HINTS FOR THE OPPOSITION.
THE Times a few days ago boasted of the superior organization of the Tories, and sneered at the " ill-combined and disordered con- dition of their adversaries." The Times, though an enemy, is right in this : the want of organization in the ranks of the Inde- pendents is deplorable at present ; but there is yet time to marshal the Majority and lead them on to certain victory. In every ousted party there is a set of displaced officials. Those gentlemen who stand in this relation to the late Government, ought now to work for the bread which they trust the Nation will yet provide for them. They ought to do the drudgery which the BONHAMS and the notations of the Tories so efficiently per- formed though out of place. Let them "whip in," by the urgency of their persuasion, the Reforming Majority, by the first day of the Session, and tl o Ministerial campaign will be opened by a defeat on the great q ostiOn of the Speaker.
The leading 7itposition Members ought to concert a plan of operations without delay. Certain great questions should be se- lected on which to fight the Tories with all their force. These questions should be few in number, but of the first national in- terest and importance. The grand difficulty is to secure a full at- tendance; and it is hardly to be expected that the less dis- tinguished members of a party in Opposition will attend night after night in waiting for a division, when, with a little ma- nagement, they might all be. mustered at the needful hour. Of Course we shall not be suspected of an inclination to extenuate the fault of' non-attendance in Members ; but, looking at the present state of affairs, and at the composition of the House, we see that it is sound policy not to fatigue the Majority either with long speeches or with divisions on minor questions, but to reserve strength for important conflicts.
When so much is at stake,—when perhaps it depends upon the conduct of the Opposition whether the Tories shall or shall not have a renewed seven years' lease of power,—surely individual Members will consent to sink their peculiar schemes and crotchets, and unite against the common foe, with that confidence and energy which are certain in the present state of parties to be the forerunner of success. Let the Order-book give evidence of a prudent abstemiousness from cheap-popularity motions; let the debates exhibit the forcible speakers only, and let the prosers for one short month sit quiet, and vote on divisions. Let each man's part be assigned to him, and let him learn it. All this will require unusual exercise of self-denial ; but if ever there was need of it, now is the time. Is not the Great Charter of 1832 in jeopardy? Are we not again threatened with the extravagance, insolence, and profligacy of prolonged Tory sway ?
There is much in the present aspect of affairs to excite high hope and sanguine expectation. The Juste Milieu party is at its last gasp. We can assure the Wavcrers, that they will not be able to waver long and escape the unmitigated contempt of the country. The day has arrived which Lord Dunnitst longed for. We have the adversary at last face to face. We have a good cause, and a numerous army. All that we want is discipline.
It is impossible to exaggerate the advantage of " starting" well. There are probably two or three scores of Members— contemptible creatures—who arc only waiting to take sides with that party whose success is most probable. These Waverers must soon commit themselves. It is in the power of the Opposi- tion leaders to gain every one, by acting with that vigour and con- cert which inspire confidence in the ranks But symptoms of weakness, irresolution, and want of preparation, will frighten off all the timid and faithless, in the first week of the session.
(Tu be continued.)
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