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May 18, 1850.] QC tft &£&&**? 171
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THE CHURCH IN AUSTRIA AND PIEDMONT. The ...
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TPIE GREEK QUARREL. The dispute with Gre...
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GERMAN CONGRESSES. The little German Pri...
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THE PROTECTION MOVEMENT. The agricultura...
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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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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Parliament. Htstouy Ot The Week. On The ...
French Ambassador from this Cou't is an event of importance ; but , at the same time , I can assure my noble and learned friend that it is not of that very grave importance which some persons have been disposed to attach to it . My noble and learned friend has almost anticipated what I , nevertheless , think to be my duty to state to the House , that the circumstance of his leaving this capital on the day of her Majesty ' s birthday was simply accidental , and in no way connected with any intentional design of manifesting anything like disrespect to her
Majesty or disrespect to this country , which , in a case of this sort , would have been identical . It was , I believe , solely from a desire—his presence being required in the French cipital by his Government—to give them the benefit of his presence within as short a time as possible . And without entering further into the subject , I am prepared to say there are circumstances which , in my opinion , may render the presence of that very eminent and intelligent person in Paris at this moment , more useful to the connection between the two countries than would be his stay in London . ( Hear , hear ) .
Lord Brougham : Undoubtedly I expected the explanation of the noble marquis . But I can hardly ascribe the absence of the Russian Ambassador from the celebration of her Majesty ' s birthday to a similar cause . I wish I could . The Marquis of Londonderry wanted to know whether , on the departure of Baron Gros from Athens , there had been any communication with the Russian Minister at Athens as to the immediate resumption of hostilities ? The Marquis of Lansdowne declined entering into any explanation . The Marquis of Londonderry thought the resumption of hostilities a measure calculated to be offensive to Russia , and wished to know if Russia had been a party to it ?
The Marquis of Lansdowne said the noble marquis would find a full explanation of the circumstances in the papers about to be laid on the table . Mr . Potjlett Scrope gave notice , on Thursdayevening , that , immediately after the holidays , he will move a resolution that all persons capable of labour , maintained at the public expense , should be employed in useful and reproductive labour . In the House of Commons , on the same even ' ng , Lord Pai-merston stated , in reply to Mr . Milner Gibson , that the dispute between the British and Greek Governments was entirely closed : —
"As to the good understanding between the British and French Governments—of course the French Government would have preferred that the solution should have been effected by the intervention of the French negotiator . Circumstances , however , had interposed which prevented that from taking place . It was well known that the French Ambassador had gone on the preceding day to Paris , in order to be a medium of communication in the matter between the two Governments . But he ( Lord Palmerston ) expected that nothing could arise , under the circumstances , that was likely to disturb the friendly relations between the two countries . "
The adjourned debate on the motion for going into committee on the Marriage Affinity Bill took place on Thursday evening . Several amendments were proposed , but none were carried . Mr . Fox Maule moved the insertion of a proviso to exclude Scotland from the operation of the bill , but it was lost by 144 to 137 .
May 18, 1850.] Qc Tft &£&&**? 171
May 18 , 1850 . ] QC tft & £ &&**? 171
The Church In Austria And Piedmont. The ...
THE CHURCH IN AUSTRIA AND PIEDMONT . The " Viennese have just given a marked demonstration of the feeling with which they view the recent restoration of clerical privilege . It is usu * l before Ascension-day for the clergy to go in procession through the city for three successive days . ^ The priest of each , parish carries a crucifix , and is accompanied by two bearers with richly-embroidered flags , representing either the patron saint of the
Church , or some subject from biblical history . These are followed by almost interminable files of true believers , principally of the female sex , chanting in chorus passages from anthems previously sung by the male choristers . A couple of years since all heads were uncovered , not only when the crucifix passed , but even so long as the procession lasted ; now the hats of the majority , even of the «• better " classes , are either hardly lifted or remain totally unmoved in sullen defiance .
The Archbishop of Turin was arrested on the 4 th instant , on a warrant from the judicial power , on the charge of being the author of a circular calculated to excite the clergy of his diocese to resist the laws , by threatening them with spiritual and temporal punishment , and also for having refused to appear before the competent tribunals , thus offering opposition to the authority of the State . His arrest produced no dissatisfaction among the people .
Tpie Greek Quarrel. The Dispute With Gre...
TPIE GREEK QUARREL . The dispute with Greece is settled . On the 23 rd of April Baron Gros had a final conference with Mr . Wyse . The result was unsuccessful ; and Mr . Wyse intimated his determination to recur immediately to coercive measures . On the 24 th Baron Gros received do . sputehes from his Government , stating that a convention had been agreed upon in London between Lord Pnlmerston and M . Drouyn de Lhuys ; and the Baron , therefore , entreated Mr . Wyse to delay proceedings till ho also should receive despatches .
