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Leader (1850-1860), 1st January 1853, Edition Town of 3, Page 3

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      of the people , that we shall have t he support of the country , so I am sure we shall have the approbation of our own consciences . My lords , I now beg- to move that this House at its rising do adjourn until Thursday , the 10 th February next . J Lord Derby said there was so little to complain of , and so much with which he concurred in the programme of the Government , that he should not have spoken had he not . been specially referred to . Lord DeUby then stated over again the whole history of the framing of the Free-trade resolutions as detailed in the famous

      speech delivered by Sir James Graham a month ago ; in order to show that the Opposition had concerted the fall of Lord Derby's Government . He denied that he had accused his opponents of conspiracy ; all he had said was that they had combined to oppose the Government from the beginning of the session . The most important part of Lord Derby's speech had reference to the future : we give it in his own words : " The noble earl has intimated to us that he intends and he desires to promote and to develop the national education ; giving due weight to the authority and influence of the religious views of the country , hut at the same time basing the system of national education upon equality and

      toleration . The idea is most praiseworthy ; it is one in which I entirely concur . The difficulties in the way of carrying out the wish are great , as the noble earl is evidently well aware ; and I only hope and trust that the noble earl may be enabled to surmount those difficulties , and to place before the country a plan of national education in which all parties may concur ; and I express this hope because . 1 agree with the noble earl , that in the extension of education—by which I mean education governed by religion , as I am sure the noble earl means too—lies the best security for the social and political safety and prosperity of the empire . ( Hear , hear . ) The noble earl also announces his desire to proceed on a system of

      administrative reform ; and upon that again there can be no difference of opinion , and the noble earl will not anticipate in that respect any opposition from me or from my friends—at all events , with regard to the principles—the details , of course , depending on the skill with which the measures may be constructed . The noble earl also tells us that he intends to deal with the laws affecting the representation of the people . On that subject the noble earl spoke in a tone somewhat oracular , for he said the noble lord , the member for the City of London , must be a Conservative , or he would not have joined that noble lord in a government , and that , on the other hand , he must be a Liberal , or the noble lord would not have joined him .

      Perhaps he might have mentioned other members of the government on whom he might have depended for even a larger degree of liberality than characterised the noble lord ; but the antithesis was , perhaps , complete : and the noble earl has contented himself with stating that his measure of parliamentary reform will be conservatively liberal , and liberally conservative , which is all the intimation we are to have with regard to the future policy of the government . I confess that that does not convey to my mind any very distinct idea , and I hardly think that it can be satisfactory to the country . The advantages to the noble earl are obvious from this vagueness , for whatever his measure , he can say that he had described it . [

      If it is extreme , and people complain that it goes too far , the noble earl will say , ' Well , did not I tell you I meant to bo liberal ? ' and if other parties say , ' Oh , this is nothing at all—it is a distinction without a difference , ' the noble earl can turn round on thorn and say , ' Gentlemen , I told you at the outset I would be extremely conservative . ' ( Laughter . ) The noble earl and his colleagues , in fact , no far as they are pledged by his description as given this ovening , can do what they like . They may go the length of the right honourable hart , in the Cabinet , who in favourable to tho consideration of the ballot , or they may make some paltry alteration in tho constituencies , for which they would receive no thanks , and because it would be a useless , would bo a mischievous chancre . My lords .

      I say tho existing- system is not perfect : it is capable of amendment and improvement . But everything depends upon whether the improvement be one in principle , on the animus with which the * measure is introduced , and on the ukill with which tho plan in adapted to itH object . Unless tlioro bo a clear benefit , without , corresponding danger , then I say tho noble earl and Inn colleagues do not act , windy in entering on a field calculated to raiso ho much difliculty and apprehension , unless they clearly see a palpable and manifest , advantage . The noble earl haw alluded to language of mine at vuriou . s times , and which I repeat now , convoying my apprehension of the extension of tins democratic principle in our constitution . Tho noble curl

