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    . i nat number of communications , there may be many which Kl founded in error , in mistake of facts , in misconception of ^ wers to remedy them . There may be a great deal or chaff that which is sent ; but if in a bushel of chaff he shall find obit of good corn , that bushel of chaff -will be well worth fhe winnowing / and he can turn the pint of corn to good nurpose . Therefore , though many persons may think that communications from individuals give trouble . to those who are in office , never mind . that—I care not for it—the more trouble that is given , if it is for a good purpose , the better , for it is only by the assistance of the public at large that men in office can adequately and satisfactorily perform their duties . " He pr ajsed demonstrations such as the ceremonial of the day . _

    . " Gentlemen , I can assure you that the course which the Lord Provost and magistrates of your city have this day pursued is that which of all others is best calculated to ]> ro-Jnote the public interest—I mean , when public bodies , like that of the city of Perth , see in the conduct of public men anything which they are led to sanction and to approve . In xnv case , I feel that the approbation exceeds the merit which lias called it forth ; but wherever public bodies , like the great and respectable body of this city , see in the conduct of public men that which they are pleased to approve , it is by a public demonstration of that approval—it is by the

    encouragement which those civic honours offer to exertions in the public service—it is by these means that cities can best contribute to stimulate public men to anxious and zealous performance of their duty , and to enoourage those who are entering into public life to devote themselves zealously to the acquiring that knowledge , and to the practising those exertions , by means of which the public service of this country will always be supplied with men capable of fulfilling their duties , and equal to any times and emergencies in which they may be called upon to act . "

    The Guildry of Perth having also resolved to make the noble lord a burgess of guild , that honour was conferred in the Guildhall , in the presence of a large number of the brethren , the Dean of Guild presiding . Lord Palinerstoii received "stone and lime" of the city , according to ancient usage , and , having become . " solemnly bound" to discharge every civil and religious duty which the office legally implies , said" My Lord Dean of Guild- —I beg to return you my most sincere * thanks for thus having completed my creation . < Applause and laughter . ) Imperfection is the lot of human nature : but to be an imperfect citizen of Perth would ,

    indeed , be a great mortification to me , or anybody who-esteems ns highly as I do the people that inhabit this most distinguished town . I only hope that I shall not be too hard pressed to execute and fulfil the declaration which I have just made , and that the duties which I may be called upon to perform may in some degree be measured out to me with due consideration of the distance at which I have to execute them . ( Loud laughter , and applause . ) At least , I shall leave this city with satisfaction , that the honour which has been conferred upon me does not render me liable to any sordid imputation , because the gifts which have been bestowed on mo in this room—a most valuable

    yiece of stone —( laughter)—and a most excellent piece ol lime —( continued laughter)—I restored to the hands from which I received them . I , therefore , go away , not only a iVee man , but free from all imputation of having been bribed by the gifts winch , as a member of this incorporation , have boon given to "me us part of tho property of the place . "With regard to the topic which the dean has just adverted to , I certainly think all parties who huve concurred in these improvements of our cointnorcial system may bo proud of having dune a good work , the results of which will long , I trust , bo felt lor tho benefit of tho whole country . And there is this remarkable circumstance , that , I believe , no question which ever so much divided the opinions of mankind , having been carried one way , so quickly niude converts

    of those who , during tho discussion , hud held an opposite and contrary opinion ; for wo are > now all Free-traders . There is no party in tho country that now holds the principles oi l <' ree-trude to be a mistake , and an injury to tho country . I had , not very long ago , the good fortune to moot ui » old friend of miuo who had been for five or six years absent from tho country , in a fur distant situation , and who said , ho could hardly believe that ho was come buck to the nnmo country from which ho went , ho found such an ontiro difference in tho general feeling of everybody with whom he communicated . When ho went away people wore complaining of this , ami finding fault with that , and discontented with something else ; but now ho found ull classes admitting that they were sufficiently flourishing , and there was u general

    fueling of contentment and satisfaction pervading all classes with whom he communicated . It is trim that national exuniplus uro slow of imitation . There nro in other countries that which existed here—namely , private and particular interests -which conflict with tho general good—honestly and iiucoroly , often , ns well ns floiuetiines founded in seliiith motives . ] Jut in tho countries ubroad there i « , I am sorry to auy , Mill great prejudice against those principles of comuicr-«« ul freedom which havo been established so much to tho advantage of this country . Jlut depend upon it that tho example of Knglund will , sooner or Inter , toll . Puoplo may at 'ii ' st ho frightened at the consequences of tho perfect freedom <> f co mmerce which wo huvo e . stabli .-ihed ; but though at first l may bo slow to follow our example , depend upon it that that ixu

