The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-05-14 00:00:00

THE MINISTRY.

(From the Morning Herald of Saturday.)
The cause of the failure of Sir Robert Peel's efforts to
form an administration is one which, while it exists, must
present an insuperable obstacle to the formation of a ministry
willing and capable of saving the country from the difficul-
ties and perils in which the whigs have placed it. Such a
ministry could only be formed by the great conservative
leader of the House of Commons, in whose hands are the
elements of its combination ; but that distinguished states-
man consulted rightly for his own honour, as well as for the
interest of the country and dignity of the crown, in declining
to place himself at the head of an administration'which would
have had less of the confidence of the Sovereign than a
Camarilla exercising in the recesses of the palace, secret,
mysterious, and irresponsible_influence over the mind of the
Queen and the destinies of the country.
If Sir Robert Peel sought office only to parade its plumage
—to enjoy its patronage, and gratify with the possession of
its external honours the yearnings of a vain ambition, he
might have all that he wanted in abundance, by consenting
to enact the pageant of the Premiership without its sub-
stance ; but Sir Robert Peel is not a Melbourne—a Durham,
—or a Normanby, to accept power upon humiliating condi-
tions, and wear the costume of high office as the splendid
livery of political servitude. His ambition is to SAVE THE
COUNTRY, and to do so he must have the undivided confi-
dence of the Crown, and all the power which a Prime Mi-
nister of England ought to have. All this, it was under-
stood, the Queen had given him in the first instance ; but
though the whig ministry had perished, whig intrigue was at
work, and, under its influence, her Majesty chose to limit
the code blanche which he had received, thereby placing him
in a position in which he must either compromise his honour,
by accepting of partial confidence and mutilated power, or
decline the task of forming an administration. Sir Robert
Peel adopted the only course which a high-minded states-
man could take in these circumstances—he respectfully re-
signed the trust of constructing a cabinet, and left the court
camarilla where it was.
Sir Robert Peel knew that he could neither serve the crown
effectually, or retrieve the country from its difficulties, unless
with full and unrestricted power—such power as constitu-
tionally belongs to a first minister of the crown. To submit
to the secret dictation of a camarilla, and to incur the risk
of having his measures thwarted by " a power behind the
throne greater than the throne itself," was a degrading con-
dition of office not to be thought of for a moment by a states-
' man of high principled and honourable ambition. If Sir
Robert Peel had lost anything by not accepting office, the
Queen and country have lost a great deal more. Her Ma-
jesty has lost the able and brilliant services of a minister of
unrivalled talents and accomplishments, and England has
lost, at least for a time, the inestimable advantage of pos-
sessing a government strong in character—strong in princi-
ple—strong in public confidence—a ministry capable of dis-
tinguishing between improvement and destruction at home,
and of restoring her ancient influence and renown abroad.
The whigs have taken especial care to surround the Queen
with their own creatures—they had introduced to the palace
of the maiden Queen a set whose conduct we need not-say
has excited public surprise, mixed with a stronger feeling.
The dark and foul conspiracy of which lady Flora Hastings
was near becoming the victim, we need not say excited gene-
ral indignation and disgust. Not pretending to know who
they were of the palace that concocted that conspiracy, it is
certain that they are still harboured in the court which they
have lowered in public opinion, beyond what the British
court ever was before. They have thrown a blighting cloud
over the popularity of the Sovereign. It is necessary that
our young and inexperienced maiden Queen should be delivered
from their influence, in order to be restored to the enjoyment
of the unbounded confidence and aflection with which the
people of England hailed her accession to the throne.
The Duke of Wellington, to whom her Majesty, as well
as her Majesty's subjects,.owe more than to any other man—
the Duke of Wellington, who preserved that crown she
wears from foreign conquest, and England from the deso-
lating sword of foreign dominion, has given, at her own re-
quest, such advice to the Queen as can alone save her throne
and kingdom from the embarrassment into which a faction,
without principle or capacity, have plunged both. It was in
conformity, with that-advice her MniommfainniftcpahNt
&do eetitreticel"gaid to have been conducted by the lady of an
ex-minister, has had the effect of counteracting the-advice
of the Duke of Wellington, and baffling the loyal and pa-
' triotic efforts of Sir Robert Peel to provide for the service of
the crown such an administration as should contain within
itself the means of making England, if any government
could, prosperous at home, and respected abroad.
The fatal influence of whig sway, under the degrading
superintendence and control of the Irish agitator, has de-
prived England of its high character with foreign nations,
invited unavenged aggression by foreign power upon her in-
terests, and unpunished insults to her once supreme and
glorious flag. The fatal influence of whig sway has at home
done more towards creating a feeling of hostility in the
minds of the poorer classes against the rich than ever was
known, with one or two exceptions, in the worst times of
our history. The whigs have attacked the church and the
poor together—the former has been rescued, in a great de-
gree, from the threatened danger, but the latter have been
made ferocious and desperate. The chartist doctrines and
outrages are but the symptoms of that disorder of the body
politic, which the cruel quackery of whig legislation has pro-
duced. We have no doubt that spies sent among the work-
ing classes for a particular object have hurried on ti'e hungry
and unreflecting masses, in many places, to acts of despera-
tion. But the whigs prepared the working classes to receive
evil counsel, and act upon it, by inhumanly committing the
deserving poor to the " tender mercies" of the Bastile law,
which Lord John Russell, in his " finality" pamphlet, so
highly lauds. Blood, it is said, flows in the land. The arms
of the Queen's troops are-said to be stained with the gore of
the Queen's subjects. In Ireland a licentious faction tram-
ples on the law, and sends forth its incendiaries and execu-
tioners at midnight and in the noon-day to carry on the
work of riband and precursor " tranquillisation" by fire and
slaughter. This is whig sway. Under whig sway, also,
Canada has been wasted by two rebellions, and has had its
constitution suspended.; and it was not the fault of the whigs
that the constitution of Jamaica has not been suspended also.
We believe there are foreign emissaries in this country
assisting to promote the ruin of England by fomenting the
disorders which whig misgovernment has created or encou-
raged. Nothing but a strong conservative administration
will be adequate to the task, which a camarilla at the palace,
male or female, can harass and thwart. The whig journals
now talk of an appeal to the country on behalf of the Queen.
They prostituted the Queen's name at the last general elec-
tion, and what did they get by it ? If they dare to appeal to
the country, the conservatives will rally under the banner of
the " Queen and Constitution, and no Camarilla," and the
whig faction will then receive from the country its final and
irrevocable doom.

