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      Autch 20, 1852- - The Star. 7

      autch 20 , 1852- - THE STAR . 7

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      Monday, March 15. Irnr Sb Of Lords.—The ...

      MONDAY , March 15 . irnr SB OF LORDS . —The at tendance of peers was con--i « a ! Jr more numerous than usual , there being present * nfoe i he debute not let * than 200 . The galleries were , ith one exception , crowded , and that exception was formed by the space assigned to members of tbe House of romuions , in which scarcely half a dozen gentlemen were » o be « een ; bat below tbe bar , tbe galleries usually assigned in ladies , the space near the steps of the throne , the gtianjrtrs' "allery , and in every other available spot , the grow . ! was " excessive . Even the episcopal benches were well-E'led . As regards the division of parties , all the members of the new government occupied , as might he expected , ihe Treasury bench , while those composing tbe late administration were seated , with scarcely an . " exception , on tbe front Opposition bench , the Marquis of Lansdowne

      occupying the most , prominent place . Potior of the Goverkuent . —Lord Beauhost rose , in comp liance with the notice of motion which he had civen , to call the attention of their lordships to the injury inflicted on the country by the uncertainty which existed as to the intentions of the government respecting the law regarding the importation of foreign corn . The course which he intended { o pursoe was this—he would put a question to the noble esrl at the howl of her Majesty ' s government ; as to the intention of the government to recommend , or not to recqmmen- f , to Parliament an alteration of the present policy with respect to the importation of foreign corn as soon as anew parliament could be assembled ! " He would then , as neh-idgiv .-n notice , present a petition complaining of the injury which was inflicted on the country by the present

      nnc-rtainty on that point , and would conclude With a motion that that fetition should be lall on the table . He adopted that course to put himself right in point of order , and to give other noble lords an opportunity of addressing the house , if they should think fit to make any observations on the subject . He would prove , in the first place , that it Was desirable that the country should be informed as early as possible on this important subject . He would then endeavour to show that great uncertainty prevailed in the country as to the intentions of goveraaient . He would then attempt to show , from the words of the noble earl himself on » former occasion , that we were as yet unaware what measures would bo produced before parliament on thi * interesting subject ; and , after endeavouring to show the uncertainty which prevailed , would show the inconvenience

      which b .--d resulted , and was still resulting , therefrom to the public interests . After that , bo should fed himself entitled to ask the noble carl to answer his question in such a manner as would put a final stop to that uncertainty . Then , if the noble earl should answer in such a manner as to remove all ' uncertainty as to his intention , the prayer of ths petition would he complied with ; for tho existing uncertainty would contiaue no longer . "When the noble earl was " in opposition be was frank and consistent ! ¦ tbe expression of Ms Protectionist opinions , but now . when he was in office , he turned round and said , these are my private opinions , though it was evident at the came time that he intended to introduce measures in accordance with them . The course pursued , however , appeared to him something very like tbe abdication of tha

      functions of government . It was not for tbe government to say to the country , "You must tell us what to do ; we will propose whatever measure you may tell us to be right , and that is the course we are determined to pur .-ne . " If that were so the country was indeed advancing to an external , out-of-door , democratical government , more rapidly than it had ever advanced previously . ' The noble earl had stated that it was a question to be settled by the enlightened classes out of doors , meaning thereby the constituencies . Was not that encouraging agitation ? Was it not calling on the country to agitate this question with a view of founding some ulterior measure on that agitation ? Was it not saying almost in express terms , "Fight the battle among yourselves out of doors , and , whichever party wins . TH declare for the winner ? " No clearer words could

      have been utterHl to encourage both parties to this contest , to prepare far war . As soon as they had fallen from the noMe earl , the Anti-Corn Law League again sprang armed into existence . There was to be a contest—which with them was a contest of life and death—and tbey came forward immediately to defend their system , which was now beyond all question to be attacked , if not destroyed , if the majority of the new parliament should be against them . After adverting to the varying and different opinions expressed by the new Ministers at the hustings , which appeared to him like " confusion worse confounded , " the noble lord said : —The country was entitled to know , after the parliament was elected , whether it was to have a fixed duty of 7 ? . or a fixed duty of 5 s . He declared that it was , in his opinion , incumbent upon the government to tell tbe

      country whether they did-or did not intend to propose a fixed duty on the importation of foreign corn . As they appeared to have both schemes m petto , tbev ought to tell us which scheme they intended to try first . On the turf , when yon have two horses entered for the same race , you are generally called npon to declare with which horse you intend to win . ( A laugh . ) ~ Sow , he asked tbe noble ear ] , who was not unacquainted with that rule , whether he meant to win with his 5 s . duty , or with the transfer of the burdens on agriculture to the manufacturing classes ? ( " Hear , hear , " and a laugh . ) What proved the great uncertainty arising out of the declarations of Ministers on this subject was this—that out of five or six persons , who from their long experience were supposed to know best the real meaning of the words which fell from gentlemen in

      office , each has given a different version of the import of their declarations . No two of them concur in attributing the same meaning to their words ; and jet they all say that it is quite clear what Ministers intend , though they differ toto cozlo in the explanath n of their intention . ' Under such circumstances he thought that the nohle earl shoald put five of these gentlemen in tbe wrong by declaring himself what is the right meaning , if , indeed , he should not put all the six in the wrong by informing them that tbev had none of them decyphered bis riddle . ( A lau » b . ) " Mr . Disraeli had made a general attack on Sir R . Peel's policv , and he thought that Lord Derby thought that the noble earl should calm the feelings of the country npon that point by declaring , if he did not intend to reverse the whole policy of the late Sir B . Peelwhat portion of it he

