The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-31
Important from Europe Lord Palmerston's
Resignation.

Il
The news by the Africa, in its general fea
lures, from the seat of war is of very cousid
cradle moment, and in one particular crcum
stance, concerning the British Cabinet, is O
some puzzling embarrassment. That crcum
stance is the resignation Of Lord Palmorston
Secretary of the Home Department.
The alleged reason given on Change next
morning, (the lGth,) for this act Of Palmerston
was, that in the meeting Of Parliament on the
third Of January it was understood that Lord
John Russell, (backed by all the other mem
bers of the ministry, except the retiring min
ister) will bring into the House of Commons o
bill for very liberal extension of the elective
franchise, upon the basis of what is known in
England as the Household Suffrage. This is
the reason given out on Change and in the
London journals, originating. no doubt, from
government agents, with view Of quieting the
public curiosity. But it seems that the people
after half days reflection, rejected the ex-
PLANTATION arising from the instruments of Aber-
deem, and adopted the more rational idea that
| the retirement Of Lord Pslmerston was the re-
suit Of some ministerial disagreement concern
ing the policy to be pursued by her Majesty Is
| government upon the Turkish question. Thus
the Commercial Daily List says: Although
| the impression on the Stock Exchange appear
| cd to be that domestic politics Influenced Lord
| different feeling was prevalent in mercantile
circles and the belief is that his lordship would
not have taken SO decided step, perilling the
existence Of the ministry at such critical
period, wese he not actuated by higher motives
than those assigned His withdrawal so recent
| " after the announcement that negotiations
would be continued by this country, and the
almost simultaneous arrival Of the news Of de-
cided Russian successes by sea aud land,
strengthens the idea that disagreement with the
Eastern policy Of the government is the true
cause of his resignation
We are thus free to infer that Lord Aberdeen
has disguised Palmerston with his temporizing
policy where bold and decisive action was de-
manded. The hurry of Aberdeen in carrying
the intelligence to the Queen at Osborne House.
may signify nothing-there was nothing extraor-
binary in the proceeding; but the instincts of the
public mind on great cabinet difficulties are
pretty generally correct. The crisis in Turkish
affairs may have arrived for putting the
question OF active armed cooperation with the
Porte in the Black sea, by the fleets Of England
and France; and, on the other hand, Lord
Aberdeen may have been immovable in his be-
lief that compromise with the Gar is now at
tainable, and that it is only compromise that
con arrest the fearful alternative Of a general
European war.
At all events, Louis Napoleon and the public
opinion Of England, and, we dare say, this
country, have thus far dragged the British Ca
binet after them. Palmerston's resignation, we
fear, is chargeable to Aberdeen's peremptory
refusal to bulge another peg till he shall have
tried a little more coaxing with the Gear. The
British lion is getting old and circumspect. In
other words, while drifting down stream John
Bull win vainly struggle to pull up. He will
be compelled to 60 with the tide.
THREE New TERRToRIEs.-We see that the
Committee on Territories of the Senate will pro-
badly urge the organization Of three more new
territories, to be carved out of that vast
prairie region lying between the western
frontiers Of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and
Minnesota, and the Rocky Mountains, in
one direction, and between the 34th and
the 42d parallels Of north latitude in the
other direction These new territories are
to be called Nebraska, Kansas, and Cherokee,
and they will probably leave the northern por-
ton of the immense region indicated still open
to the Indians and the buffaloes. But as the
territories to be formed will involve the Mis-
souri, compromise line Of $3.50, they will bring
up again in tangible shape the broad issue OF
slavery or free soil.
Undoubtedly the free sellers, upon these ter
ritories, will revive the pestilent Wilmot pro-
viso. Another party will propose to leave the
question Of slavery to be determined by the
people of said territories for themselves; but as
this privilege will open the territories to the
people of Arkansas and Missouri, with their
slaves, the plan Of non. Intervention will be
stoutly resisted. Another party in Congress
may propose the continuation Of the Missouri
compromise line to the northeastern boundary
of Texas; and between these several PROPOSE
tions we may count upon another general agi.
tation in Congress Of the whole merits Of the
slavery question.
In this controversy we shall probably dis
cover whether the Cabinet is unit or other
wise in the general issue; whether they are for
the compromises Of the constitution and the
precedents in law supporting those compro-
misses, or whether they are simply for the
spoils, regardless Of consequences. The free
soil nroclivities of Gaueral Tov1or'o Cah;nat
came very near bringing the Union to an alb
rupt dissolution. Now we shall soon see
whether our present administration is better
or worse on the slavery question than the free
soil spells Cabinet which broke down Genera
Taylor. The Cabinet organ, instead Of this
eternal whining and growing about the Senate