Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-06-26

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Referring to a communication
elsewhere in these columns, on the
subject of English politics, we re-
mark in the first place that we shall
content ourselves with passing by
the Introductory portion of it, the
only object of which seems to us to
be to entice us into a discussion of
the merits of the English form of
government as compared with that
of the American. The only lcgiti
mate question that can be fairly or
proftably raised is, is a given
course of action adopted by either
government consistent with itself
orits theories? Now as to the Eng
lish theory. AS we understand it,
the head of the chief departments
have seats in either house so that
they may be called in question as to
the acts of their department, and
compelled to give prompt and IA
miliar explanations thereof. Does
our correspondent think that the
governments ought to continue when
it ceases to command the confidence
of. parliament? Then, if it ought
not, there are but two ways to get
rid of it. One is to dissolve parlia-
ment and appeal to the country;
another is for the sovereign to sum-
marily dismiss the ministry. This
latter, we understand, the sovereign
has the power to do. But to do so
without the support of the House of
Commons would be useless, because
the members could withhold their
support from the sovereign and
block the wheels of government.
Therefore this can be practically
done only when the legislative
branch Of the government indicate
by some test vote that it is not in
accord with the ministry. 1t is not
material upon what subject Of legis-
lation this is done provided the vote
ON ~ iC mo 40 n foot No,,r =, Glad
stones case he admits that the vote
on the revenue bill was test vote,
and accordingly he resigns. Our
correspondent, for all he has said
about the achievements and great
ness of England has orr heartiest
congratulations. But does it neces-
sarily follow from what he has said
in respect thereto that no individual
participating in the government
could or has made blunders? No
mans admiration can exceed ours
Tor the brilliant and statesmanlike
accomplishments of the great Chris
tian premier. But a majority of the
representatives of the people say he
has made mistakes, (and we think
SO too and therefore his policy
should be suspended, and the people
in another election be permitted to
say what they think about it. Our
correspondent calls for specifca-
tions, and speaks slightingly of the
charges against the Gladstone pol,
icy. Let our correspondent say
whether an expedition under Gordon
wasn't sent into Egypt, and whether
II could not have been sent across
the country; whether the route up
the Nile was not, to use a mild ex-
preston, a foolhardy selection which
resulted in disaster to the British
arms, and darkened the military
fame of the country, and all this
while Gordon was almost piteousIy
calling for reipforeements and other
aid, and 10 mems taken to relieve
him; and whether the ministry did
not in consideration of the Afghans
assuming advantageous and semi
subordinate relations to England
take the position Of guardian and
defender of AfgAanistan, as we'll as
to protect Herat in her own interest;
whether on the reception of the
news of the Penjdeh affair the min
istrY did not take the position that
it was an ipdignity to England that
demanded military rebuke OF an
apology; and whether $55, 900
was not cheerfully voted to back the
ministry in its position. Now, if
these things are entitled to an af-
frmatiYe answer, and we claim they
are, is it not true that Gladstone was
wrong and inconsistent in abandon
ing his position, leaving the country
without an apology or any other
vindlcation, and Russia to smile de-
risively at the ridiculous backdown
which made England the laughing