THE GLOBE ON THE STATE OF PARTIES.
THE following reprint from our last week's second edition is inserted here, in order that those readers of the Spectator who saw only the first edition may understand the subsequent remarks.
RADICAL REASONS FOR " LETTING IN THE TORIES." Ey A PHILOSOPHICAL " The conduct dale present Opposition offers a singular contrast to that of the Liberal Opposition, which, with all the odds of close boroughs against it fought the good fight against Tory Ministers from the close of the war up to 1830. During that period no great measure, of that class with which it re- flects any honour on individuals or parties to have their names associated, was passed, that did not originate with the Opposition. Catholic Emancipation originated with the Liberals. The repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts was their measure. The mitigation of the Criminal Code was effected by the
Opposition : whatever reforms were made in the administration of Justice we owe to the same party. Whatever was done for the Education of the people, and for the amelioration of the condition of the Negro, is to be traced to the efforts of the Opposition. The return to cash payments, and all that was or, dinnrily wise in our legislation with reference to the currency, must chiefly be ascribed to Horner and Ricardo, and other Liberals. The great reduction of expenditure which followed the close of the war, was a concession to Mr. [tunic and the Opposition. Nay, if we take the class of measures which owed the most to the energy and genius of a Tory Minister, it must be admitted, that however Mr. Huskisson may deserve the main credit of whatever effect was given to the principles of free trade, it was by the efforts of the Opposition that the public mind had been prepared to receive them with favour, and by its support that their adoption was secured. And when the Liberal party came into power, their accession was associated in the public mind with the hope of very great improvement, which public opinion required—with the repeal of oppressive taxes, the reform of the representation, and the emancipation of the Negro. " Now it is curious to observe, that during the whole period of more than nine years which have elapsed since the Tories were turned out, the Opposi- tion, which during half that period has been numerically the most powerful that ever held together out of office in this country, has contrived to link its name with no single important measure either accomplished or attempted. The only exception that we can think of; is the Factory Bill ; a measure of great humanity and utility, but very simple in its nature, being merely an ex- tension of the principle of restriction adopted in former acts of Parliament. With this single and slight exception, we know of no one measure of import- ance for which the country is indebted. to the Tory Opposition. We know of no great measure which during that period it has even attempted: we know of none which it proposes or promises now. Running through the list of its public men, we know of no principle or measure of improvement which is con- nected with the name of any one of them. Here is a great party, strong in numbers, and not without some men of talent and energy in its ranks, which has been working in opposition for near ten years—speaking long, de- bating hotly, and dividing strongly—and yet here it is boasting that it is on the very eve of stepping into power, and yet offering to the country no pre- mist or prospect of any single measure which it is to carry when it has power." Gluhe, Febrvr,e;7 14. pH we are not to have a Liberal Government," said Mr. GnoTE, "at least let us have a Liberal Opposition ; " and the Globe seems to have come round to this opinion. The above article very cleverly enforces the doctrine of Mr. Gnom Nay, the Treasury journal is even more Anti-Ministerial than the Radical Member for London. There is no- thing to be compared with a Liberal Opposition. The Tories in oppo- sition do no good ; the Liberals in opposition do all that is good. [fit had riot been for a Liberal Opposition, the Tories never would have given us any one of the many measures of improvement which took place while they were in power. During near ten years of exclusion from power, they have got nothing for us : whereas the whole business of the Liberal party when in opposition is to force good measures on the Go- vernment. Mark another difference in favour of an exchange of seats between the two great parties. When the Tories are in power, they yield all sorts of good to the pressure of the Liberal Opposition ; when out of power, they prevent the Liberals in power from doing any sort of good. No hope for us so long as there is a Tory Opposition! This is the case which the Globe clearly makes out. It is an old doctrine of the Spectator.]
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