24 NOVEMBER 1849, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

WANT of an object, precise enough or large enough to band poli- tical bodies together, is the symptom of defective organic life in political parties just now. The real disorganization of the Pro- tectionist party is not only too great to be concealed by its mem- bers, but is virtually avowed by its writing advocates. An able Protectionist journal, the Standard, endeavours to show, first that the disunion is not so great as it seems ; then that it is of no con- sequence, but only a sign that the party is so numerous as to in- clude Nottingham Chartists, Cork Catholics, Ulster Orangemen, and Conservative farmers. All these are agreed as to the object for the struggle—renewed protection. If there is any division, it is because the bulk of the party "will not wait for any manceu- vering "—" they want a pitched battle at once "; only their offi- cers will not agree. In other words, all the men worth following see that renewed protection is impracticable; but the host of men wish to join battle on that point : which is as much as to say, that the Protectionist party is so thoroughly demoralized that it will not obey its leaders. The private soldiers of the Protectionist army still cling to an object which the officers treat as unattain- able: so that, virtually, the private soldiers are without an object, and the council of war cannot invent one. Mr. Disraeli, indeed, can invent one ; but ask Earl Stanhope what it is worth. A like paralysis clings to the Financial Reform Association ; which many pet, but none heartily support. Meetings are con- vened by the standing Liberal machinery of most towns; but who attends? Mr. Cobden has openly confessed that his plans of re- trenchment lack support out of doors. The Morning Chronicle professes to favour the plan of Freehold Land Estates and the Financial Reform; but warns the purchasers of allotments that they had better look after their money, as the settlers at Snig's End should have done when Mr. Feargus O'Connor offered them independence and territorial position at the small charge of one penny a week. There is a general feeling that the machinery of the Financial and Parliamentary Reform will not do much—that when all is done there will not be much difference; and therefore nobody really cares about it. A public meeting creates a passing interest here and there, especially in Scotland, where people are apt to be more in earnest, and where the habit of getting up an excitement about "Liberal" movements is not quite extinct : but who believes that anything will be done? Here too a wide agitation is attempted without proportionate object : the leaders of the agitation affect that their object is bigger than it is, but the public knows the trick, and Mr. Cobden states the result in his Complaint that he is not adequately supported. Now you cannot move great bodies of men without a purpose adequate ; and thus it befals that this agitation, with a half-simulated object, only has a simulated movement and a simulated life.