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    February3, 1855.] THE LEADEB, 101

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    SECOND-CLASS RAILWAY CARRIAGES IN ENGLAN...

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    Imperial Parliament. Kout Of Ministers. ...

    He showed that on the 18 th of November Lord John wrote , that far 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 still bent upon the Duke's removal from office . That was his object " Si possis , suayiter ; . 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 expected—strongly urged me to adopt any such

    arrangement with respect to their offices as should he thought most conducive to the public service . ' ( " ¦ Hear" and cheers . ) My lords , I have shown yoUj 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 you 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 his 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 t have made an 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 yonr indulgence . ( Cheers from all narts 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 lean only say from my knowledge of that noble lord , that a better adviser could not possibly have been chosen—the noble lord consulted anotherfriend 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 been taken to remedy evils , or secure success : — " 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 , 1 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 , unless 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 the 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 nn important question as the conduct of the war , differences of opinion on incidental matters of courso took place ; but this I must say , that if I were to point out that member of

    the Oubinet from whom I have received the most general assent to my views , when discussions took place it would be the noble lord . 1 should nay timt I received the most kind and generous support from all my colleagues upon all occasions ; but , as regards identity of views , I should be inclined to say that upon all questions which were raised there was a more complete identity betweon the noblo lord and myself than botweon any other members of the Cabinet . Now , my lords , I have stated to you the ready way jn which 1 consented to yield up my office , and even at times the views which I might have entertained ; but notwithstanding I ho arrogance , self-love , and presumption which I am aupposed to iuvvo exhibited , I was not unaware—God knows it would huvo boon strange if I hud been—that public feeling had boon roused strongly against my administration of the war .. Before Parliament met upon Tuesday , the 28 rd of January , I wns convincod that the feeling in the public mind hud become so strong that it

    would be impossible for me , injustice 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 his statement with reference to the course which he had taken , said , that until the notice was given by Mr .-Roebuck he had 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 would 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 collea < mes , because I felt that it was not right that I should do so , 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 Honse 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 Jo 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 Kussell 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 had 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 night after night , whenever discussionswere 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 dene 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 _ otheis , perfectly conscious of many defects . I cannot but feel " that" 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 . mv lords , other charges have been made , which I

    confess I have felt deeply and continue to feel deeply . I 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 . ) Indiffercuce , my lords , to what ? Indifference to the tumour 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 rny interest in the welfare of tho mililtary and naval services of our country to allow of such a course . I have two sons engaged in those professions , and that alone , I think , would bo sufficient ; but , my lords , as a Minister—as a man—I should be unworthy to st ;; nd in any assembly if tho charge of indifference under such circumstances , could fairly be brought nerainst mo . ( General cheering . ) Many a sleepless night

    have I passed , my lordw , in thinking over tho ills which the public think and say that I could have cured j and which , God knows , I would have cured if it hud been within my power , indolence and indifference are not charges which can no brought against me : and I trust that my countrymen may before long bo satisfied—whatever they may think of my capacity—that there is no ground for fixing that unjust Btigmu upon mo . ( Cheers . ) As regards what I have done during my official administration . I believe—I trust and hope at least—that I shall bo one who may derive some advantage—I wish to God I could think that tho public could derive any—from the investigations of that committee which tho Houso of Commons has decided to appoint . I can only say , so far as I am individually concerned , that I shall rejoico to lay before that committee everything thut I havo done , with perfect fairness and opon-hanucdnuss . I am not now about to enter into any dvfenco of the conduct of tho war . My noble anil learned friend opposite * ( Lord Lyndhurst ) niis a motion upon that subject . for Monday noxr . Whether under tho circumstances 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 on 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 be 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 in the House of Commons went over from the Ministerial side to the

    right hon . gentleman the leader of the Opposition in that House , and asked him whether he would be a party ( this w as some weeks ago ) to a vote . of censure , not upon the Government , but upon me 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 1 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 in 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 mio ti io io

    Wllll I 1 O iecxiligo oi pebky jcaiuuoy u" '" j j # aii > , » too important , the interests involved are too great for the display of any such contemptible feeling . Out of office , I shall rejoice in . the success of any man who succeeds me as a Minister , whether that success be achieved in consequence of belter fortune or of greater ^ ability than I possessed . _ I will now conclude what I fear has been to your lordships much 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 he succeeds . I repeat the expression of my earnest hope that the man , be he who he may , who Tbllows m « may meet with that success for which I have laboured , and , in meriting and securing that success , that he may also receive from his countrymen the approbation which it lias been my anxious desire , but has not been my good fortune , to secure . ' ( Loud cheers . )

    The Earl of Derby 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 ^ abmet ; .. 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 Rbed gave notice that on Tuesday , the 13 th of February , ho would move for a committee to inquire into the system of promotion by purchase in tho army , with the view of substituting a more effective system of promotion by merit and long service . Fisheries Bill ,. —On the motion of Sir G . Grev , leave was given to bring in a bill to carry into effect a treaty between her Majesty and the United States of America . Tho bill was subsequently read a first time as the Fisheries Bill .

    February3, 1855.] The Leadeb, 101

    February 3 , 1855 . ] THE LEADEB , 101

    Second-Class Railway Carriages In Englan...

    SECOND-CLASS RAILWAY CARRIAGES IN ENGLAND . A correspondent complains that the second-class travelling by railway , which brings in three-fourths of the receipts , is less safe than the flrst-class . He prefers , during the period of an accident , to be shot against a padded wall instead of against a wall ol plain wood garnished witli iron . Ho ^ SSoate that the flrst-class might justly bo more h . ghly embellished , and thinks tho matter should bo taken up by tho M . P . Chairmen . We qu Ho agree with him There is no reason why tho French system should not bo carried out . Tho principal of classes should be in railways as it is In the converse-life . All should be decent and respectable but those who owe for exclusiveness nnd elegance should be permitted to indulge . The subject reminds us that honourable excepUon may bo m of the Brighton line , where the second-class passengers' limbs are In safety , and whoro tho eyes only of the first-class are additionally cared for .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 3, 1855, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03021855/page/5/