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' himIf thei luuHi nffirtjiflr in the Ho...
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-IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. LORD JOHN BUSSELl'...
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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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Ftthe Paiimeeston Cabinet Takes The Plac...
The Pope and his adherents are straining his authority until it cracks in all directions . Could we bring forth all that is saying and doma in the present moment , good Catholics at a distance would be scandalised . ' Even in Portugal— -that faithful country—the spirituflmutjto : break & flftrtfa . A member in the Cortes «| 6 * w *** fie royal ?* pee « lfr did not allude to the " ImmaculatteConceptionv aad the whole Assembly laughs . Uhat laugh ia a great public event . In Spain , * fcile the Government proceeds unswervingly , -wflfc-the measure for disposing of the eccfeiiasticaU property , it » announced that the Catolico newspaper will be prosecuted for publishing the Pope ' s Bull on the Immaculate Conception , before it had been
sanctioned by the Government , To appreciate this fact , it must be remembered that Queen Isabella II . sent a jewelled tiara to the Pope for b » achievement touching the Immaculate Conception . Piedmont is still more decidedly in conflict with his Holiness-y is indeed waging a war that must have the most important : results for the spiritual independence of the world . The Pope has transmitted a letter monitory declaring the measure for utilising the property of the regular clergy to be null and void , and inflicting upon those who aid in carrying it out excommunication . Nevertheless the Sardinian Government proceeds . But there is a remarkable distinction in the treatment of the Pope ' s communication
Portugal ignores his authority , in a parliamentary sense , and isragfas at it ; Spam refuses obedience , and punishes journals for promulgating even his abstract doctrine without sanction ; ^ Piedmont contests a still stronger stretch of his authority , but permits tne journals freely to discuss the letter mohftory , though official licence is refused to the official promulgation from the State pulpits . The dignity and independence to which Piedmont has already attained ^ speak a conscious strength .
' Himif Thei Luuhi Nffirtjiflr In The Ho...
122 THE LEADER . [ Saturday , — ' - ¦ ——————^—^^^^ W ^^ W ^^^^^ M ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ¦ ¦
-Imperial Parliament. Lord John Bussell'...
-IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . LORD JOHN BUSSELl ' 9 ANSWER TO THE 3 > UKE ~ . " NEWCASTLE . ^ The Hous & of Commons met on Monday , "when tfie Chancbllob of the Exchequer stated that those reasons which induced the House to waive the discussion of general business continued in full force , and he therefore moved a further adjournment . Everything being thus disposed of , Lord John Russell took the opportunity to give some further explanations . He had refrained on the previous Monday from replying to the statements of Mr . Gladstone , bat be could not help replying to- grave errors in the published statement of the Duke of Newcastle The ~ qaestion hadtaken . thecharacter of a dispute between himself and the duke , whereas he had . acted entirely on broad public grounds . The defeats which the Government had sustained he should have considered
sufficient grounds for a general resignation , if they had had the confidence of the country on the war ; The aptitude of a "War Minister was always sufficient to settle the success or non-success of a war . The Duke of Newcastle objected to his statement that the duke wished to have the War Department , but he had gathered that fact from various members of the Government , and he thought Lord Aberdeen ' s letter confirmed it . The Duke of Newcastle stated that he ( Lord John Russell ) wished to have the office , and undoubtedly , had the office been offered to him , it would have been his duty to accept ; but it was foreign to his habits of business and experience . What he stated and thought was , that the Duke of Newcastle was an unfit man , unless Lord Aberdeen
also exercised strong control in the department ; on the other hand , if the duke had been a man of extraordinary energy and authority , then the Earl of Aberdeen would have made a fitting Prime Minister for the war . As to his suggestions ' on the two War Departments , he had consulted a considerable authority on the subject—Lord Panmure—And had acted on his . advice . Finding Lord Aberdeen so strongly attached to the Doke of Newcastle , he could not act in the matter without breaking up the Cabinet . He thought now he had been in error in not having done so . One statement in the Duke of Newcastle ' s speech was most extraordinary—that some days before the meeting of Parliament the duke had tendered
his resignation , saying that oven if the censure on Ministers was resisted successfully , ho would resign . Lord John Russell had never heard of that * and he thought Lord Aberdeen had boon hasty in accepting his own resignation , as evidently eomo arrangement might have been made . For a week ho had been a mark for public obloquy ; he did not merely wish to live down such calumnies , but thought that his rather long public lifo should bb a sufficient answer to thorn . If tho Duko of Newcastle felt so patriotic , why did he not change office with Lord Polmoraton ? There had beon such an in-Jrtanco known , that of tho Earl of Ripon—who ( when Tord Goderich ) vacated tho Secretaryship of tho Colonies to make way for Lord Stanley ( now Lord Derby)—and
