Compared with his prede- European affairs, should lose the official services of a
e, in his new position, can only be regarded Minister whom history will place,
•as we do, in the
as brii
4over °ging weakness, and not strength, to the very highest ranks of statesmanship, is in itself a
_ it
courionent, which already possessed all the aid which misfortune, the extent of which it is impossible as yet
somil derive from his presence in the Cabinet. In to estimate—but even of this it is surely a serious ag-
14;c:uting him for the able, vigorous, and popular gravation, that the organ which announces the fact
~,t; ter whom they have chased away, Lord Gran- should add to it by way of explanation, a series of
thoughi S colleagues have only exposed him to injurious, causes which involve the loss of England's independent
isi, unfair, comparisons, whilst they have made position with reference to the other powers of Europe.
,10`" a.prominent party to an act which, if we have Hitherto, by whatever deficiencies the councils of the
11,%!111aunderstood him, be must in his heart despise. Sovereign may have been affected, as to the capabili-
lo‘,l,4 regard to the policy which he may either voe , ties of individual statesmen, England has at least been
colit_arily ado w, or which he may be forced by his governed by Ministers of her own choice, owning re-
miZsgues to fzow, it would be rashness, in the total sponsihility to no Sovereign and no country but their
lo ler,Pce of rel ahle data, either to express an opinion or own. The present Premier, at no very distant date, con-
to ird a prediction. The future must decide whe- gratulated this country on the security given for its
tor l has done wisely for his own reputation, or well best interests by the guardianship of a Foreign
theMi-
olrel in
e-ests of the country, in exchanging the nister who was neither a Russian, nor an Austrian,
i/
of Trade for the Foreign-office. nor a French, nor anything but an English, Minister.
bee "lES.—A meeting of the Privy Council has We are now told that the position of this truly Eng-
-1,41,4 summoned for to-morrow at Windsor Castle, at lish Minister has become distasteful to the Ministers
Et_eth it is understood that the seals of the office of of certain Courts abroad, and that it has therefore
veer retary of S:ate for Foreign Affairs will be deli- been thought advisable that he should cease to
vtri,ed by her Majesty to Earl Granville, who succeeds direct and guard the interests of England as to
ftie'ccountPalmerston in thatidepartment of the Govern- her foreign relations, in order that that most im-
-1104 • We are not surprised to find that the an- portant duty may be confided to some one more
r4o..ficernent of this change, which appeared yesterday likely to suit the interests or gratify the wishes
eae2ing in our columns, was received with amaze- of the foreign Courts or Cabinets in question. The
eaag` 11 the public, by many of our contemporaries recognition of this principle is, thank Heaven, at
, the even by some of the persons most familiar with least a novelty in the political history of England.
I ataa;evernents of the political world. Lord Palmer- We cannot but think that the experiment proposed
to be tried on our policy and constitution is in itself
hare had escaped so often from scrapes which would
h,.., destroyed any other man, that a popular belief as degrading as it is original, and we are sure that the
7hro we up in his invulnerability, which he himself moment chosen fur its introduction is calamitous in
844...Ps too confidently shared. But in this in- the extreme. It would be neither just nor decorous
sate"), before suspicion bad been excited, the mea- to p.eejudge,the capabilities of the nobleman whom her
vett Was executed, and the intentions of the Go- Majesty is stated to have been pleased to appoint to
an office probably the most arduous in her councils,
the lizi.?,nt were only inferred from the absence of
at a time hardly exceeded in difficulty by any period
pet tnanister who had ceased to belong to it. When
in the
.world's history. To have won esteem by
et4l,)Le are sorely puzzled to defend a weak political
amiability, and support by such promise as may be
ago' or to explain what they know very little
shown in the satisfactory discharge of subordinate
it ‘f their first resource is the hypothesis of
leednesPiracy. Louis Napoleon seized the military duties, is no doubt a reason, and a good one, for
thereer' of the National Assembly, and marched off looking with hope and favour on the opening career
bah alainder of the majority in convict vans, on the of a young politician; but it is scarcely a guarantee
pramtrkl that there was a conspiracy against him. Half for the energy to direct, or for. the knowledge to ern-
itsuiete is under martial law at this moment, because brace, the immensely complicated and threatening
Ski ,* the Government that there should be a general appearances is the present relations abroad and at
fie sisal conspiracy against all property, life, and home bet Ween Governments and their people.
