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Leader (1850-1860), 5th December 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1155

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      Fob the third ^ time this year , Parliatnent has reassembled for the inaxTguration of a session ; a third Queen ' s Speech ; and a third set of Addresses , have fallen on the ears of listening Lords and Commons ; and a- ' third time have vreto record the ceremonies and pageants of the' . opening campaign . This tim-e , the Queen has appeared in person , the gravity of the occasion seeraing . to require the Royal presence . Her Majesty arrived from Windsor on Wednesday , and Started from Buckingham Palace on Thursday at about a quarter before tvybv Balconies were erected along Whitehall chapel and several of the houses in

      Parliament-street r and the usual bevy of bright and fascinating ladies looked down upon the old historic road , and on tierepresentativeof more thana . thoiisand years of monarchy . The Royal standard floated from tTie top of St . Margaret's Church , tlie Admiralty , Horse Guards , and other Government offices ; the Xife Guards , Grenadier Guards , and policemen , mounted arid oil foot , lined the ¦ ways ; and behirtd stood the-lieges , in numbers sufficient to make np a shovr . The day \ vas fine ; the bells clanged in the steeples ; the people cheered from ¦ . the pavement "¦; tuid , as her Majesty proceeded on her route , in . the state carriage drawn by eight

      crearncoloured horses ,- a sal iite of twenty-bri e guns was fired from the Parkartillery . ; Within the Hottse of liOrds , there was a brilliant ; sho > T of peers and peeresses , diplomatists and foreign visitors , presenting a warm , rich flush of colour , shadowed here and there ( alas !) by the "black dresses of many of the ladies , who had probably lost relations in India . Among the noteworthy " persons present were the Duke of Cambridge , : PrinceFrederick William of Prussia , the Princess Royal , the Princess Mary- of Cambridge , and the Siamese Ambassadors . Tlie ; Queen , escorted by Prince -Albert , entered the House ataquarterpast two , and , tlie Gommons having been ; summoned , she read as follows ; ¦ : : : ¦ .

      ; '¦ :: . ¦; ; :- ¦ . ¦ ; V- ; - - --, TH ; E '\ ilOYAL ' SPEECH ;; . _ . ; . ;_ » : ; - ' : ] . V \ [' . ' " : ¦ . ^ J ^ f ^ t ^ r ^ 8 : ' andr . G'etiii ^ iii'enr ' v-- -. ' ¦¦ '¦/' ¦' ¦ . - ¦ v ' - ; : ''; ' ' ¦'¦ .: M Circumstaiices have recently arisen , connected with the mercantile interests of tke country , whicli have Induced me to < : all Parliament together before ' the . usual time . -: ' - ; - ¦ . ' ¦ :: . ¦ V . ' ¦;¦ : ¦'¦ \ 'W V ^'¦'¦> . ' :: - : ' , .- ¦ : • ' ' . " .. . : - . ' .: ' '" ¦ : - - ¦ -: - . ¦• " The failure of certain joint-stock banks , and of some commercial fimis ,- produced silicb . an ei tent pf distrust as led me to authorize inyMinisters to reeomiriend to the i ) irectom of the Bant of England the adoption of a course of proceeding ^ yhich appearednecessary for alliiying the prevalent alarm . As that course has involved a departure from the existing law , a bill for indemnifying those -who advised and those who adopted it will bo sub - mitted for your consideration . : ;

      " I have observed ^ "with great regret , that the disturbed state of commercial transactions iri general baa occasioned a diminution of employment in the mauufactming districts , -which I fear cannot fail to be attended xvith much local distress . I trust , however ,, that this evil may not be of long duration ; and the abundant harvest Avith ¦ Which , it has gi'aciously pleased Divine Providence to bless this land , will , I hope , in some degree mitigate the sufferings which this state of things must unavoidably produce . . ¦ ¦ - --: V- ' . - ' -- ' ¦ - ' : ' ¦ ' . ¦' . ¦'*¦" . ¦ ' '¦ .

      * While I deeply deplore the severe suffering to ¦ many of my subjects in India have been , exposed , and while I grieve for the extensive bereavements and sorrow which . it has caused , I hfive derived the greatest satisfaction from the distinguished successes which have attended the heroic exertions of the comparatively small forces ¦ which have been opposed to greatly superior numbers ,-without the aid of the powerful reinforcements despatched from this country to their assistance . The arrival of those reinfoicernents ; will , I trust , speedily complete the suppression of this widely-spread revolt .

