The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-03-04 00:00:00

which we a

cum, upon their continent, the Canada
-

even not

being bepnd the scope of their contemplation.
A more mad proposition than this has certainly
never been broached in a civilised land in a time of
profound peace; and, although it appears to be
doubted whether the Government or the other
House of Legislature can be brought to support it,
the aggressive feeling which it exhibits, as actuating
the American .people, is one for the outburst of
which England would he blind to her own interests
were she to neglect to prepare. It must be plain to
the most ordinary observer that society in the
United States is tending towards a convulsion.
The fabric of slavery existing in her southern states
is tottering under the unceasing exertions of the
abolitionists ; and bitter is the hate which those
interested in its preservation hear towards England,
for the part which she has taken and the example
she has set in discouraging the system. A few
more years will, perhaps, bring about its destruc-
tion ; but, pending its existence, there is no policy
which can be adopted by the American Government
more popular than some violation of national pro-
priety which would bring America into collision
with us, or any other power, and thus divert the
-national mind from the contemplation of this weak
spot in their social position. The seizure or an
attempt upon the Oregon territory may not, how-
ever, be made for a time; but it will only be
deferred because there are other schemes in view
more feasible and which afford more immediate
prospects of accomplishment.
Whilst upon this subject, we may congratulate
our American brethren upon the fact of one at least
of their defaulting states—Pennsylvania—having
exhibited signs of a return to honesty, by paying
the February interest of her debt. The circum-
stance was celebrated in Philadelphia by the firing
of cannon and other rejoicings; and we only regret
that it

as not announced a fortnight earlier, that
the late Rev. Canon of St. Paul's might have gore
out of the world with a rather better opinion of

republican integrity

Mr, Benjamin D'lsraeli is certainly not our beau
ideal of an English statesman. He is a little crot-
chetty in his notions, not a little coxcombical, and

pect, too, that
he is rather impressed with a otion that his abili-
ties have been overlooked by the present Govern-
ment, and that he entertains, and seeks occasion to
vent, at times, a little acrimonious feeling towards
the head of that Government. Such a man, how-
ever, possessing talent, as Mr. D'lsraeli must be
admitted to do, cannot but stumble now and then

in his manner

ble sayings ; and amongst. the number of
these we regard the rebuke which he took the
opportunity of administering to Sir Robert Peel
during the debate upon Mr. Duncombe's motion
on Friday night, in reply to an attack made upon
him by the Right Hon. Baronet in a former debate.
Mr. D'lsraeli assumes that there are quntions
occasionally coming before the house upon which a
member of Parliament may take up an independent
position, and exercise his privilege as a member,
without reference to party considerations ; that, in
short, although a supporter of the general policy of
Government, a member may occasionally be found
voting with his opponents. He complains, how-
ever, that Sir Robert Peel is somewhat of a martinet
in his treatment of his party, and on such occasions
of disobedience is in the habit of dragooning them
rather too strictly, considering the position which
he occupies and the large majority which he com-
mands in the house
" I can cona

upon sense

he says) a Minister in a position in
rich lie requires devotion from Jis party—l ran suppose
Minister having a very small majority—l can suppose
he holds power merely in deference to the wishes of his
party ; he has a right to say to his supporters, " I have to
fight a very difficult game; I would much lather give up
power; still I will hold on; but you must be ready at all
times to support me with devotion. That is not the po-
sition of the right hon. gentleman. His position is quite
the reverse. He has a very large party to support him,
and an opposition before him which, though distinguished
doubtless by very eminent talents, and, numerically, far
from contemptible. is not, nevertheless, distinguished for
its power of cohesion. (Cheers and a laugh.) The right
hon. gentleman is in a position which really would allow
him to be indulgent."