      , intended to alter . Be ( Lord Beanmont ) wanted to narrow the struggle which was then impending . He told the noble earl that , by what he had recently said , he had disarranged all tbe most important arrangements of commerce . He further fold the noble earl that valuations to a considerable extent had been suspended since he had made his recent speech . He himself knew of several instances in which valuers had refused to proceed with their valuations until tbey knew whether 5 s . or 7 s . were to be added to the price of every quarter of foreign corn . He had also been informed by several of those gentlemen who were engaged in drawing up leases , that they had received orders to suspend the drawing up of leases , and that parties WK . U 4 neither give nor take leases until this question was atafactonl

      s- y settled . He also knew several instances in which incoming and outgoing tenants did not know upon what basis to draw np their agreements with each other , or to calculate the compensation which one was to give and the other ro receive . This was onlv the natural consequence , supposing an idea was abroad that the policy of the corn laws was about to undergo alteration . The nohle lord after expatiating on the benefits which had been conferred on tbe labouring classes and the countrv geneiallv , by the repeal of the corn laws , concluded by asking the following qaestion :-Whether it is or is not their intention to recommend to parliament an alteration of the present policy witn respect to the importation of corn as soon as anew parliament can be assembled ? -and laid the petition on the

      Lord Favehsham asked from what place tbe petition came ? r Lord Eeatjmost said it came from certain occupiers of fcnaith , and also of one or two townships in that district , in the county of York . r . ** > " « Debet said , it would have heen satisfactory to him M he con'd have given a categorical answer , " Yes" or "So , " to a question which it had taken the interrogator an hour and ten minutes to put . He could not do that , out should be happy to give him and the house such information as he could consistently with his duty ; hut he hoped that noble lords who might follow , would not be led ino an unnecessary discussion on the corn laws . Lord Beaumont had certainly done no great justice to bis clients , the petitioners , whose anxiety deprived them " of repose night and day , as he had not said one word about them from the beginning to the end of his speech . It appeared , however , they were thirteen in number , and altogether occupied only 1 , 841 acres of land . " Some of the petitioners are farmers , and some are very respectable gentlemen following # ther pursuits in life . There is among tbem

      Mr . Langdale , a highly respectable gentleman ; then comes Mr . Jonathan Wright , who is an auctioneer at Snaith ; and after bim Mr . Thomas Pickins , a surgeon . These two gentlemen between them occupy twenty acres of land .. { Laughter . ) It must be confessed that this is not a very serious undertaking . Indeed , I am happy to find that even the noble lord has—and , no doubt , very correctly—stated the net of the injuries and grievances of these petitioners to consist in injnriesand grievancesnotfo eae , bntonly inposse . The Petitioners are not actually labouring nnder any grievances or suffering from any injuries , but it is what tbey are anticipating they shall hereafter suffer and labour under that they

      we now petitioning your lordships to relievo them from . * ney ask to have the anxiety as to what may hereafter f » P pen removed from their minds . Take , for instance , the aoeuoneer , who is the owner of eight acres of land—the suri *« L occupfia K twelve acres , tfo doubt , the auctioneer is Sr ^ ? - ! da « ^ be has made some ZTfI ? T 1 . tjttSTOeE 8 . ana occupies a villa with a very andil JSE *^* v U-tBa * fle has a kitchen garden , Co , k Wh - ere he kce P tw 0 « three cows . Thus he Safi ^ , T Flero L facettain Polity of land . Bnt I £ , £ ^ tnowwhat is the amount of wheat which is « £ own by Mr Snaith—1 ho * «» j „„ «¦_ T „„» fi . oi ,

      * kGSL ?^ A ff tte 8 hrobb « y . the paddock , tbe ttfepSSV ? * ? !» w from his eight acres of land ? ° rday ha » L » l etthat gentleman cannot sleep night ** cannot ™ W P ° n any new valuationof his land , **& Lfll £ * leases cr determine on his mode of bus-^ feat f tt « - ? e d 0 es not kDOW whether U is the 5 ? dutv „ n r tf " rameat to P nt on * additional mode-S »* fiiS ,, ^ W ** " of C 0 WJ - (^ ar , hear . ) P * . 5 isrL ^ f' ^ fanM wa 8 an Weration : £ ou don'tkUi Sf tSr 0 C l ?* in the cultivation of farms ? ^ aaber' WhTf ^ ° * t ™» b « tnepriee of wheatia c ? R aided fn * w caIcn 4 ation 8 hy which the farfl ^ 'fiSSS *? Cage , / "I ' PWBnme that eve * in tb » ef ore ^ not soWn in March or April ; I Dresnme , ™ that vS' & yteOntoQbmwm oratihrf we utentmi Bof government , or , wbat

      Monday, March 15. Irnr Sb Of Lords.—The ...

      was much more important , the intentions of parliament with respect to the amount of tbe supposed additional duty , I have never known any particular sum specified or even hinted at by any member of the present government ; but tho noble lord himself has taken the sum of 7 s . or 5 s . a-quarter , referring most especially for his authority to a speech made by a right hon . friend of mine in the county of Buckingham the other day . But let us take the duty , of 5 s . on the importation of foreicn corn—that i » , a duly of is . in addition to tbe one which ' is at present imposed . Row , supposing the utmost possible extent of the augmentation of price in consequence of that increase of duty of 4 s ., to be ls . Gd . or 2 s . a quarter , will any man tell me th * t the question whether a duty of that amount would or not be imposed some six or eight months hence could have

      the effect of introducing tbe smallest amount of uncertainty as affecting the re lations between landlord and tenant with regard to the permanent cultivation of the land ? But , mv lords , this is a question ( and herein I agree with the noble baron ) which oug ht not to be allowed to remain any longer in abeyance than possible . ( Cheers from both sides of the house . ) But as to the question of uncertainty , —why , my lords , there , is a large party in the country , well known , who have declared , in the most emphatic terms , that not till next election shall that uncertainty be removed ; that by the next election the question must be definitely settled ; and to that election , therefore , they on their own part , confident in the strength of their own cause , will be ready to appeal , and to submit if the sense of the country should be pronounced against

      them . But whether ft change of government bad taken place , or a change of government had not taken place , till the next election that uncertainty could not have been removed . Till the nest election it must have equally remained unsolved ; but with this difference , that in consequence of a change of the government the period of uncertainty will be diminished , and a dissolution of Parliament , which mig ht he postponed by a period of two years , in consequence of that change , ought and must take place within a period of six or eight months from the time I am now speaking . " His lordship then proceeded to show that the late government had not fallen by any factious opposition from him or his party . They fell from their own internal weakness—by their confessed and notorious inability to conduct the business of the countrv ; they fell by the

