The Sun. — 1854-07-26 (London, England)

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1854.  Well, the Vote of Credit has been carried—and without even a division. Three Millions of Pounds sterling are placed at the disposal of the "excellent" ABERDEEN, to deal with as be thinks proper, and Parliament has nothing more to do until required by the Financial Minister to sanction any imposts he may deem it expedient to propose for the purpose of redeeming the obligation thus contracted. Lord ABERDEEN is virtaially dictator for six calendar months. He may act, or rather not act, as he thinks proper, " tdith the concurrence of other Powers." He may, if so minded, take Prussia for his guide and ennanple, exhibiting the most implicit confidence in the professions of his friend of forty years' standin g-. We had certainly hoped that the British Mouse of Commons would have exhibited greater zeal and nergy—that they would have shown theanselves better qualified to meet the existing emeri p3ncy— and more mindful of their own rights and privileges, and of those of their successors throeaghout all generations. The Noble Lord, the meniber for Marylebone, stood forth boldly and independently. He afforded a locus penitentio to .all dteesirous of rescuing themselves from the imputatior es that might otherwise be cast upon their fair lames. But his manly effort elicited but a feeble re sj ponse. The prospect of the autumnal Session wa s too much for the virtue and patriotism of Hon. Gentlemen. Visions of cool breezes on sea or mountain, rendered irresistible by the intense ai td suffocating heat of the weather, prevailed, an xl the palpable lukewarmness, if not freezing it tdiffemace, prevented the Noble Lord from pre sassing his motion to a division.' Well, we now at least know what we ha ye tO anticipate, and it is the more in,, olbent e 3) a the Members of "the Fourth Estate to defend the interests that have been forgotten, or disregarded, by those of the " S at least second and Th it d.,, The duties that have been abandoned by chosen representatives of the be people must, the assumed by the public journalists, and they- will be sustained and strengthened by the support and confidence of the community. They haven tdeed received an unexpected recognition, for even 1 the Ministerial Leader of the House of Com mons has referred to the reports of his state, nents appearing in the daily journals, and declared his willingness to abide thereby--and a 3 it appears that no divisions are to be take tzt at any time, but that Hon. Gentlemen, while e. pressing a total want of confidence either in a a individual Minister or in the entire Cabinet, ar e to give proofs of the most peifect trust, we fano: ( gnat the opinions and comments of the Journalit..t  ---- 7 an the events of each succeeding day will be jr Ll' t as worthy of notice as if put forward by part' le who Could attach the magic initials to • their ] 13=Waive names. On the Press, then, the peoi )le of the United Kingd Until the ona must exclusively depet td month of February ; and we belies e that, with few exceptions, they will be faithfr . 1 and efficient champions of the national honour an 4 the national security . They will at least hay re advantage this Strik i n g over their legislative rivalgi that there cannot be so many painful discrepan( nes between their "sayings and doings" as we b .ave • had to deplore during the present and sev oral  ' preceding Sessions on the part of the representatives of free and independent constituencies. Lord JOHN RUSSELL attempted to ride off on a collateral point, to make the question one of " Confidence" or "No Confidence." He said, " If we are fit to be Ministers of the Crown we are fit to have that discretion. If we are not fit to have that discretion, on the other hand we are no longer fit to remain Ministers of the Crown. !" Vow, we must earnestly and emphatically protest against such an argument—one, indeed, that might be pushed to any extent, even to making the lives and properties of the people dependent on the will and pleasure of the Minister for the time being. We are well aware of the efficacy of so very significant a hint respecting a change of Ministry—a hint carrying with it not merely the " delicious treat of an autumnal session," but the inestimable blessing of a general election, with all its noise and turmoil, and its innumerable demands on the time, the patience, the energies, and the pockets of those who are to determine the matter, and many of whom would be guilty of an act of political suicide, signing their own death warrants as public men. We repeat, then, that it is not fair to make use of such a threat in order to induce the guardians of the public purse not merely to abdicate their functions, but to transfer the power constitutionally reposed in them to any Ministry, however popular. As we have already stated, " the most trusted, and the most trustworthy, should not demand so great a sacrifice, nor should the chosen representatives of the people, disgrace themselves by establishing a precedent so fraught with danger to popular rights and privileges." The dangerous example has, however, been set— the " precedent has been established." The three millions now granted may be quadrupled, or more than quadrupled, another time. A still greater responsibility than that so boldly assumed may be encountered by future Ministries, more unlimited confidence (if that be possible) may be reposed in the discretion of Ministers, until the liberties of the people be sacrificed to the magnitude of a discretion more suited to a Turkish Vizier than a First Lord of the Treasury of the United Kingdom ! A similar " discretion" will, we suppose, this evening be insisted on for capitalists who are practically to be allowed to raise fun*ds for the use of the Auxocnax if the dividends offered be deemed satisfactory. That " discretion," as we have already explained, may operate very prejudicially to the interests of the tax-payers of Great Britain and to the cause of European Civilisation. And, in like manner, the unlimited discretion of rulers must promote the cause of " despotism." What, in fact, is the principle of " Autocracy" but " unlimited discretion " for the ruler to do as he thinks proper, without being accountable to any person or persons whatever—to "do as he likes with his own "—without let or hindrance. And this is the course in which the House.of Commons has made a very decided step by its vote of last night. We trust that the time will speedily arrive when the voters, aye, and nonvoters, of the United Kingdom may express their opinions on the propriety of such a proceeding, The fear of a dissolution, is the true secret why members have neglected their duty. Bat their time is coming—and that soon  A reviewer in the Edinburgh has manifestly not followed the advice of Sir