We have elsewhere pointed attention to an article in the
Scotsman of the 18th, which is devoted to the depreciation of Lord Dolmas!. The following passages will serve more fully to illustrate the envious and malicious intent of the writer, who has evidently been sharpening his weapons in the Broaccuam manufactory.
" We know, indeed, that Lord Durham went on an embassy to St. Peters. burg; but we have never heard that he distinguished himself there by any piece of diplomacy, or by any ambassadorial act in the least degree worthy of commemoration. On the contrary, we have heard that he did nut there utter or indite a single remonstrance in behalf of the oppressed Poles."
This is like challenging a man to fight whose limbs are fettered ; for Lord Duanast may have some scruples of conscience about revealing Cabinet secrets, although Lord BROUGHAM thinks himself at liberty to divulge them. It will be remembered that those acute leaders of the Conservative opposition, who take the foreign policy of the country under their especial surveillance, strove in vain to elicit from Earl %ET the particulars of Lord DURHAM'S Russian mission. The writer in the Scotsman therefore thinks himself safe in casting imputations which it may be difficult to repel without stating more than Lord DURHAM perhaps can properly mention This is sly, and characteristic of the quarter whence the Scotsman derives its inspiration.
" It is truly not a little curious to think that Lord Durham should he regarded as a champion or leader by those called Radicals ; for it is well known that his dispositions and hewing are far more those of a Russian Boyar, than of a popular British statesman. Man of the people he :never was. The Peerage was Lis great sin ; for this, it has been said, he joined Canning when Earl Grey was opposed to him ; and it has also been said, that he quarrelled with Earl Grey for not at the Coronation advancing him to an Earldom."
Lord DURHAM'S bearing is frank and honest : he does not attempt to curry favour by smirking and nauseating flattery to any man—be be " that gracious Prince who lives in the hearts of bis people," or the most humble of his fellow subjects. His support of CANNING, thee the most promising leader of the Movement, was consistent with his principle of getting all he could for the People,—who will not be induced to believe that he bartered their interests for a peerage ; while the probability is, that Ile will now be of more service to them in the House of Lords, than he would be where he is less wanted, in the House of Commons.
Previous page
