The Times on Thursday gave a front place and its
largest type to a letter from "A Tory," complaining that Sir Stafford Northcote is to unveil the statue of Lord Beaconsfield, instead of Lord Salisbury. This decision be regards as one more attempt of the " section " or " faction " who follow Six Stafford to achieve a permanent triumph over the more numerous followers
of Lord Salisbury. He affirms that a rumour is being widely cir- culated that a decision has been taken "in high quarters" to send for Sir Stafford, whenever the country again requires Conserva- tive statesmen, and deems it indispensable to "denote " intrigues "which threaten the vitality of a great political party." That sounds like theatrical thunder, but it shows that the unity of the Conservative party is not quite perfect. That, however, is of little importance. They will have plenty of time to recover themselves, and, to do Tories justice, when in office they are as obedient as soldiers could well be. We have always thought that the world did not sufficiently honour Lord Beaconsfield for his magnanimity in not abolishing the Ten Commandments. If he had made the proposal, the Lords might have saved them, as "very ancient institutions," but the Commons would not.
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