On this page

• Text (2)

  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.

  • 

    602 THE LEADER. [Saturday,

  • 

    PARLIAMENT OF THE WEEK. Lord Aberdeen is...

• Transcript

  • 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.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Rtihe Head Of The British Government Has...

    the Crimea , where are they to come from r Certainly not from the retreating army . The Crimea does not cover Odessa and the line of the Pruth . The position in which the Oxford University Bill has been placed is very unusual . It will be remembered that of the two clauses moved by Mr . Hey wood last week , one abolishing the oath on the admission of students to Oxford University , ¦ was carried by a decisive majority , while the other , abolishing the oatli on the taking of degrees , was negatived . On Monday night , the bill having come to the third reading , Mr . Mey-¦ w xtod reproducesl $ he second resolution ,-so modified as to preserve its essential part , but not to

    include necessarily the admission of Dissenters to professorship and other posts in the University , which are in the general acceptation supposed to be essentially connected -with the Church of England , as by law established . Lord John Russell , who was disposed to waive resistance to the second resolution last week , now declared that Government would positively support the amended " resolution ; but he claimed two ov three days to consider the subject , and Mr . Heywood willingly gave him till Thursday . The delay did no disservice ; after a brief debate , the resolution was-carried by 233 to 79 . The debate on the law of limited liability in partnership , is an example of those " discussions" -in the House of CJonimohs which are

    becoming frequent . It does not enlarge the knowledge of the "subject in the slightest degree , nor does the result of the successful passing of a resolution in favour of the measure constitute any practical advance . This was shown by the willingness on both sides to avoid a division . Why ? Evidently because the opponents of the measure would have been beaten for a time ; and yet , because the advocates of the measure would have

    shown that the zeal which brought them down to the House , had not been able to secure them a strong muster . The so-called debate consisted of a series of lectures by the friends of the measure , with a few systematically expressed doubts from its opponents , -whether the change could be safely introduced into our trading system , and a formaf representation Trom the President of the Board of Trade and the Home Secretary , that in the divided state of public opinion , Government could

    not be expected to declare -which side was right ; because we suppose Government always discovers that that side is in the right which can contribute to sustain the Government by numbers or influence . If , indeed , the new debate should allay the apprehension which so often prevents Ministers from deciding upon any subject , it will not have been in vain . Like many other propositions for the benefit of a considerable number , the law of limited liability stands over until some (¦ Jrovernment can be honest and resolute enoucrh

    to-do what the people want . The bill 'by -which Sir Thomas " Wilson is endeavouring to set aside the will of the last Lord of the Manor , forbidding building upon the Hampstead estate , has passed the second reading in the House of Lords , and Hampstoad is threatened with the bricklayers . The subject is one important to all parties of a ¦ country where the inhabitants , especially the humbler classes , retain any common lands for purposes of recreation . However it may be fashionable amongst the vulgar part of " the silver-foi'k school" to

    sneer at Hampstead Heath as a Cockney resort , it is ; a piece of broken ground of singular beauty , and its destruction would be an irretrievable loss to the metropolis . The pretence that Sir Thomas Wilson has aanae kind of equitable right to build upon i . t is counter to the fact , and the publio have shown far too little jealousy of this invasion of common lands . The titles of landowners must be construed strictly , since they are all of them in the position of invaders . Let us remember that the land-owner is an encroachev upon tho national rights representing tho old la &&> -lor < t , who held

    land in occupation , » ot ownership , on condition of performing suit nnd service for it . The purchasein . on . ey really represents the goodwill of the oc-€ up , anoy ; and landlords now perform no suit and service for tWr lands . What moral right have they > , jthen , to claim tho lamia expressly belonging totjionubjip because they have oy encroachment est ; abhsU « 4 a formal hold upon laud wlahh thoy formerly heli in imalty to the Crown ? This week again tho Reverend Joseph Brown , lector ofChmijb Chwrch , Blaokfriars , led forth hie pftriehtomeiv ? t <> fclwir annual picnic . Lastyenr the anniversary wftfi wwwcrsd by » domestic calamity