      absence of their friends ; they fell by their having quarrelled with their colleagues ; they fell by their inability to mu-ter in tbe House of Commons 130 gentlemen to support them in a cause which they declared to be vital to their existence . "When that hostile division took place Lord J . Russell announced that a dissolution would be inexpedient . Inexpedient to whom ? Himself and colleagues , or the country ? If tbe latter , would it not be equally i « expedient no w ? The noble Lord then very adroitly pnt the tu quoque argument by referring to what took place when Lord 3 . Russell succeeded Sir It . Peel , in 1846 . On that Occasion Lord John Russell was taunted by one of those who are now supporting him— " Jmean the hon . member for Finsbury ( Mr . T . S . Buncombe ) . Thenoble lord was called on bv the hon . member for Finsburv to state tbe principles

      on which he intended to construct his government , and the conr . se he intended to pursue with respect to particular and important measures . ' To the attention of the noble lord I would commend the very detailed and elaborate answer made by lord John Russell , standing in tbe position he then occupied as First Minister of the Crown . He denied thnrieht of Parliament to put such questions —( hear , hear)—he denied that it was the duty of the government to answer such questions —( hear )—he declared that to such questions he would give no answer whatever ; he declined to pledge himself to a particular course in regard to most important measures , particularly in regard to Parliamentary reform , and in regard to dealing with tbe church of Ireland . But he went further , and in regard to dealing with the church of Ireland , he need these

      remarkable expressions , ' I don ' t say I am satisfied with the existing state of things . I may desire to reduce the revenues of the Protestant church in Ireland . I may desire to endow the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland . I retain my opinion , Bnt the people of England entertain a different opinion . I shall be guided in my course by the recorded opinion of the people of England '—( loudcheers)— 'and I will not pledge myself as to the course which now , hereafter , or at any time , I shall take on that most important and vital question , the maintenance of the integrity of the Protestant and the endowment of the Catholic Church . ' ( Cheers . ) Those were the doctrines of Lord J . Russell in 1846 . Those were the doctrines in which the Opposition of that day acquiesced , and cheerfully and willingly acquiesced . Those were the

      principles on which , without let or hindrance , the government of Lord J . Russell , which had taken powor in the middle of the session , were allowed to carry on the Government without vexatious interruption . My lords , I ask no more . ( Load cheers . ) I ask for justice , not to me or to my colleaemes , bnt to the great interests of ourcoromon country . ( Cheers . ) I ask not to be interrupted in making the usual financial arrangements . I ask not to be interrnpted in placing this country in a fit state of organisation and defence in the event of foreign invasion . ( Cheers . ) I ask you not to interrupt the course of all public and private business . I ask you not to interfere with those useful reforms which have been chalked out by recommendations given , no doubt , nnder a former government , but on which the heart and mind of tbe people are set . " With

      respect to the alleged alarm and uncertainty , the noble lord asked;— " But there is anxiety , it is said—there is alarm , and there is uncertainty . Where are the indications of anxiety , alarm , and uncertainty ? The public mind seems to me peaceable and content . Is there a more accurate barometer of public feeling than tbe public funds ? Yet , will the noble lord point out a single moment during tbe whole time the late government was in office when the funds were so high , were so steady , and had a more decided tendency to advance than they have at this moment , in which , according to the noble baron , the whole country is in a state of suspense and excitement ? " ( Cheers . ) With respect to the Corn Laws , the navigation laws , and other changes , he did not desire a reversal , though he thought these changes were carried to an unnecessary

      dangerous extent . "I don't ( said the noble lord ) desire to eo back to the law of 1846 with respect to corn . I don ' t desire to go back to tbe law of 1843 . But the case is One which I would desire yon and the country calmly to consider , not by means of local agitation , which I should be the last man to desire to stimulate , such as might be raised by those who make more noise than tbey possess influence , who bring down a large amount of subscriptions on paper , who have had . and perhaps may still exercise , a dangerous influence in the community , and who may perhaps for a time succeed in locally creating agitation and alarm ; bnt it is a question to he considered deliberately and calmly , whether you will apply yourselves not to the reversal of your system , bnt to certain modifications of yonr system , to such modifications as shall mitigate the

      blow inflicted on a class of tbe community and alleviate tbe injustice from which you confess they have suffered . ( Hear , hear . ) That might be done by a moderate duty . But I think that a proposition which no Minister ought to bring forward and submit to Parliament unless he is clear , not only of a bare majority , but of a very general concurrence of opinion throughout the country . I say that it is only one portion of a great question , lsay it is the duty of Ministers who feel and think with me to ad vise carefully , calmly , deliberately , such measures as they shall think best calculated for alleviating the injustice and mitigating the distress which may have been inflicted by tbe repeal of the corn laws . In taking into consideration the course they # nght to pursue , they are bound , not , as thenoble lord suggested , to fling down some months before a definite

      fixed proposition , which for five or six months to come should be made the subject of controversy and agitation , but , commending those suffering interests , not to the care of agitators and demagogues , but to tbe calm , deliberate sense of the country , tbe question would be , having ascertained that calm and deliberate sense of the country , how to take those measures which , though not in their own judgment abstractedly the most desirable , they may yet carry into effect with the general approbation , and in accordance with the opinion of parliament , and without rousing angry feelings among other classes of the community . " ( Hear , hear . ) The noble lord then commented with much severity on the meeting of Liberal members at Chesham-place and the factious position assumed by Lord J . Rusfell at " a convention" which bid fair for

      making it a rival to the Lichfield House compact . " Bnt even there tbey were not agreed . The noble lord , hardly a week out of office—the noble lord , the author of the Reform Bill—the noble lord who , by the nssent of his colleagues , bad brought in a measure for the purpose of settling tbe representation—that noble lord was called on by his supporters and agreed to amend that nugatory and absurd bill which be bad submitted to parliament ; and it was related that the noble lord had no hesitation in stating that , if he were called on to form another government , it would be very different and on a much wider basif than that with which be had been connected . ( Cheers . ) There is the position , then , in which her Majesty ' s present and late governments stand . The head of the late government , unable to maintain his place , yet thinks it not unworthy of his high

