New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-07

may in any degree affect their progress and pros
perity. Some few years since-vhen the Colonial
Office held almost absolute dominion, when every
appointment in the Colonies was made the spoil of
some needy sdherent OF home party, and change
from Russell to Derby, and from Derby to Glad
stone, aud from Gladstone to Grey, brought re-
versal of the scale, and change from one crotchety
theory Of government to another, often its exact
opposite-the appointment of a new Colonial Min
lister was to our friends beyond the frontier mat
ter OF deep and eager interest But those days have
happily gone BY, at least for the British North
American Colonies. With the passing OF the Ec-
elesiastcal Tenure bill, under the administration
of the Duke of Newcastle, passed away the last
question upon which the views Of the Home
Ministry could be Of any interest TO the Colo
MES Having learned, even at the eleventh
hour. the truth of that sound commercial prn-
ciple. that no nation ever did the business
of another for nothing and having taken the
direction Of their own affairs into their own hands,
the British North American Colonies have made,
since the adoption Of responsible government
more progress than in the whole halfcentury
previous. and assumed a position in which they
car afford TO view with lnconcern who may be
their governors or what may be the tone Of their
opinions Since ISL the old dngy dwelling in
DowniDg-street, where the directing spirit reigns,
has seen more rapid change OF soyereigus than
even the New-York Opera or France in the days of
her Revolutions. In quick succession within
three years we have had Earl Grey, Sir J. Psking-
ton, the Duke of Newcastle Sir George Grey, Lord
John Russell, and now Sir William MOlesH orth.
Fortunate was it for the North American Colo
MES that they saved themselves from being made
the experiment-ground of the many model Con-
stitutions which these various statesmen repre-
sent and babe them seek for fancy fields at
the Cape and in New-Zealand As long how
ever as the North American Colonies hesitate
to complete their independence, and retain
that last miserable rag of Colonial habiliments,
foreign imposed Governor, as center round
which 10 gather political corruption and in
triQue 20 long to some extent must the character
of the Minister in whose hands rests his nomina-
ton OF recall be & matter Of some small moment.
Beyond the nomination of the Governor and the
reception Of Colonial statesmen on railroad and
recruiting schemes, craftsmanship as far as the
North American Colonies are concerned finds no
are the qualities most needed and most essential to
success. 1t was his singular sweetness of manner,
nobeness Of mien and earnest amability, more
than any broad or bold range of policy, for which
there was no field that made the Duke of Newcas-
tie, in the estimation Of such men as Messrs.
Hincks and Howe, and all interested in Colonial
matters on this and the opposite eide of the Allan
tic, the most popular minister who ever occupied
tie Colonial Chair 1t was the absence of these
gentler attributes that made Lord Grey, with all
his vigorous energy and sound Colonial view, per-
sonally the most unpopular. To views similar to
those Of Lord Grey, Sir William Molesworth
unites like absence of genial qualities, while
possessing no yigor OF administration whatever
In his youth, with a boldness rare in young bar
onets Of twelve or fourteen thousand pounds
year. be adopted strong radical opinions on ques-
tons both of religion and Government. Entering
Parliament for his native County of Cornwall he
formed one Of small but able and energetic party
consisting of Mr. Roebuck, then member for Bath
MI Leader, member for Westminster, and one or
two others less distinguished, who had banded to-
cether to advance the doctrines of Bentham and
who received the title of philOsophc Radicals. In
worth had for time the conduct of the Westminster
Review in support OF their Religious opinions he
edited and illustrated with extensive commentary
the works Of Hobbies; and in support of their party
projects. he occupied in conjunction with Mr.
Leader magnificent mansion in Belgrave Square
where the followers of their philosophy were
RECALLED at barQuels of luxurious appliances un-
dreamed Of in ours, and the party maxim Of Old
Eldon, "dne well and Often" was fai .hfully OBJ
served. Out of these dinners came much
pleaiantness but few votes abstract theories
were too i1distinct Colonial questions too re-
mote TO seize on peoples passions; and one By
one the philosophic Radicals SIS a party grew
beautifully less, leaving Sir William MoleswOrth
70 bloom alone Nothing dsunted, however, be
conferred his str myth on Colonial questions aud
cntinued to urge with answering boldness
views then deemed revolutionary and rash,
but which have found form in the recent Colo.
nal CONSTITUTE me; and while his frOst-sipped
party pined itself away, his doctrines daily
rpered. IN this csreer be- hsd passed from
Cornwall, where he was defeated, 70 the more
sdTarctd and liberal constituency Of Leeds,
sud from Leeds 70 the strong Radical metro
politsn borough Of Sou hwark.
Upon the formation Of the Aberdeen Coalition
Government his long services 70 the cause of
Colonial Reform were recognized in an offer of
he UIeer-Secretarysbip for the Colonies under
TIE Duke Of Newcastle. a: first he was disposed
70 scceDt IL and had half consented. but Ia