The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-31 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, MARCH 31.
THERMOMETER, TN THE SHADE.
41—highest since noon yesterday.
36—lowest this morning and during the night.
41—this day at noon.
BAROMETER-30.09—a rise of three quarters of an inch
since last evening.
WIND, Northerly and Easterly ; fresh, with fine cold
sunshiny weather.

This evening the battle of the inns and outs will
be resumed. Never, perhaps, as Mr. GLADSTONE
clearly explained, was so unusual and inconvenient
a course adopted as that which Lord JOHN RUSSELL
has deemed it not inconsistent with his high posi-
tion and glowing aspirations to pursue. We have
heard of the " auri sacra fames," the burning
thirst for gold, by which too many are actuated !
We believe, however, that is is scarcely more con-
suming than the passion for place, power, and-
patronage \felt by some of those who have enjoyed
the sweets of office, and who fancy that they may
again obtain admission to the Downing -street
Eden ; nay, because reckless of everything, all they
seek is to achieve their object, per fas aut nefas,
trying to persuade themselves that " the end
justifies the means," and that nothing could be
wrong which would replace Lord JonN RUSSELL
on the Treasury Benches. Let what may be said,
that, unquestionably, is the desire of those who
support the resolution, no matter how cunningly
they may endeavour to conceal their true motives.

It would also be difficult to discover such conflict-
ing reasons as those assigned by the anti-Mins-
terialists to excuse their votes ! Some assert that
the Government Bill is so radicallrdefective that
it would be better to have no measure atn all. But
surely the proper course, under such circumstances,
would be to meet the motion for its second reading
with a direct negative, or, as Mr. OWEN STANLEY
wished, to demand a vote of want of confidence in
the Cabinet. Others profess to believe that there
is nothing to prevent Lord DERBY and his col-
leagues from remaining in office. Indeed, Lord
PALMERSTON " condemned them to retain their
places." It will be only the assertion of just prin-
ciples which will improve and correct the entire
subject, and eventually render it worthy of accept-
ance ! This is, however, too rich a joke to be
swallowed by any rational member on either
side of the house. The only alternative is
fully and completely understood, and the conse-
quences must be duly considered by all who have
made up their minds to participate in so factious
and unwarrantable a proceeding ! It certainly
will nOt be accepted by their reforming constituents,
should they ere long have to meet them on
the hustings.
Another party will support the resolution, be.
cause the provision in the bill respecting voting-
papers would inevitably lead to " THE BALLOT."
This we have already pointed out, and it is the
chief feature in the bill which the community at
large desire to see carried, inasmuch as the Ballot
is the point on which they have more especially
set their hearts, conceiving that without that pro-
tection to the humble voter, an extension of the•
franchise might be regarded as a curse rather
than a blessing. Sir JAMES GRAHAM was
compelled to confess that the question had
gained great ground among his constituents,
although he declared his unalterable
hostility to it; while NIL LABOUCHERE received a
tender hint from his constituents as to what was
anticipated at his hands, and what he might expect
in return should he refuse to comply with their
wishes. These right hon. gentlemen will
occupy leading positions in any Whig Cabinet
that may be formed, and the clearly ex
pressed and very decided opinions of Lord JOHN
RUSSELL and Lord PALMERSTON, it requires no
extraordinary power of vaticination te predict the
prospects of obtaining " THE BALLOT" should the
resolution unfortunately be carried and the present
Government driven from office.

The new franchises are also objected to. Edu•
cation or profession should confer no right—a mere
lodger must still remain a political cypher—and
money in a savings-bank, the best test of indepen-
dence that could be displayed by a working
man, must be completely ignored. Every
concession, however valuable, must be re-
jected, either because it goes too far or does
not go far enough or because it may eventually
lead to something else. There is also another
ground of complaint against the voting papers.
They would get rid of that fertile source of bribery
and corruption—" The Conveyance Of Voters" Act,
and enable a poor man to enter into contest with a
wealthy one, with some prospect of success. This
cannot be tolerated under any circumstances, and
therefore the resolution is to be supported, and any
measure of reform adjourned for an indefinite period.

There are besides the opponents of all reform
no inconsiderable class who vote against any
change or alteration—all these combine "to
stir the cauldron," and to reject the Ministerial
Bill under any circumstances, and at any cost; will
the country approve of their conduct ? We believe
not; but a brief time will -tell whether they have
reckoned without their hosts, and proved them-
selves utterly ignorant of public opinion on the
great, the all-absorbing question of the day.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL must feel his position, in
regard to the result of the debate, materially
changed. Clever, indeed, was the scheme ; well
contrived the net spread to catch votes ; but by
degrees this unpleasant fact has become a glaring
one. It was a complaint respecting the Bill, that
it was made to " pass the House of Commons."
No one doubts it It. was confessed from the
Treasury benches that it contained as much con-
cession to popular demands as Ministers, from
their position, could be expected to offer, and that
it was a sufficient basis for any bill likely to get
through Parliament. But, if the Ministerial Bill
was made for a Whig and Tory House, much more
was the resolution proposed to suit the taste of
honourable members. It has not a single merit in
it which can commend it to the nation. It is is vir-
tually a mere negative to the most unpopular part
of the Government measure. It has not a spark
of courage, or generosity, or confidence in the
people about it. It offers nothing definite ; it is
only so worded as to be, on the one hand difficult

. Se
ustiiio
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THE SUN.
THURSDAY. MARCH 31, 1859.