The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-20 00:00:00

NEWSPAPER,

PABLIAMPINTABY R 345
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• (Frohz the hifer;,i; g
As might have been d, t' Wmplie S
certain supporters of Lord Pelmerstou, to persuade
the public into " shelving" the great question of
Reform, has only led to more positive and authori-
tative demands on the part of the public. The
cause of Reform, in fact, has been advanced by the
very means intended to do it injury. The English
are so much a " practical" people, in the sense of a
purblind pursuit of some present and immediate
purpose, that if a little more tact had been used,
they might have been cajoled. At least the secret
enemies of Reform might have been spared any de-
cided manifestation of public opinion in it favour.
It is evident, from the tone of the Ministerial or-
gans, that it is desired to render this preliminary
session short in point 'of time, but eminently useful
to the party purposes of the Ministry. A some-
what novel plea is set up, to the effect that this
period of the year ought to be devoted to " admi-
ministration," as distinct from legislation, and that
therefore the time of the Ministers ought not to
be occupied with any topic likely to disturb the
routine of Government ! Whence comes this doe-
' rine ? Why is December a more "Administra-
tive" month than February or May ? In certain
departments, we can unders atid, there may be
greeter activity towards the close of the year; but
these have little to do with the higher fuectioes of
Government, and do not more than is usual de-
man l the attendance of the principal Ministeis in
their offices. A inore p ,or and empty excu-e for
an attempted avoidane of the first duties of an
Administration, has seldom been put forward.
We should not be at ell surprised to find the
quastion of Reform NO lolly ornitt4d from the Qu. en's
Speech. For th pro,pects of the cause, perhaps
so much _the betrer. The public remsined quiet-
cent on t' e sukji:ct exit ]. very recently, because
turfy r,lied oe the promise of Lord Palmerstou to
thing forward a Refoim Bill, and they knew that
there wa4 Lord John Russell in the back wound,
to urge him on, if he showed any s•gns of fal.er-
ing. It is now all but /Omitted hit Lord Palmer.
st gn does not mean to keep his word, and hence
the sudden anxiety of the public on a matter which
superficial observers believed to have been forgot-
ten. Yet, after all, what would l.fe lost by the
question of Reform being thus abandoned by the
Uhief of the "Liberal" Administration ? Really,
not much. It would not have the precedence
usually accorded to Government business, and all
the petty arts of delay and obstruction with which
Parliament has been familiarised since Lord Pal-
merston came to power, would be put in motion to
prevent its progress. The character of the measure
proposed would be wholly different. From Lord Pal-
merston, even if it suited his purpose to adhere to
his engagement, the utmost that could be expected
would be a kind of compromise—an open bribe to
a large section of the Opposition to aid him in
crushing the independent opinion of the House of
Commons. Such a scheme would really be worse
than nothing.
If some of the more prominent `e fiefs of the Tory
party were true to the policy they have from time
to time shadowed forth, here is a grand occasion for
them to effect a reconciliation win the nation. If,
following the example set them by Sir Robert Peel,
they could be induced to prefer their own political.
honour and the public good to mere class intereste,
they would see that it is quite within their func-
tions as an Opposition to take up a great national
question when abandoned by the Minister of the
day. Their followers, it is true, labour under the
delusion that they may, by evading the threatened
danger, keep yet a little longer that hold upon
many of the counties and towns which is given them
by their territorial position. It is upon this short-
sighted view that Lord Palmerston relies ; well
knowing that a really popular Reform Bill,
brought forward by Independent Liberals, would
embody propositions which the "landed interest"
now regard as fatal to their power. But it is a
mere question of time. What they would now re-
firse with a very bad grace will be wrested from
them in a very little time, and the people will owe
them no thanks. By taking the initiative, they
would gain in influence more than they would lose
in the mere power of coercing the consciences of
their fellow-subjects. They will, of course, prefer
the short-sighted policy, and Reform will have to
be carried by the People.

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