{From the Morning Chronicle, Feb. 26 )

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 321, 27 June 1849, Page 3

{From the Morning Chronicle, Feb. 26 )

Mr. Cobden and his BuJgeteers must, indeed, be in high spirits. The events of the last we k have not only proved to the country that the present Government is weak, butalio that its members are disunited amongst themielre*, and are cordially detested by ail parties, save by their own immediate circle of relations and personal friends. Its fote defeat has degraded it in the eyes of the nation. It could neither defend itself gallantly, nor submit decently. Its best men cowered on the Treasury Uench— their arms folded, and their huts pulled over their brows, in gloomy and perplexed silence— leaving the difficult and odious task of (Carl Grey'i defence to his unhappy Undei -Secretary and to Mr. Ricardo, a political glai'iator of more effrontery than skill, jobbed for the occasion. Even Lord John, when forced up by the tacilumi'y of his colleagues, had nothing to say, except to refer to Mr. Ilawes's speech, as "conclusive." Lord Gn-y's brother inlaw, Sir Charles Wood, remained silent; hi* cousin, Sir George Grey, made no sign; evm the gallant and papular Paltnerston, generally so prompt to interpose between a delinquent colleague and the just indignation of the house, would take no part in the debate. Why, indeed, should he ? His own difficulties, when Parliament me', were nearly ai fortnidab'e at those under which Lord Grey his succumbed ; and, so far from receiving aid from " the Family," he well knows that they did all they could to damage and to distress him. Their organs in the public preis assailed him with a bitterness far exceedin< that which characterised the attacks of his political opponents. The false friends who sale by his side, iv the Cabinet and on the Treasury bench, wrought him far more inticliief than did bis avowed antagonists in the Senate. Nevertheless, as we at the time predicted, his good fortune, his great ability, his personal popularity, and his unscrupulous audacity, have '* puiled him through," for the present, in spite of all that his adversaries, and what is more, all that his colleagues — could do to crush h : m. Having only to thank himself for his present temporary safety, it is not unnatural that he should derive some pleasure from the difficulties in which the GreyWood section of the Government is at present plunged. The Secretary for the Colonies has been unable to nd« out a storm, similar to that which the Foreign Secretary has so dexterously weathered. Equally audacious and equally unscrupulous — the former has neither the temper nor the astuteness of the latter Moreover, whilst the unfortunate disposition of Loid Grey cannot permit him to differ in opinion with any otic, without converting a political opponent imo a personal enemy, we verily believe that Lord Pnlmerston has no personal enemies at all. We have heird that even Mr. Uiquhart has been unable to resist the urbanity of his generoui conqueror, and lias consented, for tho future, to attend Lady PalmcrsUm'* Saturday nights. But

the fnondBof Earl Grey and of Sir Charles Wood— where are they ? Echo may, indeed, answer " where?" It is (he only answer she tould make, even on the other sirtt of the Irish channel. We have certainly heard that his lordship Ins become suspiciously courteous during the last few days — that hit civility towards nil parties connected with the Coloni si intereits, who now wait on him, is only to be surpassed by the heartless nonchalance winch he used to exhibit toward* those very same parties before he got into " distressed circumstances." And we therefore appreciate this 11 blessed change" m it deserves to be appreciated— as we ihould appreciate the good nature which a dog. with it« teetli drawn, exhibited in not biting uj, or the piety of the devil in delicate health. The only regret which we have heard exoressed, respecting the result of the debato of Tuesday last, was, that Mr. Baillie should not have pressed his mo ion to a division. Nobody pities the Government ; nobody approves either of its tactics or its ethics. The Irish members, the Cobdenitcs, tha Protectionists, were all burning to record, by a division, their own strength and the weaknenn of Ministers— to convince them that they were only tolerated, not supported, by a va-t majority in the House. Even the Peeliteß awoke from their torpor, and " took notes." And when Sir Robert Peel arose, and advanced to the red box — the House " fell in," like infantry at the sonnd of the bugle — there was silence, still as death. Lord John watched anxiously for his word", for he knew that the fate of his Government depended on them. He evidently had made up his mind to take the advice of the member for Tamworth, whatever it might chance to be. If Sir Robert Peel had deprecated the appointment of the Committee, Lord John would hnve deprecated it too— if he had declared that Lord Toriinglon ought instantly to be recalled, Lord John would instantly have recalled lain— if he had announced his intention of moving for a vote of censure on Lord Grey, Lord John would have bowed to his decision, with decent, if not cheerful, humility* It wns, indeed, a curious Blight, to see the man who calls himself the Prime Minister of England sitting opposi'e him. whom but two years since, be had violen ly ousted from that position, respectfully awaiting his instructions. And when >ir Robert Peel declared that a committee wan necessary, the obsequious Premier confirmed to his views at onoe ; the thing proposed was iiutauily done; there was no more to be said, but to thank him for his assistance — a task which Mr. Laboucherc performed with grnteful ulncrity. So far as the future prospects of our colonies are concerned, the debate of Tuesday last may be considered to have ended well ; but such an exhibition of Ministerial weaknt-ss will have a Serious influence on all other impending questions. With regard to Ire land, the Government have, avmed their incompetence, after two years of ex ravagance and oppicssion. With regard to economy, they have whown their insincerity — professing much and performing nothing, in a manner which ha* naturally enlisted a considerable amount of public sympathy on the side of the Manchester Bud* geteera. Every foreign post that arrives brings home intelligence of a re -gathering of the heavy clouds which, as the ready and unscrupulous wit of our Foreign Secretary half-persuaded the country, had vanished from the horizon of European politics. A stiong Government, composed of men enjo\ing an unblemished character for honesty and ability, united amongst themselves, seeking, by their actions, to further the good of tho country, rather than their own private interests — and honou-ably regardless of mere popularity— might, perhaps, raiu superior to such a complication of difficulties ; but what can we hope froiu a Cabinet, who«e member* possess a reputation far different from that which we have uhowti to be requisite to meet the cmc'-gwucics of the present crisis weakened by defeats such us tho^e of the last week, and known to be distracted by the rff j ets of intestine discord ?