    which had visited his home , but this year exhibited continued progress . We observed that the number was greatly increased—it was somewhere about 3000 . The place selected was Sir Culling Eardley ' s grounds , near Erith—a beautiful park like enclosure . At the subsequent out-of-door collation given to the more influential parishioners , several facts were stated which show how sewmpletely Mr . Brown is reconciling the opinions nfi aiiivided parish ; not by controversial zeal or by asserting clerical supremacy ^ but by inducing ifellow-Cbristians to unite in the common work of doing good . JEDere we find a gentleman of the independent persuasion © fiering-the grounds in which an established clergyman leads his parishioners , of all sects , to pass a day in the enjoyment of nature , not without "worship for their common faith .

    602 The Leader. [Saturday,

    602 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

    Parliament Of The Week. Lord Aberdeen Is...

    PARLIAMENT OF THE WEEK . Lord Aberdeen is the hero of the week . As our readers know , he determined to anticipate Mr . Layard , and to explain his speech of the 19 th on Monday—three days before Mr . Layard ' s menaced motion . It is an evidence of the great interest taken by the public , arid even the House of ILoTds in this Eastern question , that not only were there crowds gathered outside the House of Lords , on Monday evening , btit that the Peers themselves mustered in great force , that " ladies" plentifully garnished the galleries set apart for them , and that the-strangers ' gallery was Trather too "full for comfort . In addition to this , it is remarked that the Hotfse postponed private business , in order to get at the main question of the day . Lord Aberdeen moved for a copy of a despatch addressed by himself to the British Ambassador at Sfc . Petersburg , anent the treaty of Adrianople . As the occasion was great , and the speech of unusual interest , we giveit verbatim , from the admirable report of-the Morning Chronicle . " My lords , I have taken a somewhat unusual course upon the present occasion , but perhaps your lordships ¦ will not think it altogether unjustifiable or unreasonable that I should be desirous of availing myself of the earliest opportunity to remove the misapprehensions wliich have taken place , and which have led in consequence to great misrepresentations of some observations which I addressed to your lordship in the course of the last week . My lords , I could wish that those who express an opinion upon the observations in question

    would take the trouble to read the report of that speech . I have done so myself ; and although I declare that I have nothing to retract or to contradict , nevertheless , I readily admit that , from the imperfect manner in which I always address your lordships , there may probably—there may undoubtedly—be reason for some explanation , and some further development of that which I intended to address to the House j with a view to bring fully and clearly before your lordships the views and opinions which I entertain upon the ¦ subject to which my observations referred . My lords , I feel that I can do so with great ease , and , fortunatel y , in a very short time—otherwise , from the indisposition of the moment , I should not attempt to address your lordships upon . the present occasion . My lords , the despatch for which I intend to

    move was ftrat referred to in tins House by tlio lute Lord Grey , very shortly before he became minister . It has been mentioned at other times , both here and in the House of Commons . It has also been moved for , but it has been hitherto withheld for various reasons . It was likewise referred to by myself not vory long ago , and I have now resolved to produco it , because I understand there has proceeded from a very high authority in another place tho . astounding declaration that I have recently claimed tho honour of framing the treaty of Adrianoplo . Now , my lords , tho production of the despatch in question will show you how fur I was instrumental in framing that treaty , and what was my opinion , and tho opinion of tho Government whoso organ I was on thut occasion , of that unfortunate and disastrous treaty . lordsit luis boon