      miya that ho never knew tho country more contented , or lows disposed to linten to agitation ; and he Biiyn that hn sees nothing like tho prevalence of ' democracy ; ' and that although there are Home individuals who entertain visionary politicalHchonien , ho docs not believe that , the great , body of the people sympathize in I . Iioho Nchcmes . I entirely concur with tho noble earl ; I think tho groat body of tho people do not concur in thowo NohomcH ; and I believe Mutt , if they foresaw tho posniblo consequences of hucIi schemes on the Government they would shrink from ( linn and from their

      uuthorH with horror . Hut when he auks mo if tho groat , hiunm of tiiu pooplo — -thoHO , 1 mean , who , in point , of position and fitution , are very far below the oIiinnom now entitled to tho franchise -are , from their intelligence igtul far-Kocing , capable of well-judging tho effects of alterations in our cdiiutitutional HyHtem , or of exteiinive and complicated political measures , then , 1 Hay , confiding an I do fully in ( he good faith , and in the loyalty of my countrymen , l . horo is danger iu ontrunling with political power those who have too little —mark , not , of intelligence , hut of acouircd information , and too Hinall a Htako in the country , for thorn fairly anil impartially to consider quontioiiH of political change . When I Bvuak , tuorol ' oro . oi' tlioppreud of tho democratic olomont

      in our constitution—and that is the phrase I have always used—I do not say impeach the loyalty of my countrymen , but I contend , great as the influence of the House of Commons is at present , and great as it must be in the constitution of the country , generally , that there is a serious danger of altering the character of the House of Commons by throwing too large a proportion of the representation of that body into the hands of the lower and less informed classes of society . I cannot , however , anticipate opposition to the measure tho noble earl may bring forward ; from his language it is at present impossible to surmise what the character of that measure may be . The noble earl says that the proceedings of the recent general election convinced him that the present system is unsatisfactory . If he can find a remedy for the correction of those evils to which he refers—and let him observe that the remedy is not to be found in the mere extension of the franchise , for it is in the large constituencies chiefly that these evils have been perceived—then I say there is no one from whom he shall receive a more cordial support , in strengthening that remedy , however stringent it may be , than from the man whom the noble earl very erroneously supposes to be hostile to his administration . I can only say , in conclusion , that I have no feeling , personal or public , hostile to the noble earl . I cannot say when I look at the composition of his Government , that I entertain any confidence in it , for I have no conception of the principle upon which the combination Has been brought about . But if the noble earl is prepared , and has power in his own cabinet , to act on those which I have hitherto believed to be his own principles , he may rely on it , not only that he will receive no evidence of hostility from , me , but that it will be satisfactory to me to find that—under whatever persons—the Government of this country can be safely , steadily , and constitutionally carried on , in the true conservative sense of the word , not avoiding or shrinking from useful and necessary amendments , but strongly and determinedly resisting organic changes , and firmly opposing any interference with the just balance which at present exists in the constitution . " The House then adjourned until the 10 th of February 1853 . NEW WRITS . The House of Commons met on Monday , when Mr . Hay / ter moved that the Clerk of the Crown do issue new writs for the election of members to serve in Parliament for the following places , —viz ., For the city of London , in the room of the Right Hon . Lord J . Russell ; for the borough of Tiverton ( clieers ) , the Hisrht Hon . Viscount , Pat . mtcrstoat f «» r Mi /> TTrnvnr «; + ir

