The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-07-02 00:00:00

TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 2, 1844.

The state of parties in the legislature at this mo-
-ment presents for our consideration one of the most
singular anomalies ever witnessed in any country.
Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham, in the one
house, and the Duke of Wellington in the other,
virtually sway the destinies of this country, the le-
gislative bodies having been converted into the
mere instruments of their will, recording determi-
nations with which they are absolutely forbidden to
interfere. And in what consists the power which
enables these statesmen to assume and hold such a
position ? Ministers have in neither house a large
body of sympathising and trusting friends, acting
with them from motives of affection for their persons
and character, and confidence in their general po-
licy. On the contrary, no ministry perhaps was
ever so weak in this respect, and commanded so
little the enthusiasm and love of those who, never-
theless, are constrained to their support. Upon
some vital principle they are at issue with every
.section of their friends, and upon none are they
united with all. Upon the questions of Education,
Church Extension, Factories Regulation, the New
Poor-law, and some other questions of importance,
their views are most unpalatable to the majority of
those through whose influence they hold place and
power ; and yet with respect to no questions are
they more decided and dictatorial, and we may add
more omnipotent, than with respect to these, in
which they are supported only by enemies or con-
strained and disgusted friends.
It is not then its popularity out of doors, or the
confidence which it enjoys within the walls of Par-
liament, which constitutes the strength of Sir
Robert Peel's ministry, and enables it to dictate its
measures to all parties, and in contempt of all. No
ministry, we repeat, ever enjoyed less general popu-
larity, or less of the confidence of Parliament, than
this ministry does. We much question, indeed,
whether, if it can be said to enjoy popularity and
-confidence at all, these do not flow in a greater mea-
sure from the "liberal" and destructive party than
from Conservatives. By what means, or upon what
principle, then, is it that Sir Robert is able to wield
the baton of office so proudly, and surmount diffi-
culties and opposition with such apparent ease and
success ? How is it, above all, that humbled, de-
jected, down-looking Conservatism walks chained
and crouching at his heels, through whatever de-
gradation he chooses to impose upon its head ?
What is the influence which has converted all the
flourish of lofty principle and unbending consis-
tency and patriotism, lately so rife upon every bust-
ngs, into this abjectness of slavery ? The influence
of fear upon Conservative breasts, stronger than
principle—strong as selfishness itself! Sir Robert
has but to glance—with that peculiar and meaning
look which he so well knows how to use—tow .rds
those benches where sit the determined Cobden and
his enthusiastic supporters, and country gentlemen
are ready at the hint to sacrifice independent action,
to fly in the face of recorded opinions and even
pledges, and to say "aye" to whatever the minister
chooses to dictate as the price of his forbearance.
If a body of Conservative members are anxious to
snatch from some meditated infliction the West
India or any other interest, the minister has but to
point significantly to a continuation of the income
tax, or to hint at retirement to a private station, and
the object of their anxious care is resigned, with
grumbling perhaps, but still resigned, to be dealt
with at his pleasure. And if upon some measure
of concession or expediency the demand upon the
obedience of his usual friends be too great to be at
once submitted to, we see forthwith from amongst
the opposing ranks, a tender of support gleefully
held out, to to enable Sir Robert Peel and his evil
genius, who holds the seals of the Home-office, to
defy and override the honest opinions of the few of
their party who dare be honest.
This is a painful picture to contemplate; but it is
one which the Conservatives throughout the empire
must contemplate boldly and at once, or they are
lost. A Conservative government acting upon Whig
principles—is this the thing for which we have
fought so long and so stoutly ? It is not. This is
not such a government as that which we hoped to
set up when we drove from office the late incapable
administration. This is not such a government as
that for whose maintenance in office and in useful-
ness we submitted to the imposition of an income-
tax, and to the sacrifice or temporary forbearance
in the assertion of principles ever held to be a por-
tion of the character of Conservatism. But why do
we urge the contemplation of truths so painful ?
Not surely without some effort in view to repair the
evil. On the contrary, we feel that such an effort is
necessary and is within our reach. Once more, and
earnestly, we must apply ourselves to the registries,
and strengthen ourselves there, that when an appeal
to the country is made—and that cannot be far dis-
tant—we may have at our disposal such an array of
strength as will enable us to select, with a determi-
nation not to be deceived or cajoled, honest and
faithful representatives of our opinions ; and be
spared the indignity of returning the pledged sup-
porters of this or that, or any ministry, which des-
pises and boastfully sets itself above public opinion.
Let every man, who has a claim to be put upon the
register, see now that his name is placed there. Let
every Conservative bear in mind and act upon the
injunction of one who knew well its importance—
let every Conservative who wishes for truly Con-
servative policy.

" REGISTER-REGISTER-REGISTER !''

We have given elsewhere an analysis of the pro-
visions of the measure recently brought in by Mr.
W. E. Gladstone for the regulation of railways. Its
importance will readily be admitted, when the vast
interests wiiich it is calculated to interfere with are
considered ; and we, therefore, offer no apology for
bestowing,'a few remarks upon the subject.
We cane, however strongly impressed in favour
of the may system, and recognizing the right to
something like inviolability of the property an-