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May 24, 1851.] &%$ ftea^t* 479
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Capital Punishment.—The resolution moved...
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THE EXPOSITION DINNER AT RICHMOND. Inter...
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Transcript
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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 Of The Week. The Stagnant Cal...
threatened to expel the honest settlers , whom they represented as « Puritans . " A Vagrancy Act had been passed by the Australian Legislature for the protection of the settlers against the felonry of Van Diemen ' s Land , but that act had been vetoed by the governor , to the disgust of the honest inhabitants , ¦ who have formed an anti-transportation . league , for the purpose of diverting the stream of vice and crime which threatened to overwhelm them and their offspring . A petition had been agreed to in one part of the colony , signed by 35 , 000 persons , including the three bishops and all the clergy ,
praying that their land might no longer be polluted by the convicts of this country . At Sidney , also , a petition , with 50 , 000 signatures appended , had been got up , and at Melbourne similar exertions had been made to remed y the present degrading system . Without saying anything as to the system of punishing criminals by transportation , he earnestly called upon the Government to listen to the prayers of the settlers of Van Diemen ' s Land . He concluded by moving that an humble address be presented to her Majesty , praying for the discontinuance of transportation to Van Diemen ' s Land . Sir George Grey
could not deny that there was a general desire amongst the colonists for the abolition of transportation , but he thought the statements on that head had been greatly exaggerated . He admitted that Earl Grey had changed his opinion on the transportation question , owing to the difficulty he found in carrying out the original intentions of Government , but he had also found that public opinion in Van Diemen ' s Land had undergone some alterations on the subject . He admitted , however , that the colony had reason to complain , and that it was the duty of the Government to attend to those complaints , and to endeavour to relieve them from the
aggravated pressure of convicts . But he thought that it was justice to the colony to show that its condition was not so bad as had been represented . The evils at present existing in Van Diemen ' s Land did not arise from sending out there a small number of improved convicts under the present system , but were the results of the too long continuance of the old system . Though the views of the Government as to the dispersion of convicts as widely as possible have been thwarted by the -unwillingness of the colonists to receive convicts in any stage of their sentence , with a viewtothat dispersion the Government were not without a means of meeting the difficulty . He thought there were means in view by which they might
dispose of their convicts in a way to meet the wishes of the colonies . With regard to the motion before the House , he hoped the House would not by its hasty adoption impose on the Government greater difficulty and embarrassment than they had already to encounter in carrying out the sentence of transportation , or attempt , by removing one evil , to create another . He hoped they would be satisfied with the desire of the Government to act justly and impartially towards the colony , and he therefore trusted they would reject the motion . Mr . Anstey having risen to support the motion , it was suddenly found that there was not a House , there being only thirtythree members present , who instantly adjourned .
The chief subject of debate in the House of Commons on Thursday night was Secular Education . Mr . Fox moved : — " That it is expedient to promote the education of the people in England and Wales by the establishment of free schools for secular instruction , to be supported by local rates , and managed by committees elected specially for that purpose by the ratepayers . " He asked for education not as a measure of compassion , but as an act of justice . The system of voluntary contributions was in a state of demonstrated inefficiency . The evidence furnished by the inspectors of schools amply proved his case . That evidence showed that educationcould not be
sustained unless recourse was ^ had to an educational rate . The mode in which the present system was carried on was another cause ot inefficiency . There was a partiality inherent in it , which obstiuctcd public cooperation . The church schools received a great part of the grants ; the inspectors , all but three , were members of tho Established Church ; and the poor ratepayers found themselves compelled to pay for a better education for pauper children than they could afford to give to their own . UesideH the burden of tho expense fell upon the clergymen ; owners and occupiers of land contributing little or nothing towards parish schools : —
" The present system afforded a stern denial to every proportion for moral education , but gave support to every kind of religious teaching . It seemed as though thsre was something evil in ' morality ' which required to bo counteracted by oven bad theology ( hear , hear ); that history was not to bo studied unless it was accompanied by heresy , and that decimal fractions were fatal to tho bouI if they were not mingled with that which aome called idolatry . One of tho hcsuooI catechisms npokc of the Puritans aw men who murdered their Sovereign and starved tho clergy . Were dissenters to pay for such thingH as that ? Tho result of tho wbolo HVBtcin wiiH , thut every ninn had to pay for something he did not believe , and in hiu turn became a oiuwn of taxation to others for someWiiup he believed and they did not believe . ( Hear , ha
