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Leader (1850-1860), 8th May 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 2

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      The Combination Which Was Formed At Lord...

      upon Italy . Czar and Kaiser are shaking hands over the grave of liberty in that Peninsula , and the Pope blesses the bonds . At Verona-the Illuminated Square bf St . Mark ' s salutes their advent a symbol of the popular rejoicing , ftnd of th £ national welcome to the Pastors of Nftfclons . While Naples , under Austrian patronage , is coercing Poerio , and mourning the decease of the righteous Navarro ; while Lord Malmesbury and Louis Napoleon are aiding to settle the succession and consolidation of the Danish kingdom , our

      authorities , having paid due honour to Rosas , are os * tentatiously entertaining the brother of the King of Naples . The fact speaks volumes—it speaks blue books .

      430 Ths Llapes. [Sai?^ ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ - ." '¦ ...

      430 THS LlAPES . [ Sai ?^ ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ - . " ' ¦ -ynjg ' ¦ 'g ' rf-V ' ~ $ j ~ f ' ' 'j ~ * i— ' ' ' ' ' ¦ ¦ . ..-. . . ' r " ' . ¦¦ .. ¦¦ :- . ^^ ' .., - | ¦¦• -, * - S |^ T ^ fc'S * lBiPC ¥ i ^ r « ¦ - '¦ ' ' ¦ "'¦ ' " '¦ ' - " ^ ¦

      The Week In Parliament. The Mi1itia Bill...

      THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT . THE MI 1 ITIA BILL . Mr . CoBBEN" , vice Mr . Milner Gibson superseded , assumed the command of the rump of the anti-militia party on Monday . On the order of the day being read to go into Committee on the Bill , he moved the following amendment : — " That , to enable this House the better to consider the provisions of the Militia B ill , a return of the effective force of the royal navy on the 31 st day o £ March last be laid on the table of the House ; such return to contain the following particulars—viz ., lsfc . The names , armaments , number of crews and officers of all Her Majesty ' s ships then employed on active service , the stations on which they are employed , and the length of time each vessel has been employed on each station respectively , distinguishing steamvessels from sailing vessels , and also steamvessels propelled by screws from those propelled by paddlewheels , and stating the nominal horse power of the engines of each vessel . 2 ndly . The same of all reserve or advance ships , with the ports at which they are now placed , and a statement of the periods which would be required to send them to sea in a fit state for active service ; and that the consideration of the bill in committee be postponed until after the production of such return . "

      His speech on this text was very long , crammed with statistical statements , and arguments founded on them , to show that we had adequate forces at our command if we used them properly ; that our ships were on foreign stations , where they were not wanted ; that we had nineteen war vessels in the Mediterranean , nine more that Sir George Cockburn said was necessary ; that no danger was to be appreMlhded from Trance ; that war could not break out on a sudden and surprise us ; and that we had a navy which could sweep the sea of the combined fleets of the world . The tone of his speech was aggressive . On the French question he gave another specimen of the high estimation in which Louis Napoleon is held at Manchester and in the West Biding : —

      " It was no light matter to r ush into hostilities with a people so bravo , so wealthy , and so industrious as the people of this empire ; but they were told that the character of the President of the French republic was daring and resolute . Ho was afraid thoy were all too open to the blamo of being willing to regard success as the teat of merit ; but Louis Napoleon had shown himself to be no fool—aftcr all said , ho was no blockhead . The peop le of Prance acquiesced in his rule—ho had a larger civil list than the Queen of England—everything with him w » b couleur de rose ; and yet it was said ho would mako a descent on our shores . Soon after tho outcry of invasion was raised ho ( Mr . Cobdon ) had written to a friend in in tho and