    ( mpln will , sooner or Inter , produce ) its good . Uut oven if it did not—mipposing other countries wero still to persist in maintaining a restrictive system—why , all wo have <«>» io is beneiit to oursolvo . i '; bocuusio it is quite plain , that while you pursued a restrictive Kytituin with other countrioH « ' »<> , you wore unu ' ering a double injury ; you got < loar that "which you Ixnight from other countries , and you Bold at a '" M . advuntago that which you wold to them ; whilo wo havo gained hall' iho benefit by buying cheap that which wo want in > tn abroad ; and , thereforo , it in no argument aguiimt Iho **» ind principle of Iron trudo that it lias not been followed by other countries ; and if other countries utill persist in injuri . « "n restrictioJjH , depend upon it that thoy do themselves much * noro injury than tj ^ y do to u « . Wi ) )»« vp do « o to onrBolvoa

    much more injury than they do to us . We have done to ourselves so much good as it is in our power to do by un-, tying the shackles which fetter national industry . Therefore whether other countries will follow our example or not , our cours « is . a wise one , and will never be retraced ; for tho longer we continue to pursue this course , and to extend , so far as circumstances may enable us , or justify us in doing so , that principle of free commercial intercourse , depend upon it that in that proportion will the prosperity of this country increase ; and in spite of the prejudices of other countries—¦ and we derive benefit from them even with a restrictive system— -we shall sooner or later unite in levelling at once all those barriers which the prejudice and ignorance of mankind have in former times established to resist that intercourse between nation and nation—an intercourse which tends not only to the national prosperity , but to the progress of civilization , and to the happiness of mankind . " ( Loud cheers . )

    Throughout the whole of the day ' s speeches and doings , the people responded heartily to the buoyant oratory of the statesman , and cheered heartily all assertions of the duty of England to do fearlessly what is right .

    Untitled Article

    MB . GLADSTONE IN THE NORTH . The " ancient burgh" of Diugwall presented Mr . Gladstone with the freedom of the town oh Tuesday . After the usual ceremonies and complimentary speeches , Mr . Gladstone made a speech , interesting from its personal feeling and its public allusions : — " I think you are aware that those who ' are connected either by blood or recollection with the Highlands of Scotland , do ' not easily lose their interest in the population , nor their attachment " to the soil . For me , the connexion of my family with Dingwall must ever be a source of the tenderest and most endearing association , because she to whom I owe my birth was not only a native herself , but , although removed far away for scores of years , continued to cherish an attachment towards itin a degree not surpassed by any of its inhabitants . On every personal and domestic ground , therefore , I cannot but feel deeply grateful for this tribute of your regard . "

    He then adverted to public affairs and to the position of the Government : — " Gentlemen , I do fuel and believe , and it is a source of no small satisfaction to myself , that the present Government is distinguished more than many which ' preceded it by coining less in contact with mere pavty organization , and being less pledged to the purposes of party warfare . It is composed , as you know , for the most part , of men having great experience in public service . This is my twenty-first year of public life , and yet I am , certainly not its youngest member , but still young , compared'with those veteran statesmen who occupy the chief places in the councils of her Majesty . They are united by an honourable bond ; and I may take it upon me to say that their objects and wishes nro no other than you

    have expressed . I spoke of those changes on the faco of the country which are palpable to tho eye , but other changes , also , have taken place during the lapse of thoso eventful years to which I have referred—changes involving a greater amount of legislative effort after improvement , and comprising larger and more beneficial results , than havo ever been gathered together during any period of the same length in tho history of our country . Looking to the course which legislation hus taken—setting minor objects aside—allowing for that freedom of opinion which , thank God , prevails in this country—and for the differences with which that freedom must bo attended , I think we must all feel that tho institutions of the country have been working well—that they have been working for the benefit of tho mass of tho