      character and station to associate with those who during the conrse of bis government strenaously opposed bim , for the purpose of renderin g the difficulties of those who have succeeded him absolutely insuperable ; and if those reports are to be relied on , it would appear that be had said his next Administration should not be a Whig Administration , but one on a much wider basis . I ' shall go then to the country when it is consistent with my duty to my Sovereign and to my country that I should go there , not on a question of the kind suggested . That question I shall leave to tho deliberate judgment of the public . I shall leave it to the general concurrence of the country , without which I shall not bring forward that proposition . ( Loud and renewed cheering . ) I say I will not flinch from performing my duty without fear , if the sense of the people and of the parliament shall be with me and shall support me in a measure which I believe would be useful for the country . But I

      will not overstain the influence which belongs to a government , I will not abuse the high position in which my Sovereign has placed me ; and I will not by a bare majority force on the country a measure against which a great proportion of the country has expressed an opinion . ( Cheers . ) There may be men who may object to thiispecilc measure , who are yet prepared toi join in supporting the great interests of the country , and in affording relief to those classes that are suffering ; and it might be possible to render available in other respects ( as we understood ) the assistance and support of those who , united on general principles , differed as to the specific mode of affording relief to Buffering interests , and were nnable to givo us assistance io carrying ft * P articBlw lotion . No , there ia another question . We are threatened with far more serious difficulties than opposition to the imposition of a 5 s . or 6 s . or 7 a duty . It is a question whether the government of his country can ba carried on , and on what principles avid

      Monday, March 15. Irnr Sb Of Lords.—The ...

      through what medium ; and when I appeal to the country I should do so on this ground—Will you , who desire well to all tho interests of the country place your confidence and give your . support to a government which , in the hour of peril , did not hesitate to take tbe post of danger when tho helmsman had left the helm ? ( Loud cheers . ) Will you support a government which is against hostile attacks , which would maintain the peace of the worldwhich would uphold the Protestant institutions of tbe country—which would give strength and increased power to ralifiioiia and moral education throughout the land—and which would exert itself moreover , I will not hesitate to ay , to oppose some barrier against the current that is continually encroaching of democratic influence , which would throw power nominally into tbe hands of the masses

      nrictically into those of the demagogues who lead them ? Will you resist a government which desires to oppose that noxious and dangerous influence , and to maintain the prerogatives of the crown , the rights of your lordships' house and the privileges of the other freely elected and fairly repreiented house of parliament ? These are the principles on which I shall make my appeal on behalf of myself and of my colleagues ; and in words which are placed in the mouths of the meanest felons in the dock , and which are n ot unworthy the lips of the First Minister of the crown 'I elect that we shall be tried by God and oar country . "' ( Great cheering . ) Earl Grey made a long and angry reply , which contained no new point of any public interest ; the Earl of Abinper spoke on the Protectionist side—the Marquis of

      Clanricarde on the Free Trade ; tho Earl of Harrowby wished that Lord Derby had been more explicit ; and after speeches in support of the Free Trade policy from Lord Wodehouee , and in defence of the position taken np by the ministry from the Earl of Powis , the house adjourned at a quarter to nine oVIock . HOUfciE OF COMMONS . —Tlieproceedingsin this house , which was unusually crowded , were commenced by a host of questions to the new ministers , which , having been answered , tbe debate of the night was commenced by Mr . Yilliehs , on the motion that the speaker leave the chair for the house to go into Committee of Supply . The honourable member sought to obtain from tbe Chancellor

      of the Exchequer a distinct and candid avowal of their intentions with regard to Free Trade . He urged the stagnation in trade , and the many injurious consequences to all the great interests of the country , which must result from uncertainty in so vital a matter . Seeing how the members of the present government had distinguished themselves for their adherence to protection , and their declarations out of office that they would use their power , should thev succeed in forming a government , in reversing the Free Trade policy , the country had a ri ght to have an explicit declaration of their intentions . He contrasted tho state of thin * s under Free Trade with what they had been under protection . When was there a time when trade had been bo

      active , when the application of capital was more abundant , the people more generally employed or better fed—when the poor who . from accident or siclcncss , were obliged to enter the hospitals or unions , were in a better physical condition , or even when agriculture bad progressed with more rapid strides , and land found more purchasers than since tbe establishment of Free Trade ? Our shippinc trade was improving , the complaints from our West India Colonies were decreasing , and there was every reason to believe that these and all our other colonies were fast growing into prosperity under the more liberal policy we had recently adopted . Such bad been the state of affairs at the commencement of the present" year . " What wa % it now ? Confidence had given place to uncertainty and anxiety ; orders wero withliefd ; and trade was suspended under the

      apprehension of an impending change . Even foreign merchants looked on tbe change of ministry here as an intimation of a change of our commercial policy . The state of Europe , in regard to its political liberties , should be a warning to tbe people of England how they allowed any interference in the commercial liberties they bad so recently achieved . After adverting to the rumour that a Ss . fixed duty was to be proposed , he pnt the question distinctly to the Chancellor Of the Exchequer whether ministers intended to propose an import duty on foreign corn , calling upon him to give such explanations as to the ministerial principles of commercial and fiscal legislation as would place their views fairly and fully before the country . Mr . Disraeli , on making his debut as Chancellor of the Exchequer , was of course warmly cheered by his friends .

