From first to last, therefore, we condemn the course which has been
pursued by the British foreign minister with reference to the affairs of
Italy, as undignified, unconstitutional, and mischievous. It has
naturally lowered the estimate of our character in the eyes of the
Italian people, whose own fondness for intrigue does not prevent them
from despising that system, when pursued on the part of a strong and
powerful nation. Minto jobbing has proved an utter failure. It may not
indeed have been unproductive in results, for it has materially
stimulated sedition, but certainly it has not tended to the preservation
of peace, or the consolidation of government in Italy.
Lord Palmerston has not been happy for the present year in his foreign
relations. Some gratuitous advice to Spain, which he no doubt tendered
with the best possible intentions, was ignominiously returned upon his
hand; and this affront was followed up by another still more serious,
for our ambassador at Madrid was dismissed. Such are the results of
constant meddling with the institutions of foreign states, or prying
into their domestic arrangements, and of everlastingly tendering
unsolicited and unpalatable advice. We do Lord Palmerston the justice to
believe, that he is the last man in the world who would brook such
conduct at the hands of others. Why then will he persist in acting the
part of Mentor to all the states of Europe, at the risk of attracting
insult to himself, and of materially endangering the character and
position of his country?
Whether we regard the conduct of the present ministry at home or abroad,
in domestic or in foreign relations, we find little to praise, and much
which we must conscientiously condemn. Late events do not seem to have
conveyed to them any important lesson. Diminished exports, want of
reciprocity, and the disorganisation of affairs on the Continent, have
effected as yet no change in their commercial policy. They are still
determined to persevere in the course which they have unfortunately
adopted, and to neglect the home and colonial markets for the desperate
chance of pushing exportation further. By delaying to make any provision
for the relaxation of the odious Bank Restriction Acts—by placing upon
the committee of the House of Commons men whose financial reputation
depended upon the maintenance of these measures—they have again exposed
the country to a recurrence of that crisis which, in November last, was
so near a fatal termination. Who shall answer for it that a fresh drain
of bullion will not take place this autumn? If the harvest shall prove
deficient, such undoubtedly may be the case, and the mercantile world
will be left without the means of accommodation at the moment of its
utmost need.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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