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the Militia Bill u8 •••* ¦%$¦#&$& ' . [S...
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HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT. OrENING OF THE FI...
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Parliament Has Met J And, While We Write...
vatives shrink in sullen abhorrence from contact with the spoiler . Dupin , the most corrupt and tenacious even of French politicians , has resigned ! It is impossible to find reputable names for the Senate ; and as to the Legislature , after all the Napoleonic sallies against the writefs and talkers dominant in the Constitutional" Chambers—after the assurance that landowners , areichants , and manufacturers , were to form the strength of the silent House— -lo I the first names recommended by authority are MM . Granier de Caseagnac and A . de Ce sena , the Constitutionwel and La Patrie !
The terrorism , of the military commissions is arrested by the strength of public opinion , not yet dead , it seems . A quasi-judicial and civil colouring is to be given to these summary jurisdictions by a lawyer and a prefect on the tribunals . As to public opinion , such as it is , the Dictator has invented a machinery for guaging it with rapidity and certainty , by means of seven or eight general and as many " special" inspectors , who are to be in all places at every moment . A " pr ° t ec ^ institution , " says the new pet of Downing-street , Louis Bonaparte Overbearing and imperious to his weaker neighbours , the dictator sends a threatening note to the Federal Council ( to whom he Once owed an asylum ) ,
and at Brussels he suppresses the journal of the exiles . Spain , too , although subdued to the very quality of absolutism—for the press is almost extinct—the Cortes prorogued sine die , and the country ruled by decrees—Spain is intimidated by a demand of not less than 115 , 000 , 000 francs for expenses incurred by France in the expedition of ' 23 to put down Constitutionalism , and to restore legitimate Ferdinand . To England a sop is thrown by a dinner to the nondescripts of our aristocratic and quasi-political circles , in which , inter vina , eternal friendship is promised by the professed oathbreaker , and after coffee the English press is rebuked by the Prince , and disowned by the lords and ladies . We can well afford the compliment ! * °
Austria is showing symptoms of congestion and of paralysis . AH powerful at Vienna , she is falling to pieces in her distant provinces ; in Croatia and Dalmatia discontent increases daily . From all parts of Italy , from Rome , Naples , and Ancona , the accounts are disastrous . It is one eternal groan of anguish under the tender mercies of priestly and paternal despotisms . Navarro is the Jeffries of the nineteenth century . At Ancona the guillotine is once more calling sinners to repentance .
The telegraph reports an attack on the life of the Queen of Spain , who had actuall y been wounded . It is to be hoped that the outrage will prove to have been the act of madness . Isabella iB a woman , has just undergone the hard trial of the sex , ~ and is but the creature of her country ' s errors and misfortunes . From the United States we have a continuance of tKe old story—Kossuth ' s " failure , " illustrated by innumerable acts of homage and considerable sums of subsidy towards the Hungarian cause .
Mr . Fillmore , indeed , has disavowed the doctrine of European intervention , and he is a candidate for the Presidency ; but he is about the last man that the citizens are likely to select ; and he has not dared to avow his sympathy with the Austrian , Mr . Hulseman , who is very irate at the general sympathy with Kossuth . We have proof that America is already beginning to discriminate between Downing-street and England ; she is already beginning to feel that she had better settle in Enrope certain questions that will otherwise cross the Atlantic for settlement .
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History Of Parliament. Orening Of The Fi...
HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT . OrENING OF THE FIFTH SESSION . The Queen opened the fifth session of the Imperial Parliament on Tuesday . The weather was brilliant , and the crowd lining the route of the royal procession na numerous na usual . There was no display of loyal enthusiasm more than is characteristic of such occasions . The people went to see a eight and to applaud : they saw and they applauded , Within the House of Lords a gay and highlydecorated compnny assembled . Before two o ' clock a crowd of ladies , in brilliant dresses , occupied all the benches appropriated to the peers , except the front row . About fifty elderly gentlemen , clothed in scarlet robes , trimmed with ermine , sat before them . 'Vjft ! lLJ 2 ldgCB of courB 0 wero present , and on the -- ^ " •^ BiOJlgfnff to the- bishops eat the diplomat-¦" ' W ^^ L ^ Tftfc «» plendont with orders , stars , / ^^ " W ' gi )^* d 11 | jB » rmB . " The Duke , " the Archk /* ' ' '• ' « 5 i P "«* # WP 2 > Bishop of Hereford , and Lord *• 7 *¦/'' * " ^ roahb y * W * T arlyin tll ° Houao . By two o ' clock fjy' , >\ m * tho scat * Mme occupied ; and in ten minutes *;> , Wtor tho craflj * m trumpets and tho booms of guns **< , > ¦ y ' ¦ ¦'« ' r all' Mf \ ,
announced the arrival of the Queen . When she had seated herself on the throne the spectacle was magnificent . Although the sun was very bright , yet its brilliance was exquisitely softened by streaming through the Windows of coloured glass , and in this favourable light the contrasts of splendid hues were very fine , . the House of Commons being summoned , the Queen received end read the following speech : r" My Lords and Gentlemen , " The period has arrived when , according to usage , I can again avail myself of your advice and assistance in the preparation and adoption of measures which the welfare of the country may require . . _ _ _ _
"I-continue to maintain the most friendly relations with Foreign Powers . " The complicated affairs of the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig have continued to engage my attention . I have every reason to expect that the Treaty between Germany and Denmark , which was concluded at Berlin , in the year before last , will , in a short time , be fully and completely executed . I regret that the war which unfortunately broke out oa the eastern frontier of the Cape of Good Hope , more than a year ago , still continues . Papers will be laid before you containing full information as to the progress
of the war , and the measures which have been taken for bringing it to a termination . " While I have observed with sincere satisfaction the tranquillity which has prevailed throughout the greater portion of Ireland , it is with much regret that I have to inform you that certain parts of the counties of Armagh , Monaghan , and Louth , have been marked by the commission of outrages of the most serious description . The powers of the existing law have been promptly exerted for the detection of the offenders , and for the repression of a system of crime and violence fatal to the best interests of the country . My attention will continue to be directed to this important object .
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons , " I have ordered estimates of the expenses of the current year to be laid before you . " I rely with confidence on your loyalty and zeal to make adequate provision for the public service . " Where any increase has been made in the estimates of the present over the past year , such explanations will be given , as will , I trust , satisfy you that such increase is consistent with a steady adherence to a pacific policy , and with the dictates of a wise economy .
~ " My Lords and Gentlemen , " The improvement of the administration of justice in its various departments has continued to receive my anxious attention , and , in furtherance of that object , I have directed bills to be prepared , founded upon the reports made to me by the respective Commissioners appointed to inquire into the practice and proceedings of the superior Courts of Law and Equity . " As nothing tends more to the peace , prosperity , and contentment of a country , than the speedy and impartial administration of justice , I earnestly recommend these measures to your deliberate attention .
" The Act of 1848 , for suspending the operation of a previous Act conferring representative institutions on New Zealand , will expire early in the next year . I am happy to believe that there is no necessity for its renewal , and that no obstacle any longer exists to the enjoyment of representative institutions by New Zealand . The form of these institutions will , however , require your consideration , and the additional information which has been obtained since the passing of the Acts in question will , I trust , enable you to arrive at a decision beneficial to that important Colony . «**
" It gives me great satisfaction to be able to state to you that the large reductions of taxes which have taken place of late years have not been attended with a proportionate diminution of the national income . The Revenue of the past year has been fully adequate to the demands of the public service , while the reduction of taxation has tended greatly to the relief and comfort of my subjects . " I acknowledge with thankfulness to Almighty God , that tranquility , good order , and willing obedience to the laws , continue to prevail generally throughout the country .
"It appearB to me that this is a fitting time for calmly considering whether it may not be advisable to make such amendments in the Act of the late reign relating to the representation of the Commons in Parliament , as may be deemed calculated to carry into more complete effect the principles upon which that law is founded . " I have the fullest confidence that in any such consideration you will firmly adhere to the acknowledged principles of the Constitution , by which the prerogatives of the Crown , the authority of both Houses of Parliament , and the rights and liberties of the people , are equally Becured . " The Queen then left tho House , and their lordships adjourned .