      " The gallantry of the troops empldyed against the mutineers , their courage in action , their endurance under privation , fatigue , and the effects of climate ; the high spirit and self-devotion of the officers ; the ability , skill , and perseyoring energy of the commanders , lmvQ excited my warmest admiration ; nnd I have observed with eqaal gratification that many civilians placed in extreme difficulty and danger have displayed the highest qualities , including , in some instances * , thoso that -would do honour to veteran soldiers . ¦ " It is satisfactory to kaow that the genernl mass of the , population of India have tfikon no purt in the rebellion , while the most considerable of the native Princes have acted in the most friendly manner , and hare rendered important services .

      • ' I have given directions that pnpers relating to these matters shall be laid before you . " -J ? he affairs of rny East Indian uorniniona will require your serious consideration , nnd I recommend them to your earnest attention . u The nntions of Europe are in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace , which nothing seems likely to disturb . " The stipulations of the treaty winch I concluded with the Shnhof Persia have been faithfully carried into execution , and tho Persian forces iavo evacuated the territory of H < srnt ,

      " Gentlemen qfi the House of Commons ^ ' ' ...-. " . I have given directions that the estimates for the next year snail be prepared for the purpose of being laid before you .: They vvill be framed with a careful regard to the exigencies of tie public service . / " My Xiords and Gentlemen , ¦; ¦ .-..-.-. ' ¦ ' . ' ¦ ¦/¦' .: ; : " " Your attention vill be called to thfc laws "which , regulate the representation of tbe people in Parliament , with a vievV to consider what amendments may be safely and beneficially made therein . ; \ ' " Measures will "be submitted for . ' . your consideration for ; simplifying and amending the laws relating to real property , and also for consolidating and amending several important branches , of the criminal law .

      " I confidently cornmit to your wisdom the great interests pf my empire ; and I fervently pray that the blessing of Almighty God rnay attend your counsels , arid may guide your deliberations to those ends whicli are dearest to my heart—the happiness and prosperity of my loyal and faithful peopled' ¦ ' - ; By half-past two , the speech had been conclttded , the assemtiage had- dispersed , and the ; sittings of the two iHouses had been tenaporariiy suspended . : In another q . uarter of aii hour , copies of the Boyal Speech , in the evening papers ^ were being called about the Strands ¦ : ¦ : '¦ ¦¦ :: ¦ ¦ : ¦ >; ' ; .: '¦<¦ ¦ - ..-. ' " ¦ : ¦ - ' ¦ : ¦ v . ¦¦ ¦ ¦ . . '¦••' ; •' . ¦' . - - ' -. ¦ ¦ ¦¦ : ¦' ¦¦

      ";¦ : ;• ,: ; % - ;; ., , 5 ; . ;; -.: tke address . ; -: r /; ,- ; ... ; V :.-- "; :,-The House of Lokds reassembled at a quarter past five o ' clock ; and , the Queen ' s Speech haying been read byjtlie . iidBip CkAitdELLpR and repeated by the Glerk at the Table , ; ' : ¦ ¦ -- - : - ---X /\ . 'K- . - : ¦ ¦' . ; . % : . ¦ ¦^ : " - ' : .. . ;' , ;; ,:. - : ; Lord Pormian rose to nipye'the Address in reply . " He glaricedj as usual , at the chief topics of the day . ; intimated his conviction that it was absolutely necessary to suspend the . JJank Charter Act ; suggested that Parliament ought to consider whether it could apply a remedy to gambling in trade and reckless specula " tibns ; . congratulated the country on the excellence of the harvest ; 'expressed a ' lhbpe that the criminal la \ y wouli bev consolidated ; insisted on the ne- ^ cessity of making some changes in our representative System ; aiid finally referred to the Indian revolt ; The civil . and military affairs of Indiaj he observed , should

      engage the attention of their Lordships , as soirie chaiige in the mode of government is necessary . With respect to religionj > ve are bound to dp all we can to advance Christianity , consistently ^ yith ; a sa fe aUd ; judicious policy . Still , ii& -would not put . aside a conapetent Hindoo to rnake room For , a less competent Christian , when an office is to , be filled . That wouldbe-a selfish and . an unwise policy .- Ha-ying panegyrized the bravery of pur officers and men id thei East , and the faitltfulness of our native allies , bis Lordship made some observations in favour of the Governor-General , remarking that , when we know all , lve shall laud instead of censuring him . He concluded by Irieny alluding to the state of our foreign relatioas , and hoping that the alliance : with France may long continue . — -Lord Care-w : seconded the Address , arid ictirnated his opinion that , a large Eiiropean foTce ought to be kept in India for several years to come ; - ' ¦ '¦'¦ . - - . ¦ : - .. ; v ' : / . . ; . '¦ . V ' . / . ¦¦ ¦ .. : ;¦ " . ; . ¦' . . : '' : -