      Paris , whoso name had been qufctcd Houeo , was well known in Europe , and ho had asked him for any facts to controvert tho silly outcry . His answer was in two linos : — ' Louis Napoleon , to mako war , must do so through ono of his gonorals ; if tho general emccccds ho will eclipse Louis Napoleon , if'he fails ho will ruin him ( hear hear ) , and if I wrote a whole volumo I could not eay more . ' Ho ( Mr . Cobden ) was not thoro to argue they should truBt to tho good sonso or ibrbearanco of any power whatever ; but ho said thoy had no reason to infer Louis Napoleon contemplated anything so suicidal as to mako a descent upon tho shores of England . At tho tail of his speech ho shocked tho country party by his presumptions in favour of tho grout

      towns . "Ho was ashamed to prosB tho subject further , because thoro was scarcely a man of common senso m tho groat controB of intelligence ( ironical chooring trom Uio Ministerial bonchou)—thoro might in somo parts ot tho country , and in country constituencies , bo found mon who beliovod in tho Fronch invasion—but in tho circles in which ho ( Mr . Cobdon ) moved—among pooplo ot hvootrado opinions , ho could not find any ono who raally imagined the French worbconring to invade us . Mr . Andebson seconded tho proposition . In reply , Mr STAtTOitD taunted Mr . Cobdon with hurrying over -the " voteH of supply , to facilitate tho despatch of ijStji ^ Ufinoss , and then bringing on tbiB motion to f 32 yjjftttlo ) 4 olay ; while Mr . Comix retorted that Mr . ^ fflNitt * 11 t 0 lmvo n 11 th 0 iufornmtiou ho wanted , ?!« t ¦ yk-ftp ^ ked for more . The difference bo twaon '' WttlS &^^ rronch was , that while wo had a much ^ ifo'WwjjMuinttvy , thoy had greater JiicilitioH for y- wiSi &^^& oira In the channel . Miv Cabteii ( of

      Tavistock ) supported .-. and Captain Boedebo opposed , Mr . Cobden . Mt * Bbight made an extraordinary speech , replete Wltn the itock arguments of the op » poftents of Militia in general , and Something mom He atttacked the pr 0 « S as vehemently a | Lord foe * by hitn & ei £ '' ' :- ¦< ¦ . . ' ; .: , . ;¦ ¦ ¦ . / .. ¦ ' v ' - , \ " took at lli ( Bi condtict of our presS * He did not wish the English prebs to shut its moutb . when any thing was enacted in fioteign nations which it believedI to be contrary to freedom ; but our ' press had foir two monthsmaintained an incessant daily fire of accusations against the ruler , and too often against the people of France . The French press during all that time , though under the control of the President , had never retah ' atedj or attempted to create in the minds of the French people a feeling antagonistic to

      the people of this country . He would admit , for the sake of argumentj that the French President had shown greed of power , that he was cool , reserved , calculating , and unscrupulous ; but it must be remembered that he was approved by the majority of theFrench population ; and , if there were one reason more than another why he was so , it was because he had not plunged them into war . He admitted that they did not like the theory of his government , but if the French people , disagreeing in that , yet supported him because he had given them a permanent or temporary repose , the House might depend upon it that they would not rest a single instant if he should manifest the slightest intention of sending a piratical or marauding expedition against this country . There were no prepara-r tions made in France . "

      Turning upon Lord Palmerston , he made a rather effective charge . " What was the noble lord afraid of ? He could hardly be serious in anticipating an invasion of 50 , 000 men from a ruler whose extraordinary conduct in December last he had thought it right to appfaUd . He ( Mr , Bright ) was not sure that in his despatch the noble lord did not say that he thoug ht the peace of Europe would be made safer by the course Louis Napoleon took upon this occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) Bat he would say at once that the noble lord was no authority with him on questions of this nature , ( A laugh . ) He did not pretend to set his opinion against tho noble lord ' s ^ The House probably thought the noble lord

      a much better authority than ho ( Mr . Bright ) was . ( Cheers from the Ministerial benches . ) The views of the noble lord with regard to a militia were perfectly consistent with his political schemes . The establishment of a militia would liberate so many soldiers for foreign service . The creed of the noble lord , so far as he ( Mr . Bright ) had observed , had always been" in favour of universal diplomacy and incessant interference with other countries . He wished always to have the power , as he always seemed to have the disposition , of cajoling or bullying somebody or some foreign country . ( Laughter . ) The hon . and learned gentleman the member for Sheffield , who was his great

      champion two years ago , on one occasion called the noble lord ' a lucifer match . : He ( Mr . Bright ) presumed that this great military force was required as an extinguisher in case of any case of incendiarism breaking out . ( Renewed laughter . ) But b * thought the country had alread y paid enough for some of the projects of the noble lord with regard to Africa , Brazil , and elsewhere . ( Cries of' Divide . ' ) The efforts of tho noblp lord to do so much for freedom abroad , while he did so little for it at home , reminded him of ono of tho characters in tho new work of Mr . Dickens , so much so that he felt disposed to call him tho Mrs . Jcllaby of statesmen . ( Laughter . )"