      He commenced by ridiculing the statements of Mr . Villiers as to tho state of public feeling and- the condition of the people in March as contrasted with what both were in January . It is , says tbe honourable member , a condition of distrust , apprehension , anxiety , and uncertainty ; Warming with his subject , the honourable gentleman soon found out that the feeling of distrust amounted even to a state of paralysis . ( ' Hear , ' and laughter . ) I must confess I listened to this announcement with some apprehension , but more surprise . ( Hear , hear . ) No information has yet reached me tending to show that the condition of the people or the state of public feeling at all corresponds with the description given by the honourable member . ( Hear , hear . ) I do not find in tho commercial transactions of this country any of those symptoms which the honourable

      member dilated on as a consequence of the change of Administration . I , necessarily , have communications with many persons of great eminence in the commercial world —men who are the highest authorities in matters of trade and finance . They are persons familiar with scenes of the most active commercial life , and neither from their words nor countenances could I have inferred that tho country was in a state of paralysis , or that even feelings of distrust , apprehension , and anxiety were influencing those whose interests they represented . On the contrary , the inference I draw from the representations of these gentlemen is , that the people are in a state of contentment and prosperity . ( Hear , hear . ) I can find no confirmation of the honourable gentleman ' s gloomy views in the present price of the public securities . ( Cheers . ) That barometer of public opinion

      certainly gives no indication of dwtvust and anxiety . Every circumstance to which I direct my attention impresses me with the conviction that the public mind at the present moment is in a state of peculiar tranquillity . Mr . Villiers said the government were bound to carry out the policy in power they advocated out of office , and he was prepared , to the beat of his ability , tO do so . But it would not be upon any single measure that policy would be tried . He would not narrow the question to that issue , but * without reserve state fairly and frankly what were the feelings of the government . " He then gave a rapid review of the circumstances nnder which tbe government had acceded to office , which constituted , in his opinion , an essential element of the question . With regard to the challenge of the hon . gentleman . it was

      impossible for him fully to respond to it . He reminded the houss of Lord Derby ' s declaration that the controversy between Free Trade and Protection must be finally settled by a new parliament , and to bis own statement that after the decision the present House of Commons had come to by so large a majority against Protection , he should not again at . tempt to influence them , but should confine bis efforts to mitigate the consequences of Free Trade on the landed interest . This was the policy declared by the present ministry when in opposition , and why should they be called upon now to do that which they had declared it was not their intention to do in the present parliament ? Had tbey come into office on tbe declaration of distinct principles the case would have been different , but it would be most unreasonable , taking office in the way they had , that they

      should be called upon to propose that which they had no hope of carrying in the present parliament , or to say what distinct measures they might think it necessary to introduce in another parliament . So far , how-« ver , from the change of government contributing to uncertainty and distrust , bethought it ought to have a contrary effect , inasmuch as it would facilitate the early settlement of the question . "But we are not pledged to any measure . Laughter from the Opposition benches , and . Ministerial cheers . ) I think it would be entirely out of character to say , that in anew parliament we should be bound to bring in a certain specific in order to redress those grievances or to propose the measure indicated by the hon . and learned gentleman—a five-shilling fixed duty . ( Hear , hear . ) I am not at all clear , sharing as I do the

      opinion of the bpn . and learned gentleman as to the little effoct which it has in raising prices that that is a measure which ia by any means one I may think it our duty to recommend . ( Hear , hear . ) But I say frankly to the hon . and learned gentleman , that in considering the fiscal arrangements of this country , I do not—I will not—to gain any popularity or to avoid any blustering , ' give itjas my Opinion that a duty such as be describes is one which any Minister under any circumstances ought to propose . ( Hear , hear , and a laugh . ) I think tbe hon . and learned gentleman and his friends have so far succeeded by their agitation—not their present agitation , which I believe to be very harmless , but by former agitation—to invest the proposition with such an amount of prejudice tbat , though ! may consider such a proposition a good one , I may not think it

      expedient to adopt it . ( Hear , hear , ) I know there is a great desire on the part of gentlemen opposite that there should bo a proposition for a fixed duty . ( Hear , and laughter . ) I regret , for their sakes , that I cannot give a promise to make any proposition of the kind . What I intend to do , with the assistance and consent % of my colleagues , is to redress the grievances of the agricultural inte . rests ; and we reserve to ourselves tbe right of considering what may be the best means by which that great object can be attained . ( Hear , hear . ) I think that , 'in ' consequence of the prejudice with which the proposition for a fixed duty on wheat—such , for example , as the hon . and learned gentleman has referred to-has been invested , it would be very unwise for any Minister to make it before the verdict of tha country has been pronounced with regard to it . ( Hear . ) That verdict will in all probability be speedily given . That question will then be decided . But the question of a redress of the just grievances of any interest in this country will not be settled by a verdict of that nature . and it for the

      ( Hear , hear . ) That is a great subject , s government to consider those measuresi whtcti they conscientiously believe will best attain the object they fvankly announce it is their intention to w »™ Pft J ™?' hear I hope I have answered the inqmry © rtho hon and ! learned gentleman . ( 'So , no , ' and laug hter from the Opposition fen heT ) He did ' not understand hon niembers . He had assumed that tbe hon . and learned gentleman would wish to know the feeling oMfce ^^ Z ^ 3 lST ° t moderate fixed duty , and if we , « ther m this w the next Parliament meant to propose it . i ""! ; ^ ' ' ^ adhered strictly to tbe tenour of the inquiry , to state the facts I did , but I answered that . 1 told the faw . wd learned gentleman that neither in this nor next PwjMmmt did Eer Majesty ' s Ministers consider themselves bM ^ to make any such proposition whatever . 5 » JJg , J » "Mj M ' BweredtheSion ? ( Cheers , and funter cheers . ) lam tottllJitaKtLtoU ^ site ; bnt I can only exp lain it m . £ " ff " " ' " »« do not think my answer to the WW w « se < ' agreeab . ' eas

      Monday, March 15. Irnr Sb Of Lords.—The ...

      hon . gentlemen opposite would have liked it to be . ( A laugh . ) I am aware that the government is placed in some difficulties , - bnt they are difficulties which , as we did not seek them , so we will not shrink from tliem . ( Clicnrs . ) I am told , though I know not on what authority , tint there has been , on the part of tho new government , wn ad miscricordiam appeal to the House of Commons , I am notaware of it . I have not sanctioned it . I have not made it , nor have any of my colleagues . Let the blow be where or how , we shall do our best to encounter it . What we ngk is not fair play for the government , but fair play for the country . ( Cheers . ) It is our intention to carry on the affairs of the country , notwithstanding tbe difficulties which we acknowledge to exist , to tho best of our ability . The measures which it was proposed to proceed with before