      The Earl of Derby said he never retnenibered Parliament meeting under ^ circumstances of such varied interest aiid gravity . We have how a complication of misfortunes to deal -with ; deep and OA'eriyhelming distress at homo , and our Indian empire shaken to its foundations abroad . The only cheerful part of the Speech was that which referred to the peaceful state of our relations with the Contine-nt . Had there been a foreign war in addition to our other troubles , v / e should have been deeply , perhaps fatally , tried , notwithstanding our immense resources and dauntless spirit . The Government , therefore , sliould have expressed more satisfaction than , it had done at this one favourable circumstance . On the contrary , the Speech was very cold on

      this subject , and in fact breathed the spirit of the noble Premier , to whom it is n calamitous thing that there should be no prospect of the peace of Europe being disturbed . " If tho noblo Xofd n ' t the head of the Government cannot disturb the peaco of Europe , nothing caii-^ LatigJiUr . ') If the Government wore desirous of keeping on good terms with other nations , it would bo wise to forbear from taunting them on public occasions about the supposed visionary intentions of other countries to take advantage of tho tliflScuities of England . (// ea »* , hear . ) Such language is unworthy of the Prime Minister of this country ; tlie bravado was uncalled for , and could have no effect or * foreign nationsbut to give thono personal offence . Such unnecessary bravado and bluster could only be used to cover an inherent senso of weakness . "

      But hoy was it there was no WQrd about China in tho Speech ? No reparation had been exacted for the insult ¦ which .- \ ye were said to tiave received . All-wo had done ay as to blockade tho Canton river , thus putting a scrions impediment in the way of our own commetce . He did not blame tho Government for transferring to India the troops despatched to Chhtn , beewnse the Gk > Y « rmno * it knew nothing of the matter , the transfer being altogether bwing to his noble and unfortunate friend (/ rt »«/ A ^ e * ' ) ,, L <> Td Elgin . Ho thought his nobl « friend deserved credit , for that net . Ho ( Lord Derby ) -wished to hear thnt tho stipulations of the Treaty of Paris are about to bo carried into execution , nnd that the great Powers hayo agreed as to their policy-with reupcct to tho Dnnubian t ' xincipnlitics , But ho feared that there was no prospect of a aettfemont of the que » tion . With

      respect to the Bill of Indemnity far suspending tiie Bank Charter Act , he mist -witLhold his ' -opiaioa till he had heard from the Government itself tlie ground on which it had proceeded . -.- «• He Bhoald like to know-that the step was taken ttot an the sole responsibility of the Government , but -with the concurrence and Ml consent of the direotora and gn-^ ernors of the Bank of England . He should like to know if any application bad beeri made from tlie ljank © f England , callinjg for the suspension of the existing act , or > ylether such an application caaae from any of the leading bankers and commercial firms in London .. iHearyJtear . ' ) He also wis | he 4 to know why the Gro ~ vesmmett't con < ieiv&d that the violation of that particutai Act of Parliament could

      satisfactorily meat the difficulties under which the conntry at this time i&bours . His o-wh belief wtw ^ as intimated by the committee which ta « ir Iiordships had appointed in i&i * , thait , dthoagh the act of 1844 has np share in causing ; Wl&mity , yet that that act has a . very strong and important ia < - flBence in aggravating difficulty whea * ny p « rpleiity arises . ( Jlear , heitrJ ) If , in the opinion of Government , the act of 1844 had the effect in * tim « of diffienlty , not of creating but of aggravating 1 th © distress , fee in qufred whether , " when asking for the bill of indemnity , * hey meant to adhere to the letter of the act of 18 ^ 4 . jffe did not see how they could isk for an iofc of indemnity for -violating the act of 1 & 44 , and fct the same iimfe