    community . The steps taken may by some bo deemed too slow or too short ; but , on tho whole , they have been in what is called tho right direction , the character of tho policy which tho country has pursued has been of u nature which will honourably distinguish her history , and which marks hor stato and condition in a manner tho most favourable as compared with thoso of other nations . When Lord Aberdeen took oilico , he declared it to bo his special mission—not , of course , putting other objects aside—to defend , complete , and seal that great work of commercial reform , tho extension of which baa been the main characteristic of tho last ton years . I hopo you think him faithful to his pledge . At this particular moment , when it i .-s pleasing Providence to press on other nations something like a scarcity of tho fruits of tho

    earth , I hope there art ) nono among thoso whom I address who do not fool profoundly thankful for the adoption of that wiso policy , b y which wo have removed every truimnol and restraint un tho supply of that article upon which our population arc dependent lor subsistence . It is the lot of man to labour—to earn his broad by labour ; but it was a sad und miserable delusion , whon , in addition to this penalty laid upon him in the wise counsel of God , wo undertook to interfere and render scarce , l > y artificial laws , the broad upon which ho is Jo subsist . I really must say , that all who took a part in tho beneficial work of altering thoso laws ought to feel thankful to tho Almighty for being permitted to share in carrying through measures ho beneficial in their tendencyso full of benevolence towards iho musses of tho community ; and—if I must add another motive— . so calculated us that

    legislation has boon , and hius . shown itself to be , to strengthen tho attachment of the people to tho institutions of tho country , nnd to confirm alike their sentiments of reverence for law , their loyalty to Iho throno , and their appreciation of tho blosHings thoy enjoy'from tho constitution under which they live . There nover was a inoro signal oxumplo of the advantages to bo derived from tho adoption of a wiso und woll-connidored improvement thiiu that exhibited by this countiy , Theso must speak to tho mind of every public man , and rocominend a perseverance in tjiat cour . sn which experience has shown to bo fraught with ho much benefit . And , if other encouragements bo needed , thoy ure U > bu derived while travelling through the land from hiicIi meetings as this—whom intelligent men , chosen to represent tho wants , wiuhes , and intomsU of particular localities , como forward to rocoivo us with oxprvwiviw of dooWoil unprovul , « nd kindl y overlook

    our many deficiencies . I trust the effect of these testimonies will be to inspire us with a determination to devote ourselves , so long a 3 we remain the servauts of the Crown , with at least singleness of purpose , and without regard to party objects , to the promotion of the public welfare . " A similar ceremony took place at Inverness , on the same evening . The Court-house of the town w as thronged by the townsfolks , and Mr . Gladstone was received with great enthusiasm . In his address he first alluded verv happilv to Free Trade : — ^ \ "How marked is the testimony to the wisdom of recent legislation in the spirit which now prevails ! Go back to other times , and we find that , when corn was dear , the natural anxiety and impatience of the people vented itself in

    violations of law , in riot , and in bloodshed ; and even in other countries this continues still to be the case . Only a few days ago I read of the governors of two Italian towns losing their lives as a sacrifice to the impatience of the population arising from such a cause . Thus it ever has been where man steps in to correct Providential arrangements , and where the pressure of scarcity is aggravated by unwise laws . But see the contrast here ! Not in this quarter , but in other quarters of the country , there is a deficient harvest , and the demand for corn to France has affected our markets ; but not through all England or Scotland is there heard a murmur of inipetience or discontent , for the people rest satisfied that , if there be a dispensation of scarcity , it comes from that Providence whose will it is to dispense the measures both of abundance

    and want ; they know that human legislation has done all that it can to effect free scope to the energy and industry of man , and hence there is everywhere that tranquillity , contentment , and self-reliance which we should most desire to prevail . ( Cheers . ) Your Provost has said that we have not met here to celebrate a party triumph . There was a time when the question of protective duties was made one of party struggle and conflict . There was a time , even after tho victorv had been achieved , when a large party adopted ' Protection' as their motto , and inscribed it on their banners . But those times are cone by , the force of " truth lias won it ' s way ,

