The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-11 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

Zn notini that the new House of Commons met an
Thursday for the first time, the Times remarks on the
position which the members took. Curiosity and a desire
to be instructed in the ways of the place in which they
were for the first time assembled were the feelings most
plainly manifest. It was evident that Mr. Denison might
have been a very indifferent instead of an efficient Speaker,
and yet the crowd of representatives elected under the
Reform Acts of 1867 and 1868 would not have ventured to
dispute the propriety of his re-election. Going on to
comment on the composition of the new Ministry, the
Times signifies its approval of the appointment of
Lord Spencer to the Irish viceroyalty. It
is likely to give unqualified satisfaction to the Irish
people, and to reflect great credit on the Ministry.
Possessing ample resources of fortune, in the perfection of
early manhood, with abilities only too rarely displayed in
the House of Lords, and a spirit of hospitality sufficiently
known to all who frequent the annual gathering at 'Wim-
bledon, Lord Spencer is eminently fitted to attract the
warm regard of those over whom he will be placed. A
rumour existed that he was unwilling to assume the post.
If he hesitated, it is well his hesitation has been overborne.
The complaint Prime Ministers have more than once made,
that they could not induce great peers to undertake the
office of the Viceroy, points to a danger which must be
deprecated. The 'Union has of course detracted much
from the responsibility and the splendour of the post, and
the time may not be far distant when it will be well to
abolish it altogether ; but until the policy of reli-
gious equality is thoroughly adopted work remains
to be done of a nature to occupy the highest ability.
The only post of great importance which now remains
vacant is the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Mr. Cowper has refused to take that post. The comple-
tion of a Government in eight days is a remarkable
instance of despatch, and it is doubly fortunate that it
should be possible. The re-elections must consume some
time, and the interval then left before Parliament re-
assembles in February will be scant enough for the prepa-
ration of the bills which must be ready almost as soon
as it is called together. Mr. Gladstone has doubtless
a clear idea of the form which disestablishment must
assume, and he may be prepared to submit a scheme
for the application of the ecclesiastical funds of
Ireland as they are diverted from their present uses, but
it cannot be presumed that Mr. Gladstone's colleagues
are fully instructed in the details of his plans either of
disestablishment or of disenclowment, and it is, of course,
necessary they should be completely familiar with them
before they are called upon to advocate or defend them in
Parliament. The speedy completion of the Ministry, though
prompt, has not, therefore, been too prompt, and the
Liberal party may feel grateful to Mr. Disraeli that he
did not by protracted opposition further abbreviate the
brief time left to the Government for the development of
their proposals. The duty of the hour is plainly to get
through necessary and formal business as quickly as pos-
sible. The swearing-in of members, the issue of new
writs, and the re-elections must consume much precious
time, the Christmas holidays will inevitably absorb some
more, and the first week in February may be upon us
before Parliamer tary draughtsmen have received their
final instructions.

The Post observes with regard to the Ministry that
people who have been brought up in Whig houses and
the Whig faith may not be entirely satisfied. The cir-
cumstance that seven Cabinet Ministers are unconnected
either by birth or marriage with Whig families may touch
their ss sceptibilities. But those who have watched the
course of events cannot fail to see that now, when a cam-
paign of no ordinary severity awaits the Ministry, it was
impossible to consider any merely traditional pretensions.
The free lances of the Opposition will only be careful to
find the vulnerable points of the Cabinet. Therefore, if
for no other reason, it was incumbent on Mr. Gladstone to
form a working and useful, rather than an ornamental
Administration. He had the example of his opponents to
guide him. Lord Derby advised the Conservative party
to take Mr. Disraeli for its leader, and Mr. Disraeli has
acted upon the instruction which his own elevation
underlined.

The Post has a word to say apropos of " swearing in."
As a nation we have always had wonderful faith in the
efficacy of oaths, and until comparatively recently we
required them to be taken on almost every possible occa-
sion on which it was conceived desirable for the authorities
to ascertain whether an individual was telling the truth.
The sheet-anchor of the Custom-house was, so to speak,