The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-01 00:00:00

JOURNALS.

difficulties to be reconciled even in the very centre
of their councils, and men who were experienced in
watching the signs were not slow to predict that
these would ultimately increase, in the end proving
fatal. Still to meet the disorganised and conflicting
fragments before them they had for their support
a strong body of old and tried partisans, who,
so long as the leaders stood to their principles,
would follow them to the end. To add to these

they were well aware that some thirty or forty
waverers, who had given unquestioned help on the
day of last year's victory were still inclined
rather to support the new flag than to return to
their former allegiance, and withal they might also
look with confidence to secure those who are ever

prone to go with the winning side. Such were the
prospects with which Mr. Disraeli met the House
of Commons on February the sth. What is the
position he occupies now ? lle is still in power,
because his opponents wish to keep him there. lie
is still a Minister of the Crown, not because his
friends have confidence in him, but because his foes
know that they can use him for their own purposes.
Ile no longer expounds the important points on
which he and his colleagues are prepared to stake
their reputations, and to stand or fall. Obliged to
adopt suggestions from those who, in consequence,
agree to spare his life awhile, rejecting the principles
urged upon him by friends he does not respect,
without a policy, and with all chance of forming
one thrown aside, the leader of the Conservatives
must indeed feel that his lot is no enviable one.
Like the King of Saxony he can have no will of his
own. With nominal authority and outward attri-
butes of power, he is actually in the hands of those
who, while occupying his country, declare that so it
is best for him. His Prussia is the Opposition, and
his Bismarck is Mr. Gladstone. And, indeed, it is
not difficult to trace another analogy between the
seven days' war in Germany and the rapid fighting
of these first few days of the Session. Marshal
Benedek began the war with troops which, however
they might differ amongst themselves in language
or in country, were supposed to be the best-drilled
troops in the world. Ever being exercised, and
losing no opportunity of parade, it was loudly
proclaimed that no troops could stand against
them, and in particular none so half-drilled
or so loosely managed as the Prussians. The
Austrians, the Conservatives, must have their
own way, while the Prussians, the Liberals, would
fall to pieces. We all know what the end of those
prophecies was. Delay, indecision, quarrels at
headquarters did their work, till Sadowa brought
to a close the struggle, the issue of which since its
real commencement h;d never been doubtful. But
then, when the power of using victory had been
clearly secured, it was felt more politic to stay the
hand and not bear too harshly on the defeated.
Vienna was spared for the advantage of Europe,
even as the Treasury Bench is still left to the Con-
servatives for the advantage of England—during
good behaviour. They both exist on sufferance,
and live by no strength of their own. Alike in
their apparent strength, when brought to the test
they have alike failed in actual weakness. When
we say the Conservative, or rather old Tory, party
has ceased to exist as we have known it in our party
warfare for so many years, we advert more espe-
cially to the fact, as a body led by Lord Derby and
by Mr. Disraeli, strong in its power in the country,
and able to impress its principles on the consti-
tuencies, it will never be seen again. Mr. Disraeli
or the Ministry have, in their treatment of the Re-
form question, shown such an utter want of ability
to grasp what the country requires, and have at the
same time so completely abandoned all the watch-
words which kept the party together, that disaffec -
tion has crept into their ranks, and he can never
again be their leader. He never has commanded
their genuine confidence, and now he has shown that
he cannot claim it on the score of success. What-
ever fate may have in store for him, it will scarcely
be to occupy again the post he holds amongst the
Tories. And if Lord Derby considers this his last
term of office, we are at a loss to perceive to whom
that body is to turn to be their chief. What they
may ultimately be resolved into it is difficult at pre-
sent to speculate upon. One thing alone seems clear,
and that is that, coming in as they did, compact and
resolute, they are now divided and down-hearted.
A change may also be said to have been consum-
mated in the lead of the Liberal side. For the future
we are to look to Mr. Gladstone as its head, and
the party will now agree to acknowledge
Lord Russell is reported to have said as much at the
meeting on Tuesday on Carlton-house-terrace, and
we presume that, in any future arrangement of a
Cabinet from the ranks of the Liberals, her Majesty
will be advised to allow the noble lord to occupy a
position in the Ministry, either as President of the
Council, or, following the example of the late Lord
Lansdowne, as a Minister without portfolio.. rfhis
change cannot fail to be of great and valuable im-
portance whenever there is a change of Government'
and the populari.y which the late Chancellor of the
Exchequer is gaining for himself in the present ses-
sion will, we trust, be but the harbinger of his future
success.