(From the Courier of Saturday.)
The accuracy of our assertion, that Sir Robert Peel claimed

the dismissal Of all the ladies of the Court, is dinied-bitie
Tory prints ; and it is asserted, that he required the dismissal
of a proportion" only. Who, and how many he meant to
dismiss, we, of course, know not ; but we have not the least
doubt, that he claimed the right of dismissing all, though he
might not have resolved to exercise it to the letter.
Sir Robert is bound to state the ground of his objection to-
these ladies. The Times rests the objection solely on politi-
cal grounds, and pays proper respect to the characters of the
ladies in question : the Post, on the other hand, rests the ob-
jection as strongly on moral grounds, and talks of " damaged"
and " depraved" society. Which is right ? Which of the
two papers is the Peel print?
A meeting, which was attended by about thirty liberal
members of the House of Commons, among whom were Mr.
Hume and Sir W. Molesworth, was held, yesterday afternoon,
at the Reform Club, to consider the course to be adopted in
the event of the restoration of Lord Melbourne's Administra-
tion. Some of the mote' strenuous advocates of further re
forms were for insisting, as a condition of their support, that
the Ballot, at least, should be left an open question ; but we
understand, that Mr. O'Connell and other members urged,
that, in the present state of affairs, it would be unwise and
ungenerous to make such a demand ' • and it seemed to be the
general feeling, that their support should be given uncondi-
tionally. Another meeting was to be held at the Reform
Club this' afternoon.