    " My , said—or , at all events , it 1 ms been inferred from whut I suid a few days ago—that I regarded tho treaty of Adrianople with approbation , or , at least , with indifference . Now , my lorda , tlio fact is , such waa the hnprossjon produced by that treaty — such was tlio alarm excited by its conclusion—such were tho supposed dangers which wo droadod to the existence of the Turkish empire , thut the whole policy . of the Britiah Government was changed on a most material point in consequence of that treaty . I have already , 1 think , referred in this House to the fact , whioh your lordships well know , that at tho beginning and during tho progress of tho Greek revolution , Mr . Canning movor contemplated tlio oxmtenco of Greece ns un independent kingdom , neither did tho Duko of Wellington over contemplate tho existence of Greece as nn independent kingdom , but aololy ns a vassal 8 tnto under tho suzorninty of tho I'orto , somewhat similar to tho

    provmooa or Wiulachia and Moldavia . When , howovor . tho treaty of Adrbnoplo waa aignod , it appeared to mo , and my noblo friend at tho head of the Government at tho timo agreed with mo , that the condition of tho Turkish empire wna so perilous in itself that it would be extremuly unwise to ; croato a fctato and to plaoo it under tho protection and suzerainty of tin empire which itself was expoaed to extreme nuril , and wlioao exiatonco waa prolonged for n time only , riioroforo wti agreed to propoHo to aur ttllieH to convert ilmt vuaaul atuto into an independent kingdom . OuraUlea agreed with , and tho Porto at last nsaented to our proposal . Hence tho cxiotoncoof Greeco as an independent kingdom ia duo to tho unnreuaionti produced upon ua by tho terms of tho treaty . of Adrianoplo . JMy lorda , what , J have now auld nhowa at Jeofit what wore our impressions j and although thoy may bo thought by Homo to have been orroncoua , I can assure your flordflhips that at tbo timo tluiy wore unquestionably honeut

    and sincere . I fully admit that the apprehensions which we then felt have turned out to be greatly exaggerated . However disastrous the treaty of Adrianople , and however mischievous its conditions , nevertheless we lave the experience of the last 25 years to assure us of the continued existence of the Turkish empire ; and more than that , we have had proof of the vigour , of tlie energy , and of the courage and perseverance with which the troops of that empire have maintained the integrity and independence of their country . ( C / teers . j ) It is obvious , then , that wo were under tlie most exaggerated alarm for the consequences of the treaty of Adrianople . Now , my lords , I do not mean to say , although fortunately -we were somewhat mistaken as to the amount of the danger t » be apprehended from the treaty of Adrianople , thstUbat treaty was not , in the highest degree , dangerous

    • ivod prejudicial to the interests of Europe . I have neversaid so , either here or elsewhere . My noble and learned friend ( Lord Lyndhurst ) called it , I think , an ' unfortunate * treaty . My lords , that is not a word sufficiently strong to > describe the character of that treaty . " True , my lords , 1 have said that , disastrous as the treaty of Adrianople was , Russia has made no great territorial acquisitions in consequence of that treaty . I said so » as the simple truth . I was induced to say so , perhaps , at the moment , in consequence of a declaration , most exaggerated and most unfounded , that my noblo and learned friend had made , that the Russian empire had doubled its territory in Europe in the course of the last 'fifty years . That I hold to be completely incorrect , and , with the Tecollection of the treaty of Adrianople before me , I certainly did refer to it in

    proof that no such extension of territory bad taken place jis > that asserted by my noble and learned friend . Rut , my lords , ' -although I knew perfectly well , and indeed I think there cWn be no doubt of the fact , that no > considerable extension of territory has . taken place ia consequence of that treaty , nevertheless I-was not at all tlio less aware of the importance of tlie acquisitions that have actually been made since 1829 . I know perfectly well the importance of the acquisitions w-hicb . Russia has made yrith respect to the navigation of the Danube , and I am equallysensible of the importance of the . posts which she hasacquired in Asia . ' Although small in extent , those acquisitions , from their character , are of the highest political importance . My lords , as the despatch for which I intend . to move is long , and will be immediately upon the table of the