it was though by no m *** derogatory ' m him . If the required changointlieJUar apartments had been made , the Ministry might naVe come down to the House with a strong chaw * of retarding its confidence . He regretted to have furtlwr statements to make , but his honour as a public maa was impeached . He might have ^ been inerror ^ WBtne &« d every intentfoft of cfoing hiMW *_ Mr ; 0 LADSTKWE really ifcffeved that his ftfend ^ Itfrd John Kfcssell , would be acquitted of every motiv * but the win to strttfgthen thefcCabu ** . It was verjrarwkward in haver explanatioi » of conduct after a Gtf * arnment lMd g # a »* tii ; but . ewttwdera ^ the great Bttaee to which tfi * & icussion had- run , Ite did not wonder at the wish for explanation . The assumption of the War Department by the Duke of Newcastle had taken place with the consent of the entire Cabinet , and the entire ^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - - - ^ T "> j _ - . , m * •__ . T & J-l
Cabinet ought to bear the blame . Nobody had an idea that Lord John Russell would have accepted the office had it been offered . The Government had not the mearaato- arrange the War Departments according to Lord John Russell ' s suggestions . Whatever might have been the opinions of Lord John Russell , the impression on the minds of Lord Aberdeen and the Cabinet—and they had evidence to prove it in the writing of Lord Aberdeenwas that Lord John Russell had changed his mind respecting his determinations in the event of no adaptations of departments or persons being made ; and he thought that the conduct of Lord John Russell , from the 16 th of December up to the reopening of Parliament , fully justified that impression . Lord John Russell had somewhat misrepresented the facts of the intended resignation of the Duke of Newcastle . These were the words of the
duke : — " The noble lord ( Lord J . Russell ) , in his statement with reference to the course which he had taken , said , until the notice was given by air . Roebuck he had not fully considered the course which he ought to take . My lords , I had . I had maturely considered it ; and , while I had made up my mind that my official career was practically brought to a close ,. I resolved at the same time that I would face the ordeal of censure m your lordships' House , arnd would submit the conduct of mj administration to the judgment of the House of Commons . But , my lords , I felt that it was right that I
should announce ray determination ; and a few days Derpre the meeting of Parliament , on the 23 rd of January , I told my noble friend at the head of the Government—I did not tell rny other colleagues , because I felt that it was not right that I shonld do so , and 1 think your lordships will appreciate my feelings and motives in that course—that , whatever mig ht be the result of the discussions in this House or in the * House _ of Commons—whether the Government succeeded by . a large majority in" overcoming resistance and reproach , or whether they failed;—I equally should tender my resignation as soon as that judgment should be given and the verdict of Parliament should be pronounced . "
This was an intimation , not a resignation ; and had Lord Aberdeen made it known , it would have put them all in a false position-with Parliament . The Duke of Newcastle had absolutely gone further than Lord Ripon , for he had not , as Lord Ripon did , acceded to a request of his Premier , but had placed himself entirely at the Premier ' s disposal . TVIr . Gladstone hoped that these corrections would not have the effect of making him appear .. _ a _ party _ to . charges jof _ tareaclierj ^_ or _ cowardice against Lord John Russell , for the man deserved" contempt who ctraldmake such charges . Tho subject then dropped , but during its discussion Lord John Russell apologised to Sir De Lacy Evans for having omitted to mention the Second Division in the motion for a Vote of Thanks ; but he had distinctly said that Lord Raglan ' s despatches should be referred to for the particulars .
DEPRECATION OF THE MINISTERIAL INTERREGNUM . On Tuesday the Earl of Aberdeen moved an adjournment until Thursday , when he believed the new Cabinet would be formed . In the Commons , Sir George Grey moved an adjournment until the following day . Immediately a discussion arose . Mr . Benttnck called attention to the disastrous state of the country , and the delay in the formation of the Ministry . He hoped the House would put a stop to such a state of things . Sir C . Wood thought such a matter inconvenient , but Mr . Whitjssidk remarked that it was rather an appeal to the House itself , than to any one connected with the Government . Mr . F . Scott strongly condemned Lord Aberdeen as the cause of the unpleasant position .
Mr . Labouchkre deprecated such discussions as being inconsistent with tho dignity of the House , which , if it interfered at all , and it might be necessary for it to interfere , should do bo , upon notice given , by the constitutional mode of an address to the Crown . Mr . Mujttz thought it a very humiliating position , because it appeared as if only two or three aristocratic families could govern us ; but we should soon find that the people would learn to govern without them . Mr . S . Wortlbt objected to the discussion , and Mr . Maujkb reiterated Mr . Mnntz ' s views , also remarking on the principles of the new Ministry , to which Mr . Roebuck replied , that he was mistaken in supposing that the Conservative party were not to share in tho Administration . They had been offered an opportunity of taking the Government , but they had declared their inability . 116 could not proceed with the committee of inquiry , without great inconvenience , until a Government was formed .