The resolution he proposed asserted the necessity of local taxation and local administration for purpose of education . He wished to separate secular from religious teaching ; he did not wish to annihilate the latter . It was impossible that secular and religious instruction could alone , and the same time , flow from the mind of the teacher to the mind of the pupil . What affinity was there between the Athanasian creed and the multiplication table ? The resolution was opposed by Sir Geouge Grey and Sir W . P . Wood , on the ground that , though education might be desirable , it would be wrong and impossible to separate secular from religious education
without destroying the latter . Sir George Grey held that the country had expressed its clear opinion that education should be based upon religion ; and Sir W . Page Wood declared that the real effect of the proposed plan would be tyrannically to sweep away all existing religious schools supported by voluntary contributions . The noticeable thing being , on the Government side , that they took up with the Clerical Manchester Plan , eulogized it , and wished it success . Sir G . Grey even hoped that they would bring in their bill next session . In support of the resolution , Mr . C . Adderley and Mr . Cobden occupied the chief places . Mr . Adderley pointed out with great effect that the present system was deficient in . one great feature , for it
failed to point out to the people how they might earn their own livelihood . Mr . Cobden dealt broadly with the whole question . They did not want to destroy religion and nurture irreligion . It is worth remarking that Mr . Cobden declared he would not oppose the reading of the Bible , without note or comment , where desired . Sir Robert Inglis declared that knowledge by itself was an unmixed evil . Mr . Sidney Herbert marked the state of opinion in the majority , when he said there was a decided feeling expressed in the country that *• education must be promoted , and that in some shape or other it must be secular , but likewise religious . " On a division there were—For Mr . Fox ' s resolutions .... 41 Against 139 Majority 98
In the House of Lords the Earl of Carlisle moved that the Capitular Estates Bill be read a second time and referred to a Select Committee . This is a bill for the better management of Church property . The Bishop of London and Lord Stanley both admit the necessity for inquiry , but the bishops object to the bill itself . The ministerial proposition was affirmed by 46 to 28 .
May 24, 1851.] &%$ Ftea^T* 479
May 24 , 1851 . ] & %$ ftea ^ t * 479
Capital Punishment.—The Resolution Moved...
Capital Punishment . —The resolution moved by Mr . Ewart , " That it is expedient that the mitigations which have bpen made in the laws inflicting capital punishment in England be extended to Scotland , and , as far as possible , to the colonial possessions of this country , " was , after a short discussion , withdrawn , on the assurance of Sir George Grey that he was in communication with the Lord Advocate of Scotland on . the subject . Hop Duties . —The motion of Mr . Hodges for leave to bring in a bill to reduce the hop duty 10 Id . per pound was negatived by 88 to 27 .
The Exposition Dinner At Richmond. Inter...
THE EXPOSITION DINNER AT RICHMOND . International Dinners , as we intimated last week will be celebrated in the annals of 1851 . The Chairmen of the Metropolitan Local Committees entertained the foreign Commissioners at the Castle , Richmond , on Tuesday . Five o ' clock was appointed for meeting , and when the guests arrived , the whole populationof the town turned out to receive them . Triumphal arches spanned the streets , and flags of all nations fluttered with surprising prolusion from balcony and house-top . Inscriptions conveying a hearty welcome were displayed on every side , and
repeated cheers broke forth from the crowd when the Btrangers made their appearance . Arrived in the grounds of the hotel , the guests beheld a series of rowing matches tuke . place on the river . During this interval , also , Mr . Chapman presented to Lord A « hburton , the chairman of tho day , a congratulatory address , which his Lordship acknowledged in suitable terniH . Shortly after six o ' clock the company assembled in the large and handsome hall of the hotel . Alter dinner tho speechifying business commenced with the customary toasts- In proposing the health of " Prince Albert , and all who are near mid dear to
him , Lord Ashburton eulogized the Prince m the patron and author of the Exposition : — " Prince Albert found the IIouseH of Parliament indifferent—ready to listen to objections , however frivolous—he found the lenders of parties , leaders of public opinion , shrink from the responsibility of defending it . lie found tin ; press hostile , tho Government paralyzed by the thought that if it failed they would have thousands to pay , if it succeeded they would have millions to keep
in order . He found the public bewildered ; it . knew not what to do , what to wish , what to expect . Who then wan for it ? No one save the Prince and the small knot , of enterprising men—( loud cheers )—\\ v . hud associated with himself , and partially inspired with his enthusiasm . The fact was , we were not prepared for it .. We tulked , indeed , of progress ; we enjoyed , like , children , a whisk to Exeter in four hours- like children we delighted to see Nasmyth ' H hummers squeeze , an orange or crush an anvil . We admired tho physical results of progress , but
