The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-14 00:00:00

He had an awkward task to perform yesterday,
and yet no one present could blame him for his
reticence. He said that he appeared before them
for the eleventh time during thirty years to
thank them for the honour of electing him
as their representative, but that this time
it was under circumstances of greater em-
barrassment than on any former decasion.
As laughter was produced by a reference made to
a meeting of the "Droitwich Branch of the Reform
League," the right hon. baronet said that he always
regarded with respect what his neighbours at Droit-
wich were about, and that he paid attention to their
proposals. One subject discussed was annual
Parliaments, and Sir JOHN facetiously observed
that, so far as Droitwich was concerned, they had
gained that desideratum. In 1865 he was elected
after the dissolution :of Parliament; in 1866 he
came before the electors as First Lord of the
Admiralty ; and now in 1867 here he was to thank
them for again affording him a proof of their renewed
confidence. We put entire faith in the declaration
of the right hon. baronet that it has been with no
presumptuous spirit that he has accepted the onerous
duties that devolve upon him In this new appoint-
ment, for he was actuated by the " paramount
feeling of duty which he owed to the QUEEN, and
his desire to support Lord DERBY'S Administration."
No doubt it was with sentiments of regret that Sir
JOHN PAKINGTON relinquished his post at the Ad-
miralty, for he has shown so much interest in all
that concerns its administration, and so much zeal

in suggesting and carrying on necessary reforms,
that he must feel as if he was leaving his mis-
sion only half fulfilled. He says, very truly, that
the head of the Navy ought to be a Secretary of
State, and that he considers his present post is no
promotion, for his former one was quite equal to it
in rank and dignity and every bit as honourable.
It is to be hoped, however, that the change may
prove beneficial to the new service in which he
enters, and as, notwithstanding the much-esteemed
services of General PEEL, it is well known that his
successor is more of a Reformer in every respect.
We are now merely speaking the language of com-
pliment when we say so, but may really look for-
ward to see our words verified.

It was, of course, impossible for Sir JOHN to
touch upon these subjects without referring to the
changes that have just taken place in the Adminis-
tration ; and, as he said, he was betraying no con-
fidence thereby, because all that had related to the
matter had been made public, so far as regarded
others, and he was about to speak of himself in con-
nection with the circumstances that took pltce.
A very hurried deliberation was all that the Cabinet
collectively could hold, for so unexpected was the
summons on the Monday, which was the day for the
introduction of the Government scheme, that
there was much time lost in finding the different
members of the Cabinet. Lord DERBY had to
meet the Conservative party, and Mr. DISRAELI to
address the House of Commons, all in a compara-

tively brief period, and hence great allowance must
be made for the mistaken course which the Go-
vernment pursued. He agreed with the right hon,
baronet, that, notwithstanding the respect due to
the noble lords who seceded from the Cabinet,
that they acted with precipitation in so doing. It
was, of course, a most awkward dilemma in
which they found themselves ; but as all has sub-
sequently turned out to the gain of the Reform
cause, there is no need to cavil at the steps that
were previously taken. Sir J. PAKINGTON said
that all knew what was " the honourable and
manly course to take when we had made a mistake,
viz., to retrieve your steps, and that was the course
which the Cabinet now found that it must take."
Referring to the measure about to be introduced
to Parliament next week, the new Secretary of
War declared that he could not enter into details
respecting it ; but he touched upon its general out-
lines, and said that " the main principle of the bill
would be a large and bold concession of the fran-
chise to the working classes. So far as we can
judge from the necessarily detached and unfinished
pieces of information that he was able to impart to
his constituents, we think that this new scheme of
Reform about to be submitted to public approval
will be a comprehensive one. We agree with all
that Sir J. I'AKINGTON says about the folly of
putting faith in any fixed sum, or limiting oneself
to arbitrary conditions. Those now excluded
from voting by the law that has hitherto
decided a ten pound rental to be the
impassable barrier naturally complain and ask,
" What is the principle in ten pounds?" " Is there
any principle in the pounds ?" he naturally asks.
" No, undoubtedly, there is not, and there is no prin-
ciple in any figure." The fact is that Sir Joux
has arrived very near to the mark, when he says
that whatever figure is adopted some one or other
will be sure to find fault with it, and suggest an-
other as more expedient. The Government wish
to rest on a principle, and not on a figure.
One thing they have resolved upon 'Low
to consider—the general interest of England,
which will be compromised if one class exercises a
predominant power. This will be the true basis to
rest upon, for no matter which class it is, no good can
come of its being in the ascendancy. The working
classes have never shown a desire to monopolise the
electoral power of the country, and whatever fuss
has been made has not been by them, but those who
pretend that they can represent their views better
than themselves.
Sir J. PAKINGTON also intimated that there would
be new franchises in the Reform measure in order
that those who were calculated to take their share
in the electoral privileges might not be excluded.
We hope and trust that the Ministers will set about
their arduous task in no niggard spirit, but rather
look ahead, and in some sort legislate as if they were
a generation in advance. Let them suppose that
they are in the year 1899, and the result will
not be any hindrance to their chances of success,
but rather enhance them considerably. Nothing is
likely to answer at this critical juncture that is not
conceived in a bold spirit and carried out with
energy and determination. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON
seems to feel that the Cabinet made a mistake the
other day, but they arenow resolved to make no more
in that direction ; and we think that the speech
delivered yesterday, at Droitwich, taken collectively,
inspires one with hope and confidence. Its language
seems to be full of hope, and its assurances to tell of
convictions in the right direction. The Govern-
ment, he says, feel that the matter now before
the country must be disposed of. It stands in the
way, it prevents the attainment of useful legislation,
it impedes measures for the good of the country,
and it will be a bad thing to create a feeling of
division among the people. The desire of the
Government in framing the Bill is to see a loyal,
united, and contented people.

We are glad to find that the anomalies of our
present law of libel are likely to undergo some
change. It is only wonderful that in a country
which prides itself so much upon the freedom of the
press, and is so eager for full publicity in every
department of business and politics, such inconsis-
tency and injustice as disfigure the present law
should have been so long tolerated. Many of the
improvements now under consideration were sug-
gested by wi more than twenty yoga ago but al: