Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-30
NATIONAL ININLAIGENCiM.
FROM OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT.
LONDON, SEPTEMBER 6, ls4s.

ed for Scotland and Lord JOHN RUSSELL for Ireland.
IL WISH wrote Swift after his final return to
Ireland, "that some of your Ministers would visit
this unhappy country" That wish is now fulfilled /:
not only Minister has visited Ireland, but the
Minister. There is much speculation afloat as TO
,he real Object OF Lord JOINS visit, but nothing is
known beyond the obtaining correct information as
10 the state of the country, with view to legsla-
ton for its improvement. Lord GEORGE BEN
Timex is also about taking trip TO the sister Island
whether he will arrive at the same conclusions as
the Premier will, may well be doubted. Even the
conflict of opinion may lead to good
The late session of Parliament has been an event
full one not only so far as relates 10 domestic affairs,
but as to foreign events. The Goyernmen! has had
lis hands full, and, all circumstances considered, 1t
has done quite as much as could be expected, and
perhaps as much good with as little mischief as any
Government could have done. Another remarka-
BILE circumstance, which attended The commence
nient of Parliament, and remained with II through
its protraced session, has also existed until its
close that is the total want of an organized party
opposition to Ministers. The old organization OF
parties has been entirely broken up, least in the
House of Commons. This has occurred, not
through altered interests or changed attachments IN
the individuals composing these parties, but by the
intrusion of new elements and influences. From
the settlement of 1858 very nearly to the date OF
the reform BILL the arstocracy and the Landed
The majority of the members were either connect
ed with, or willing promote the interests OF those
classes. The party quarres in the House were, in
great measure the differences between its differ
ent sections But since the commencement of the
present century, and very decidedly since the pas
sage of the reform BILL influences and interests, not
only independent of the aristocracy and the landed
interest, but distinctly alien 10 and independent OF
their professions andcaims have electeda very con-
siderable number of the members of the House of
Commons. There are men there now, In number
sufficient TO keep each other In countenance, who
do not participate in 80 hereditary" landed or aris-
tocratic opinions and who aim at influences very
different from those traditionary ones to which Mr..
DlsRAELI SO fondly refers. This is new power
in Parliament which will force itself into recogni-
ton, and to that end the aims of legislation must
take wider scope. 1t is quite true that repre-
sentative assembly can only be worked etfectually
through party agencies. The majority must act
together, not in servie alliance, but in the general
tendencies of their aims and opinions. Without
this union of action time will be lost, and measures
defeated, through the antagonism of discordant
tons. But this unity of aim and purpose is not the
growth of day. Men must have means and OPP
portunity to ascertain their own minds as well as
those of others, and to master their actual and rea
the liberal and the Old School (the Wing of
Charles Fox's time) and the liberal of the New
School (the more respectable part of the present
ultra Reformers) to see clearly where they differ
and wherein they agree. Time alone can show
what are the powers external 10 the House which
determined the opinions, and should direct the coun
sells within and this knowledge is required to ce-
ment the majority of its members into coherent
and cooperating body. The House of Commons
may be said to be at present in transition state
There is TOO much. Of anarchical division in il. 1t
is the epoch of individual vanity, of crotchety i'm
practicablty, of Improbable cleverness, of windy
rhetoric and palaver of all that obstrucs instead of
facilitates business. Take Lord GEORGE BEN
Timex, Messrs. HUME, D'IsRAELI, 6. THOMPSON,
ANsTEy, and URQUHART, the types of these
classes: we do not class JOSEPH HUME among
these gentlemen with any view to disparage so very
honest, industrious, and enlightened statesman
but we do think that he has occasioned consider
able loss OF public times by schemes which we are
compelled TO call rather " crotchety." We would.
so far our feeble voice can co. cheer and encou-
rage Mr.. HUME in his endeavors after Parliamentary
reform. We think, however, that there are
"crotcheis" in his proposed Parliamentary refor-
nation, but much good will be gradually obtained
by keeping the subject before the public, and by
adopting reform so fast as it becomes practicable
that any Administration, with House of Commons
IN the state whicfwe have described, and which we
believe TO be correct sketch, could always guide
It's deliberations either steadily or consistently.
There Is not a, present majority in the House for
the support OF any Administration. The strongest
party is that OF the Wings, but they are not ma
jority. Neither is the PEEL section, nor the Free
traders, nor the Protectonists. To ascertain where
the power lies amidst these sections to discern its
force and pressure, and the extent 10 which its
principles likely TO urge and influence its advo-
Gates is no easy task in addition TO the usual duties
Of a Minister and, no doubt had its share in pro-
ducing some Of the legislative failures of the past
session.
We are so apt to keep out Of sight what has been
really dene, when we are Disconnected with The
contemplation Of what has not been done, that it is
merely act Of justice TO add that Government has
passed one hundred and five bills during the session
Notwithstanding all that has been said of its " do
nothing character" In fairness it also ought to be
observed, that in the midst of difficulties calling for
peculiar tact and care a" with sedition in England,
an incpent rebellion in Ireland, and revolution
over Europe the administrative duties of the Gov
eminent have been discharged with eminent ability
and success There is also reason to anticipate the
best effects in future sessions from the completion
OF many pending measures and inquiries. Lord
JONI and his Cabinet may have erred and miscar-