The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-22 00:00:00

THE PABLIAMENTABY OAT ES BILL.

(From the Daily News.)
The deputation of Liberal members who waited
on Lord Palmerston yesterday, with reference to
the question of Jewi,,h disabilities, are entitled to
the credit of having taken a new tone, and having
set a new example in more ways than one. Fortu-
nate in their mouthpiece on the occasion, they suc-
ceeded in avoiding equally the scolding or upbraid-
ing language of mutiny, and the far more reprehen-
sible whine of emasculate expostulation. Mr.
Hoisman, in the name of the Palace-Yard meet.ng
of Friday .last, remonstrated firmly, though respect-
fully, on the conduct of Mini.ters with re2ard to the
Oaths Bill in'the House of Lords. Without say-
ing so in so many brusque words he mode the Pre-
mier feel that the bulk of his party thought they
had been trifled with on a mater of grave import-
anc., involving one of the groat principles on which
their very existence as a party rested. Lord Pal-
merstrea was reminded in terms of well-bred but
keen-edged that the existence of an Admi-
niAration, strong even as his own, was brief and
that of tl)e party it pro-
transitory comparel with
fess( d to lead ; and that if the ordinary relation be-
tween leaders and followers now appeared to be
inverted, the inconveniencs must be ascribed to the
error into which the former bad fallen in tolerating
dissonance of sentiment and vote amongst them-
selves on a question requiring and imperatively de-,
m and final settlement. The right hon. spokesman of
the King's Armsmeeting tvould not-, we are sure, dis-
pute the abstract propriety of permitting what are
called open questions in the Cabinet. No representa-
tive system can continue long in healthful vigour
which d oes not admit and even develop gradations of
opinion ; and the Executive of a free State being,
the reflection of its representative thought and cha-
racter, must oftentimes exhibit the variations and
diversities of the latter. But there is a time for
all things—for open questions among the rest—
and that time as manifestly and naturally passes
away when public opinion has conclusively pro-
nounced in favour of a particular question being
settled, as the season of growth ceases when the
grain nods ripely and heavily to the sickle. Any
longer to forbear when that season has come is
weak and reprehensible. Unity of ac' ion when the
time for action has arrived is as much a duty as
liberty of debate while matter is still debateable.
And here is just the point at issue between the
Prime Minister and his supporters. They insist
that the Oaths controversy should be concluded in
Parliament, inasmuch as it hats been long since con-
cluded in the country. While small majorities
doubtfully endorsed the Jewish Emancipation Bill,
they did not urge its summary liquidation. On
,-the contrary, they suffered it to be again and again
dishonoured, without challenging the right or the
power to do so. But when all reasonable people
have made up their minds that the measure must
eventually pass, and when a majority of well nigh
two to one, immediately after a general election, de-
dare the mind of the House of Commons to be defmi-
men have a right to
tively made up on the question,