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*Q2 THE LEADEK. [No. 476, May : 7. 18SQ
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Continuedfrom .page 589. of India are ve...
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n _ ..... ---. ji The Press says that Si...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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*Q2 The Leadek. [No. 476, May : 7. 18sq
* Q 2 THE LEADEK . [ No . 476 , May : 7 . 18 SQ
Continuedfrom .Page 589. Of India Are Ve...
Continuedfrom . page 589 . of India are very greatly embarrassed , and that in consequence of the late disturbances the whole administrative system has been so far deranged as to render it necessary that it should undergo entire revision . The government of India has not been conferred on the Queen -without any species of check or control . On the contrary , there has been interposed a body of men from whose industry , from whose experience , and from whose pxiblie spirit— -I refer , of course to the Council of India—we hare every reason to hope for the most beneficial results . So far from its being true that the position of the Minister with regard to the Indian Government is the same as it was
previous to the change , the Minister for India is in another position altogether . He has more power , he has a more direct control over the affairs of India , and there devolves upon him a more immediate and direct responsibility . Of the war oh the Continent , his lordship said , It will not be a war of opinion , it will not be one of those great struggles recorded at different periods in the history of human kind , founded upon deep-lying differences of political or religious principle ; it will not be one of those mighty contests in which all the sacrifices , the sufferings , and the miseries caused by war are in some degree compensated by great ideas , in which the interests at stake and the objects to . be obtained are
struggled for in a spirit of disinterestedness , and in -which- to obtain them war is rendered necessary It will be a war wantonly , needlessly , and , I will sav , wickedly made . It will be a war dictated by the ambition of a few men placed in too hi"h a position above the masses of mankind to feel that respect for human rights or that sympathy for human suffering , a due regard for which forms the bonds by which the human race is banded together . The independence of Italy is the plea , but it is nothing more than a plea . Her Majesty ' s Ministers have endeavoured to interfere in the interests of peace , as far as it has been possible for England to interfere without compromising her own
position in giving pledges -which might be productive of future embarrassment . No effort has been spared , no means have been left untried for the preservaFion of peace . If in those efforts we have failed—if the negotiations of the last few weeks have only concealed on the part of other Powers a premediated purpose of going to war—we have at least the consolation of knowing that the great misfortunes which must accrue to Europe and to the whole world will have been caused by no act of ours , but that they will have taken place in spite of every exertion which we could make to prevent it . We have not been led away on the one hand by Italian sympathies , nor o the other have we been influenced by any jealousy of secret
the power of France .. We have had no preference , we have pursued no underhand policy . Explanations have been freely and frankly given , and there is nothing , so far as the conduct of England is concerned , which we need cither- conceal or disavow . There is in this country one feeling only , that English intervention by arms ought only to take place when English objects are involved in the case of Italy . What may happen heroafter if this war should become general and spread throughout Europe to
it is utterly impossible for me or any one say . There are pledges by which we are bound , there are engagements which England hus to fulfil . It is possible—though God forbid that in those general unforeseen complications of events to which : a European war may give rise—the time may conic when neutrality may be no longer possible . But we shall cling to that neutrality so long as it remains possible , and leave all the guilt , the misery , and the suffering to which the war must inevitably give rise to those by whom it has been provoked .
