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Leader (1850-1860), 3rd February 1855, Edition 1 of 2, Page 101, Untitled Article

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      He showed that on the 18 th of November Lord John wrote ; that for from being to blame the Duke deserved " very great credit for the exertions he had made ; " but he passed over that because the noble lord had confessed he meant it for " soft sawder ; " that he was stilV bent upon the Duke ' s removal from office . That was his object . " Si possis , suaviter j . si non , quocunque modo . ' How . was it Lord John did not quote from a letter from the Earl of Aberdeen on the 21 st November ?—" 'I have shown your letter to the Duke of Newcastle , and also to Sidney Herbert . They both—as might have been to such

      expected—strongly urged me adopt any arrangement with respect to their offices as should be thought most conducive to the public service . ' ( "Hear " . andcheers . ) My lords , I have shown you , in the first instance , that I did not insist upon holding the seals of the War Department ; and I have also to state that , when my noble friend placed the letter of the noble lord in my hands , my answer was—I believe I state precisely what I said— ' Don ' t give my Lord J . Russell any pretext for quitting the Government . On no account resist his wishes to remove me from office . Do with me whatever is best for the public service . (" Hear , hear" and , cheers . ') In that way yon will gratify me the most . In that- way you will be serving the Queen best . ( Renewed cheers . )

      The Duk * gave two instances of the complaints made by Lord John Russell respecting the War administration , and satisfactory replies , showing that the instances were not mistakes or oversights , but things unavoidable . In the last letter Lord John wrote before he returned to town—from Minto or Scarborough—dated the 8 th of October , " You have done all that could be done , and I am sanguine of success . " ( " Hear , hear" and cheers . " ) The Duke showed that Lord Aberdeen had submitted his proposal to leave office , to the Cabinet , and it was unanimously disapproved by them ; he showed that up to the 3 rd of December Lord John adhered to his original opinion that Lord Palmerston should be substituted for the Duke of Newcastle ; that Parliament met ; that

      all things seemed satisfactory ; and that on the 16 th of December Lord John expressly stated that he had changed bis opinion and no longer wished for a change . [ The Earl of Aberdeen here made an observation to-the noble duke , who continued : }—' . I was not going to carry the matter any further but my noble friend reminds me that I havemadean omission . I really feel , in a matter which is so personal to myself , and which , therefore , perhaps appears more important to me than to many of your lordships , that I am hardly justified in trespassing at such length upon your indulgence . ( Cheers from all parts of the House . ) My noble friend . reminds me that

      the reason which the noble lord assigned for the abandonment of his proposal was , that he was satisfied with the opinion which he had received , not only from faithful and attached friends whom he had in the Cabinet , but that he had consulted another friend upon the subject—and I can only say from my -knowledge of that noble lord , that a better adviser could not possibly have been chosen—the noble lord consulted another friend upon the subject ; and he told my noble friend at the head of the Government , that he was convinced by the arguments which the noble lord had laid before him , that he was satisfied and had changed his views . "

      That finished the personal question ; next came the question of measures . Lord John said that he could not oppose Mr . Roebuck ' s motion because no measures had beentakenrtd ^ rem ¥ dy ~ evnaTor " se ' cure * 8 iiiccess" : iii- -- ~ "I think that the fair and just inference from that statement is that the noble lord had proposed to his colleagues measures and arrangements which we had been unwilling to adopt . My lords , I can only say that , to the best of my belief , that never was the case . I know of no measures ever proposed by the noble lord which were rejected ; I know of no proposals which he made which were not accepted , nnlcss it be one . "

      That one was made on the Saturday before Parliament assembled . Its object was the formal constitution of the War Departments into a board . The Duke of Newcastle objected to a board ; but Lord John's opinion prevailed . Subsequently he submitted a paper containing suggested modifications—one of which was to suppress the Board of Ordnance , in which the Duke concurred ; the other was to add two officers to the board—one of which never existed , and tlio other the Duke thought not wanted . Lord John had no reason to think his views would be rejected ; and no proposition made by him was overruled : —

      « ' My lords , I need hardly say that , upon such un important question as the conduct of tho war , differences of opinion on incidental matters of course took place ; but this I must say , that if I were to point out that member of the Cabinet from whom I havo received tho most general assent to my views , when discussions took place it would be tho noble lord . I should say that I received tho most kind and generous support from all my colleagues upon all occasions ; but , ns regards identity of views , I should be inclined to Bay that upon all questions which wore raised

      there was a more complete identity between the noble lord and myaelf than between any other members of the Cabinet , Now , my lords , I have stated to you the ready way in which I consented to yield up my office , and even at times tho views which I might havo entertained ; but notwithstanding tho arrogance , self-love , and presumption which I am supposed to havo exhibited , I was not unuwaro-i-God knows it would havo been strange if I had been—that public feeling liad'been roused strongly ngninstmy administration of tho war . Before Parliament met upon Tuesday , the 28 rd of January , I was convinced that tho feeling in tho public mind liad become so strong that it