    House , I will not fatigue your lordships by reading it hi ex ~ tenso , but I must trouble you . with a single extract , to show that , although I dwelt strongly the other evening upon the limited extent of the territorial acquisitions made by Russia , I did not in the slightest degree mean by that to invalidate the political importance of tne acquisitions actually mado by Russia . The passage is expressed in these terms : — ' It may not be easy to accuse of want of generosity the conqueror who checks the unresisted progress of success , and wiio spares the defenceless capital of his enemy . Nevertheless ,, the treaty in question—certainly not in conformity with the expectations held out by preceding declarations and assurances—appears vitally to affect the interests , the strength , the dignity , the present safety , and future independence -ot the Ottoman empire . The modes of domination may te vrtvimt a- nlfli / vmrli oil nnn n lie irpAttiuitliln TKo inAannm .

    derico of a state may be overthrown , and its suljerotion effectually secured , without the presence of a hostile forco or the permanent possession of its soil . Under the present treaty the territorial acquisitions of Russia are small , it must bo admitted , in -extent , although most important in their character . They , are commanding positions , far more valuable than the possession of barren . provinces sind depopulated towns , and better calculated to rivet the fetters by which tho Sultan is bound . ' (_ A Peer : ' W / iat is the date ? ' ) The despatch is dated the 31 st day of Docomber , 1829 . My lords , the extract I have read shows that the small extent of the acquisitions made by Russia did not blind me to the importance of their character ; and ,, therefore , when tho other night I dwelt upon tho absence of any very great territorial , acquisitions , of courso it was with ,-a view to contradict tho assertion of my noble and 'learned friend , and to state wlmt may le termed a geographical

    truth , but without the slightost rcioroncc to the undoubted , political importance of those acquisitions which have actually been made . My lords , tho conclusion of tho treaty of Adrianoplo was the commencement of a change of policy on tho part of'Russia . It is highly probable that if that tronty had been mado by tho Empress Catherine , great acquisitions of territory would have taken pkco . " Hut , as 1 have said , ait that time Russia commenced a change of policy which has boon carried on to tho present day with over-increasing vigonr , nnd which accounts , to a cprtain extent ; for the abwocco of those territorial acquisitions whioh in other ciicumiitances would no doubt lmvebeen made . That change of policy consists in Lhiu : —Russia instead of pursuing tho fO'licy which waa followed in tboprccortuig century , lins , sinco tho conclusion of tho treaty of Adrinnoplo , looked to-tlio ^ tension of her political influonct * rathor than to the acquisition of territory . A very prudent and politic chango it hns been . Wo have all heard that

    * Satan ' s grown wiser than of yoro ;' and , porhups , tho lino in not inapplicable to tlio Emporor of Russia , in having determined to pursue the tuuno objoots by different moans , and means culculutod not 8 o greatly toalarm tho European 1 ' owora . I believe this is tho secret of all that has taken p lace in rccont years . Take , for example , the treaty of Unkinr Skclo » si , concluded wlicn a Ruwsina army wus in poBSOBBion of Conotantinoplo . Thoro civn t » no doubt that if tho former policy of the Empreaa Outherine had boon followed upon Mint , occuaion groat territorial acquisitions would have boon mado , and thoy could not havo been rcaiatod in tho relative positions of tho two powora at tlio time ; but in consequence , n » I boliovo , of tho change « f policy coimaoncod by t . ho treaty of Adrianoplo , tho demands , of Runaiu at tho conclusion of tho tronty of Uukiar SkcloBBJ , though they woro unquestionably of tho highest importance both to Kuttain and thu l ' orto , did not asttumo tho clmrnet « r of territorial iiggmndisoinont . So with tlio misaion of Prince MonttohlkoH' lumuelf . Kuaslu wna in a position in which hIio might luivo made domundn of tho moat preening nature upon * Turlcoy . Sho hud come reauou for adopting thut coureo ^

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), July 1, 1854, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01071854/page/2/