The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-09 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 9, 18G8.

It was not expected that there would be any real
opposition to the return of the new Chancellor of
the Exchequer, but still it is satisfactory to know
that he is duly elected, and that no hindrance or
Obstruction will thus be put in the way of business.
The right hon. gentleman made an interesting

speech on the occasion, which seemed to afford
general satisfaction. He asked the electors of North
Northamptonshire to ratify the choice of his SOVE-
REIGN by again returning him as their representa-
tive to the House of Commons. Mr. HUNT de-
clared that he little thought when he last ap-
peared before his constituents that in so
short a time he would solicit their suffrages in
the character of Chancellor of the Exchequer. By
a curious combination of circumstances the Prime
Minister had little choice in filling up the place
vacated by himself, and he had to select an untried
man, though certainly not an unqualified one.
Great allowance must be made for the new Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, for he is placed in a some-
what invidious position, succeeding, as he himself
remarks, to those " intellectual giants who filled
so large a space in the public mind." Ile
can but do his best, however, and a
fair trial he has every right to ask for and expect.
Another thing to take into account is that the pre-
sent time is an inauspicious one for the peculiar
office which he has undertaken, and no ordinary
anxiety attends those who have to fulfil its duties.
The " commercial panic" has not yet gone by, and
the bad harvests of the last two years have produced
evil consequences, so that already in taking the
post of Chancellor of the Exchequer during the
temporary absence of Mr. DISRAELI, Mr. HUNT
has had to inform the House of Commons that the
revenue of the country has lost its elasticity for
the first time for many years. But perhaps out of
evil may come good, and when at last the evil
effects of the last year or two are passed away, we
may recognise a better order of things, for specu-
lation, such as it has been for past years, should
not be continued. The overtrading and reckless
character of too many of our men of business have
brought great distress on the country and ruined
hundreds, but after the fearful warning we have
had the public will be slow to lend its countenance
to a repetition of such proceedings.
Turning to general subjects, Mr. HUNT observed
that we had now on our hand a costly war ; and,
in answer to au unwarrantable question, Whose
fault is that ? he replied, very properly, that no
one could say that the blame attached to the present
Government. The right hon. gentleman declared
that he never wished to find fault with his political
opponents when they were not there to answer him,
but still the Abyssinian difficulty was no doing of
the Conservatives. He entirely agreed with the
late Chancellor of the Exchequer when he says
that those who object to risking so many lives
to save so few seem to forget that if England had
acted on this principle hitherto she would not now
occupy the present position which she does. It
would be, indeed, a most dangerous precedent to
establish that foreign potentates may ill-treat our
countrymen, and yet that we are to raise no voice
on their behalf, and do nothing to rescue them
from their sad durance. No one of proper spirit and
accurate judgment can conscientiously blame
the present Government for having undertaken
the affair, and be the Expedition successful or not
in its immediate object of rescuing the prisoners
they will have done their duty, and no more can be
expected of them. It is indeed peculiarly a ques-
tion that does not admit of party interpretation
being put on it, for it is a national one, and Eng-
lishmen should rally round the cause, feeling assured
that it is one of common interest and importance
to all. The occasion which called them together,
being the first time he had seen his constituents
since the passing of the Reform Bill, Mr.
HUNT naturally made some observations on that
interesting subject. Some speakers and writers
have indulged in remarks to the effect that the
Conservatives were " dragged" into that measure.
Speaking for himself, the right hon. gentleman de-
clared that so far from having been dragged into
giving his support to the bill he could con-
scientiously declare that he gave his " entire ap-
proval' to the main features of it. As for the pro-
position that the principle of household suffrage
should be applied to the counties, Mr. HUNT thinks
that it would not be a beneficial change. It has
already been said that the influence of the landed
proprietors is too great, and this would make it still
more so, and give that preponderance to one class
which is always found to be prejudicial.

Another theory which the new Chancellor of the
Exchequer sought to contradict was that which lays
down the law, that the Conservatives being ob-
structives they had no right to introduce popular
measures. This he indignantly denied, showing
very forcibly that if the Conservative policy is
to be a successful one it must look " not only
to the past, but also to the requirements of the pre-
sent and of the future." Nothing could be fairer
than the manner in which Mr. HUNT spoke of the
duties which devolved upon all who aspired to direct
affairs at this time. He declared that they must
recognise the great progress that has been made
intellectually, morally, and materially, if they ex-
pected to gain the support of the intelli-
gent men of the country. In conclusion, the
right hon. gentleman affirmed that Mr. DisuAELI
had the entire confidence of the Conservative party,
and that they had had long experience of his ability
and assiduity in the House of Commons. On the
whole we consider that this first speech of a mem-
ber of the new Administration in a full and unfet-
tered style is a most successful one. It imparts
confidence, and inspires us to hope that the career
of the new Administration will be a brilliant and
effective one, and that it may long retain the con-
fidence and goodwill of the country.

The Radicals in the United States are pressing
on their preparations against the PRESIDENT with
vigour and determination, but they are beginning
to find the difficulty of the task they have under-
taken. They appear to be above all things
apprehensive of loss of time or any unnecessary
delay, and the Senate has adopted a resolution
prohibiting dilatory motions during the impeach-
ment proceedings, and limiting the debate on
the Articles of Impeachment to one day. Possibly
this has been done in pursuance of the old
idea of checking discussion, and silencing
all opposition ; but it also no doubt proceeds
from the anxiety of the Republicans to
hurry on the impeachment without interruption.
No attempt to curtail the Presidential functions
during the trial is to be made according to present
appearances, and the New York Herald declares that
the Impeachment Committee of the House of Re-
presentatives have nearly completed the Articles
upon which the PRESIDENT is to be tried. At first
these were said to embrace six specific charges, but
now the Articles are only four in number, charging
the I'RESIDENT with violations of the Constitution
and Tenure-of-Office Act, also with bribery ; and
even these charges occasion some perplexity to the
framers of the Articles. They find it difficult to
secure the object in view, and at the same time pre-
s..Tve the unity of the party. The New York Times,
in referring to this difficulty of the Impeachment
Committee, says that it seems to be widening the
basis on which Mr. JOIINSON is to be arraigned,
and, as the Articles are at present reported there is
nothing very new iu the charges. Bribery is an
accusation very easily brought against any public
man or political party in the States, and unfortu-
nately not very difficult to substantiate, though for