NEWS OF THE WEEK.
S/11. ROBERT PEEL'S pupil and follower, Lord Lincoln, has been making a declaration of his political views to the electors of Man- chester; some of whom have invited him to be a candidate at the general election. There is no doubt that he would be a very suitable Member for the borough in conjunction with Mr. Milner Gibson, especially as representing that liberal Conservatism which - first raised its head in Manchester. But whether he, Mr. John . Bright, or some other person, ought to be the successor of Mr. - Mark Philips, is a question fitter to be decided by the sufficiently • shrewd electors themselves, than to be bandied about among heated partisans writing in London newspapers. Lord Lincoln's speech is generally regarded as an approximate exposition of Sir Robert Peel's views as to the actual state of public affairs; and in that light it has been read with great interest. If we are war- ranted in so regarding it, our anticipations respecting the position which Sir Robert Peel and his friends would be likely to take in the coming session of Parliament are fully borne out. Although our readers are aware that we did not entertain much doubt upon the subject, We may say that the assurance which we gather from Lord Lincoln's speech is very satisfactory. In his frank and ex- plicit address, we discern the expected superiority to party feel- ing. His reservation of a fair field.. and free trial for Ministers on all the stirring questions is so' distinct and emphatic, that the speech mi'ghtl be called almost Ministerial in its tone. But it will be seen to observe throughout the rule of preferring mea- sures to men.: Lord Lincoln will support Ministers so long as they prove earnest or capable in their task ; but the needful mea- sures are things upon which he imperatively insists. He will help Ministers to carry them if they can do it ; but he will help to carry them at all events. He will support Ministers in pro- moting the Free-trade policy, in advancing education, in giving material help to Ireland in her need, in extending civil and social equality to that country. He seems even to go beyond them in present opinion as to the condition of the Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland ; but he will not press forward ulterior measures to their detriment and:without prospect of immediate public benefit. On the other hand, he will not compete for popularity by sacri- ficing his convictions : he will not, for instance, embarrass the Government by encouraging experiments on• large branches of the revenue, such as the Malt-tax and the Tea-duties; or truckle to the cry for sumptuary laws on the employment of labour, such as a compulsory Ten-hours Bill. There is throughout Lord Lin- coln's speech, a straightforward explicitness, an absence of dis- play or pretence for the sake of appearances, a preference for the substance to the modes, a candid deference for others combined with a frank independence, that not only do honour to his na- ture and his understanding, but augur well for the utility and success of the distinguished and still rising band of statesmen to which he belongs.