1846 9 , 583 52 For the four Ionians ill-treated at Patras and Pyrgos .... 2 , 946 97 And for M . Pacifico , as compensation for all losses ( not including his claims on Portugal ) 120 , 000 0 In all , 180 . 06 S 49 drachmas , or about £ 6 , 400 . Mr . Wyse also required security for the amount of 150 , 000 drachmas more , to indemnify M . Pacifico for his Portuguese claims , after due investigation . These terms being complied with , an order was given to remove the blockade and release all the vessels
Baron Gros , at the same time , offered to place 180 , 000 drachmas on board her Majesty ' s steamer Odin , as a guarantee that the Greek Government would comply with the terms of the London settlement . Mr . Wyse refused to wait , having already specific instructions . On the 25 th , accordingly , cp " - ercive measures were renewed , and continued till the 27 th ; by which time the Greek Government gave in , surrendering to superior force , and accepting the dictation of the British Minister . The terms enforced by Mr . Wyse were as follows : — For Mr . Finlay 30 , 000 drachmas . For M . Pacifico 17 , 538 0 Compensation for the four Ionian vessels pillaged at Saleina , in
seized by the British fleet ; and Mr . Wyse renewed diplomatic relations with Greece . On the 2 nd instant the English courier arrived with despatches from Lord Palmerston , announcing the convention , of which Baron Gros was informed on the 24 th of April ; the provisions of which ought to have superseded any determination of the British agent at Athens . In some respects , these provisions are more favourable . Whether Mr . Wyse's arrangement will stand does not yet seem certain .
Tpie Greek Quarrel. The Dispute With Gre...
In a few days Mr . Wyse is to have an audience of King Otho , to announce the death of Queen Adelaide .
German Congresses. The Little German Pri...
GERMAN CONGRESSES . The little German Princes who adhere to Russia have met at Berlin , to found the new Prusso-Germanic confederation . On the 10 th instant they had a confidential meeting with the King of Prussia , at which his Majesty , in a long speech , expressed his most sanguine hopes of success . In right of precedency the Grand Duke of Baden replied . The following Sovereigns were present on the occasion : — The Grand Duke of Baden , the Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha , the Duke of Brunswick , the Grand Duke of Saxe , the Dukes of Saxe-Altenburg and Anhalt Dessau , the Princes of Schwarsburg , Landershausen , of Reuss-Greitz , of Reuss-Schleitz , the
Grand Duke of Oldenburg , the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz , the Elector of Hesse Cassel , the Duke of Saxe Meiningen , and the Hereditary Prince of Lippe-Schomburg . On the 11 th the Congress sat , assisted by the ministers of the various Sovereigns . Prussia declared for the unconditional acceptance of the Erfurt Constitution . The other states at the Congress , with the exception of electoral Hesse , gave their adhesion . The Elector of Hesse withdraws from the Bund . So also do the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Duke of Nassau . On the other hand , it is said that the Princes of Schwarzbourg-Radolstadt , and Schwartzbourg , as well as the Princes of Reuss , intend to cede their sovereignties to Prussia , in order to forward German
unity . The Austrian Congress held its first sitting at Frankfort on the 10 th instant . It consists at present of the representatives of Austria , Bavaria , Wurtemberg , Saxony , Hanover , Luxemburg , Hesse-Horaburg , Hesse-Cassel , and Denmark . Prussia has sent an official note protesting against the Congrecs being considered a resuscitation of the old Confederation , or as anything more than a mere private meeting of Governments friendly to Austria . The former Federal Assembly " was dissolved in 1848 by legal resolutions , and its dissolution did away with any claims to presidency which Austria might have possessed . " Further , "the gentlemen who meet at Frankfort have no right to act in the name of the Confederation . " Prussia will , however , still send her representative to Frankfort .
The Protection Movement. The Agricultura...
THE PROTECTION MOVEMENT . The agricultural delegates who remained in town after the grand demonstration for the purpose of prosecuting the agitation in favour of Protection , reassembled at the South-Sea House , on Saturday . They adopted an address to Lord John Kussell , setting forth that unless prompt measures are adopted to relievo the distress under which the
agricultural interest is now suffering , the public peace will be endangered , public credit threatened , and even the constitution itself placed in jeopardy . At twelve o ' clock a deputation of farmers , accompanied by Colonel Sibthorp , M . P ., and Mr . Newdegate , M . P ., wuited upon Lord John Kusnell , at his official residence in Downing Street . The Duke of Richmond had promiaed to head the deputation , but was prevented by a severe cold .
