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Leader (1850-1860), 7th August 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 3, THE RAISING OF THE FIRST COLUMN OF THE N...

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      The Derby Government A^D The United Stat...

      _w-re excluded from any rigbt of fishing within three miles 7 ra thc coast of British America , and that the prescribed _rT ° tonce of three miles is to be measured from the head-1 ds or extreme point of land next the sea of the coast or f the entrance of bays or indents of the coast , and conseently no right exists on the part of American citizens to _^ ter the bays of Nova Scotia , there to take fish , although _fihinir being within the bay , may be at a greater distance than three miles from the shore of the bay . As we are of oninion that the term headland is used in the treaty to _excess the part of the land we have before mentioned , including the interior of the bays and the indents of the coast - -

      . . _ ,. _,.., _.,, The vessels of w » r mentioned in the above circular _despatch are expected to be upon the coast of British North America during the present month ( July ) , when , no doubt , seizures will begin to be made of American fishing vessels , which in the autumn pursue their business intent * on the coasts , from which it is contended they are excluded by the Convention of 1818 . l It is this construction of the intent and meaning of the Convention of 1818 for which the colonies have contended since 1841 , and which they have desired should be enforced . This the English Government has now , it wouldaappear , consented to do , and the immediate effect will be the loss of the valuable fall fishing to American fisheries , a

      complete interruption of the extensive business of New England , attended by constant collision of the most unpleasant and exciting character , which may end in the destruction of human life in the involvment of the Government in a question of a very serious nature , threatening the peace of the two countries . Not agreeing that the construction thus put upon the treaty is conformable to the intention of the contracting parties , this information is , however , made public , to the end that those concerned in the American fisheries may perceive how the case at present stands , and be npon their guard . The whole subject will engage the immediate attention of Government . Daniel Websteb , Secretary of State .

      This news was brought by the Washington on Saturday . The Atlantic arrived on Tuesday , and added other information . In the Senate of the United States , on the 23 rd of July , a resolution , calling for copies of all correspondence on the subject of the fisheries since 1818 , and also asking the President to state what steps he has taken in the matter , was passed without a dissentient , on the motion of Mr . Mason , of Virginia . The tone of most of the speakers was

      warlike , although none of them seemed to think war probable They complained mainly of the want of courtesy on the part of the British Government in sending a fleet to enforce its own construction of the treaty of 1818 , without first bringing the matter before the Government of the United States . They complained , Mr . Mason especially , that the presence of an unusually large British naval force in those seas looked like an attempt to compel negotiation , which would be an insult to the American people .

      A despatch of Mr . Everett ' s , who was Minister in London in 1845 , has also been published by Mr . Webster . The gist of it is , that Lord Aberdeen conceded the right of Americans to fish in the Bay of Fundy ; but leaving it an open question whether they had the same right to fish in the other bays and waters . The squadron in the North American waters consists of thirteen vessels , under the command of Sir G . F . Seymour , whose flag is hoisted on the Cumberland , of seventy guns . The other vessels mount from twelve to two guns , except two , in all , 112 guns .

      The New York correspondent of the Times , writing on the 24 th of July , says : — " There is much apprehension felt on the subject of the North-eastern fisheries . The subject came before the Senate yesterday , and men of all parties used very strong language . Orders have been received in New York for the immediate despatch of a vessel of war to the fishing banks . The publication of Mr . Everett ' s note on the subject in 1845 lends everybody to suppose that Earl Derby has taken rashly au untenable position . The Americans aire very sensitive on tho subject of their fisheries , and , if n war should grow out of this matter , it would be tho most popular war we have ever had . The most prompt and vigorous measures aro being taken by the 1 ' resident ami Mr . Webster . "

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      Oknkral Imeitch And Tiik "Times." " '1 H...

      OKNKRAL IMEItCH AND TIIK "TIMES . " " ' 1 HKiib are two reasons , " says tho New York correspondent of the Times , " why a very large proportion of our best citizens in all the States desire to have General Pierce succeed . The first is , that he has always been known us a firm and unwavering Conservative in respect to the constitutional laws of the country , particularl y in their reference to the institution of slavery Ifc not supposed that he , nor ally other mini at the

      north , is Un advocate ot that , institution , but rather laments its existence as a stain upon the national cscocheon , and , ever-present reproach to the American Republic ; but tho great agitation which has prevailed _<>>» tho slavery question hits but little to do with the morale of slavery ; the discussions have taken almost _excliiHivol y a political party drift , and the rise or fall ol 11 particular clique or set of partisans has governed the _»» He ami fall of tho negro agitation . On this question

      Oknkral Imeitch And Tiik "Times." " '1 H...

