MR STAFFORD'S TACTICS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2230, 30 June 1870, Page 2

MR STAFFORD'S TACTICS.

(From the Daily Advertiser.) “Liberty,” says Cicero, “is the power of living as thou wiliest.” This does not apply to civil liberty. In society, under a free Government, such liberty is limited in the individual, in order that the same blessing may be enjoyed as far as possible by all. Freedom and liberty are almost synonymous terms, but it is worthy of remark that the root of the Saxon word means fence—that is, protection and security. Civil freedom does not mean unrestricted freedom, but freedom guarded by certain conditions and guarantees. In / like commercial freedom, op free trade, requires to be restricted and fenced for its more beneficial operation and security, The non-interference of Government with industry has become an established axiom, and who is to have his spurs buckled on for th'ii f encounter. He is to be allowed to take ' his short strut round the pit, flap his wings, and cry * Cock-a-doodle-doo! ” without having fought, and without having to fight. It has long been a. point quite open to the conjecture of any spectator—as we are not in tfift secrets of any camp—whether Stafford meant to fight this session, or to. pqsfpone the batile till th° forthcoming general election. He has evidently made his choice, with the coolness of an experienced general. He will wait, -■ Had he chosen to fight now, he would 1 have left his oppouen, the choice of ground, and experienced the disadvantage of fighting at the head of an army which had already been beaten. Stafford will not “ walk through Coventry”- - with the present—the existing array of members. Like a miniature Wellington, he retreats into the lines of Torres V edras for the present. He has fop some time been quietly fortifying and provisioning a stronghold, from which he oau safely observe the rashly triumphant blunders of his foe. He intends to prepare himself, and recruit his army, still more completely for the reah campaign winch is "shortly about to commence. He, somewhat like the “ Iron Duke,” is cool, calculating, and . patient. Fox and his host, more Idee ■*' the French Marshals, are hasty, impulsive, and, however brave, most inconsiderate. It was sfiways understood that ff Stafford' had beaten Fox in the present session, the latter would have advised the Governor to dissolve Parliament, still retaining office, and “ going to the country ” with all the power and ’ prestige that office could give him,. Stafford, then, loses nothing by leaving Fox in the position of having to give the same advice, hut qu other grounds.. In the one case, he. might hay&, given it on. the grounds of “factipus opposition'” and dragged a red herring across / the scent of the elections with that cry.: A* it is, he must soon advise thftt