the effect of our discoveries on the social and political relations of mankind we were all blind to . We were like full-fledged birds sitting on the brink of the nest , conscious of fresh powers , but ignorant of the mighty range which their development had brought within our scope . ( Cheers . ) But it was not so with Prince Albert ; he felt that . God had not given us the genius of discovery , had not intrusted us with dominion over the powers of nature that it should all end in cheapness . He felt that nations might be brought together with their works , and that , through this Industrial Congress , some advance might be made towards that unity of mankind , that universal peace , which has been the dream of philanthropic men from Sully to Elihu Burritt . But those good men mistook their means of action , and brought ridicule on their
sacred mission . They thought that the lust for war might be controlled by the fear of war ; that a majority would always be on the side of peace . But a sounder philosophy has taught us that prevention is better than punishment— ( cheers)—and as we seek to keep peace among citizens by softening their hearts , by training and civilization , so also we might soften the hearts of nations one towards another by such meetings as these . ( Cheers . ) In this faith—in this steadfast faith—he got this ark reared , the ark of a new covenant among nations ; in this faith he sent forth his missives into all lands ; in this same faith the nations of the earth have responded to his appeal ; they have understood his meaning , and have sent you , gentlemen , to represent them in this first great gathering . ( Cheers . )"
The next toast was "The Foreign Commissioners , " to which M . Von Viebahn heartil y responded in English , calling the Exposition " an event the advantages of which will serve the interests of all mankind . " M . Van de "YVeyer returned thanks on behalf of the members of the diplomatic corps : — "Theywould permit him to make use of a humble English phrase when he said , that the Crystal Palace spoke for itself , and had silenced for ever all dissentient voices . Since the 1 st of May , the grumbling against that magnificent undertaking had entirely ceased , and this was but another proof of the truth of the saying of a witty Frenchman , Rien ne reussit si bienque le succtis . ' ( Cheers . ) If such , a phenomenon existed as an opponent to the Exhibition now , he must have a peculiar
organization indeed . ( Cheers . ) As a foreign Minister , he desired to express his deep sense of gratitude to the English people . When the nations of the civilized world responded to the invitation of Prince Albert , and forwarded to this country the richest products of industry and art , they well knew they were treading on safe and solid ground , and their confidence was a just tribute to the strength of British institutions , to the sterling qualities of the people , and to their respect for order , authority , property , and law . ( Cheers . ) Foreigners were not then so well aware as they now were , that every class of society would vie with the other in giving to visitors from abroad the warmest reception ; that the noblest hospitality would be shown , and that strangers would be made , by the reception they received , to feel themselves at home in this country . ( Cheers . )"
The Chevalier de Burg read a speech translated into English , ih which he said : — " Our noble chairman has ever been foremost in the cause , and , as foreigners , we shall ever remember with gratitude the urbanity with which his hand , even from the commencement , has been stretched forth , to welcome such of us as wished to participate in the festival dedicated to the industry of every nation , a festival intended as a solemnization of the sacred cause of labour . Gentlemen , I give you front my heart , ' Our noble Chairman , Lord Ashburton . ' "
M . C . Dupin , in French , proposed " The Royal Commissioners . " lie spoke warmly in praise of English institutions , English wealth , tho Royal Commission , and Prince Albert , the " most gracious , affable , and active of princes . " He dilated upon and exaggerated the difficulties which they had surmounted— even the site of the " feerie du Palais " had been disputed ; and he wound up by an eulogy of the juries , justly applauding the whole conduct of the Commissioners in relation to foreign exhibitors . Lord ( aranville returned thanks in the name of the Royal Commissioners . He sftid the present dinner Was g iven in honour of tho foreign Commissioners , without whose exertions and untiring zeal the success of the Exhibition must have been converted into
a failure . The last toast proposed was " the health of Mr . Puxton , " who said that when the grand project of the Exhibition was proposed , he had heartily entered into it ; but , while he had anticipated great results from assembling together th « products of all nations , he had anticipated still greater advantages from bringing together the inhabitants of different countries . ( Cheers . ) : — "In one respect only had he Leon disappointed , for ho had fancied that , the Crystal Palace would bo u diflicult
place to keep clean . ( Laut / hter . ) He had designed a machine to obviate thai inconvenience of a hundred houiieiiiaid power-- ( laui / htur ) , -and he had put the comniisnioiieiM to some expense in having these machines made . They would have answered very well , but . they had never been culled into requisition , for they were not needed . Ah a policeman hud rematked to him , the building had been kept completely clean by the rich sillt dresses of tho ladies . ( LamjIUcr . ) "
There was music during the evening . Mr . Harkei was tounfc muster , and created uu immense sensation among the foreign guests by tin ; manner in which he discharged the duties of his important office .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 24, 1851, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24051851/page/3/
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