      ask Parmmcint to continue their sanction of the permalient ppettttion of the act . If it were tfaniglxt that tb « ict -was top striDgent ^ « provision , should he made for that defect in the act . itself . ( jSeaiyhear , ') HefarflDce ¦ was made ^ in the Speech to the distress in the manufec-¦ turing districts , and , as one coanected ^ ith those dis ^ tricts , he begged to say that thet paragraph yeryv fieellv expressed the arnourit ' . ' of distress that exists . It whs to lie hoped that the good sense of the ; operatives wootZd teep them from the bominission of a » y outbreak } bint it is hot the operatives , but ; the manufacturers ^ vviio are placed in ; circumstances of painful arixifety . " The Quean hadnot been made to allude with . sufficient solemnity to the sore ' trials we had ekperienced : in India . Tie whole

      < n our empire there ; had been shaken , and for a time lost ; ;¦ but iip ^ wbrds could do ¦ : ¦ Jtisjice to the heiculean labours and ; noble ; eptofage of tke detoted bund to Avtpoi we owe the salvation of our Eastern possessions . Xprd Ganning and his advisers , ¦ harsveyer had not sb . vwn that vigour and promptitude which , were ¦ absolutely required by ; the emergency . The : Indian 0 oVerntnent had seeined ; resolved to shut their eyes to the most patent facts ; and tlie Government at home had not proved equal to the occasion . ^ UfBciently large reinforcements had not been seiit but , the result of wMcu has been a terrible enhancement of the loss of life ;; . But the Government continued fo * a long time to assure the country that the mtitiny would be crashed without

      diinculty , and acted with svich confidence as to refuse to let our troops avail themselves of '; . the ; u facilities ofibred by the Emperor of the French and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Packet Company for the transmission of troops to India . If , in consequence of this unnecessary delay , Lucknow-should : fall into the hands of the rebels , the responsibility of the butchery that wvald ensue would rest on the heads of her Majesty ' s Minister * His Lordship then / proceeded to say that in dealing - ^ ith the mutineers - \ ve should consider justice and not t »« venge . " For every man taken with arms in hi 3 h *» ds there ought to be a righteous punishment , and that punishment death . ( C ' J" « 3 S vf- ' - ' Ifear , : heitrS ' ) For those miscreants -who hare perpetrated unmentionable and ua ^ -

      imaginable atrocities upon women , death is too mild a sentence . { Renewed cries of ' Hear , hear , " ) On them should be inflicted the heavier punialmrent- *—a life embittered by cprpohvl punishment h * the first instancy and afttrwards doomed t ' o- ' tbo most ; degrading slavery . Bo they Brahmins of the nighdsfc caste , they ( Aiottld be forced to undergo the lowest , moat degrading , most hop « lesB slavery . ( Hertr , hear . ) But , whilo lie wool ! tako thiB coutae , lie earnestly deprccnted the oxteaj ^ sion of a feeling of hostility to th < y irholo native -flopiiK lation . ;( jfiT (» or , hear , < ttul cheers . ') From letters wbiott he had seen , he feared that overy -whito man in India who had suffered in any Va-y by th « mutiny , conwk to regard every man with' a black tmca as bis enemy . ( Latiffhter . y Now , that was a fooling -which shotilil be

      restrained , if not by Christiitnity , a , « least by motives of sound policy . ( Cheers ^ Measares ah oulft bo taken to convince th * nati-vos that the English are their mftst « r « , but they must also be convinced that the EngJitth are tlieir bonefactors . ( Heu . ? , hear . ) We Bhbttld not try to gwern ind ** by tho sword alono . Aa to th « future governtnernt of India , ho could not undarafcan / 3 -what were tho intentions of hor Majesty ' s Ministers . " Missionary enterprise in India should be tncomaged , but any old on the part of the Government would lie a seriona impediment . "Witli rospeot to tiie promised Reform Bill , Ministers ought to introduce ic early in th < e ecfiBion , if it be introduced at all . "J'Jicro tvas nothing to . the Roynl Speech callin / j for an amowimennt , and hound his p » rty wonld give the Gwernmafit every fucillty tot the despntuh of bnamcaa .

      Earl OiiANvn . i . re defonde <| tho course pjiwued hy the Government in regard to the suspension of tho Bank Act . As to any diaiigo in tho Olmrtei' Aot , ho < : ould any that it wftB n (» t tiio intention of Governmont to proposii an alterution of that law , though it -would be submitted

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 5, 1857, page 1155, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2220/page/3/