      would be impossible for me , in justice to the public service , to continue to occupy the office which I held . My lords , the meeting of Parliament was close at hand . I felt , if I had read rightly the history of constitutional Governments , that it was not proper at such a moment to anticipate the verdict of Parliament , and to run away from the duties and responsibilities which devolved upon me . The noble lord , in liis statement with reference to the course which he had taken , said , that until the notice was given b y Mr . Roebuck he bad 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 in your lordships' house , and wonld submit the conduct of my administration to the

      judgment of the House of Commons . But , my lords , I felt that it was right that I should announce my determination ; and a few days before 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 my other colleagues , because I felt that it was not right that I should do su , and I think your lordships will appreciate my feelings and motives in that course—that whatever might 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 . My lords , this , no doubt , was the origin of that rumour to which the noble lord referred at the close of his statement , when . he said that he had heard

      that that arrangement which my noble friend had found it impossible to recommend in November he thought it necessary to adopt in January . I am sorry that any such statement should have been made , because , if such a rumour existed , it was not correct . It is true , as I have said to your lordships , that I had announced my intention to resign my office ; but , so far from having announced my intention to be a party to any such arrangement as that referred to , I told my noble friend , in the first instance , and I told my noble and right hon . friends in the Cabinet , when the secession of Lord John Eussell rendered it necessary that my intentions should be announced , that I had made up my mind that I would retire , and that I would not take another office—that I would neither change offices with my noble friend Lord Palmerston , nor assume that which bad just

      been quitted by the noble lord—that I would leave the Cabinet ; but , as for changing offices , I positively and entirely refused to do so . I admit , undoubtedly , that personal feelings might to some extent have influenced me in that course , but I hope that I was influenced also by a higher and more important consideration . I felt confident that the public interest could not be-served by my doing so—that , with the obloquy which had been heaped upon me , it was " undesirable that I should * continue to-be the member of any Cabinet , and that my presence in the Government must be a cause of weakness and not of strength . I announced therefore that I would in future , if the Government succeeded in the House of Commons , take my seat upon one of the back benches not occupied by those in office , and that I would come here nisht after niffht . whenever discussions were raised , ready

      to defend the policy to which I had been a party ; because I felt of course that I was as much bound to do that as if I still continued to hold my office . Now , my lords , I have done with the statement of the noble lord which has led to this explanation upon my part . My lords , various accusations are made against me , of which one of the most prominent is that of incapacity . I should be the last man who ought to express any opinion upon that point . I am ready to leave that in the hands of others , perfectly conscious of many defects- ~ I cannot but feelthat that charge of incapacity is , with the public , a favourite explanation of every public misfortune . Whether it may be peculiarly justified in my case , or whether it may be attributable to the cause to which I have referred , I say I leave that to the verdict of others . But , my lords , other charges have been made , which I

      confess I have felt deeply and continue to feel deeply . 1 have been charged with indolence and indifference . My lords , as regards indolence , the public have had every hour , every minute of my time . To not one hour of amusement or recreation have I presumed to think I was entitled . The other charge , of indifference , is one which is still more painful to me . ( The noble duke , who was evidently much moved during this portion of his address , continued in a tone of deep emotion . V Indiffereuce , my lords , to what ? Indifference to the honour of the country , to the success and to the safety of tho army ? My lords , I have myself , like many who listen to me , two dear hostages for my interest in the welfare of tho mililtary and naval services of our country to allow of such a course . I havo two sons engaged in those professions , and that alone , I think , would be sufficient ; but , my lords , as a Minister—as a man—I Bhoulil bo unworthy to st ;; nd in any assembly if the charge of indifference under such circumstances could fairly bo brought

      against me . ( General cheering . ) Many a slecploss night have I passed , my lords , in thinking over tho ills which the public think and say that I could have cured ; and which , God knows , I would have cured if it had been within my power . Indolence and indifference are not charges which can bo brought nguinst mo : and I trust that my countrymen may betoro long be satisfied—whatever they may think of my capacity—that there is no ground for fixing that unjust htigmu upon me . ( Cheers . ) As regards what I havo done during my official administration , I believe—I trust and hope at least—that I shall bo one- who may derive somo advantage—I wish to God I could think that t ! io public could derive any—from tho investigations of that committee which the House of Commons has decided to appoint . I can only say , so fur as I am individually concerned , that I shall rojoico to lay before that committee everything that I havo done , witli perfect fnirness and opon-linndodness . I am not now about to enter into any defence of the conduct of tho war . My noblo and learned friend opposite * ( Lord Lyndhurst ) has a motion upon that subject for Monday rimer . Whether under tho eireiimstn . ncos of tho