      The Press , attacked by tho Radical Member for Manchester , found a vindicator in the Tory Whiteside . After defending the bill , showing that the reason valid with Mr . Pitt—that France was a military power , and that its resources were centred in one man —was valid now , and citing the landing of Humbert in Killalii Bay as a proof of the possibility of French ships evading our cruising fleet , Mr . Wetiteside uttered the following manly and national sentiments . " Tho hon . Member for Manchester had criticised tho conduct of the press . Ho ( Mr . Whitesido ) admitted that the press of England had spokon out freely and boldly ,

      and ho beliovcd it would continue to do so . That press was powerful and respected because it raised a fearless and independent voice , and ho had no doubt it would continuo to denounce tho usurpations of despotic powor , and to proclaim tho wrongs of suffering virtue . But thoro might bo danger from that fact ; indeed , thoro was danger in tho free institutions of this country ; and ho considered that tho very fact of tho existence of free institutions in England , and tho destruction of froo institutions in other countries , justified a Government in establishing a militia . And why a militia P Becauso it was defensive ; because it was only intended for protection , and could not bo regarded at ) an insult to any foreign powor . It was a force solely and simply for Bclf-dofonco . "

      Mr . Maogreciok , who had previously moved tho adjournment of tho debate , now pressed hia motion , and tho Houso divided .

      For tho adjournment , 68 ; against it , 2 !) 1 ; Majority against , 223 . Aftcr somo further BldrmiHhhig , Ministers consented to adjourn until Tuesday . On this day tho debate opened with a bluff but dull speech from Captain ftooiiEi / r * in opposition . Ho wan aiiHWcrud by an equally dull speech by Sir Hautiy Vhbney ; who w » h replied to in his turn by Mr . Gbantmy BmiKiiiHY . Alluding to Mr . Brlght ' a speech of tho day boforo , ho said— " Tho hon . member for ManohoHtor had called tho noble- lord , tho member j ( br Tivorton , ' tho Mm . Tellahy of ntutosmon , ' Ho ( Mr . CK Berkeley ) romombore ' d two diameters in

      another story , Wnos 6 flames Were singularl y ap ' pUcaM the hon . inBfnber for the West Biding and the h member for Manchester ,. The one was called « u happy John ^ and the other 'Miserable T >;^ ( laughter . ) ' * lck ' Sir De Iiacy Evans , Major Beresford , Sir F . Barin Oaptain t ) uncdmbe , Mr . Hume , added . nothing to th *' arguments and statements a thousand times reneat ^ on this ^ tieafcibn . ' : . l wa Mr . CttABTEKis made an apt quotation from a speech delivered by Mr ; Wyndham fifty years ago : — " Mr . Wyndham said : — ¦ ¦ ' ¦'¦ - . '' "' We were told daily of the impracticability of invasion by many eminent lawyers , by many sound divines m ^ Z

      worthy country gentlemen , many respectable merchants many skilful agriculturists , many intelligent manufap turers , many very handsome women . The only perse ™ from whom we did not hear these opinions ware ou soldiers and Bailors . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Ask a sail whether , with any superiority of naval force , he- could insure the country against an invading army ? He would tell you that he could not engage that an enemy should not effect a disembarkation on various points , even in considerable force . But put this question to a landsman—to

      a man who perBaps never saw the sea but from Margate or Brighton— -who never embarked in anything but a bathing-machuie—and he Would tell you that to talk ' invading a country in the face of a superior navy Was the idlest of all follies , and that as long as we had our Wooden walls—he would more properly say , our wooden heads- — ( laughter ) , ~ we should never treat invasion otherwise than as a threat fit only to fri g hten children . ' That speech was delivered in 1803 , and in the following year all England was up in arms to repel a threatened invasion from Prance . ( Hear , hear . )"

