What, then, was the substance of Sir Robert Peel’s declaration, on presenting himself before the country as a candidate for the office which he fills?  He avowed himself a man of moderate political opinions; recognized the existence of manufacturing and commercial distress, but referred it to causes of only a temporary nature, unconnected with the corn-laws; repudiated the empirical expedients proposed by the late ministry; and pledged himself to maintain the principle of protection to our agricultural interests; declaring his deliberate preference of a sliding scale of duties, to a fixed duty, upon foreign corn.

The first of the observations to which we beg the reader’s earnest attention, is—­that Sir Robert Peel has to govern by means of a Reformed House of Commons.  It is for want of well considering this circumstance, that one or two respectable sections of the Conservative party have conceived some dissatisfaction at the line of policy adopted by Sir Robert Peel.  They forget that, as we have already stated, the Tory party was nearly destroyed by the passing of the Reform Bill; that from its ashes rose the CONSERVATIVE party, adapted to the totally new political exigencies of the times; its grand object being, as it were, out of the elements of democracy to arrest the progress of democracy.  The bond of its union was correctly described by its founder, as consisting in attachment to the fundamental institutions of the country—­non-opposition to rational changes rendered requisite by the altered circumstances of the times—­but determination to maintain, on their ancient footing and foundation, our great institutions in Church and State.  Keeping these grand objects ever in view, the true policy to be adopted was to widen the foundations on which should stand “that new party which was to draw, from time to time, its strength from its opponents.”  None saw this more clearly than Sir Robert Peel—­and hence the “moderation,” indispensable and all-powerful, which he prescribed to himself, and recommended to all those who chose to act with him, and the steady acting upon which has at length conducted them to their present splendid position of power and responsibility.  Could the government of the country be now carried on upon principles that were all-powerful twenty—­or even fewer—­years ago?  No more than Queen Victoria could govern on the principles of Queen Elizabeth!  We must look at things, not as they were, or as we would wish them to be—­but as they are and are likely to be.  He is unable to take a just and comprehensive view of political affairs in this country—­of the position of parties, and the tendency of the principles respectively advocated by them, who does not see that the great and only contest now going on, is between conservative and destructive.  We say boldly—­and we are satisfied that we say it in conformity with the opinions of the immense majority of persons of intelligence and property—­that the forces