Blackwood's Edinburgh magazine, Vol. 71, No. 439, May, 1852Various
History
Blackwood's Edinburgh magazine, Vol. 71, No. 439, May, 1852
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
Not only the Radical party, (who must be looked upon as the chief
supporters of such a Government,) but Lord John Russell and Sir James
Graham, are pledged to the introduction of certain organic changes,
differing only in degree. To suppose that any of them will adopt a less
measure than that which they have advocated, is out of the question; and
as the tendency of the movement has been, not from the Radicals to Lord
John Russell, but from Lord John Russell to the Radicals, we may very
naturally conclude that the result would be an approximation to the
views of Mr Cobden. That gentleman, as we know, (for he does not scruple
to tell us so in as many words,) has “ulterior objects” of his own, the
time for developing which in safety has probably not yet arrived. We
shall not inquire too curiously into the nature of those, being
satisfied, as probably will be most of our readers who have watched the
progress of the man, that they are not at all calculated to improve the
stability of any of our institutions. We cannot, therefore, see what
hopes can be entertained of the formation of a moderate Government,
supposing Lord Derby’s to be overthrown; unless, instead of uniting with
Mr Cobden, Lord John Russell could effect a union with some other
political party.
No such party exists. Unless we are much deceived, the majority of the
followers of the late Sir Robert Peel, at least the majority of those
who may be able to re-enter Parliament, are prepared to give their
support and confidence to Lord Derby’s Administration. There may, no
doubt, be exceptions. Sir James Graham and Mr Cardwell are clearly out
of the Conservative ranks, and may enlist under any banner they choose.
But as it is extremely problematical whether either of these gentlemen
will obtain seats in the new House of Commons, their views are of little
consequence. Other Obstructives, of whom there are a few, have no chance
whatever of being returned; so that the construction of what we may term
a moderate Liberal Government could not take place, from absolute want
of material. Indeed, judging from the language lately employed by the
knight of Netherby, we should say that moderation is as far from his
thoughts as from those of the rankest Radical in Oldham.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account