Viscount Pamieustok \ - * -At a dinner given to celebrate the , noble lord ' s rotuyn for Tiverton , lie said , I cannot help feeling some regret , on comparing , a former period with' the present , to think that whereas at that time there existed a strongly cemented alliance between England and France , now wo have too much reason to believe that the scene is changed , and that the strong alliance which has boon cemented is an alliance between Franco and Russia . The difference , gentlemen , ia this—that the alliance ol England and Franco was the symbol of peace with Europe ; it was an alliance founded upon interests
which could only be in common when they wore directly for the common Rood ; while an alliance between Russia and FrancQ' -such an alliance aB wo have beon led to boliove exists between those countries—is an alliance , 1 am afraid , that can only bo founded upon the principles and the objects of aggression upon other ppwora . " On the subject of reform the noble lord said— " I am quite sure that both Parliament and the country are of opinion that the time is come when a reform bill must bo passe" . ( Hear , hear . ) Wo may differ as to . what each man may like , but there is one consideration which those who proposp p , refprm bill should bear in view—that is , that Ihov should endeavour to frame , not such a
we are bound in this quarrel to be neutral vpt ti , tit must be understood that the first cannon whirl France is to fire in Europe is to be the knell of tl , » Anglo-French alliance . Now , I remember t ~ course which public opinion has taken with rc"qr , l to that alliance-, and I remember hearino- in ° House of Commons a living statesman—a cabinp ? minister under the Government of Lord Abercleen--speaking of that alliance in a manner which -would be hardly courteous in any communication or arrangement between one man and another I re collect that notice was taken of the matter in the Commons , and that the unanimous expression of the Conservative party at the time was , the alliance
between England and France was the natural alliance through which the civilisation of Em-one was likely to flow . That was the course of the Con servative party then . But while -we announce our policy of neutrality , we shall not be observing U ifvre say to France— 'If you take a particular line and fire cannon in a certain place , then our alliance is at an end .. ' Gentlemen , I repudiate any such language , and I hope and believe it will not * be adople . l by the Government . It is a satisfaction , though v melancholy oiie , that every exertion has been made b Government to avert
y our and prevent war With regard to foreign affairs , at all times I hold it to be the cardinal policy of the Conservative partr not to interfere in foreign war imless there is an absolute necessity . I hold with the statesman wjio declared , * when Avar ceases to be a necessity it becomes- : i crime . ' I believe that this country , guarded by its insular' position * dependent on the arts of peace for its material advancement , is bound to show that her national honour has been insulted , or her national interests have been imperilled , before she should embark in war . "
The Home { $ eck £ tary . —3 Ii \ Sotlicron Estcourfr in acknowledging his re-election for South "Wilts , defended the Government- iil the course they had pursued as to the dissolution . Having , spoken on reform , and the ballot , he , like liU brother ministers , of course , "touched upon the war . question-, lie said , the British Government had been like -a . mutual friend , attempting—lie allowed in vain—to prevent two bullying fellows who were determined to have a . scratch at each other , from iightiiipf . Austria and France had clearly resolved to have a turn at each other ; and probably their military ' forces , the result of peace , had at last got to such a head that they could not keep them down . ; 500 , 000 men rea . ly
for strife was too great a power for the Executive of either coiintry to keep m order . Bur although we might all agree , and lie believed we did , as to tho " folly , the wickedness , and the shame of a ' general European war , what ' was our duty as Englishmen ? Our first duty was to do our best to part the combatants ; our second , to be well prepared to repel aggression . Living as we did with angry passion . ; all around us , there was only one course by which we could hope to preserve our independence , oiir property , our lives , and all that we hold dear , —and that was to be well prepared , nut for aggression , but for defence . The Ministers had , as far as possible , taken cure our means of defence should not be wanting , and since the period at which Lord Derby took office , the available effective navy of thiscountvy had been exactly doubled in amount . Among ot-hev ot
bill as each man might in the abstract think the best , but such a bill as would be likely to pass into a law . I think it highly probable that before twelve months a bili may have been passed , or much progress made fn such a bill , so that 1 all probability there ^ ould be a dissolution in the course of a year ; for if great or considerable changes are made in the representation of the people in Parliament expectation would require that opportunity should be given for the newly-enfranchised class or towns and communities to exercise the privilege thus accorded to them . Lokd . Tons Kusskll . — The noble lord in proposing Mr Heathcote at the nomination for Huntingdonshire , took the opportunity of making some fhrthpr rnmarks upon the foreign policy of ministers . to this
" I have been told , said he , and I am told , very day , tluit unless Lord Derby and his Ministry remained in power , it would be impossible to maintain the peace of Europe any longer . I am sorry to say that that question is already decided . The efforts made by the late . Government for the preservation of peace may have been praiseworthy ; it may turn out , though—and I am one of those who flunk that it will—that "they have not been well directed ; but however that may be , we all know that they have failed . We well . know ' that the war has begun ; and we well know , too , that this country has no right to take part either on one side or the other , in that war , but to maintain a strict neutrality . I heard that
