The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-19
IMPORTANT FOREIGN NEWS,

IMPORTANT FOREiGN NE"o
We have at last received very interesting news
from Great Britain. IL reached New York by al
sxpress 10 the New York Herald, and Baltimore
and washington by another express, sent on by
tbe BALTIMORE Sun We owe our thanks to both
these Offices for the energy they have displayed in
transmitting such important intelligence TO the
South.
The old ministry are dissolved upon the corn-la~
question. A new one is in the process Of formation
The cast OF the characters is not positively Determined
on but in all the drusaiis persona which have been
printed in the British journals we End the names o
Lord John Russell, and Of Lord Pamsr,on-the
lstser assigned in version to the colonial de-
partment and in Snoter represented as the minis
Ter Of foreign skaRs. We have no time TO cast
the horoscope, aud to calculate with any preci-
sion the results which may hefal our oEn
country. But it is impossible not to BEE that
two consequences May be produced from tle
new formation The one is that a new ministry
may lead to new state of their foreign relations
as we'll as of their domestic policy and the other
u.s. that as il has arisen in considerable degree from
the fIee-trsde system il may be disposed to view
N mcrv favorable light tho decided recommends
tons of the Presidents message, for a relaxation OF
sur own taria. Perhaps this approximation in the
interests Of the two countries may lead to more
,,onciliatory spirit on the part Of England, and a
stronger disposition adjust her relations with the
United States in other respects on ustsr and
omicabe basis. But every thing is yet at sea.
England will have 10 choose whether she is to ex-
change her best customer for a determined oppo-
nent.
In the frat excitement Of The important announce
mcnt which has just reached this country, that the
British government has changed hands the effect OF
that event upon relations in England will we
apprchend, be AT first somewhat exaggerated. The
accession to power Of a wing ministry, particu-
larry with Lord Palmorston las now seems most
probably at the head of the foreign Office, can
hardly be regarded occurrence, in ITSELF tend
ing to make our present difficulty with England
easier Of adjustment These same wings, il must
be remembered, with Lord Palmcrston at their
head, denounced and censured too Gbsru! otoard;
rs, the Ashburton treaty which the conservative
ministry had negotiated.
Still it cannot bo denied that the platform upon
which these statesmen now come into power IL orc
which should certainly predIspose them more than
ever to conciliatory spirit towards America. They
take Office substantially pledged to open their ports
to our breadsiuifs. They hope to send us their man.
ufactures largely in return. This double movement
might relieve the fearful pressure now bearing so
heavily upon the English nation.
And yet there are difficulties in the way. Sir
Robert, it appears, has resigned, because the Duke
of Wellington, by his influence and his proxies,
holding the balance of power in the House of Lords,
would not be pursuaded to agree to repeal Of the
corn-iaws. Will the iron Duke now yield TO his
rivals, what he would not yield TO his colltagufs7
II not, how can repeal of those aws-or any vital
modification of them-get through the Lords'
Again, in the House of Commons, there is a
working MA ority of at least hundred against the
,uhigs Will these men, who have never since
their election fnched from Sir Roberts lead, now
secede from the policy of their chiefs, the very
question upon which these have thrown up Office?
IL not, there is not great hope of corn-law
repeal might be desired, but in dissolution OF
Parliament and election. These things will
take time; and after they shall have been effected
we doubt whether the wings will gain more than
inv Of the hundred votes which they want. This
appears TO be the judgment of several of the best in
formed British journals In view Of these facts, it
Is possible that the wing ministry may either be
shortved, or hnd some difficulty in carrying out
their views. The opening the British ports can
not yet be certainly calculated If they are
opened, will be rather by the pressure Of starva-
ton ,uiihout" than from the nScerai,td ascendency
Of liberal principles eithin the walls of Parliament
But we have little time for further comment this
evening. In our judgment, this country should
hold to its present firm policy not the less
| firmly in view of the recent change of counscls in
England. If all shall prove for the best, and the
bonds Of commercial intercourse be drawn yet
more closely between us and England, this our
policy Of hrmness, tempered it will assurcdly be
by all due moderatiou will hardly offer any serious
! interruption to the peace of the two nations.
II, on the contrary, the new ministry shall break
down in the liberal commercial policy to which it is
committed, its accession to Office will by no means
| diminish or impair the motives which now call on
| us for a firm and mistaken, yet pacific, main,c-
| nance of our rights