Lord John Russell received them very graciously , and after listening to the address , a rather lively debate commenced between him and the chief speakers belonging to the party . Mr . George Frederick Young endeavoured to persuade him that the present House of Commons does not represent the present state of public opinion on the free trade question , and that , therefore , the Protectionists have a right to demand a dissolution of Parliament , in order that the country may give its decision as io the policy of John did not
repealing the Corn Law . Lord express any opinion on this point ; but he reminded him that in 1841 , he oflvred the farmers an 8 s . fixed duty , which they rejected with scorn . He thought they were very unwise to reject such a compromise in . 1841 , but that it would be far more unwise to seek to restore the system of Protection in 1850 . Mr . Young assured him that neither the shipping notthe agricultural interest asked for a system of protection . All they wanted was a " just and equitable system of import duties" : —
Mr . Guthrie : " Your Lordship has expressed it as your opinion that it was unwise to reject the proposition , which you made in 1841 , for imposing a fixed duty of 8 s . per quarter on wheat . Now , supposing your Lordship acted wisely in proposing that measure , and the other party unwisely in rejecting it , if the other party sould come round to your Lordship ' s former opinion upon that subject , allow me to ask if you think it would be wrong , in 1850 , to revert to the proposal which you deemed to be so perfectly right in 1841 ? "
Lord J . Russell : " I can easily answer that question . Without going into other considerations , supposing the price of corn to be at the time 58 s ., a law that would reduce the average to 50 s . would be well taken ; whereas , if the price were 42 s ., the law which would raise it from 42 s . to 50 s . would be ill taken . " After a few more remarks , the audience terminated , and the deputation withdrew to the King's Arms , Palace-yard , where several speeches were made in favour of carrying on the agitation more resolutely than ever .
At a later hour of the day the deputation waited upon Lord Stanley , to present an address to him , on the alarming position of the agricultural interest , with a view to obtain his opinion as to the course they ought to take . He made a long speech in reply , in which he contended that their predictions of distress , as the inevitable result of Free Trade , have been fully verified : — " Importations of foreign produce have increased to the full amount that we anticipated they would do under
the system of Free Trade . Prices have fallen to the full amount , and to a greater amount , than we ventured to predict , and for predicting which our apprehensions were ridiculed as exaggerated and absurd . The distress has gone on increasing . That distress is still increasing . That distress is pressing upon every portion of the community ; and it is the most lamentable part of this case that I feel convinced—and here I must speak to you frankly and plainly—that the reversal of that policy can only be obtained at the expense of still greater suffering on the part of still more extended interests . "
In reply to those impatient agitators who think that more might have been done this session , he defended the line of policy adopted by the Protectionists in Parliament , They had been taunted by the Free-traders for not having brought forward some specific measure , in order that the Legislature might give its decision on the question . But he did not think it would be wise to let themselves be forced into any premature movement by any such taunts . No one could expect that the present House of Commons would stultify itself by reversing its own decision ; and , as there were many even of their own
friends who doubted the rolicy of bringing forward the question , the result of making any such attempt would merely be to show a decreasing minority for Protection and an increasing majority against it . In the House of Lords there was still less chance of gaining anything by bringing forward the question in a distinct form . The only field for them was the electoral body throughout the country . It was through them that the battle must be fought . When distress began to prevail , as it speedily would do , among all classes , there would be a unanimous decision againt the ruinous experiment of Free Trade ; - —
" If you ask my advice , " said Lord Stanley , ' I say persevere in the course you have adopted . Agitate the country from one end to the other . Continue to call meetings in every direction . Do not fear , do not flinch , from discussion . By all means accept the offer of holding a meeting in that magnificent building at Liverpool ; ami in our greatest commercial towns show that there is a feeling in regard to the result of our so called free trade wirUly dittorent from that which was anticipated by the Free Traders , and from that which did prevail only a few years ago . ( Hear , hear ) . Your efforts may
not be so soon crowned with success as you hope ; but depend upon it , let us stand hand to hand firmly together , let the landlord , the tenant , and the laboureraye , and the country shopkeeper—aye , before long , the manufacturer himself , be called on to show and to prove what the efFecta of this experiment are— and as sure as we stand together , temperately but firmly , determined to assert our rights , so certainly , at the expense , it may be of intense suffering , and perhaps of ruin to many , but , ultimately , certainly and securely we shall attain our object , and recede from that insane policy which haa been pursued during the last few years . ( Hear , hear ) .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 18, 1850, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_18051850/page/3/
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