      Mr . MitghelIi and Mr . uowteb followed in the beaten track . But at this stage of the debate , Lord Palmerston arose , and from a dull , uninteresting discussion , the House passed at once to a spirited contest . Making some preliminary observations on the dogmatic character of the debate . Lord Paimerston stated the case between himself and Mr . Cobden and his friends , as follows : —

      " If I am wrong , and the advice I give is followed , at all events tile country is safe ( cheers . ) J ^ f they are wrong , and the advice they give is followed , the country may be ruined ( loud cheers ) . Now , sir , these hon . gentlemen dispute authorities . ( Hear , hear . ) They will not admit the opinions of officers of great experience , of sailors , and others , high' in their profession , as to ; the danger which they call upon the country to guard against . These gentlemen , whoso habits of fife have made them conversant with th © peaceful arts , with manufactures , and with industry—who know nothing of war , or of the chances of war ( cheers)—who know nothing of the means of war , or how a war ought to be carried on—these gentlemen wish

      to lull the country into a feeling of security , and prevent Parliament from adopting any means to provide for its . defence . ( Hear , hear . ) But , sir , these hon . gentlemen have disputed English authorities . We have just heard , however , from an Eon . friend of mine the opinion of foreign authorities , which is exactly the same as the opinion of the English authorities . ( Hear , hear . ) But , sir , I have heard ( and I believe the truth of what I have heard ) that an opinion wa , s expressed by a high foreign authority bearing on this question . I have heard , and believe it , that the late King of the French , when ho visited this country after the dispute which arose on the question about Tahiti ( and , by-the-bye , it is not inopportune or irrelevant to this occasion hen

      matter , to remind tho House that on that , w this country was on tho point of being engaged , tota f'y unprepared , in a war with a powerful neighbour on that very question , tho very men who were loudest in declamations calculated to bring on a rupture , are the men who are now preaching peace ( cheers )—I have heard , 1 say , that on that occasion the King of tho French , rejoicing at the peaceful termination of the dispute , stated that , whatever ho might have boon told by his genorals at the time , ho felt certain that if a rupture had takon place , tnoy would have undertaken in a week to have boon in London . ( Cheers . ) That opinion , I think , may have somo wcigiw , although theso lion , gentlomon look with distrust upon tho opinions of English generals and English admirals . ( Hoar , hoar . )

      Ho then alluded to somo matters which had been stated in the course of tho debate , and proceeded to review a wonderful pamphlet , published by the peace " Now , sir , I have tho greatest possible respect for . t hoso opinions which aro sincoro and founded in " P convu . > and thoroforo I am far from treating with anytinnff * disrespect thoso opinions which I think aro at tno uw--of much of tho opposition which wo find to tho jn « . now under djBCUBsion . ( Hoar , hoar . ) Thoso opinKH » « thcHo convictions have not hithorto boon fully ana pn > j statod bv thoso who havo takon part in this tlouaio , i

      thoso opinions and thoso convictions' have boon » u stated in a pamphlofc which I now hold in my han ! of which I do not think unworthy of tho oonnMloraw o ^ ^ gentlemen who turn thoir minds to . this subject . ( jon > pamphlet ably writton , and in it , aftjov . serious * ° " ' . , ;„ . tho principlo is laid down , that it is contrary to tuo . ^ liim roligion to do violonco to any man , ovon in b (() may bo an tmomy . Sir , tlfo object of this pftn » P | JJ to b «) bIiow that it ia the Ohriatian duty of tlna cou "';< xho conquered by Franco . ( Ohoors and ^ " / f , 7 , Y i ,. or , pamphlet , which boara tho title of * Tho B-UW ^ ^ ng tho Duty of SoldiorB * ( a very odd duty ) , » s ^ ntio ™ ' dialogue mipposed to take placo botwoon two l (> o join 3 Ono of fcho spoakors in this dialogue paints in vivk - m t iho ro 8 ult or an unopposed invasion . Ho eny »;

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 8, 1852, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08051852/page/2/