    and I scarcely believe that , after the evidence which the lapse of time has accumulated , there exists any longer a section of the community who , ii they had the power , would wish to step back , to alter , or modify a system of legislation so beneficial . ( Cheers . ) What was once but an opinion of philosophers in their closets , sprawl from one class to another , occupied the minds of statesmen , obtained the voice-of Parliament , took the force of law , is now the fixed policy of J 3 nglaud , und reigns enthroned in tho sanction and heart of tho country . " ( Loud cheers . ) He then adverted to the cause of libertv abroad : —

    Your address adverts to my humble efforts in behalf of thoso whom I believe to be oppressed in another country . It must be painful to us , natives of Groat Urituin—citizens of a country where the principles of liberty and obedience to law are both held in deserved veneration—of a country where the most extensive changes are brought about by legal and rational menus—it must be most painful for us to look abroad over the Continent and see how little progress the nations of Kurnpo have made in the path of temperate and rational freedom . There is one year which , I fe . ir , must be marked as very disastrous in their annals—I mean the revolutionary year of 1848—for , while certainly there was much which deserved to be swept away , tho effect was to provoke a terrible reaction—to diminish tho how of rational freedom—to

    exasperate the spirit of despotism where it existed—to develop extreme opinions—and to diminish tho prospect of gradual and teniperato advance tothat system of constitutional government—the results of which we so happily enjoy . In tho country where it was my fortune to reside at the period to which allusion has been made , I perceived that grentsutrorings wero inflicted on largo numbers in consequence of this reactionary spirit—a .-spirit , tho natural effect of whose manifestation : * is certainly to provoke popular resistance , and to engender many terriblo evils . 1 do entertain an earnest hope for tlio improvement of Italy ; and , so far us tho present Government is concerned , I tun sure it will bo their endeavour to promoto that object—not in tho spirit of reckless propagundism , which would raise up tho national spirit against us ,

    but by such a wiso and temperate policy as will secure our moral influence . At present we cannot speak with sutifuction of foreign politics . You well know that causes are operative which threaten the peace of Knrnpe . I trust you also know , and are well persuaded , that , the most anxious efforts of iho British Government have been directed towards tho maintenance of general peace , and tint protection of those who want strength to protect themselves . ( Cheere . ) No assurance from me to this effect is wanted , for the temper and attitude of tho people havo shown how thoughtfully they confide in their rulers , and how anxious they are for tho maintenance of peace combined with honour . The time is happily past when an ignorant eagerness for war could take possession of tho masses of the community . Wo do not iail

    to profit by tho lessons of history , though alter forty years of peace , whon most of us have grown up without any actual experience of the evils of a state of war , we may bo apt . to forget their number and magnitude . The heavy burdens which war entails on posterity is the least , of its evils , ft is tho effusion of human blood , the dissolution of domestic ties , the letting loose of n moral scourge over a country , which ought to bo thought of , and which impose an absolute obligation on Governments lind statesmen to avoid it . at . the cost of any Hucriliee short of duty and honour . This is the principle which lias guided 'he Government throughout die negotiations of the last few months ; and bv this rule they would

    still act , knowing that it was with individuals as with nations —that a war might ho very popular at its coniiuoneenMinl , which would bo very hutofiil at its olo-n , just as there wero low people who entered on a quarrel otherwise than brnvo and Hell-reliant , but who might not like it much ere all wits over . Mr . Gladstone , then , remarking that the shades of evening , which wero closing round them , conveyed a warning to be brief , proceeded to refer to the future—alluding especially to the great change which has of late coino over the spirit and temper of parties . At the sacrifice oliiiuch personal feeling , in violation of the Htriet turms <> f politieiW consistency , many useful measures had been curried through , with tho farther vffent vi cpuiplotoly < Hm > rK ( iuinhig old parly voiuivxionu . T | m

    Untitled Article

    October 1 , 1853 . ] , THE LEADER 939

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 1, 1853, page 939, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2006/page/3/