      General Pierce occupies precisely the same ground as Mr . Webster ; and when the Secretary of State paid his accustomed yearly visit in 1850 to his birth-place in New Hampshire , whither he has now gone for a period of relaxation and summer amusement , Mr . Pierce was one of the few visitor guests whom he clustered around his table to congratulate each other on the passage of the great compromise measures , which imparted afresh interpretation and even a deeper sanction to those provisions of the constitution which , place the institution of slavery entirely within the control of those States

      where it exists . On this question , therefore , there will be no war made against General Pierce by the majority of the Whig party , for the Whig convention at Baltimore adopted substantially and by a large majority the same " platform" on the subject of slavery as was adopted _* by the Democrats ; but many leading men of the Whig party repudiate altogether this national convention "platform , " and the more radical of them pretend to say that they can _sustain the claims of General Scott to the Presidency _\ _tftfhoufc abandoning their free soil and abolition agitation _^

      The second reason why the election of General Pierce is regarded as being of great importance is his wellknown advocacy at former periods of the principles of freedom of commerce . As a party , the Democrats have always been favourable to Free-trade , and one of the principal causes why Henry Clay , who was for so long a tifpe the most active and illustrious leader of the Whigs , never could become President was his hostility to Free-trade and his unqualified preference for the doctrine of Protection . This doctrine has now been

      exploded—the disapprobation of the American people has been stamped upon it as an unsound , unwise , and suicidal policy , even more clearly , perhaps , here than in Great Britain itself . England is deeply interested in the triumph of her own Free-trade policy in this country . The American people know this ; the victory which was gained by Sir Robert Peel and his associates for Free-trade had great influence in America , and the

      discussions that attended the progress of that peaceful but glorious revolution were widely read in this country . It is well-known that Mr . Webster ' s views have undergone a change in this subject , not so great , perhaps , as Sir Robert Peel's , but he has for some years been travelling on the same road , and I should not be surprised within twelve _monahs to see him advocate quite as radical a policy in this respect as his great English contemporary . "

      The Raising Of The First Column Of The N...

      THE RAISING OF THE FIRST COLUMN OF THE NEW CRYSTAL PALACE . The ceremony of raising the first column of the New Crystal Palace at Sydenham , henceforth to be called the Palace of the People , was performed on Thursday , at Penge Park , the site of the new structure . A special train was provided for the conveyance of between three and four hundred visitors to witness the ceremony , who were assured by means of printed programmes that conveyances would be in waiting to convey visitors to the park from the Sydenham station . Right merrily the train proceeded to Sydenham , and three hundred and fifty passengers alighted there , and rushed frantically to look for the conveyances . There must be some

      mistake ; nothing was to bo found but a , travelling " tinker ' s cart . " The train had better go on to Anerley . The passengers resumed their seats amid sundry misgivings as to the time that the next down train would be due . Ultimately , Anerley station was reached , and , animated with that instinctive love of " self " common to Englishmen , the road to the park was reached , when , lo ! and behold , . cue " Brixton omnibus , " " licensed to carry twelve inside ? , " and an indefinite number outside . It was clear to demonstration that neither legally nor physically could . ' $ 50 visitors lie conveyed in the one "bus ; " and the remaining

      animated " bales of silk , " and " chests of bullion , " according to the phraseology of the London and Brighton directorate , made their way to the entrance of the park , about a mile distant from the station , where the expected vehicles and their drivers were quietly reposing themselves in the shade . Having thus escaped the dangers of the rail and the perils of the road , the visitors were most cordially received by the chairman and directors of the company , after which reception they proeeede . d to a second tent , where an opportunity was

      afforded of examining the plans und drawings of the new building and park and gardens . A cardboard moiled , showing the elevation of the building , with its three transepts and circular arched nave , was universally admired , as was also a view of the interior of the nave , around the columns and girders of which were most tastefully entwined beautiful climbing plants ; while the palm and other tropical plants appeared to afford u most agreeable and refreshing shade . The groundplan of the building and of the galleries was also examined with considerable interest ; and tho space set

      The Raising Of The First Column Of The N...