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT . On Thursday Lord Granville , ns Lord President of tlio Council , and , therefore , as mouthpiece of tho
Goi luuHi nff . irtjiflr in the House of Lords the usual statement of a 0 W * Jfihistry . He-spoke with much modesty ofJhisown awi ? fs fo * the position he held ; but in leading th & Pp ^ r llfebsfe he would be , in a great measure , under the guict & aiMHolL the Marquis of Lansdowne . Leaving other expUumti & tmio Peers present , he stated that Lord Palmerstolfc iadtfcndceeded in forming a Government which h « r » J ! Mesty > had approved ; their principles would be-identfcjtfCi'ftith those of the late Ministry , but of coarse ihtetmii improvements -would be made when it was jj , u 1 ill 11 ¦ Tliri war would be carried on with vigour . I * r . o « tfa' ~ notJb « wdfe * ied thaffcreat disasters had occurred , ' ¦ i m M « r -. n ii i ^ n ~{ v * XVa Uakpa s ^ C T * v «*^ n + T » rv 'mcshaI * . X _ j . _
antfit wai difficult to say'Hrftp wa * to blame ; but one thing was -certain ,, that the eoWtiy must not despond , for the army itself , in the midst of sickness and death , were yet far from that . The resources of the country were unlimited , and we are only at the beginning of them . Thanks to the care and discretion of Lord Clarendon oar relations with France are most intimate and cordial , and from Austria much is to be hoped . Lord Palmerston and his colleagues would take every means to push on the war with vigour and energy , until they can command a fair and honourable peace . He moved that the House adjourn- until Friday , the 16 th .
The Earl of Dekbt took the opportunity of explaining tlie course he had taken respecting the formation of a Ministry . Tbe public ought to know the reasons which actuate public men—who are public property—in forming Ministries , or in shrinking from such offices . It is well known that the Earl of Derby and the Conservative party did not exactly wish to disturb the late Government , but when , through unparalleled circumstances ,, they were led to resign , he was not surprised at the Queen ' s sending for him . The Conservative party honoured him with , their confidence , and that party , owing to the splittihg-up of the Liberals , was decidedly the largest in . the country . Honourable as it is to hold so ennobling an office as Premier , it was impossible to
do so with the probability of frequent defeats—particularly in the House of Commons . He might have got some very adequate colleagues : for instance , for War Minister the Earl of Ellenborough's great experience and well-known energy would have had the confidence of the country . In the Commons he would have had the support and assistance , the unrivalled eloquence , and commanding talent of Sir E . Bulwer Lytton . But yet some further assistance was requisite j and after accepting the Queen ' s commands , he considered the question , and found the co-operation of Lord Palmerston to be indispensable . In the event of Lord Palmerston accepting the War Office , Mr . Disraeli expressed himself quite willing to resign the leadership of the House of
Commons , which would naturally have fallen to him , and which , office would have better accompanied that of the War Minister . Lord Palmerston declined to act without two of his late colleagues , Mr . Gladstone and Mr . Sidney Herbert ; and Lord Derby communicated with them , the result being very courteous replies . But Lord Derby learned , through Mr . Gladstone , that " Lord Palmerston was of opinion that he could not render useful service ; " and so the affair concluded . Respecting the Foreign Secretaryship , ho explained to the Queen the great confidence he had in the skill and ability of Lord Clarendon , and hoped that there would be no impediment to their acting together ; but , considering the political relation in which he stood towards those with whom Lord Derby was in the habit of acting , and also his political connexion with others with whom he was not acting , he did not feel justified in
making distinct offers without the express sanction , injunction , and command of the Queen . One thing he regretted was , that he had not asked the very valuable advice of his friend , the Marquis of Lansdowne . Finding the efforts he had made unnecessary , he advised the Queen to try some other course , and promised his best assistance in the event of that other course failing . Since then , Lord Palmerston had accepted office . The Earl of Derby would shrink from no responsibility hut that of thrusting an uncertain Government on the country at a time like the present . He might have erred , but his political faults were generally said to have been in an opposite direction . With respect to tho war , deep responsibility would attach to any minister who concluded a peace which did not guarantee great results to this country and to Europe , and responsibility equally deep would rest with one who carried on the war for one moment after such results were obtained .
The Marquis of Lansdowne , though he had not had made to him precisely the offer made to the Earl of Derby , had yet been prominently engaged sinco tho resignation of the late ministry . He did not wish to act , but he was very desirous of giving every assistance with his advice . When the Earl of Derby failed , the Queen sent fox him , and he recommended Lord John . RusselL who , on deliberation , declined . Finally , Lord Palmorston made a ministry , decidedly tho strongest that could be formed . He hoped that it would have the confidence of all , even of those nominally their opponents .
11 In a great measuro wo must , undoubtedly , depend for the issue of tho great cause in which we arc engaged with one of tho greatest and most powerful empires in the world upon the courage of our soldiers , ' tho courage of our seamen , and tho ability of our commanders . Hut bo it remembered that it ia not they alono who aro actively engaged in the contest—that tho contest ia ouo
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 10, 1855, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_10021855/page/2/
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