stency, and because we
see ground for suspicion in the authenticity of all these sudden and
unaccountable conversions. This is the first time, so far as we can
recollect, that Ministers, carried into power expressly for their
adherence to certain tangible principles, have repudiated these without
any intelligible cause, or any public emergency which they might seize
as a colourable pretext. The sagacity of some, the high character and
stainless honour of others--for we cannot but look upon the whole
Cabinet as participators in this measure--render the supposition of any
thing like deliberate treachery impossible. It is quite clear from what
has already transpired, that the private opinions of some of them remain
unchanged. They have no love for this measure--they would avoid it if
they could--they cannot look upon its results without serious
apprehension. Some of them, we know, care nothing for power--they would
surrender, not sacrifice it, at any time cheerfully--most of all at a
crisis when its retention might subject them to the reproach of a broken
pledge. Neither do we believe that this is a faint-hearted Cabinet, or
that its members are capable of yielding their opinions to the _brutum
fulmen_ of the League. That body is by no means popular. The great bulk
of the manufacturing artisans are totally indifferent to its
proceedings; for they know well that self-interest, and not
philanthropy, is the motive which has regulated that movement, and that
the immediate effect of cheap bread would be a reduction of the
workman's wages. We cannot, therefore, admit that any pressure from
without has wrought this change of opinion, about which there seems to
be a mystery which may never be properly explained. Perhaps it is best
that it should remain so. Enough are already implicated in this
question, on one side or the other. The facts and the arguments are
before us, and we have but to judge between them.

Of the probable fate of this measure we shall venture no opinion. The
enormous amount of private business which of late years has been brought
before the Houses of Parliament--the importance and the number of the
internal improvements which depend upon their sanction, and in which
almost every man of moderate means has a stake, are strong probabilities
against any immediate dissolution of Parliament, or an appeal to the
judgment of the country. But there is no policy equal to truth, no line
of conduct at all comparable to co