      apart for the exhibition of articles of manufacture and art was carefully conned over by many who had already achieved their laurels in the late Great Exhibition , and who were again prepared to stand forward in support of British industry . In the examination of the plans and drawings , and in walking over the grounds , time wore on , until at length , shortly after two o ' clock , the ladies commenced occupying the seats assigned for them , round a spacious area marked off by ropes , and indicating the site of the future great central transept ; the gentlemen forming a second line behind the ladies . Shortly afterwards , preceded by the band of the Coldstream Guards , came a procession headed

      by a number of workmen bearing an immense white banner , on which was inscribed in blue letters , " Success to the Palace of the People , " and followed by Mr . Laing , M . P ., Mr . C . Fuller , Mr . Schuster , and the other directors of the company ; Sir C . Fox , Mr . Henderson , Mr . Jobson , Mr . Cochrane , Sir J . Paxton , Mr . D . Wyatt , Mr . O . Jones , Mr . Belshaw , and a number of other gentlemen connected with the undertaking . The signal being given , a number of the workmen in right good style , and with lusty lungs , proceeded to haul up the column above the base plate and socket , when Mr . Laing stepped forward , and deposited in the lower portion of the column a glass vessel , containing the coins of the realm , and bearing the

      following inscription : — This Column , The first support of the Crystal Palace , A Building of purely English Architecture destined for the recreation and instruction of the Million , Was erected on the 5 th day of August , 1852 , In the 16 th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria , By Samuel Laing , Esq ., M . P ., Chairman of the Crystal Palace Company . The original structure , of which this column forms a part , was built after the design of Sir Joseph Paxton , by Messrs . Fox , Henderson and Co ., and stood in Hyde-park , where it received the contributions of all Nations at the World ' s Exhibition , In the Year of Our Lord , 1851 . "

      " I , your glass , Will modestly discover to yourself , That of yourself Which yet you know not of . " Mr . Laing , M . P ., Sir C . Fox , Mr . Henderson , and Mr . Cochrane then taking a winch from a silver salver , proceeded to secure the column to the base , by means of screws and nuts in the ordinary manner . A royal salute was then fired by the guns on the ground , the band struck up the National Anthem , and from old and young , from workman and master , rose one tremendous cheer for " The Queen and the Palace of the People . "

      Mr . Laing , having screwed the column into its place amid loud cheers from the assembled company , proceeded to speak as follows : —Ladies and Gentlemen , —As Chairman of the Crystal Palace Company , the duty has devolved on me of fixing tho first column of the new structure which is intended to embody the glorious recollections of the Great Exhibition of 1851 as a lixed and abiding reality for purposes of national instruction and improvement . ( Cheers . ) The importance of such an object might well have demanded the presence on this occasion of some one who occupies a far more conspicuous position in the public eye than the humble individual who now addresses you . I believe , however , that it is tho very feeling which

      we all entertain of the deep importance of this great national undertaking which has Jed us to tho conclusion that , at this stage of the proceedings , the ceremony of inauguration would lie most fitly intrusted to the official organ of the Company . ( Hear , hear . ) . Recollecting , as we all do , that , the parent idea which we are now labouring to carry out . in now and untried developments , ori ginated with the meritorious Prince whose name is so deservedly and intimately associated with the glories of the Great _Exhibition ; recollecting also that the fairy structure which is about , to rise like a pluenix , from its ashes , was so often honoured by the presence of our gracious and beloved Sovereign—I confess we feel very strongly that any patronage short of the very highest would be

      unworthy of tho objects at which we aim , and of the enter prise which we huvo undertaken . ( Cheers . ) That such patronage will be accorded to us if we show ourselves worthy of it , I entertain no doubt . ( Hear , bear . ) On all occasions when the interests of art and science are concerned , and , above all , when the niornl and intellectual improvement of the mass of the population are in quest ion , the country has never lacked—I will nob say the patronage , but that which i . s worth all the patronage in the world - the enlightened action and affectionate solicitude of our Sovereign Lady ( ho Queen and her illustrious Consort . ( liOiid cheers . ) At the same time , o \ ery one iniiHt , feel that , in order to command nucIi patronage , wo must show

      that , wo deserve it . ; and that until we have fully emerged from the chrysolite state of a commercial c ' ompahy , and given actual pledge , not only of our wish , but of our power , to carry out the high and noble _ohjecls by which we profess fo be animated , it . would be premature , and even presumptuous and disrespectful , to venture to solicit such patronage as we are ambitious enough to say that wo hope at . some future and not very distant day , to obtain . ( Hear , bear . ) In the meantime it only remains that wo , the plain men of the people , should do our work quietly and effectively , without , parade or ostentation . And truly , when we consider the work which has this duy been formally commenced , it ia no light _cnterpriao which lies

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 7, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_07081852/page/3/