The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-06 00:00:00

it remains to be seen how long those who now
Omit that it is his right will leave him in pos-
session of it. Perhaps there are few things more
difficult than for one in the position of Mr. DISRAELI
to explain the exact policy which it will be desirable
for him to pursue. He did wisely in not saying too
much. It is easy to add and impossible to retract.
No better illustration of the prudence of his course
could have been found than was given by the re-
marks of Mr. BOUVERIE afterwards. In the pre-
sent state of parties, and the very intricate state of
affairs, we do not see why the PRIME MINISTER
should be called upon all at once to enter into ex-

plicit statements as to what the Government is to
do on every possible occasion that may arise. The
House is not compromised, and it can judge
each question of importance as it comes

before it on its own merits, but some

people cannot be satisfied under any circumstances.
The commencement of the right hon. gentleman's

speech was very fittingly devoted to a tribute to
Lord DERBY, whose retirement he said was unex-

petted. " Personally as well as politically devoted
to him," his colleagues would not realise the im-

mense loss which they must sustain in the event of
his leaviug the Cabinet. With a true appreciation
of the situation in which he found himself, Mr.

DISRAELI did not enter upon the career or character
of Lord DERBY, but contented himself
with expressing the hope that the noble

lord would be restored to health, and in
that case he would continue to exercise

an important influence over public affairs. The

House of Commons is indeed an assembly which
needs no incentive to do honour to the distinguished

statesmaL who has just relinquished the highes
office under the Crown. As the right hon. gentle

man who has succeeded him observed last night to

the House, that was the arena where he acquired
his political and parliamentary experience, and many
there present had a personal recollection of that
"brilliant perception and fiery eloquence" which
he possessed more than most men. The noble lord
was the most hard-working member of the Cabinet,
and the loss of his services must be estimated ac-
cordingly.

In taking upon himself the task of forming a
Cabinet, Mr. DISRAELI declared that he felt the
full responsibilities of such a work, but that he felt
it his duty to undertake it, nor could he with due

self-respect refuse such an offer. "I trust to be
supported by my colleagues. I trust to the sympathy
of a generous party ; and perhaps I may be per-
mitted to say, I trust to the fair and impartial

treatment of a House of Parliament in which
I have passed half of my existence." All

who are now Mr. DISRAELI'S colleagues de

serve, he says, his recognition of the generous
manner in which they have granted their assist-
ance. The foreign policy of the Government will
be the same as heretofore ; that is to say, Lord
STANLEY will conduct it in the same course which
he has hitherto taken with the approbation of Par-
liament and the confidence of Europe. With re-
ference to domestic policy, Mr. DISRAELI an-
nounced amid general cheers that it would be a
liberal policy, a " truly liberal" policy ; and, after
the " loud cheers" which greeted this addition, he
proceeded to explain further, by saying that " this
policy would not shrink from any changes which
are required by the wants of the age we live in,
and will never forget that it is our happy lot to
dwell in an ancient and historic country, rich
in traditionary influences, which are the best secu-
rity
,for order and liberty, and the most valuable
element of our national character and our national

strength."
We think Mr. DISRAELI acted with great dis
cretion in not entering fully into the Irish question
for, as he said, his observations might have been
" misapprehended ;" he, therefore, contented him-
self with some leading remarks. The continued
suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act causes great
regret to the present as it did to the past
Administration, but still it is some satisfaction t o
remember that it has not been found incompa-
tible with the just, impartial, and even lenient
administration of the law. As Lord DERBY truly
put it, the present measure was not directed
against the Irish people, but it is rather to pro-
tect them from the machinations of a foreign con-
spiracy. The new Prime Minister gave no loop-
hole to the enemy in his remarks on Ireland, for
he spoke cheerfully and confidently about " one of
the most interesting and important portions of
the United Kingdom ;" and declared his
conviction that the prosperity of the
country and the happiness of the people might be
greatly advanced if the House would be conciliatory
and careful in its deliberations on all questions of
grave import relating to Ireland and the Irish.
The noble lord, the Chief Secretary, will take an
early opportunity of stating the policy of the Go-
vernment in that respect, and that policy Mr.
DISRAELI intimated they came prepared to vindi-
cate, should occasion require them so to do. The
right honourable gentleman concluded his im •
pressive speech by assuring the House that so
long as he directed its affairs there should
be no lack of energy and no want
of labour on the part of the Government in the
conduct of public business ; and that hon. gentle-
men opposite should have every facility of bringing
forward those measures which they deemed of im-
portance. This prefatory address of the Premier's
was more effective than if he had indulged in a
lofty strain, and entered into elaborate statements ;
and perhaps the wise and discretionary course he
pursued could not have been better illustrated than
by the speech of Mr. BOUVERIE. Why he spoke was
not very evident, as he did not represent the Opposi-
tion itself ; on the contrary, he directed his sneers more
especially against the Liberals than he did against
the occupants:of the Ministerial bench. " The
Liberals did not deserve to be called a party," he
facetiously observed ; " they had leaders who
wouldn't lead, and followers who couldn't follow,
and, instead of being an organised party, were little
better than a rabble." We think the " impalatable
truth " of this description may satisfactorily
account for the tenacity of Mr. DISRAELI in
attempting to carry on a Government with a ml.
nority in the House of Commons. We take leave
to differ from Mr. BOUVERIE, however, when he
says that this state of things is a greatpublic calamity
The days of strong parties are gone by, and the
question now is who can best serve the interests
of the country ? We would rather accept the de-
finition of Sir G. BOWYER, when he says that if
the Government " adopt a wise and liberal course
they will find supporters in every : part of the
House." Mr. GLADSTONE made no remarks upon
the chief subject of the moment, but whether his
reticence means approval or otherwise it is diffi-
cult to determine. Earl RUSSELL was not so
scrupulous, and made no secret of his dis-
appointment at the turn events had taken.
The noble earl thinks that no confidence can be
placed in a Government which says one thing and
means another ; but the House of Commons and
the country will adopt a more generous tone, we
feel convinced, and at any rate wait till the new
Prime Minister has shown his. policy before they
condemn it. Mr. DISRAELI has, no doubt, plenty
of enemies, but he may trust in the general sup-
and look beyond
port of the House of Commons,