A meeting was also held yesterday, at Mr. Ellice's, in
reference to the appointment of the Speaker of the House of
Commons, when it Was agreed that Mr. Shaw Lefevre should
have the support of the reforme rs.
(From the Second Edition of the Sun of Saturday.)
The Cabinet Council, which met this day, at twelve o'clock,
remained in deliberation for upwards of four hours. It is
understood that, after the explanations which will take place
on Monday evening, on the part of the liberal and opposition
leaders, the house will adjourn for a fortnight, to allow time
for the various arrangements which are in contemplation.
It is rumoured that the following, among other changes,
are contemplated :--
The Marquis of Normanby, Premier.
The Earl of Durham, Foreign Affairs.
Lord Howick, Home Department.
Mr. Poulett Thomson, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Brougham, it is said, will be placed at the head of a
Board of Education, a subject which his lordship has so
much at heart.

Lord John Russell will go to the upper house.
It is generally reported that some very liberal concessions
will be made to the public on the reassembling of Parliament
after the holydays.
We give these as the current rumours of the day, but we
do not place the slightest reliance on them, as we are con-
vinced that Lord Melbourne will not desert her Majesty
under the present circumstances, but continue to conduct the
Queen's Government.
(From the Spectator.)
Sir Robert Peel is cunning and adroit, but not sagacious.
A politician's instinct would have shown him the folly of dis-
agreeing with the Queen about her household before he had
secured a large majority ibtthe Commons. If he had waited
for 450 Tory members, the Queen would have been at his
mercy, and must have given up her Whig women. He has
blundered; and not for the first time, as all know who have
watched his career. But let that pass : what is to happen
now? Any one of these three events : Lord Melbourne may
reconstruct the Cabinet with its old materials, in which case
it will soon go to pieces again ; or he may introduce new men
and new principles • or a Government of new men and new
principles may be formed without him. In either of the lat-
ter cases the Government will be deserted by some old Whigs,
and could not be sustained until after the resignation, except
in defiance of a majority of both houses. This, then, is the
only alternative,—a Tory government, or a Government de-
void of whiggery, and going on for a time in spite of hostile
majorities in both houses. The men for a Tory Government
are ready : where are they for, the only other sort'_ of Go-
vernment?

(From the Standard.)
Lord Melbourne resumes office.

It is understood that Lord Howick was yesterday employed
in the endeavour to conciliate the refractory radicals to Lord
Melbourne's third government ; but so far without success.
Lord Howick has been the most active runner in the late
intrigue, and had the honour of admission to the secret con-
clave, which sat from the evening of Thursday to 3 o'clock
yesterday morning.
The report of this morning is, that Lord Palmerston and
Sir John Hobhouse decline returning to office.

(From a Correspondent.)

.
A number of rumours are in circulation this morning as to
the reconstruction of the government, but nothing with cer-
tainty known. It is however, very generally believed, that
Lord Melbourne's administration will resume office, and that
the Earl of Durham will have a seat in the cabinet.

Lord Melbourne had an audience of her Majesty this
morning at Buckingham Palace.
A Cabinet Council was held at the Foreign-office to-day at
12 o'clock. The Cabinet was attended by Viscount Mel-
bourne, the Lord Chancellor, the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, the Marquis of Lansdown, Lord Dlincannon, Lord J.
Russell, Lord Palmerston, the Marquis of Normanby, the
Earl of Minto, Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Lord Howick, Lord
Morpeth, Mr. P. Thomson, and Lord Holland. After the
breaking up of the Council Lord Melbourne proceeded to
Buckingham Palace.