Peeeseetn. When Lord Palmerston himself was hard There is no need that we should enter here
llace„e`i on the Greek debate in 1850 he resorted with on the great, qualities which have marked Lord Pal-
(lo,,r7ss to the same hackneyed invention, and brought merston s long career of statesmanship. These are
4414 a a ready cheer from the House of Commons matter of history, and they are known in the Old and
bot .1! the "foreign conspirators" who disapproved New World as widely and as honourably as the name
Lot Bill. So on the ennouncement that of England itself. At any period in the extended
ofd the Palmerston has ceased to hold the seals space of time during which he has devoted his great
Let t Foreign office, there is nothing for it powers to the service of this country, in the important
his ae 'lll3PO,e " a conspiracy" against him among office which he has just quitted, it is probable that no
announcement of Ministerial change could have ex-
%lite" colleagues. It may spare several of our
Wilt .rl3Poraries much strenuous indignation if they cited so strong and so universal an interest in the ci-
teees-ne„cePt our assurance that never was any such vilised world as that which should declare that one
tioee 'Ten more unfounded. Lord Grey had objet- whose name had become synonymous abroad with
ttahi;leittlyisithtrue, in December, 1845,
.to enter.. the the strength and honour of England had ceased to
tit wh Lord Palmerston as Foreign Minister. direct her foreign policy, and to give to the councils
of the Sovereign the benefit of his wonderful energy,
q the ea he waved those scruples on the formation
keen sagacity, and vast experience. At a time when
lose -LPresent Administration in the following sum-
every State in Europe is looking anxiously to Eng.
vestin ord Grey was especially precluded from re-
kilt g,,to objections he had himself abandoned. In land, as the centre of peace and order, we believe that
tete:: !act, we believe that no member of the Go- no friend to the true principles on which their preser-
calk—et' has more frequentlyconcurred in Lord
It; erstat vation depends can hear without very serious alarm
8 foreign policywoermore warmly supported that the name of England has ceased, for the present,
diland to this statement may add that last Mon- to be identified in her policy with that of the first
hlte elneeer,hing Lord Grey and his connexions were, constitutional statesman now living.
for eihr,t of their colleagues, ignorant of the object DAILY NEWS.—Lord Palmerston has tesigned
L.tie atelL' the Cabinet bad been summoned to meet. his post as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and
'ale lea of a miserable personal intrigue or of Earl Granville has been appointed in his stead. A
ehintit:setty Squabble between rival factions in the vacancy has thus been created at the Board of Trade.
laiitio Is altogether false and unworthy of a deter- On the 2d of December we stated that a serious dif-
totieese.) Which originated, as we believe, in higher ference had arisen in the Cabinet—that the old feud
Loaf te,i and it is almost as absurd to attribute between Lord Palmerston and Lord Grey had broken
rjaiee4steeerston's retirement to such causes as to out afresh, and that Lord John Russell would have
bas no
it was brought about by the undue to decide between his two subordinates. The differ-
-14 not °f any foreign power. This country ence at that time had sprung up in consequence of the
slat hot, sunk so low that any reasons which are answer to the Finsbury deputation, in which Lord
pia
and patriotic can be accepted by pub- Palmerston seemed to set at defiance the absolutist
~.111 cha ; and as Lord John Russell has sanctioned court of the east of Europe. This circumstance, adding
most be in an important office in his Cabinet, he to the irritation of Austria, at a moment when the
thewe ~,,.
ttee getunedepred to. explain and to defend it solely on court of Vienna refused to recognise,Lord Westmore-
a two o public duty. As might easily be fore- land—all ultra-Tory as he is—as
.ambassador? impelled
aots'ee h,classes of objectors have already started up, Lord Grey to question the policy of keeping up an
%tea ate;lwng,_.to. interpret in its own fashion. the effects antagonism with Austria,—even for the purpose of
pu,s.tabilit:lcia may have an important influence on sharing popularity with Kossuth. Lord Grey's ob-
ries aof the Administration, the divisions of jections appeared to us captious at the time. And so,
tilkll and the debates of the ensuing session. The it is understood, they appeared to th® Prime Minister.
eeeeir idoiregantli which have made Lord Palmerston Then came the news of the Parisiaian coup detat,
ema have "Y disguising him in their own opinions, silencing, like a clap of thunder minor murmur-
11,Pteasiattal'en as sterling coin a few of his random ings and complaints. A new Subject of anxiety, and
haeel ,the ea-seee,f popular sympathy, are eager to make topic of interest and discussion, was flung to those
Cm osek ,--Yr of democratic opinions, and to bring who had to direct tbe policy of the country. It was
4(len, Niar Power in a triumphal procession with Mr. soon no secret that the head of the Foreign-office de-
trit the i 1.• Bright, Mr. W. J. Fox, M. Kossuth, precated any hostility. to Louis Napoleon,
.and that
inert'
prr; ington deputation. The Tories, on the con- Lord Palmerston considered a French Imperial Cahi-
tit fro gnosticate the dissolution of the Govern- net an ally that might be usefully played against the
L°th thetns_ the loss of its late Foreign Secretary. new Holy Alliance. We believe it to be equally cer-
f2es we., suggestions evidently originate in the tam that the Court of Windsor or of. Buckingham
scta. b'eultieions of extreme Parties rather than in Palace took an opposite view; that it disapproved
17 their.°l tore the Democrats adopt Lord Pal merston of Lord Palmerston 's language to the Finsbury
4'ns "'der they •
kid on pup, will do well to ascertain his opi- deputation, as insulting to Austrian and Russian
en a lamentary Reform, on free trade in corn, connexion, and that it equally deprecated any close,
,bitty in A.the late suppression of all constitutional or any even insincere alliance with the new ruler
Ole:Plies o'r,aace ; for, if we are not greatly mistaken, of France against the leagued absolutism of the
stiejaf to at— those points will prove more nearly Continent. Earl Grey participated in these feel-
s; Li h_ y opinions than to their own. Mr. Dis- ings, and became their exponent. in. .the
.Cabinet.
