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POLITICAL FORESHADOWISFGS . On Wednesday the freedom of the City of Aberdeen was presented to Lord John Russell , who , upon that occasion said : —There is a question on which I think every Briton must take a deep interest , l allude to that whieh-has taken place , and is taking place , in Italy . You will permit me to refer to events of some time back , but which are a clue to that which is happening at the present moment . X or centuries the Italian people—a people rich both in commerce and agriculture—have been subject to foreign Powers —sometimes to the Germans , sometimes to the French . About sixty years ago Napoleon declared that he came to give liberty to that people . The Italian people . ^ ere , dehglited-the in state of joy andecstacy
whole of Xombardy was a , and although his warlike operations were successful , yet for a time it came to be that the French Government was the Government of Italy , and in 1814 the people of Lombardy were averse to that foreign dominion , and earnestly desired a change . They applied to an English general , Lord William Bentinck , as honest a lover of liberty as ever existed ; they applied to him , and they applied afterwards to the English minister , to learn what was to be their fate . The English minister told them that their fate was very well settled- —that the Emperor of Austria had been kind enough to declare that he would take charge of Lombardy , and therefore be , the English Minister , had only to refer them to the Austrian Minister . Well , they have
had this new government up to 1859—to the present time-- —and every year they . became more and more averse to it . Well , it had occurred some ten or twelve years ago to some men of very ardent hopes and great literary talents , that the Italians might as well govern Italy themselves . It was a new notion , but not a very unnatural one . In 1848-49 they made the attempt . Unfortunately they succeeded so ill that they gave people a great , distrust of their power , of selfgovernment but the Emperor of the French having conquered Lonibardy in the present year n . ade a wise and magnanimous declaration that he did not go to conquer Lombardy for himself , but that the Italians should be the free citizens of a great country . The Ita-Modena
lians , not only in Xombardyj but , in Tuscany , , and Parma , have acted upon this declaration , and they have made temporary and provisional governments to themselves , declaring that they wish hereafter to be the free citizens of a great country . Well , I ask , has there been any mischief produced ? On the contrary , this people , just emancipated , who have been subject to foreign rule for many years , who might have been expected to burst into some excess—have conducted their matters with perfect order , with such order as if they had been the citizens of a country ¦ which had long been free . Though we can claim no credit for having enabled these people to assert their freedom—although wo have been bystanders , and , I
think for very good and sufficient reasons , have taken no part In the hostilities of this spring ; yet I think we are bound to say—we do say , and we have said—that against any interference of foreign force to prevent those people having their own government and conducting their affairs as they like , we do most loudly and solemnly protest —( loud cheers)—and therefore , gentlemen , be the terms of the treaty now negotiated what they may , if hereafter , consequent upon that treaty , there shall bo that of which you have heard , no doubt , and which has been frequently talked of—If there shall be a congress of the Powers of Europe—if it shall be tho wish of those Powers which have taken part in those hostilities
that in the final settlement of Italy and tho acknowledgment of tho different States belonging to its the other Powers of Europe should take part in these consultations , we mignt assist only upon one condition , namely , that with respect to using foreign force in order to compel fulfilment of tho conditions of peace , whatovcr they may bo , so as not to interfore with the right of tho people of this country to manage their own concerns—that , if such should bo the object , or may be tho result of such language , England may stand apart and take no concern , And in
happy" aa wo are in this country independence long acquired , it is not only our interest , but I tlunk it must bo our wish , to seo that overy state in Europe , whether they prefer a system which we think not compatible with liberty , or whether they prefer a just and temperate system of roprosentftti ve monarchy , or whether they prefer any othor form of government , provideJ thoy do not interfere with their neighbours— -I think that tho independence ot tho several states of Europe is an object which Great Britain ought to fool a sympathy and interest In . At an agricultural meeting at Ludlow on Wednesday , Colonel HuuDnitT , M . P ., said ;—Onr army was manifestly Insufficient to a groat war , our