HOUSE OF COMMONS . Tho Commons began to assemblo in the new House about twelve o ' clock . When the usher urrived with tho Queen ' s summons there were about 300 present and the main body of these went up fo the House 6 i Lords with the Speaker , and on returning adjourned When the House of Commons re-assembled at four o ' clock , it at once proceeded to transact formal and preliminary business . Now members wcro sworn and new writs ordered . Mr . Haythk , on behalf of tho Government , lost no timo in getting beforehand with tho announcement of coming Govornment measures , thus anticipating privato members and occupying tho earliest days . Tho now Reform Bill will bo
tabled on Monday ; the Militia Bill on Friday ; the "Law Reform Bills and St . Albans Disfranchisment Bill on Monday week . Among the notices of pri . vate members were Mr . Miles and Major Beresford for returns of navy provisions ; Mr . Slaney for his commission on the laws obstructing the industry of the " humbler classes ; " Mr . Sharman Crawford , a Bill on tenant Right ; and Sir Benjamin Hall , who will , on the ! 7 th , call the attention of the Housfe to the occupation of Rome by French troops . During this time members continued to arrive . Lord Palmerston entered about half-past four , and sat down near to Mr . Roebuck , below the gangway on the '_ . «_ -L A . « , . 4 * . *•* a ^^ ¦** ¦ ¦¦¦ ^ ' » h
Ministerial side of the House . Shortly afterwards Lord John Russell arrived , and bowed slightly to the disgraced Secretary as he passed by ; while Mr . Feargus O'Connor ran up to the Premier and , amidst the mirth of the House , heartily shook him by the hand . As soon as the Speaker had read the Queen ' s speech , Sir R . Wimjams Bulkei / ey rose and moved the customary address , which is merely an echo of the speech . Before he proceeded to enumerate and comment on the various points in the address , he warmly applauded the whole course of legislation since the Reform Bill , and ascribed a large share of the merit of bringing about those happy changes to
Lord John Russell . From that starting point he took up the topics of the address . He congratulated the House that our foreign relations were peaceful , especially as on the Continent we only saw peoples struggling for liberty on the one hand , and oppressive , treacherous , and foolish rulers on the other . We must sympathize with the former , we cannot yield to the latter any concessions which , they might demand . Whereyer remonstrance may come from , this country must be an asylum for the oppressed . We must have no interventions , he exclaimed , either for the people or against them . He then made an attack on Kossuth , and those who supported him . He spoke hopefully of the termination of the Gape war ; he declared that our naval defences were
efficient , "in spite of what party political writers and disappointed admirals might say to the contrary ;" he depicted , from personal experience , the evils of the Chancery Courts , and declared that "rather than such a nuisance , such an outrage on common sense , should be allowed to continue , he would , say perish the Court of Chancery , the Masters in Chancery , and everybody connected with it" ^— { laughier )— he was for Parliamentary Reform , but he had " no hesitation in avowing his . utter abhorrence of the ballot "~ { laughter)— he was opposed to short Parliaments ; but" who was afraid to extend the suffrage ? " At this point he diverged into a little unamiable abuse of that " wretched faction" the Chartists , conceived and expressed with the happiest bathos .
" Could they forget that when a wretched faction threatened to roll a petition upon the floor of that House so large that eight horses were required to drag it , every man who had a shilling in his pocket and a character to sustain enrolled himself under the banners of order ? { Hear , hear . ) And , when the awful day arrived when London was to have been sacked , this miserable , deluded , humbug set of creatures—{ laughter )—with a member of that House at their head—{ great laughter )—vanished at the sight of the first policeman who made his appearance , and shrank into the holes and corners where their miserable and obscure abodes were situated , the derision rather than the dread of their fellow-countrymen . { 'Hear , hear , ' and laughter . )"
Finally , he criticised the Irish , and declared that the Whigs had constituencies who expected them to maintain the principle of Protestant ascendancy . Mr . Bonham Cahteu seconded the address in a mild speech , rather literary than oratorical , going over a good deal of well-trodden ground , to show that the people merited an extension of the franchise . These gentlemen having decently performed the routine duties entrusted to them , tho real interest of the sitting commenced when Sir Benjamin Hall , in temperate and measured words , asked for an explanation of the perplexing dismissal of Lord Palmcrston . He could not understand , nor could the
country understand , how it was that while our foreign relations remained on the same footing as in ' 50 and ' 61 our Foreign Minister , a mo . n of the highest ability , was suddenly dismissed . Lord John Russell instantly rose and declared his willingness to respond to the appeal . He admitted at the outset the aocuracy of the statement of Sir Benjamin Hall , that ho had , in the debate on Greek affairs , expressed tho utmost confidence in Lord Pal merston . Ho had done more . When Lord Melbourne formed his
administration , the . late Foreign Secretary had been appointed to that office on tho express recommondation of Lord John Russell himself ; and in 1845 and 1840 , he had earnestly recommended his " noblo friend " «» the person best qualified to hold that post ; and it was with deep rogret that he had found it impossible to act any longer with him . Before stating in detail the circumstances which led to tho rupture , Lord John Ruesoll thought proper to state what was tho rolation in which a Secrotary of fcJtato stands to tho Crown and the Premier . " With rcspeot to the first , I should state that when the Crown , in consequence of a vote of tho IIouso of
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 7, 1852, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_07021852/page/2/
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