Washington telegraph., 1855-06-06
The London Times OF the Situation Of Great
Britain

The Times of the 25th ult thus speaks Of tls
present situation OF the British Government:
Every incident that comes to our knowledg.
tends TO increase the feeling of fdismay with which
refecting OF all shades of political opinion are
disposed TO regard the present conluncture OF our
affairs. There is TO longer the slightest hore tbst
we can. by any means short of the most extreme
degradation, avoid the continuance of war The
expenses of which we pay, but the operations of
which onr counSellors seem unable to pIan and
generals to execute. Our Government is
caricatnre Of the weakest and most selfish com.
binations of other times. Our Premier has dis
appointed the expectations OF his friends and faith.
fully realized the predictions OF his enemies Our
Secretary of War is martyr to gcut and our
Secretary for the Colonies is returning from tbe
capital OF doubtful ally to add to the Admins
tration the weight acquired in futile negotiation
and perhaps to act the same part as that which
proved so fatal TO the Government OF Lord Aher-
deem. In the neanw While, legislation is blank
and discussion on topics cf public interest is sus-
pended, partly by the Crimean Committee rart-
ly by nnwIilIngness TO add to the difficulties of
the Administration which began to decay belcre
1t was completed. but must be tolerated till ar.
rangements can be come to for providing il with
suitable successor. In the meanwhile our only
hope should be in that palladium OF our Liberties
that depository OF the talisrnan of OFT Constiiu.
tion, in whose hands all legislation of late wears
State. 1t is not unreasonable to expect that at Il
moment so critical the House OF Commons will
be faithful reflex of the public opinion and that
the topics which are canvassed with SO much en-
ergy and unanImIty in every coffee room. at
every market, in every railway carriage round
every hearth in this country. i'll find some feeble
echo IN the deliberations o an assembly expressly
called together to represent US all. Why should
the New Palace at Westminster be the only
place OF public resort in the country in which the
present system, too scandaous tor defence, too
abominable for endurance. is not canyassed and
denouncedf Every where else men are busy with
plans, more or less well devised. according 10
their experience and opportunities. but all direct.
ed to the same otlect-the renovation OF our Of
fIcIa system, the reform of our services the rein.
rI9oratIon of our government in every branch
But It Is pregnant symptom OF our present social
disease. that while the country deIiherateS the
Legislature does not; while the conviction OF the
necessity of a change has penetrated every dwell
ling, from the palace to the cottage there at least
1t has found no entrance. The paralysis of the
body polite Is more complete than is usually
found IN the body natural. 1t dces not strike
some mem5. rs and spare Others but asSaiIs at
once the head, the hand and the heart No por-
tlon OF the machinery required for carrying
great war seems to be in force, except the lnnc-
tions OF the tax-gatherer. We do rot achieve
victories. but We pay for them. We have the
loans OF MIR. Pitt without his vigor anc policy;
we have the sanguinary campaigns OF Wellington
without his prudence, his vigilance, or success.