Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-01-04

( Prom the Loadsa rimes Dec TO-
Palmerston has rendered his resignation Of the
once OF Secretary Of the State for tie Home Department,
and has therefore ceased within the last as hours
Pa' OF her h.cstvs Government II that has
oeen accepted by tho Crown. Upon the receipt Of
munication from Lord Palmerson announcing the rcsou
Ton no had been led to FORM the Prime Minister le
Tor Osborne house yesterday for the purpose Of laying the
resignation OF the Home Secretary before the Queen
whatever may be the surprise which this
may excite in the public mind. that surprise will be
sideraby augmented whom the cause which has induced
Lord Palmerston to withdraw from the present Adminis
traton accurately known That cause, may conf
IDENTIFY state is unconnected with the foreign policy Of the
Government, IL has arisen of tho difficulties OF
the Eastern question, is true that differences OF
opinion that subject hare manifested themselves with
such iorcc to lead the regiment OF any member of
the Administration. Tho ground which Lord Pal
merson Is said to rest his inability TO remain In the pre-
sent Cabinet and to share in the responsibility Of the
sures OF the approaching session. is distinctly and exc
s,vely his decided opposition to the Reform BIN which
has been prepared under the direction OF Lord John Rus
SELL aud assentcd to by the other members Of the Govern
ment II has been understood for weeks past that
the projected measure of Parliamentary Reform had been
referred to Committee OF five members OF the Cabinet
of whom Lord Palmerstou orc and his opposition
To schemes Of Parliamentary Reform secret he
placed on that Committee in order that he might have
ample opportunities for considering tho provisions OF the
bill and stating his objections 10 them. Lord Palmeston
no doubt gave TO the Committee the able and vigorous
assistance aud attention which he is accustomed
to public affairs but seems from the result that his OBJ
iectons to the principle OF the not 10 be
diminished overcome. lie stated then to his
colleagues in manly and straightforward manner but
il appeared that VI Parliamentary Reform
such would meet the expectations of the country
was likely 10 obtain Lord Palmerston's support II
may be necessary here TO state distinctly for the
Information of hot class of democratic politicians
who have frequently cmcd Lord Palmcrston ms the rep
resentatSe OF their opinions that his objection to the
in contemplation IL not that the provision, Of
llp are al nj
dcicnt. On the contrary. Lord Pamcrston like Mr. Can
ming aud the other statesmen Of the school of Mr. PIT 10
which he belongs by the traditions of his whole nol;tc,
life, Is not Parliamentary Reiormer and although he
bore part in LORD Greys great reform Of 1891 no states
OF the present day has shown less disposition TO alter
that settlement of the question to extend the franchise
TO dsanchse te snail borougbs, make those con-
cessons which the Liberal party have ceased To
demand 1t is the mDre necessary to be perfectly explicit,
on this point becaus, it is commonly supposed both in
this county aud ahsad that the active sympathy probes
sed by Lord PalmerSon for extreme Liberal opinions in
foreign countries ia combined with equal zeal for
Liberal home. No greater faacy can b. on
ter,acd to public man. aud his retirement from of
nee the present OCCASION rather than accede TO Lord
John RusseIs scheme of reform, is conclusive demon.
sration that point.
We repeat, il j. upon this ground expressly and alone
that Lord Pamcrton has retired from the Cabinet and
upon any question of foreign policy. We do not af
feet Disguise the regret with which have learnt his
determination to undcrvalue the loss which the Gov
eminent susains On the contrary, although the opinion
Lord PIsFstOn cleFtainS the question of Parliamen
taTy Reform IL az variance with and with nf
majority OF the Intelligent glasses Of Eneishmen We do
not hesitate TO avow that there 4 time at which
her Maestys Government could less afford lose the adj
vantage OF his great abilities aud experience nor wa
there ever time when essential the inter
ests AMI dignity Of the nation that the Ministry should
preserve lnn and united attitude. liz ,hs; Government
| Lord Paaers,on has not only proved himself Home
Secretary most efficient administrator but he has given
in liberal spirit tie benefit of his advice and his iudg
ment in the discussion OF all the important questions of
foreign policy which the last iwelvemonth has brought
fhA g
That Lord Palmerston was known be party to il was
uuquesonablv additional pledge to the country that
the policy Of the Government in the Fast firm and
honorable To npugn and misrs present that policy the
enemies OF the Government resorted long ago the fc.
ton OF supposed divisions in the Ministry those divisions
have, untappily, at length occurred but not as was
erFoGeroulS represented the be pursued to-
wards Turkey aud Russia but the reform
to BE- applied TO tie electoral aEchisc aud the close
| boToushS
1t would however, lie great and mscheyous error if
were believed that the voluntary retirement of Lord
PamerstOn from Office another question: would ia
any degree o"e the tone or relax the energy foreign
Affairs OF The cabinet to which he has till belonged
IL does nniorun aely tend impair the influence which
this country may exercise in Europe that ministry il
exposed To secession of this kind the very moment
when II would be most essential fur to lie acting
one man 10 avert or 10 prosecute war, aud such
cuGreice i The more strange when il is attributable
cause distinctly orseen the formation Of the Cabinet
But beyond this We an" satisfied that the which
tue "n'"m'nt arc prepared to adopt in the East III
suffer no change OF abatement from the withdrawal Of Lord
Pamers!Oa.
TIL" meas Of Lord Pamerston's resignation will be re
ceiTei with different emotions in many different quarters
IN some With astonishmcn in with Incredibly in
some with eHulation, III many more with regret The
meeting OF Parliament can alone terminate this period of
excitement and uncertainty, but have donbt that
II will folly confirm the statements have made Lord
PamefSon vii! then Nimicate his conduct AMI xpain his
motives bat We can conceive motive short
OF the most inpeou dictates Of conscience and of dut,
which would justify Minister the Crown IN retiring
from Its service at moment OF much importance 10
! the interests Of the nation aud Of the world