(From Cupid.)
The Cabinet Council which assembled at 12 this day re-
mained in consultation above four hours. The result of its
deliberations cannot, of course, be known.
It is, however, confidently stated that, after explanations
by the Duke of Wellington and Lord Melbourne in the
Lords, and by Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel in
the Commons, of the recent negociations, both houses will
adjourn for a fortnight, for the purpose of making the ar-
rangements which recent occurrences have rendered ne-
cessary.

(From the Times of yesterday.)
It is now pretty well understood that Lord Melbourne re-
sumes his office, but that Lord John Russell remains only
until his successor is appointed.
In the mean time it is a high and paramount duty to the
Queen and people, no less than to himself, that in a case
where such enormous lies have been so indefatigably propa-
gated, placarded upon walls, and dispersed throughout the
country in newspapers bought for that unprincipled purpose
by Ministers with the public money—it is, we say, a high and
essential duty on the part of Sir R. Peel that the truth and
the whole truth should be made known by that slandered
statesman ; and if there be blame anywhere, that it should be
placed on the right head. In such a case reserve is prepos-
terous. It is inhuman to the calumniated, and treason to
nation. Sir R. Peel has more than once ere now been ac-
cused of coldness and false delicacy. They will not do at
present. The people will not endure such trifling with their
fate, nor will the conservatives tolerate it in their chief,
whom they chose to lead them into battle, wherever a strong
moral necessity should demand it of them, not to flinch or
needlessly compromise matters, or suppress any portion of
the credit due to himself, which is conservative, or, in other
words, national and invaluable property. The correspond-
ence on this question must every line of it come forth—no
garbling—no mutilation of any kind. The whole thing must
be made familiar to every cottage in the land, that English-
men may see for what and for whom their peace and welfare
at home and abroad, and those of their children and of future
generations, are to be sacrificed.

(From the Moruing Herald of yesterday.)
Lord Melbourne and his fellow intriguers held a cabinet
council on Saturday, which lasted for upwards of four hours.
Nothing decisive was agreed upon. The difficulties in which
the authors of the lady-in-waiting counterplot find themselves
involved, are obviously insuperable.
In the course of Saturday evening, and yesterday, all sorts
of rumours were in circulation as to the course about to be
adopted by the disinterred ministry—a ministry that was
proved to be rotten before it expired. According to certain
authorities, Lord Melbourne had determined to " liberalise"
his cabinet—in other words to fraternise with the " whole-
hog" men. According to other authorities, Lord Melbourne
had resolved to resign his position to Lord Normanby or to
Lord Durham !

These contradictory statements tend to prove, not merely
that the Queen's present advisers have done nothing towards
the reconstruction of an administration that may pretend to
grapple with the difficulties which overwhelmed Lord Mel-
bourne's late government—but that the reconstruction of
such an administration by Lord Melbourne is utterly impos-
sible.

By what conceivable agency may Lord Melbourne be sup-
posed to derive from the recent movement amongst the ladies
of the court, increased power to conduct the government of
the country ? Lord ,Melbourne did not, up till Thursday
last, lack the favour of the Queen, nor the services of grooms
in waiting, and of women in the bedchamber ! What he did
stand in need of, was a majority in the House of Lords—an
immense extension of the Tail in the House of Commons—
and some unworn pretext that might tend to mystify a portion
of the people of England, as to the character and tendency
of the O'Connellised administration. No mere court in-
trigue, however successful for the moment, can avail as a
substitute for these things. The most cunningly-devised
back-stairs plot will not tend to redeem Lord Melbourne
from the deep contempt, in which he has long been held by
the respectable portions of English society—nor enable the
tail-men in the House of Commons, so to multiply their
sweet voices as to convert a majority of five, into the required
majority of fifty—nor yet enable the whig minority in the
upper house to make a less miserable appearance than that
minority has done for four years past. The resignation of
office, therefore, by Sir Robert Peel has, obviously, imparted
no fresh strength to Lord Melbourne.