Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-07-01
The Defeat of the British Ministry.


jority in the House of Commons being in fact tempo
rary arrangement retaining power by suerance or by
the want of union the part of those opposed to it
having at no time definite policy, was at any moment
liable to be turned out 1t might be regarded rather as
a locum tenens-a government ad anteram-than an &C
tual power. Some months since it received positive
check having been defeated test motion arising out
of the proposed scheme of Parliamentary reform brought
forward by Benz DIsraeI Chancellor of the Exchequer
and ministerial leader of the House of Commons.
Two courses were open for the administration re-
sign or to appeal to the constituencies by dissolution
of the sitting Parliament and the election of new one.
The latter course chosen Parliament was dissolved
an election was hed-there appeared to be gam OF
some twenty-five members of the House IN favor OF the
ministry which still left its reliable supporters consider
ably less than majority of the House. The opposition,
however, was composed of not very harmonious elements
embracing the Peeltes who might be called the liberal
conservatives-the Wings, represented measuraby by
statesmen of the Lord John Russell and Palmerston
school, and the advanced liberals, of whom Mr. Bright,
Mr. Roebuck and others, of what is known as the
Manchester school, are looked upon as leading expo
nen:s
Before the meeting Of the New Parliament, circu
EAN1Ao1N0
of opposition, to be held at Willis Rooms, Piccadly.
This circular, CALL signed by prominent members
of each Of the three great divisions OF the opposition the
centre being composed Of the Wings proper-he Peel
ties forming the right wing and the Ultra Liberals Or
as they are sometimes called, the Radicals forming the
left wing At the meeting OR council, held in pursu-
ance of this CALL two hundred and seventyiour persons
attended among them sthe most distinguished members
of the several branches of the opposition such as Lord
Palmerston, Lord John RUSSELL Sidney Herbert, Mr..
Bright, Mr. EIlice MIR. Roebuck aud others.
Lord Palmerston opened with speech criticisng
severely the conduct of the tory ministry with respect
to the italian war-ts ineficiency and want OF influence
in the councils of Europe, contending that cabinet
that had lost all weight not tit any longer to be IN
trusted with the torelgn relations lie went
for attacking the Derby administration directly through
a vote of want of confidence Lord John Russell
concurred with Palmerston. Mr.. Bright hoped the
wings would adopt more comprehensive system with
regard to REFORM than that they had followed since 1882
If So he would be with them If retaining the present
ministry would be most likely to secure peace he would
90 for keeping them in office. Palmerston explained
that in his opinion nothing conducive to the in
terests of Europe and the preservation of peace as the
|
France Finally it was agreed to go for the want OF
confidence " vote, Mr.. Roebuck being the only dissen-
! tent.
The result of these preliminary consultations was some
desutory skirlnishings in the House. During the de,
bate Oh the usual address the throne in reply to the
Queens speech Lord Palmerson reiterated his ideas OF
foreign policy and debate ensued in which D'Israei
and others took part.
The address to the throne was subsequently passed
with the want Of confidence in ministers tackled to it
as an amendment, by vote Of 1913 to 3D. This is
not heavy majority but suppose it is decisive after
the appeal to the people. Taken in connection with
Palmerstcns avowas in favor of strict maintenance
of the close alliance between England and France, it
must be regarded expression in favor of Louis
Napoleon in view especially, of the Intimate relations
between the Emperor and Palmerston, who is almost
certain to be the leading spirit Of any new admnsra
ton that may be formed
There is one thing, however, to be remarked about
English foreign policy and that is, that no incoming
administration ever suddenly changes the policy of that
which preceded it and further that Lord Pamerston
lost power last when he seemed strongest simply because
his course had the appearance OF trucking to the dcta
ton of the French Emperor. This lesson Viscount
Palmerston will not soon forget
When the Persia left, nothing definite was known OIL
the future arrangements likely to be made-when the
ministry would resign, or how succeeding administra
y ton would be constituted.