28 JUNE 1851, Page 12

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

"THANK GOD, THERE IS A HOUSE OF LORDS!" ALTHOUGH William Cubbett's exclamation was never adopted by the country to express u settled popular opinion, yet it must be confessed that the Lords sometimes give occasion for satisfaction at their existence, by exhibiting themselves in favourable contrast with the Commons. Every now and then, people do say, "Thank God there is a House of Lords !" Nor is it surprising that legis- lative matters of importance should occasionally be better handled by the trained capacity for statesmanship which the House of Lords naturally possesses in its leading members, than by the great debating club yclept the Commons' House : the wonder rather would be that the House of Lords does not more frequently show itself legislatively superior to the Commons, only that our system of representative and party government iuevitably restricts the opportunities of the Upper House to a narrow compass. The ability is always there, the opportunity but seldom. The opportunity of the Lords is greatest when the Commons are most at fault. Never, throughout the history of England, was the House of Commons so incapable as in the present session of doing the legislative business of the country. Why so, is not the question; the fact is univer- sally admitted. It follows that the Lords have just now unusual opportunities of making the nation thankful for their being. They have also more than ordinary reasons fur seizing these oppor- tunities ; for the actual paralysis of the functions of the Commons may probably be the forerunner of a state of things in which all old institutions, and especially those which are anti-democratic, will be exposed to rude shocks, and will stand in need of every available prop. The Lords cannot, indeed, provide remedies for the many laches of the Commons, or alter that curious state of parties which, by depriving England of both Government and Opposition, causes a sort of legislative impotence ; still less could they do either thoroughly at "this late period of the session " : but they may at any rate manifest a desire to satisfy the wants of the country— the sound judgment and earnest wish, if not the sufficient power ; and there are probably some particulars in which they might even now urge the Government and the Commons into courses result- ing in practical good achieved by act of Parliament. These reflections are suggested by Lord Stanley's notice of mo- tion in the House of Lords for Monday next. Two weeks ago, in describing the accumulation of evils which the Colonial Office has inflicted on the colony of South Africa, we supposed that Parlia- ment would continue to ignore the whole matter. With regard to the Lords at least, this is no longer to be supposed. The case itself is so monstrous—so full of impolicy, injustice, cruelty, and illegality—and the necessity for immediate remedies so plain, whilst no remedy seems possible without Imperial legislation—that if once the serious attention of either House of Parliament were drawn to the facts, a remedial measure would almost inevitably follow ; and Lord Stanley's notice of motion seems to insure that in the House of Lords the subject will at least be fully investigated. A Select Committee of inquiry, as Lord Stanley proposes, seems hardly ne- cessary; for every part of the case, except only the illegality of Lord Grey's last step, appears in the blue-book recently published : but the common objection to a Committee—that of shelving by de- lay—does not apply, because the facts are indisputable and un- questioned, whilst the legal point would be disposed of at one or two sittings by the eminent lawyers whom the House of Lords could place on the Committee. A Select Committee, therefore, though not indispensable, cannot be an impediment, and may prove a useful help. The object of present interest, however, is the de- bate on the motion for a Committee. This, unless we are much mistaken, will astonish and move the public, notwithstanding their usual indifference to Colonial questions,—astonish them by its disclosures about England's Algeria ; and move them to shame and fear by its pictures of blundering tyranny and of Imperial dangers in the prospect. The case is above the mark of common party warfare ; and if Lord Stanley intends, as we must hope, to do his country- a great service independently of party considerations,--if the Ministry should not be willing to sacrifice the public interests to the amour propre of a colleague,—if the House of Lords should appreciate the capital opportunity of proving their utility in the state,--this matter will be discussed on its own merits, with the single object in view of prompt remedial legislation. If so, mans, a voice at home, as Niel as everybody in the Colonies, will sincerely exclaim, "Thank God, there is a House of Lords!"