      ! of Oxford , the Right Hon . W . E . Gladstone ; for the southern division of the county of Wilts , the Eight Hon . Sidney Herbert ; for the city of Carlisle , the Right Hon . Sir James Graham ; for the borough of Halifax , the Right Hon . Sir C . Wood ; for the borough of Southwark , Sir W . Moleswoktii , Baronet ; for the borough of Leeds , the Rig-lit Hon . M . T . Baines ; for the borough of Nottingham , the Right Hon . E . Strtjtt ; for the county of Cavan , Sii J . Young , Baronet ; for the borough of Marlborough , Lord E . Bruce ; for the borough of Scarborough , Earl Mulokave ; fov the borough of Hertford , tho Hon . W . F . Cowi'Eit ; and , for the borough of Morpeth , the Hon . Edward Howard . A short sitting of the House w . iri held on Tuesday ; and again on Wednesday , when new writs were moved for the following places , on the motion of Mr . ll . vrticr : — For the borough of Wolverhmnpton , in the I room of the Hon . C . P . Vilmkus ; for the borough of Aylesbury , Mr . . It . Bi : tii / : m , ; for the city of Oxford , I Sir W . P . Wood ; for the Lcith district of burghs , Mr . J , Mono ruck i ' ; for the county of Dumfries , Viscount DkitmIjANkkj ; for the ei < y of Gloucester , Kear-Adinii-iil Hkkkdi . kv ; . for the county of Limerick , Mr . MoNHEJ . ii ; for the borough of Brighton , Lord A . JIkrvkv . On the motion Unit a . new writ he . issued for Hie borough of Southampton , in the room of Sir A . ( ! ockniiUN , Mr . FouiU ' . rtTKR a . ked the , Speaker whether : i new writ could he issued pending the petition against , the former return of Sir A . ( Wkmirn , on the ground of bribery .

      The Si'KAKicit replied , that , in the case of an election petition complaining of an undue return , or of the return of a member in consequence of bribery , Itul , not , claiming the sent for another person , if , was competent , for the House to issue u new writ , ; bill , in the case of a petition complaining of the undue ! return of a member , and claiming the ; seal , for anot . her person , if , was not , competent lor t , he House to issue u new writ , pending the petition , inasmuch as the House in ( hal , ease could not know which of ( he two had been duly elected . After some observations to the . same effect , from Mr . I ' 1 . Fkicnoh , Mr . IIavtkii intimated that , Sir Alexander Coekburn would not , have vacated his seat had lie not , fell ; certain Unit the charge could l > e renewed . The motion was then agreed f , o . A new writ , to which a Hiinihir objection wan Liken , was also ordered for the borough of Curlow , in the room of Mr . Siulleir . Tho JIouho adjourned until Friday .

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      THE COMING ELECTIONS . Consequent upon the Mhiistcvitil appointments , there will be elections for various boroughs , as will be seen from our re-port of Parliament . Of tho addresses issued by the candidates coining forward for re-election , the following are the most important , as indicating- the complete harmony at present existing in . this composite Cabinet : — " TO THH KMC * TORS OF TUK CITY" OF LONDON . '" Gentlemen , -Having contributed by my vote to tho overthrow of the administration of Lord Derby , I have considered it , my duty to assist " , when called upon by my Sovereign , in the formal ion oi' a new Ministry . I . have felt it , incumbent upon me , m order to give l . o the country the full advantages of a liberal policy , to sink those personal pretensions which my position might have entitled me to form . 1 have consequentJy accepted offico under the Karl of Aberdeen , upon whose upright , character and enlightened views- 1 place tho greatest , reliance . My scat is therefore vacant . " I have little of novelty to add to ( he declarations I addressed to you on the ' J ' Jml of . May , previously f . o the late general election I then said that , 1 could have no hesitation in accepting the challenge ( . <> decide finally , completely , and conclusively the contest , between I'roleci ' . I I . .. i I .. flU . . 1 . .. » .. ( 1 ... 1 1 " 1 I lion aim i i imi cniucsilias dcciuid