militia was in a position to arm , but recruits came in slowly and very irregularly ; while our volunteer corps , though becoming more common , were of slow growth . He would like to see not only such voluuteer corps as were now organised , and organising , but rifle clubs constituted throughout the country , where the people did not choose to join in the restraint of volunteer corps , so that at least the practice of using fire-arms , as in the old days every man was bound to be an archer , should be a national sport and a recreation at all the friendly gatherings in the country . In the event of a really serious war it would be an immense advantage , as , no doubt , it was 50 years ago , to have 600 , 000 men joining volun-Viscount
teer corps . At . the same meeting Newport said , the great Conservative party had never been backward in supporting the Government of the time being witli reference to the two great branches of the service necessary for the defence of the country . The question of latest political moment now was the rupture with the numerous , populous , and barbarous empire of China . He had the greatest respect for the genius and talent of the Emperor of the French , but he did not much like the prospect of another co-military expedition witli the French nation . John Bull managed these things a great deal better for himself . Sir Baldwin Leighton , who was also present , observed that all vatismwhich
extremes were bad , both that Conser , would never agree to give any reform , and that reform which would turn everything topsy-turvy . Both were equally dangerous to the constitution of the country . He had travelled in distant lands , and had seen the wildest form of democracy on the one hand , and , on the other hand , as in Turkey , the most despotic Government in Europe , and certainly the most despotic was far preferable to the tyranny of democracy . There was no tyranny greater than mob tyranny , and of this they had had an example on a small scale in what was now taking place in London , where some of the most talented of the lower orders were trying to dictate to their masters
in a mast imperious way . At Kidderminster there has been a banquet to Mr . A . It . Bkistoav , the Liberal member for that borough , who beat Mr . Huddlestone at the last general election . The day was observed as a general holiday , and there was a procession through the streets , and considerable enthusiasm at the banquet in the evening . A banquet has been given at Hawick to the Bight Hon . James Wilson , about to sail for India as finance minister . On Indian matters he observed , that we have passed through in India a period of awful suspense . But we have had the evidence of what I would call the most distinguished man of the age
in regard to Indian matters as to the cause of the revolt—I allude to the report made by Sir John Lawrence to the Governor-General . And when I mention the name of Sir John Lawrence , I raentionHhe name of a man who is at once able , though a civilian , to be a great general , and who is undoubtedly one of the greatest statesmen of the day . He states , in the most clear and unequivocal terms , aa his deliberate opinion , that there was one cause , and one cause alone , to which all these misfortunes were to be traced , and that cause was the conviction on the minds of the people of India that the British Government had determined within itself forcibly to change the caste and religion of the natho force of
tives , and to force upon them by Government , the Christian religion . I for one shall be glad to see that the English peopje resident in India will by their example continue to give to the natives a higher appreciation of the value of the true religion than that which they now possoss . I have alluded to this subject because at the bottom of our financial arrangements must lie every question of policy affecting the good and w ll"being of tho country . ( Hear , hear . ) Unless you have the confidence of a people who are numbered by something like 200 , 000 , 000 , and who are spread over 1 , 500 , 000 square milos—for these are the dimensions of your empire—unless you havo the confidence of a people so circumstanced , I say there is no Bystom of finance , there is no system of government , by which a handful of fifty or sixty
thousand Europeans can hope to keep the country . At the same time , no one could look to the resources of that mighty Indian Empire without feeling some confidence , that if ( those resources wore fairly administered and fully doveloped , thoy are in themselves amply abundant to supply all that can bo necessary for tho expenditure of a well-regulated country . Sir Jamls FunauasoN , the Conservative candidate for Ayrshire , has boon at Kihvinnlng and Kilmarnock , addressing the electors . Ho expressed himself in favour of an extension of tho sullVage , on an educational basis . Tho meetings which ho adt dressed do not appear to Have boon asked to pledge to support him . On Tuesday at an assembling of the bucollo interest at Woodstock , Lord A . CumtouiLL , M . P ., alluding to matters of a political nature said ho was