as
ife not
te of L inappropriately reminded us, in his And we must confess, that however disliking his Lord-
4(141 ard George
tett gof s og Bentinck," that on,the second ship's preference of Schwarzenberg to Kossuth, we ,
lie lase, lr Be Peel's Bill for the repeal of the fully join in the repugnance which Louis Napoleon's
elle,as Lordta'._ Palmerston distinctly declared that conduct has excited against him, and do not think that
se'litlesur a moderate fixed duty of ,four or five any Minister, representing the opinions of nglish-f ;1
-,+ti, e a quarter
th 'till on wheat, and on that point he men, would be allowed to sanction or flatter acts o
L. arp,; per
• gilt, rioas fhaPs be classed among the last forlorn such' flagrant tyranny and usurpation—acts, too., as
leal,cOraav the
Protection. With equal confidence and decidedly destructive of all constitutional principles
of ii(11 Palm' '"e Tory writers infer that the severance of as any ukase of the Czar Nicholas could be. Another
141. a eto,,e,rston from the Ministry is the ff beginning circumstance then occurred, it is said, very much to
ale,live at and that a Cabinet, already weak, will not complicate Lord Palmerston's position. This was the
ea `ration Painful a shock. Lord J. Russell's Admi- discovery by Louis Napoleon's police agents, employed
i, thii,l / tiose •
"'NI -3' not ()ern the sixth year of its existence, is in the arrest of Cavaignac and Changarnier on the
Ilya noisy a very robust constitution; and we night of the 2d of December, of a voluminous corr.e-
-e,i7lltnoi: look back to last March for strong epondence, in which the British Government or its
ktiether its future approaching dissolution. But representative, Lord Normenby, had very freely re-
-8e.._11 eia,. _ term of office be short or long, this corded its admiration of and hopes in the Republic,
thew or vi'eertain, that it could not be reinforced by and the utter contempt in which it held the preten-
keYereiete" elements as long as the direction of sions and character of Louis Napoleon. Here then was
oth;ter, 6 .°6ICO remained in the hands of the late the influence of England and of its Foreign-office
40i,l'a all Oa that ground, far more than on any completely destroyed in the councils of the very
tkteraietet),”Zotiations for the improvement of the power, on whose alliance it . relied to oppose other
Latattleraen't have failed, and though we speak only at powers. Lord Westmoreland was not worse received
tha' John Russel
conjecture, it is imProPsble that hy the Austrian Emperor at Vienna, than Lord Nor-
, 14, eve of,
tk ussell would have weakened himself on manby was sure to be at the Elysele or the 'Tuileries.
1.N.1,01u :: session by the loss of one colleague in Lord Palmerston's position was thus rendered utterly
Var.:gee' an 1. Commons unless he had some prospect untenable by the imprudence of one of his chief agents,
thie‘lineofPart. Lord Granville's promotion to the and we believe his Lordship's retirement from office
esssthtilhe in ea vacates two offices, held by him up to was more his own act than that of his colleagues.