      the dissolution , besides those of public exigency , as the Mutiny Bill and supplies , were—first , a bill to disfranchise St Albans , and to apportion the four vacant seats which would be thus occasioned ,, it being considered that the number of members should be complete before going to the country ; secondly , a bill for Chancery Reform based on the report of the commissioners ; and thirdly , he should move on the earliest possible day a measure to provide for the internal defence of the country . " Having thus stated what the Ministry intended doing , he retorted on tho Opposition , and asked on what principles tbey intended acting : — " Surely I am entitled to inquire what are the principles on which this new Opposition is formed —( hear , hear)—an Opposition which the noble lord has constructed under the inspiration and with tho aid and assistance of

      the right hon . gentleman the member for Itipon —( cheers ) and tne hon : centlemari the member for the West Hiding . ( Cheers . ) Such unbounded confidence existshotwecn three such eminent men—I wish to know on what principle this new Opposition is founded—this new Opposition headed by a noble lord acknowledged by all of us to bo an able and fitting leader , with such experienced vice-lieutenants as the right hon . gentleman the member for Ripon , and the right hon , gentleman tholmember for the West Riding . ( Hear . ) What , I again ask , is tbe principle on which tho new opposition is founded 1 Is it tho principle of Papal supremacy or Protestant ascendancy ? ( Cheers . ) Is it the principle of national defences or of perpetual peace ? ( Cheers and laughter . ) Is it the principle of Household Suffrage or of the electoral groups ? ( Laughter . ) Is it the opinion of the new Opposition , along with the hon . member for the West Riding , that Free Trade is a panacea for all the evils of States ? Or is it the opinion of tho new Opposition , in deference to the noble lord the member for London ,

      that Free Trade is a great exaggeration ? ( Cheers . ) These are questions I think it legitimate to ask , and I think they ought to be as frankly answered as the question which has been addressed to her Majesty ' s ministers . ( Hear , hear . ) I know that the prospects we as a ministry may have in the present parliament very much depend on our knowlege of those who are our opponents . Considering the circumstances under which we acceded to office , I certainly did not expect within a fortnight of his resignation to find in the prime mover of difficulties against the government the noble lord the member for London . ( Hear , hear . ) But , great as may be the obstacles we may have to encounter , I confess for myself I do not despair . 1 have confidence in the ' good sense and good temper even of tho existing parliament . If I have miscalculated those qualities , I shall still hold my trust in the sympathy and support of the country —( hear , hear)—convinced that it will support the present government in their attempt to do their duty to their Sovereign , and in their resolution to baffle tbe manojvivres of faction . ( Loud cheers . )

      Lord J . Rcsskll , in responding to this appeal , felt bound , in the first place , to deny .-tho . statement that the present government had taken office , not at their own wish , but because , if they had not , the Queen would have been left without a government , as being wholly inconsistent with the unscrupulous manner in which they had on all occasions endeavoured to place the late ministry in a minority . After voting with Mr . Hume on the income tax , though disagreeing with him in his object—after attacking Lord Clarendon with poisoned arrows , then placing a ynte of want of confidence on the paper and voting against ministers on Lord Palmerston ' e motion , it was rather too much to say that office had come upon them by surprise . He ( Lord J . Russell ) had felt that such was the nature of that opposition tbat if he wero not driven out of office he

      should be worried out of office . It was not an unprecedented thing for a ministry to take office while in a minority , but the constitutional course in such a case was to call a new parliament at once . The proposition « . f the present ministers , however , was not to dissolve , and endeavour to place themselves in a majority , but to carry on the whole business of the country while in a minority . Upon the great questions of what was to be the price of the people ' s food , whether a tax was to be reimposed , of which five-sixths went to the land and only one-sixth to the Exchequer , and what was to be the colonial policy of the government , they were to be left in the dark till next February . The object appeared to him to be to keep office until the register was looked at , and then to go to the country as circumstances might make most convenient , either as Protectionists or Frea Traders . This was not

      constitutional government . He defended the late government fer not dissolving , on the ground that they would have been using the perogative of the crown to keep themselves in power . The system of Free Trade based on the principles of political economy , and proved by experience , had contributed not only to the improvement of the people , but had brought a largo surplus to the Exchequer ; and was it reasonable or constitutional that a government , having declared themselves opposed to a Free Trade policy , should be allowed to leave ' the question in abeyance , whether or not that policy should be continued—whether or not such surplus should bo devoted to the carrying out of that policy to its fullest extent , or in reversing it . On this and other great questions Mr . Disraeli , with the word " frankness" upon his lips , had given no explanation whatever . Such a delusion , ho remarked , had never before been practised upon a people .

      Mr , Hebries charged the noble lord and his friends with carrying on a factious opposition . He denied the advantages said to have resulted from Free Trade , and quoted a variety of statistics to show that the recent change in our navigation laws had been- to throw much of the carrying trade into the hands of foreigners . Sir J . GiiAnm rose , he said , in consequence of tho challenge of Mr . Disraeli to state the grounds of the opposition he was assumed to be about to offer to Her Majesty's government , and be would explain the view he took of the present crisis of public affairs . He was not about to offer any factious opposition to the government ; but the question now at issue , he considered , affected the happiness and well being of every inoividual in the community . It was not a question of a 5 s . or a 7 s . duty upon corn , but whether

      the whole of a commercial policy should bo reversed , the result of which had far exceeded tbe most sanguine expectations of its authors . He-had no doubt whatever as to the policy intended by tbe present government—namely , to dissolve parliament , for thepurpose of imposing a duty upon imports , and among them a duty upon corn . In order to prove this , he read a series of avowals made by Lord Derby , that a reversal of the free-trade policy was indispensable His lordship ' s explicit declaration to this effect had prevented Mr . Gladstone last year , and Lord Palmerston lately , from becoming his colleagues in the government . The Chancellor of the Exchequer had disclaimed any appeal ad misericordiam ; but the Earl of Derby had expressly said he knew he was in a minority in that house , and that ho relied upon its forbearance ; and he ( Sir James ) denied that any