not one of those who wished to reduce the expenditure below what was required to sustain the national honour and credit , or to make such radical changes as would endanger the institutions of the country but he thought there were many matters which required considerable revision , and he should like to see them taken up in a spirit which would be likely to result in the general advantage of the nation . With regard to the reform of Parliament , he did not look upon it as a panacea for all the evils . with which we were aflfticted , but when he considered the great increase which had taken place in intelligence and education , he thought there were certain : classes who might very fairly be intrusted with the franchise . He should riot , however , like to bring about those radical changes which would endanger the institutions of the country . He wished to see Reform carried out in the spirit of the constitution
At Hitchin , on Wednesday , upon a similar occasion , Mr . Puller , M . P . treated the topics , of the day somewhat as follows : —There were during the last session three persons whose names were pr » - minently connected with the question of Parliamentary Reform . Mr . Bright , had been agitating this question among the people of the north , and he at length produced a scheme which delighted some , but which greatly alarmed others ; then Mr . Disraeli was positively pledged by the promise of Lord Derby ' s Cabinet to introduce a Reform Bill into Parliament ; and in the third place there was Lord John Russell , who , it was generally expected , would bring forward a counter Reform Bill shortly
after the meeting of Parliament . But somehow or other , Mr . Bright ' s scheme never came before the House . ( Laughter . ) It was reserved for a future opportunity . Mr . Disraeli ' s scheme did , it was true * come before Parliament , to be defeated as they very well knew , by a small majority . At the same time he was glad to find that there was one question on which there was no real difference among the great majority of both sides of the House of Parliament ; and he alluded to the necessity of making a vigorous effort to support and maintain the defences of the country . It was impossible for this country to view the gigantic armaments of France and not to manifest , by some preparations on her part , her determination to maintain her present position of power , so that she might be in a position to take any course consistent with honour and dignity . No country
in the world would have a right to complain if we took all the steps in our power for the defence of our shores , whether by the increase of our navy , the formation of rifle corps , arid last , though not least , the getting up of a thoroughly efficient artillery . We are entitled to do all that we can for tlie defence of our hearths and homes . There was , he was sorry to say , a little ! cloud arising in another quarter , about which , if it were not the year 1859 , he should feel a little alarmed . He alluded to the question which had arisen between England and the United States with reference to Vancouver ' 4 Islam ! . But next year—1860—was the year of the Presidential election , and it was always the interest of some persons in the United States to get up a sham q arre with this country . It furnished them with political capital . '
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THE STRIKE . The unfortunate dispute between the master builders and their operatives has this week assumed anotlior phase . The masons , tho most intelligent , ami perhaps most powerful body connected with tho building trades , made a defection from tho inference of the United Building Trades , whose head-quarters are at the Paviors' Arms , Mlllbank , Westminster . The accession of the masons to tlie nine hours' movement was to that m ovement ; a tower of strength . But after an eight weeks loccout , they bocamo impatient of idleness , and an \ io to return to work . By some means , the goncrnl secretary of the Masons' society ( a body about 10 , 000 strong , and whose head-quarters are » l I * riAt . afr . TJriBtnlY named Harnott , had an interview wkh
along with a deputation from tho society Mr . Myers , of York-road , on Friday week , and , » b we understood , made a proposal to that gentleman , the purport of which was , that if tho ""«« ' « . ' S withdrew the declaration the masons w ° llld ™ T y to their employment , and work ten houra por « "jr . as before tlxo ( ook-out . Mr . Myers « Sr <^ . < ° J' $ the proposition before tho Executive Co nnnttec oi tho Central Association at their next mooting ontne following Tuesday . This proposition gave . riaoto irritant feelings on tho part of tho ConfortnaB sitting at the Saviors' Arms , VVost . nliwtor , v » m ) 80 Executive Committee iramedia oly »« mn ™ * of
oKonC \ he " mason ' s , who had . ™™*™ £ the Conference , had no right to tako bug ii J op without the consent of tho governing body . roam the affairs of those on strike and locked out . i w epeolal mooting of tho Conference w * a ^ U on ma day , and at It the conduct of tho masons was cui
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109 THE LEA DEB . T No . 497 . Oct . 1 , 1859 .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 1, 1859, page 1096, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2314/page/4/
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