      r rce-. rauc . .. oeeu ' , finally and conclusively , in favour of l'Vce-trade . I then said , and 1 now repeat , that , the , cutuincrciul policy of Mm last , ten years was mil , an evil to he mil igutcd , lull , a . good to be extended not , an unwise and disastrous policy , winch ought , to bo reversed , altered , or inodilicd , but , n just , and hcm-licnd uy . ilem , which should be- supported , « t reng ' . liened , ami upheld . I adverted at , the same tune to the legal dillicullics and expenses \ vlucli clogged fiio transfer of land , the complicated machinery of ( , lic ( , ' usloius' department , and l . he remaining burdens and restrictions on ( lie shipping interest . " Now , as ( lieu , I hiii prepared to attempt the removal of these impediment . ) l . o Mie increase of our prosperity . " Now , as then , I am prepared to nl tempi , tint relief of that portion of our fellow -. subjects who are . still excluded by their rcligitiuN belief from political privileges . 1 . outertain ii . sanguine hope of . uieee . s . s in that , endeavour . " I then staled thai , tho progress of the working-eluHH (> H in knowledge jiml in intelligence ought to be accompanied by an inert-used share of political power , whilti I was auare liow ilillieult . a tn . i ! . it i : i to adjust , in any plan of representation , the rn . | ieel , due to ancient , proscription with ( ho claims of advancing trade , increaucid )» o | mlution ami growing intelligence . ' To this timli the . Ministry of | , h ( , 1 <; 1 U | ,, f Aberdeen will anxioiinly apply them . selves . A niut . ler of ho much importance requires from the ( Joveriiinent , tho niimt deliberate consideration boforo uny measures are submitted to Parliament . " My joining the Admiuiblrulion of Lord Aberdeen I

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      January 1 ^ , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 3

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      THE ABERDEEN MrNISTIlY . The Administration of Lord Aberdeen , so far as it is complete , is composed of the following gentlemen . There are twelve Cabinet Ministers , us follows : — The Earl of Aberdeeu . First Lord of tlio Treasury . Lord Cranworfch . . . Lord Chancellor . ] Vfr . Gladstone .... Chancellor of tho Exchequer . Lord Palmevston . i .. Home Secretary . Lord John Russell . . Foreign Secretary . - The Duke of Newcastle . Colonial Secretary . Sir James Graham . . First Lord of the Admiralty , Earl Granville . . . . President of the Council . The Duke of Argyll . . Lord Privy Seal . Mr . Sidney Herbert . . Secretary at War . Sir C . Wood President of tho Board of Control . Sir W . Molesworth . . First Commissioner of Public Works . The remaining members of the Ministry are—Mr . Cardwell .... President of the JJoardof Trade . Mr . M . T . Baines . . President of tlie Poor - Law Board . Mr . E . Strutfc .... Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster . Lord St . Germans . . . Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland . Sir J . Young .... Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenaiifc of Ireland . TheRightHon . M . Brady Lord Chancellor of Ireland . Mr . Brewster .... Attorney-General for Ireland . Mr . W . Keogli .... Solicitor-General for Ireland . Sir A . Coekburn . . . Attorney-General . Mr . Bethell Solicitor-General . Mr . C . P . Villiers . . . Judge Advocate G-encral . Mr . J . Moncriell" . ... Lord Advocate of Scotland . Mr . Sadleir ) T , P ,. m Lord A . Hervey . . . . ] " Lords of tLo Treasury . Mr . G . Hivyter .... Secretary of the Treasury . Hon . W . F . Cowpcr . . ~ ) Admiral Berkeley . . . f T ¦ ¦ „ ,, . , . ,: Admiral Parker . . . > L ° rds of the Admiralty . Captain Milne . . . . j Mr . Osborne .... Secretary of the Admiralty . Mr . F . Peel Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies . Lord Wodehouse . . . Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs . Mr . Monsell .... Clerk of the Ordnance . Mr . It . Lowe , and | Joint-Secretaries to the Board Mr . A . H . Layard . . . j of Control Lord E . Bruce .... Vice - Chamberlain of the Household . The Earl of Mulgrave . Treasurer of the Household . Viscount Drumlanrig . Controller of tho Household . Many posts yet remain vacant .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 1, 1853, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1967/page/3/