The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-08 00:00:00

THE BALLOT.

Reformers, sincere and earnest Reformers, require
little more than this from Llrd PALMERSTON and
his colleagues in the Government. They want to
know—not so much what Ministers can do this
session, but something at least of what they will
undertake to do next ! They want to know what
may be the I-maximum, and what the minimum of
those mysterious political entities of which Lord
PALMERSTON has spoken so often of late under
the very vague title of " progressive improve-
ments." Surely, in seeking this, we are
not demanding anything so very unreasonable ?
At any rtte—reasonable or unreasonable—the
country WILL have it ! And we are very much
mistaken if the new House of Commons do not,
in the name of the country, insist upon this
forthwith, and without any further trifling or
prevarication.
Everybody who has read it, must remember
very well, how, in Sir BULWEZ LYTTON'S exqui-
sitely droll apologne of the " Dog snd the Cat "
(vide "The Pilgrims of the Rhine")—the Dragon
fairly poses honest Dog, who has found his way into
his den, by submstting to him this rather startling
Alternative—" Either be my Servant or—be my
Breakfast !" Lord PALMERSTON had better make
up his mind to the rather alarming fact at once,
without any more ado—that he himself is in pre-
cisely just such another Quandary There is the
Monster REFORM confronting him—insatiable, in-
exorable ! Let him decide and that quickly—a
Will he obey the imperative Demands of the Age
or be himself sacrificed ?

The stringent criticisms on the nomination of
Major-General the Hon. THOMAS ASBURNHAM, to
the chief command in China, have excited the ire
of Lord PANBIIIRE. The Noble Lord is very indig-
nant that any person should dare to question the
propriety of that appointment, or indeed of any
other which he may be pleased to make. He
therefore speaks in no measured terms respecting
the officers, who actuated by a strong sense of
public duty, expressed their views respect-
ing the solution, and the journals who
gave circulation to their opinions, and corn-
m3nted at some length thereon. Ho alluded
to anonymous traducers as " unfit to carry the
commission of the QUEEN, and unfit to associate
with his companions in the profession." These
diatribes were chiefly directed against "M. L,"
who narrated clearly and explicitly some unplea-
sant truths, which went far to prove the total un-
fitness of the Honourable Major-General for the
arduous and important situation into which he was
pitchforked over the heads of many officers who had
certainly higher claims than any to which ho could
refer. Now, it is quite clear that the Gentleman
writing under these initials has not deserved this
censure ; that for all practical purposes bis
identity WAS as fully manifested as if he had
affixed his name, address, and rank to the docu-
ment referred to, He declared that he was serv-
ing on the staff of a certain Brigadier, and that
he had in that capacity conveyed a message to the
Honourable Major-General, on the memorable
occasion, where, from Lord Gouan's despatch, it
is clear that there was at least a grave misconcep-
tion of his orders and where his "coolness" (under
shelter of a nullah or dry water course) and "great
success" (in taking possession of an undefended
battery) were all that could be alleged in his
favour !

There may be occasions in which an anonymous
accuser would merit severe censure. If calumnies
were put forward, through vindictive or malevo-
lent moti►ea, nothing could be too stringent. But
M. L. stated merely what be had witnessed with
his own eyes, and which ho will doubtless be
fully prepared to verify on a suitable opportunity.
He well knew that his statements would not be
cordially received at the Horse Guards, and that
in giving, to all intents and purposes,- the means
of his identification, ha was incurring con-
siderable risk as to his future professional
prospects. So far, therefore, from being an
Anonymous Calumniator, he exhibited a high

degree of moral courage in coming forward under
such circumstances, and has eminently entitled
himself to the thanks and gratitude of the coun-
try, for proving, beyond the possibility of doubt,
that the Honourable THOMAS ASHBURNIIAM was
not " tbe right man for the right place."
It may ho asked why these statements were not
earlier put forward 7 Why were they delayed