The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-14

We zee by the summary Of the Americas
news that motion by Mr.. Ducane In the House
Of Commons, in opposition to the budget has
bsea defeated by . majority Of ll6. This and
the result of Mr.. Dirasli's test motion remove
ell doubts - 10 its passage. The addition that
has taken place to the strength Of ministers, a.
exhibited by the last division, is the best tribute
that can be offered to the convincing character
of the explanations made by thu Chancellor Of
the Exchequer In his mastery reply.
The Importance Of the votss themselves can.
not be exaggerated. The question involved in
them, let II be remembered, was not one merely
Of cheap coal, cheap wines, and cheap cotton
manufactures. II was not simply triumph In
the vindicstion Of Its commercial policy that
the ministry achieved. That policy and its Of
spring, the present scheme, are both based on
principles the soundness Of which has been es-
tablished by the success of Sir Roberts Peel's
great reforms, and which can no longer be re-
sisted on any bat special grounds, having refs-
renee to the opportuneness Of their application.
Theresults ofthe victory which these yotesassure
extend far beyond the commercial benefits that
will be derived by both countries from the opera
ton Of the changes effected by it They define,
in fact, to an extent scarcely to be hoped for
by the friends Of progress, the uncertainties Of
an obscure political future. They indicate
what the course Of these two great leading
nations will henceforth be on questions affect
ing the interests and happiness of the European
populations; for no one can doubt that, once
entering together the path Of commercial i'm
provements, their views will become identical
as to the necessity of giving the utmost expan-
sion possible to the political action Of COM
munities oppressed by despotic restrictions.
Taken In all their bearings we are therefore
justified in saying that the debate ON Mr..
Diaraeli's motion, and the votes by which it
was followed, are the most important that have
occurred in the British Parliament for upwards
Of century.
The defeat sustained by the opposition in
their preliminary trials Of strength have another
significance. They show that the secret inHu-
ences which have SO frequently thwarted the
progress Of liberal principles, both in the home
and foreign policy of the English govern
ment, are becom ing powerless for evil. 1t is
well known that In high places the antquated
prejudices and doctrines which in George the
Thirds time plunged Great Britain into pro-
tracted and sanguinary contests, and loaded her
down with debt, still find warm advocacy.
These tendencies do not display themselves In
the same moods Of rashness and obstinacy
which marked the conduct Of that monarch, but
they have not the less exercised marked in
iiuence. The Queen is, Of course, extremely
guarded in her conduct, for she is virtually the
servant of the House of Commons, and must
be content to accept her ministers and her
opinions at its hands. Prince Albert has not
thought It necessary to maintain the same self
control, and his interference is to be traced In
many Of the manGuvres by witch the
foreign policy of Lord Palnerston aas
from time to time been checked and
defeated. The Court hatAs p~l-----4n-
for his broad, statesmanlike method of
dealing with foreign questions. The principle
that successful revolution establishes the
right of q people to fix upon their own form of
naturally revolts and alarms 1t.
It's application may some day or other affect its
own family interests, and it is not therefore to
be expected that it can look with favor on the
disposition manifested by the present Premier
to draw closer the alliance with Louis Napo-
leon, himseif the creature and handspring Of
this very principle. To Court influences, there
fore, may be ascribed, in great part, the forlorn
attack headed by Diraeh against the new
arrangements with France. He Is
by far the ablest man In the opposition, and
would have no objection to play the part of the
second Pitt, if the opportunity offered. His
recent disgraceful defeat by Mr. Gladstone has,
however, not only demolished any hopes Of this
sort, but it has crushed completely the Court
party. Tue predominance of progressive
principles and of generous foreign policy
is henceforth secured in the administra-
ton of English affairs, and no back stairs
influences will again have an opportunity Of
opposing obstacles to the cultivation of friend
ly relations with those countries whose institu-
tons and commercial interests have a natural
affinity with those of great Britain
To the Emperor of the French the results Of
these first two divisions on the budget must
be source of great relief In face of the COM
plications with which he is threatened by the
reported alliance between Austria and Russia,
the ratification of the commercial treaty with
England is of the last Importance. Where her
material interests tend the political inclinations
of the latter Power are sure to follow. Louis
Napoleon has not run the risk of disturbing
the present flourishing state Of things, and Of
creating discomfort amongst the industrial in
terests In France, without counting all the ad.
vantages that are to be gained from the perma-
nent consolidation Of the English alliance