opinion stated by Lord Derby himself ; and I cordially agree with him ; hut I tliink that we should keep up our fleet , and , in addition , sufficient force at home to repel any insult that may be offered to us . I am glad to find , then , that the late Ministers have Ordered an increase in the navy . I will say no more with regard to it than this , that if the independence and liberty of the people of Italy result from the quarrel , I , for one , shall heartily rejoice . The truth then is , that the Ministry , having brought forward so ¦ many bad measures affecting home matters , have utterly
failed in preserving peace abroad , and the question for you to decide is whether these are the Ministers most competent to carry on the affairs of the country , at home and abroad . My opinion is that they most decidedly are not . " Of the dissolution he remarked that Lord Derby had dissolved Parliament under the plea that he thinks he will get a more numerous support in the coming House of Commons than in the last—but ( said Lord Jolin ) I doubt if that will be the result , and it is for you to strengthen the hands of-those ' who are in favour of a real , and not a sham
reform . The Attokxev-Genekau—At the election for East Suffolk , the Attorney-General , after vindicating the Government , Reform Hill as a real measure of enfranchisement for the working classes , said , that during the last few days war had broken out in Europe , although the Government had done all that could be affected by statesmen anxious to preserve the peace of Europe ,- and determined' also to maintain the honour of the English name . It had been a matter of reproach to the Ministry of the Crown that they permitted this war to break out in Europe , as if this country , with all its power , was equal to the task of restraining the sovereigns of despotic
states like France and Russia . But at least it could bo said that the existing Government , unlike their predecessors , had not allowed this country to " drift into war , " as was the case with Russia in 1854 , While Europe was in arms England was still at peace , and ho trusted that the xitmost efforts of this country might bo directed to the restoration of the peace of Europe , while the honour of the English name might bo maintained . England had t , aken . care to bo forearmed against this great calamity ; we had now a powerful fleet on its way to tho Mediterranean , and another powerful fleet in tho British Channel , while 100 , 000 men were on their way home from India , With this mighty force , and with a Government attached to liberty and
deterthings , he would take that public opportunity saying , that if in that county and in any others there were any gallant spirits ready Jo . enrol themselves in rifle corps , or similar volunteer bodies , the ooycniment would be gliul to receive the assurunco ot tueir willingness to do so , and , as fur us they were concerned and as Parliament would sanction the measure , they would bo glad to afford them countenance and goodwill . ,. . .. , „ Silt Jaime * Gu . iu . ur , M . F . — At Carlisle ho <*¦ ministor thought it necessary to inaku n « ' »' apology for the supposed chango in \>« l ' olll o ? sentiments . "S omething , " ho observed , "is shw about change of opinion . The last ha t centurj been the period of my active lift . Within tluit ponml all has changed around mo . 1 have soon tho toco oi nature changed . 1 have scon morasses coinoiwi into dry ground . 1 huvo soon dosort wastes in vw country now teeming with golden harvests . 11 « " J scon grass supplanting heather and running l the tops of our liighosfc hills . 1 havo scon ma J tmninrl intn rlnv in mil' filtiGS Ulid "dwelllMtfH »? nil
mined upon maintaining tho peace of the world if possible , ho trusted that tho country would bo fully secure , and ho doubted not that when he met thorn again ho should have to congratulate thorn upon haying throughout tho conflict maintained tho honour of our name and the stability of our institutions . ( Cheors . ) The loarned gentleman , in conclusion , touched upon tho church-rate question , and stated that if a strong Government were maintained in power , ho did not yet despair of a Biitisfiictory solution of the question . He also expressed his hope that , although tho dissolution hud impeded , it had onjy delayed , several measuros of law reform , especially a bill for facilitating the transfer of land , a subject of much importance in an agricultural county like Suffolk .
ni < l of gas . I linvo seen timo and distanco all but nn niliilatod by tho locomotivo power of » t ° ' ^ * , ' and land . 1 have soon the oUjetrio tologruph »" voying from polo to polo tho intorcourso ot nmn nj > ' spark stolon , as it were , from Hoavon . I l' «\ ° JJJJ mighty monarchies fall $ I havo soon « W"J , founded on thoir ruins crumbling to dust . } ' soon despotic tyrannies aviso and tall Anid b « man , frail man , amid all those cbangos of nature ana pplioy . , alone stantl immovable , unaltered Jn opinions , and say ho is unchanged ? ___ . ii " I
Tina Soxjorron-GBNimAr .. —rAt tho ro-oloction of Sir H . Cairns , at Belfast , ' the learned and lion , gentleman made somo interesting allusion to foreign matters . "I have seen , with regret ( said Sir Hugh ) , in tho organ which is ' regarded as tho organ of the opposition to tho Government in England—the Ttmea—rttnH repeated more than onco , that though
N _ ..... ---. Ji The Press Says That Si...
n _ ..... ---. ji The Press says that Sir John Lnwrcnoe wiu ho raised to tho peerage .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 7, 1859, page 16, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_07051859/page/16/
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