      instance could be found in parliamentary history of such an admission and such an appeal , which , he contended , were at variance with our representative system . Addressing himself , then , to the allegation that agricultural property had diminished , he denied its accuracy , which was inconsistent with the facts , that , while the surface of arable land had not decreased , large sums had been expended in draining and manure , and . that 355 , 000 acres of waste land had beon enclosed in England alone . Meanwhile taxes had been remitted to the amount of £ 4 , 200 , 000 , and yet the reeeipts-into' the Exchequer had increased by £ 4 , 800 , 000 . Sir James stated various facts in corroboration of his assertion that our late commercial policy bad been eminently successful , and warned the house , in earnest and solemn terms , of tho consequences of

      reversing that policy , the maintenance of which was the single object he had in view in joining the Opposition , " I ' have iieard it stated that this government , whose policy is stated not in details , but generally , to be a protective system , are bent upon introducing a system which the head of the government in the other !> ouse described as conducive to ' peace on earth and good will towards men . ' ( Hear , hear . ) Solemn and awful words ! ( Hear . ) Holy words . ( Hear . ) Words of the harbingers of glad tidings and of heavenly messengers , who came , with healing on their wings , on their message of mercy to mankind . Sir , can it be truly stated tbat this policy was ever of tbat description which could be said to bring peace on earth and goodwil towards men ? I pass by the watchword of' Up , Guards ; and at them . ' ( A laugh . ) But I say I am

      satisfied tbat if this policy ia adopted it is not peace that it will bring , but illfeeling , discontent , and such animosities between class and class as you do not expect , and the consequences of which I cannot foresee . ( Cheers . ) The other day the Secretary at War was re-elected for North Essex . He described the great advantages of a tax on corn , when a voice from the crowd called out ' Cheap bread . ' What was tho reception given to that- man ? The candidate said he was ' not an elector of North Essex , but one of the crowd ofBraintree . He appealed not to men from the factories of Braintree , but to men who had votes in the county . ' ( Hear , hear . ) I donofcfear the ultimate reversal of Free Trade in the country , whatever the state of its representation may be , but if its representatives say that they will disregard the opinion of the rabble on tbe question of cheap bread , I very much fear the result . " ( Hear . ) Sir James concluded with an anecdote and a pledge . " But I check my ardour . I remember tbe last conversation which I

      ever had with Sir It . Peel . It was upon the eve of that great discussion upon our foreign policy in which he and I found it our painful duty to vote against a government which upon other accounts and , more especially upon the account of their support of a Free Trade policy , we had usually assisted . It was impossible not to look to the consequences of that vote , and I pointed out to Sir R . Peel the possibility that the government would be overthrown , and asked him what would then ensue ? He - said , « I know that in this country , without party connexions , no man can govern . I know that my party ties are dissolved , and I am not prepared to renew them , and do not ' desire , to renew them . But , ' come what may , there is no effort that . I Will not make to maintain that Free Trade policy , which I believe to be indispensable for the maintenance of peace and happiness in this country : ' ( Loud cheers . ) Sir , I do not possess the abilities of my right hon . friend , but I possess his determination , And , like him , there is no effort I will not be prepared to make , and no sacrifice I will not be prepafed to % mergo' to uphold that jolicy ;

      Monday, March 15. Irnr Sb Of Lords.—The ...

      which , in my heart and conscience , I bvliove to be necessary for the peace , tho happiness , and the well being of my follow countrymen . " ( The right hon . baronet resumed his seat m on the front Opposition bench amid loud and prolonged oheerinj . ) . Mr Wauolr ( the new Home Secretory ) repticd in an able . ind conciliatory . speech . The government did not mi-an torevcive the Free Trade Policy , but thoy thought it should be so altered and modified as not to press unjustly upon nnv one class . Lord Derby had said that if the wellexpressed opinion of the peop le of this counuy was against i duty upon articles of food , partly for protection and partly for revenue he would not moot tho question again . Lord J . Russell had accused them of taking an unconstitutional course ; whereas they wero taking tho only course they could take under the circumstancesand ' a course justmed

      , by precedent . They had been broueht into power lor two reasons—because the noble lord could not carry on the business of the country according to his own views , and because there was no other party sufficiently strong , or enjoying tho confidence of the house , to take the reins of power . The case wks therefore totally different from the precedents which had been cited . Mr . Gladstoke regarded the subject in two points of view—first , the duty of the house in regard to the position of _ the government ; sewndlv , its duty in respect to the question of Protection . Upon tho first point he observed that tho house was entitled to ask from the government a distinct assurance that after the despatch of tleces ^ nry

      business the crown would be advised to appeal to the country . To obtain that assurance was tho main duty incumb' nt upon the housc j which should not allow subjects not of pressing necessity to be dealt with by a government in a minority . With respect to the other point , it was said thero was no intention to reverse tho policy of Free Trade , only to alter and modify it ; but he was opposed to the modification as well as to tho reversal of that policy , and be desired to bring the question to a prompt and final decision , if not in this parliament , in a few months in another . On tho whole , he was disposed to press one moderate and just demand upon the government , that tho business of tho country should be expedited with all possible despatch , and that the crown should thon be advised to appeal to the

      sense of tho people . Mr . B . Cochrane condemned the factious opposition offered to the new government . Lord Palmerstos gave a guarded support to the Derby Cabinnt . He thought the ' houso should show forbearance to ministers to cnaUe them to carry on the business which must be gone through before a dissolution , but that done it was the duty of the government to take the sense of tho country on the great questions which it was understood they intended to submit , and then to call parliament together at the earli-.-st possible moment . Ho had no doubt that the verdict of the country , when taken , would he for the maintenance of Free Trade .

      Mr . G . Berkeley , Sir J . Tyrrell , Mr . ftewdegste , and Mr . Booker , spoke on tho Protectionist , Mr . M . Gibson , Mr . Oswald , and Sir A . Cackburn , on the Free Trade sid

      Irish National Schools . —A lengthened conversation on this subjoct-originated in a question put by the ^ Urquia of Clanricarde to ' the government , whether it was their intention to propose any alteration in tho present application of public money to educational purposes in Ireland . He expressed his conviction that any amelioration in the condition of Ireland must bo based , in tbe first instance , on tha diffusion of education in that country . Tbe present system worked well , lie believed : it had been prepared with great care and deliberation , after lone consultation with the hier archy of the country , and since its

      first establishment its sphere of operation had continued on tho' increase , and there were at present 4 , 600 schools , with 562 , 000 children receiving instruction under it . He would take it upon himself to say that the education given could not be equalled in any ciivilized country , and ho therefore read with much pain a speech lately delivered by the present Attorney-General for Ireland , casting blame upon the system , and indicating an intention on the part of Government to do away with it . He should bo glad to hear from tho noble earl , who had himself been the organ of introducing that system of education into Ireland , that no such intention was entertained by him .