lame °Mee ea'nmendant, though with only one salary We may take another opportunity of appreciating
tat'' that of .I!,if Vice-President of the Board of Trade, Lord Palnaerston'e character and career as a states-
Of tlnoio te,"Yroaster-General. It has not transpired man. lie has run a long course, neither an highs-
-11112 men
ugbeae offices are reserved; but thecharacter rious nor an unsuccessful one ; and did we consider,
toir'a Ilene ai Y whom they are accepted may afford an or should we discover, that he has been sacrificed
%lt. lee,le to the future prospects of the Govern- to any tenderness for, or to any fears of, the
t 0 the a
af the
regard to the direction of the foreign despotic courts of Austria and of Russia, we should
41., e oe" nation, the appointment which has raised be much alarmed for the difficulties likely to assail
ly'avilto eof Secietary of State a peer of Lord his successor.. If, as the Times represents, Lord
/ 'ale. Isis Political standing tuts. standing seems to imply that the Palmerston has been ejected from office for displeae-
topti4Rfa Nie ler, who must answer for every act of lug Prince Schwarzenberg, and for not opposing
these be led tY in the House of Commons, will hence- Louis Napoleon,—is it thereby implied that his suc-
NI), hamo__.o take a more direct and active part in cessor is to ally with Austria, with Russia, and with
Ile kid ref rotfant transactions. Such was the inva- Prussia against the Government of France ? Any
Ike kid bre Practice
country in former times, and to that such policy as this would scarcely be acceptable to
lii;qlder'C'euee Lord Palmerston was himself sub- the English public. That public condemns Louis
h,a own
gee
the most brilliant and successful part of Napoleon and his liberticide,acts, but it condemns
it.tte3'es of Tistration under the late Earl Grey. In likewise the treachery and tyranny of the Austrian
tot kielie., the country and of foreign nations the Emperor. England, too, is able to distinguish
thebe-
It actsLerfof the Crown is peculiarly responsible
frat:s, aad jot his Government in relation to other tween a nation, and the dynasty which chance may
impose upon it. And we are not going to fall once
.‘ol,e,setuttir was only by a pernicious departure
(184,igu.,0ffile
hadcustom that the whole power of the more into the blunders of the last century, and abet an
alliance of German and Russian despots against France,
ao ashatev . been absorbed by a single indivi- because France does not happen to wear legitimist
ira af late er 'night be his ability. As the case has
e laded e livery. We may, and must, condemn the acts of Louis
ttace with years, ere' Lord Palmerston's colleagues Napoleon ; but it is by no means for the purpose of
a adinge, him the responsibility of his
ea,„, eeere,s without sharing an authority which setting up a royal competitor to him. England is
41'1401. `'t ed to a great extent beyond their not called upon to strain a nerve or expend a six-
one.
41:114%111'0r these reasons, connected as much with pence to set a Bourbon or an Orleans on the throne.
_ al arrangements
14 the dance
of the Government and with Both have been quite as treacherous and hostile to us
e
as ever the Bonapartes have been. And we can have
'asii Crose,`_;e• of its supporters as with the relations no wish but to see France prosperous, content, and
i.ittolf Lor"elo foreign powers, we believe that the free, under whatever rule or dynasty it may choose,
*in be °f
of alfnerston's energy and address in the without ourselves putting forward any predilection or
of „oe sore the Government and the Treasury Bench
bag 'ne c Fe thin co in a matter so peculiarly
advice -and exclusively the
13 i ahinet compensated by the increased union business of the French people. Our wishes are to
isth.e and ando,,, by the possibility of extending its see France free, prosperous, and happy. It is pro-
aliti:ata am': of Parliament. The attempt to create bable that attempts will be made to get up the old
Is led!rY by , lig
the habitual supporters of the anti.Gallican spirit and to excite a Bonaparte-phobia
1110 tcrou :ja appeal to mere personal predilections
.ug e country. Such a cry would
4_ ~ sif it tail thro hth '
% trt 'o tie, , s, and would be fatal if it could venient, for facilitating every plan of expenditure on
ire the balancer ibe Lord Palmerst lI'S own desire the part of the GovernMent and for " burking
Iraar,,,,) ofparties in favour ° economy." No doubt we shall be told that our
teglon' we can i
iencempute to him no
.such intention. coasts are exposed, our military force null, and
all'agagg el.",er
pa ain
toll sett to factious op , •.•
Iv tee
of commence phshion ;an , even if he were embarked on board the Boulogne fishing-boats,a y
oeless and unprofitable a unless millions are voted to put the country in a state
tillti r:•aitatio
. ys_ slat an _n/ thes good. sense of the country of defence, to swell the army to a war footing, and to
voied.‘e the eEt;aePPeal to its passions in direct hos- equip a channel fleet to ward off imaginary dangers.
1:1,-, uof peace and order throughout the Whilst thousands may thus be spent for the sole end
rtipo
111)1?, Tatd
lln .."—A stof alarming and provoking the French—who will
orient so formal] laced before the not be slow.. to make counter armaments and show
klatetrtaattnbce relatingatsat 10 a matter of psuch paramount corresponding fears—are we to court the alliance of
th hat"' °ll the which appeared in the Times of the Austrians and Russians, as we did before ? But
kti dly b great Minis!eeial event of the day, as neither of those powers can move u regiment
Illetart e supposed
tell -Inoet to rest on authority other without raising funds, England must come forward
it ...„competent to speak of the event for with these, if nut in the old shape of subsidies, at
44+LiertiAkes •
in some measure to Account. least in the new form of loans. We should thus have