The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-08
The Defeat 81 Lori PalmerssSw ON the Con-
sllrAcX @ MurSler HIl.

The Defeat Of Lori P.lmer.ss~ ON the Com
spir~cy to Murder Bill.
The most important item of the foreign news
by the Europa is the defeat, on the 18th ult., of
Lord Palmerston's government on the second
reading of the bill which was intended to pro-
tect the French Emperor from future conspira-
cies against his life Matched on British soil. We
referred to the bill at the time it was intro
duced, and need only repeat here that while it
was undoubtedly to all appearance concession
to the demands Of the government of France, It
could hardly have been of much practical ser
vice to the Emperor. The alteration which it
proposed In the existing law of England was in
significant; had it become statute, it is not
likely that it would have diminished the num-
Der OF the conspirators by single individual
The bill itself, and the issue raised upon it by
Messrs Roebuck, Minor Gibson, Kiuglake and
Others appealed rather to the feelings than to
the judgment. The opposition suffered the vote
on the first reading to 60 by default, in order,
according to Parliamentary tactics, to get the
issue squarely made before the country. Then
Mr.. Gibson gave notice Of a motion censuring
the government for not taking more indepen-
dent ground in their negotiations with the
French Emperor, and especially for not answer
ing the despatch of January &c. This motion
called up together with the bill itself on the
10th inst; and the telegraph briefly informs as
that the government and the bill were defeated
that evening by majority of 10.
According to strict Parliamentary usage
Lord Pslmerston should forthwith resign Office
and give way to a new set of ministers. But
this rule has been largely honored in the breach
of late years. Lord John Russell Lord Derby,
and Lord Palmerston himself, have continued to
hold Office after an adverse vote of the House Of
Commons And as it does not yet appear that
that body has lost confidence generally in Lord
Palmerston-though it will not sustain him in
his Difference to the Emperor of the French-he
may continue for some time to come to occupy
bis post as Prime Minister
AS to the consequences of the vote upon the
Continent, the French have tn emselves to thank
for the rebuff the Emperor has received 1t
was, to say the least, highly indiscreet OF the
French colonies to express so broadly their de-
sire for a war with England, and more indis-
Greet still of the government to publish taeir
fame and fury in the Official journal. Nor has
IL tended to soothe the feelings of the English
to know that while every insult of the soldiery
against the English has been published in the
clesrest type Of the Aonleur, not corner of that
paper has been found for the despatch in which
the Emperor expressed his apologies for them.
his time, at all events, the Emperor has not
exerted his customary tact and skill; be has
allowed his animosity against the free
Parliament and free press Of England to carry
him beyond the dictates Of prudence, and he
may now congratulate himself upon the result
He has learned that, although the English value
very highly the honor and profit Of his alliance
they are not yet ready to let him dictate laws
10 them.
There is reason to suppose that this event
may prove the entering wedge to the dissou-
ton Of the entente oordale between the two ma
tions. The alliance never was popular one in
either country; under Louis Philippe as under
the present Emperor, regard for England In
France was confined TO the ruling classes; and
at no time has John Bull relinquished his heredi-
tary dislike for the "frog-oating Frenchmenr
Nor did the rivaries in the Crimea, sedu-
lousy embittered by narrow minded writer's
afierward. tend to dispel the ancient jealousy of
the two armies. There is reason to suppose
that an Anglo-French war would. pecuniary
and commercial considerations apart, be highly
popular on both sides Of the Channel; il is well
known that such an event would exactly suit
the purpose Of Frances closest and most recent
ally. Russia.
OF course IL is not to be supposed that
England, with an unsubdued rebellion In India
and operations Of considerable magnitude in
China, would lightly embark In another and
so much more considerable war at home. But
the English may be forced into hostilities. if
the French are bent on il; and the tenor Of
recent advices from Paris justi6es the belief
that nothing lcs will satisfy the restless sol
diery Of France and that the Emperor himself
bsdgered to death by conspiracies, seditions
and al the essential troubles of despotism may
not have the force to resist the irritation which
the defeat Of the Conspiracy to Murder bill
IL calculated to produce. A cool, far seeing
man 10 bis position would endure anything and
everything rather than embark In war which