      The Earl of Dehuy said , that no person could take a deeper interest in these schools than himself- He had watched their progress with great anxiety , and had reason to be hiehly satisfied with their general results ; but thora were defects that required amendment . Lord Clarendon himself had thought the subject a fit one for a parliamentary committee . He thought it would be well if such committee would take into consideration how far the system as it at present existed was a practicable and combined system , and how far it was possible to introduce a system in Ireland which would take from it the charge of exclusiveness , aud extend to all classes the benefits of education ; and , considering how few the points wero in which Protestants and Catholics were disagreed , to inquire how far tho system could bo made to work in harmony in its details ;

      and how far the Presbyterian schools , acting on the principles recommended by the board , could be induced to agree in that system ; and how far in the south and west of Ireland , where the great bulk of the population were Roman Catholic , and where the majority of the schools were Roman Catholic , under Roman Catholic priests and Roman Catholic schoolmasters ( of which he did not complain ) could he induced to enter into a well considered system of . combined and practical education . Such an inquiry would not be derogatory to the system , and would remove much misapprehension . The Marquis of Lansdowne approved of tho suggestion of the noble earl , as to the appointment of a parliamentary committee ; but trusted that no material disturbance of it system which had been found to work so well , would result from its labours .

      Lord Desart wished that Protestants and Catholics had taken more interest in the success of the system . Lord Bodes hoped that if any change were adopted in the system , it would be such as to encourage sound Protestant principles , and trusted that tho government now in office would goto the country on such principles as would best promote civil and religious liberty . Lords Monteagle , Donoughmoro , Clanricarde , and De Ros , having addressed the house , the subject dropped , and their lordships then adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Tote nv BALtoi .-Mr . H . Berkeley gave notice , that on the 80 th inst ., he should move for leave to bring in a bill to make Vote by Ballot the law of the land .

      Parliamentary Reform . —M . L . Kino gave notice , tbat this day fortnight , he should move for leave to bring in a bill to assimilate the franchise and procedure at electiona for counties in England to those in boroughs , namely , to make the right of voting a £ 10 rental , and to limit the polling to one day , Renewed complaints of the exceedinlgy defective ventilation of the house were made by Lord Gaosvsraou and otbes i members . The noble lord said : —Last night , when the 5 house was full , he had consulted tbe gentlemen sitting » around him , regarding the ventilation , and they had found 1 it exactly the same as he had . They had all declared that t

      they folt a sort of burning all round tbe bead , a swelling oi ii the temples which induced with some species of nervous 3 fever , and with others a sort of apopletic sleep . ( Hear ,:, hear , and laughter . ) Hon . gentlemen might laugh , but . 6 this was a very serious matter . He had tried for relief in n every part of the house—in one gallery there was a cold . d breeze which gradually increased to a gale of wind—in theie other thero was a stench and impurity of atmosphere to which wero quite intolerable . If members went on long , j , coming to the house every day , and sitting for several il hours there , the result would be very serious injury toto their health and incapacity to perform their duties . 3 . ( Hear , hear . )

      Health op the Metropolis . —In answer to questions 13 from Mr . T . S . Buncombe , the Home Secretarv stated , 1 , that the subject of an improved water supply to the metro- opolis was under the consideration of the government ; aSj s likewise , the best means of carrying out extramural inter- r » ment ; but , how far such measures could be carried out this ia session , would depend on the duration of Parliament , ami id the means at the disposal of government . The Crystal Palace . —In reply to a question from the iie same hon . gentleman Lord J . Manners said tbe government nfc would not interfere with the arrangement which wouloUd necessitate the removal of the Crystal Palace on the 1 st of of May . Frauds on Pdblic Offices , —Mr . G . Thompson moveded . for a select committee to inquire into certain frauds saidiidl to be perpetrated in the delivery of coals in tho publioliCl offices and dockyards . Mr . Hume seconded the motion .

      Mr . Stajtobd could not agree to the appointment of tbetbei committeej as he conceived it would lead to no useful re « re « i suit . The gallery was cleared for a division , but none tookjok ; place , Mr .. Thompson having withdrawn his motion . ; Post-office Labels . —Mr . Musts moved for a commitieateei to inquire into the alleged injustice done to Mr . Archer , thethei inventor of the perforated labels , by the Post-office , butiiltiiltimutely consented to withdraw his motion for a more ^ " prehensive one , moved by Mr . Grogan , which was agreeaeeol to-namely , the appointment of a select committee to in- inquire and report ' upon the present mode of en £ ' «* s * j printing , and gumming the postage label and stamps ; an * nd likewise whether and how the perforating machine ™ tedKed by Mr . Archer could be applied to tbosame with advantageagO !

      to the public . j I .. ¦ SooTOT . RmwTs .-Mr . J . Btwtt moved yesolutm ^ on ,, calling on the government to make ag . an £ of now fn fn tho construction of a railway from Oban , in ArgyleBhire , to . t Glasgow and he justified his app ication on the gronndnnti that the railway wnld pwmoto the well-being ; of th ( th « people of the Western B # l »»* « d . ^ g $ ™ tland Uld that tho outlay would be repaid , anjJ , ft at such being , tbAthw case it was their duty to come forward and make the tee tea Suired aSLce . He would not however , call for the gran-ram until tho government had satisfied themselves of its necejeceEE sitv to carry out the railway , and that its conattuctioictio ! would repay the government Mr Mao qrboor supported the motion . , The Chabcbu-oh of the . Exchequer remarked , that mt m case had been made out for a grant ia aid , and reconecora mended the mover to apply to tbe Loan . ' CommiBaionexs texs « Public Works , who would give assistance wherever thr thi claim was legitimate .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 20, 1852, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20031852/page/7/