      Government of the country , it will come on upon that day , I presume is doubtful ; but I imagine that he will still persevere with that motion , and when he does so I shall be prepared to meet it . I am no more inclined to shrink from any attack now that I have quitted office than I was when I held it ; and I Will not shelter myself when that motion comes jon by the circumstance of my resignation . I shall speak in answer to my noble and learned friend on whatever side of the House I may sit , and most assuredly I shall not shrink from meeting him . I shall 6 V ready to defend , whenever it is assailed , the conduct of the Government—the conduct , in the first place , of my own administration ; and , in the second place , the conduct , as involved with me , of the whole of the Cabinet . Your lordships shall not hear from me one word of complaint with reference to the treatment

      which I have met with either in Parliament or out of it ; and I only refer to it now to enable me to say that , whoever may be my successor in the office which I lately held , he shall meet with no ungenerous treatment from me . My lords , I know that I have in both Houses of Parliament many bitter political foes ; I trust that I have few , if any personal enemies . But if I have one—that man I will not exempt from the promise which I have made ; but to him , as to a friend , will I offer every assistance in my power . My lords , even if that office should be held by the gentleman who we were informed the other night m the House of Commons went over from the Ministerial Bide to the right hon . gentleman the leader of the Opposition in that House , and asked him whether he would be a party ( this was some weeks ago ) to a vote of censure ,, not upon the me

      Government ^ -butjipon individually—I say , if even that individual should become the War Minister , him will I treat as I have described . Nay , I will go further , and will say that such assistance even will I render to him who prompted that message . Whatever may be my feelings towards the man , I shall be ready , as in duty bound to the public , to render every assistance in ' my power to him as a Minister . My lords , I say that , whoever succeeds me , I will endeavour to make his path easy , and to support him , whether in this House or , to any extent m my power , out of it . If my past experience can be of the slightest value to my successor , be he who he may , here in my place in Parliament I tender it to him . If my past experience can be of the slightest value he may claim it , and snail have it , whether he takes my acts as a warning or as an example . My lords , he shall meet with no feelings of petty jealousy on my part ; the crisis is A _ * ¦ - . ! . _ .. __ A . ^ 1 . ^ - *^ AAKanr *^ n *•«** aI ¦ *>* * 3 4 * ma A Aa *^ 4 fe >«*« A 4 > " VAH VFI ^^ ui 010 iA /

      ^ . WOlUiyOTtnui , Liiv jiucxc&lo jur vcu vw gic ** u * wuu display of any such contemptible feeling . Out of office , I shall rejoice m the success of any man who succeeds me as a Minister , whether that success be achieved in consequence of better fortune or of greater ability than I possessed . I will now conclude what I fear has been to your lordships muefr too long a statement . ( Cheers . ) ' I will conclude the last speech which I shall address to your lordships from these benches with the earnest prayer that he who may receive from the Queen the seals ot the War Department , may bring to bear upon his arduous labours far greater ability , and equal zeal , earnestness , and devotion with him whom lie succeeds . 1 repeat the expression of my earnest hope that the man , be he who he may , who follows me may meet with that success for which I liave _ laboured , and , in meriting and securing that success , that lie may also receive from his countrymen the approbation which it has been my anxious desire , but has not oeen my good fortune , to secure . " ( Loud cheers . )

      The Earl of Dbrby made a speech not at all in keeping with the occasion . His object was to announce that he had had an audience with her . Majesty , but had not undertaken to form a Cabinet ; but he interspersed it with jokes ,-and an unseemly . suggestion . that . the : Duke of Newcastle and Lord John should meet in the great hall and " exchange words . " The House after this adjourned until Monday ; but the Commons sat last night , specially to receive Sir De Lacy Evans , who took his seat . .

      NOTICES OK MOTION . Army Promotion . —Major Reed gave notice that on Tuesday , the 13 th of February , he would move for a committee to inquire into the system of promotion by purchase in the army , with the view of substituting a more effective system of promotion by merit and long service . Fisheries Dilx . —On the motion of Sir G . Grey , leave was given to bring in a bill to carry inlo effect a treaty between her Majesty and tho United States of America . Tho bill was subsequently read a first time as tho Fisheries Bill .

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      SECOND-CLASS RAILWAY CARRIAGES IN ENGLAND . A corhespondent complains that the second-class travelling by railway , which brings in three-fourths of the receipts , is less safe than the first-class . He prefers , during the period of an accident , to be shot against a padded wall instead of against a wall , of plain wood garnished with iron . Ho suggests that the first-clasa might justly bo more highly embellished , and thinks tho matter should be taken up by tho MP Chairmen . We quite agree with mm . There is no reason why the French system should notbe clrriod out . Tho > i .. ei , ml of c *«« d ™" buin railways ns it is in tho convorso-lito . AU shouldf be decent and respectable , but those who caro for oxc'lusiveneas and elegance should be permitted to indulge The subject reminds us that honourable exce . itJonmay bo made of the Brighton line , where " o iecond-Ss passengers' limbs are in safety , and Jvhero tho eyes only of the first-class are additionally cared for .

      Untitled Article

      February 3 , 1855 . ] THE LEA ' PEB . 101

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 3, 1855, page 101, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2076/page/5/