For nearly five years the present Ministers have harassed every trade, worried every profession, and assailed or menaced every class, institution, and species of property in the country. Occasionally they have varied this state of civil warfare by perpetrating some job which outraged public opinion, or by stumbling into mistakes which have been always discreditable, and sometimes ruinous. All this they call a policy, and seem quite proud of it; but the country has, I think, made up its mind to close this career of plundering and blundering.

Summary

The quote criticizes a group of government Ministers who have been in power for almost five years. It accuses them of causing distress and disturbance across various sectors such as trade, professions, and property. The Ministers are accused of engaging in actions that have offended public sentiment, made mistakes with serious consequences, and conducted themselves in a greedy and inept manner. Although the Ministers consider their actions part of a cohesive policy, the quote suggests that the country has determined to put an end to their controversial and damaging practices of exploiting and making errors.