Sir Stafford Northcote made two speeches at Liverpool on Wednesday
and Thursday, on the most important element of Which—the criticism on the Eastern Question—we have else- where commented at length. His tone was submissive. He regretted that Turkey had refused engagements which she might honourably have accepted, and which would have been beneficial in themselves ; but she had the full right to take her own view of the case, and no Power had any right to take her refusal as a cause of offence. As it has turned out, we ought to try to Avoid suspecting any Power of meaning wrong. There is nothing like suspicion, as a means of making people deserve to be suspected. In other words, we suppose, we ought to give Russia credit for being very pacific-minded, and Turkey for being "full of mercy and good fruits." This is all -very amiable, and very weak. There are some statesmen who Supply the place of policy by "gush." It is not a useful substitute, and hitherto, at least, we cannot accuse the present Government of having been guilty of any fault of that kind.
