Star. — London, England, 1819-01-15 00:00:00

T P I I 0. A ~,` , . ~~ the national redo—of expressing those grate ful praises, • an honourable mind considers the best reward—in short, of administering the strongest in centive to high and glorious deeds—(hear, hear). I should be adiluied, if I didnot here state, in the brief and comprehensive words of one who filled this elevated -- situation, an outline of its duties. The sen tence savours of the quaintness of antiquity—but it ' is not the less valuable on that account. Mr. Serjeant Glanville, who was Speaker in the reig n of I. informed his Sovereign, that he has elected to be the Speaker of the House of Commons—to be the mouth, and, indeed,: the servant of the House—to steer watchfully and prudently through all their pro ceeedings—Acreellect, faithfully and impartially, the votes and genuine sense of that great and numerous Assembly—and to represent, when necessary, their deliberations and petitions, with truth, with right, with life, with lustre, and with the utmost advantage, to his Most Excellent Majesty. Those duties, Sir, which are performed within our walls, constitute but a small part, and not the most important, of the great functions committed to the Speaker. We select him as the guardian and protector of our rights— but we also select him for the performance of duties, in the due discharge of which we are less interested than the people at large—duties, the execution of which must affect even the remotest posterity. We do not select him merely to make a formal demand of those rights and privileges which were claimed and asserted by our ancestors—which are as much ours as our lives and general liberties—no, we select him as the sentinel; to guard against all slight en croachments on our privileges—to detect those tri vial departures from established forms, which are the wore dangerous, because, from their apparent want of importance, they are likely to escape attention, old the danger to be apprehended from them seems to be too ren.ote to demand an immediate interfe rence. The necessity of providing a check against such contingencies is pointed out by rea , :on and by history. It has been well remarked, that in all free, and conseqaently complicated Governments, cases of dispute between different established orders of the State would sometimes occur—and, without the ex ertion of unremitting vigilance on the part of each of those bodies whose rights were concerned, it was, impossible to guard against encroachments, the con sNuence of which was exceedingly dangerous. It is impassible for any person to take the most imperfect view of the history of this House—it was impossible for any person to give the most rapid and cursory glance at its increased influence in the State—not to ob.erve the unrelaxing jealoasy with which the House has almost invariably resisted even the slight est encroachments. To nothing are we so much in debted fur the enjoyment of those rights which the House has most at heart—which establish its quality with the other branch of the Legislature —I mean the right of originating*taxes, of commencing every measure in which the public money is concerned— that great privilege which we can rebut every attempt, coming from any other quarter, to interfere with - the property of the people—to no cause are we so much indebted for the preservation of that right, as to the constant and anxious solicitude with which the House of Commons has looked out for, and pro. vided against dan"ers, that could only be discerned by the keer , ,est and most observant eye—{hear, hearv. It is not possible to examine the Journals, of the House without remarking the scrupulous nicety with which it has viewed a departure from the most mi • nute forma. Danger, it was felt, might be connected with the amendment to some private Bill—might • arise from the appropriation of a forfeiture--or be occasioned by seine other matter, equally trivial in appearance, which inattention or neglect might pass over unnoticed—but which, in the result, might affet, not merely those immediately interested, but even the remotest generations. For the adequate performance of such duties as I have described, great and various qualifications are necessary--qua lifications, not inconsistent nor incompatible with each ether, but which we rarely find possessed by an individual. We require of our Speaker, in the discharge of his duty, unwearied attention, prompt decision, the utmost presence of mind, and, in the dispatch of business, the greatest facility. On ac count of the nature of our transactions, we require from our Speaker that persevering steadiness of disposition, that regularity and accuracy, which are sometimes supposed not to accompany thcbe faculties -that characterise men of high ability.— He must possess that species of mind which can take • a comprehensive view of the greatest events that occur in the history of our country, and yet, when occasion commands, can withdraw its faculties from those interesting subjects, and descend to the investi gation of some seemingly unimportant matter—a point of order, a forgotten precedent, or an obsolete form. It is necessary for me, Sir, to make some apo logy for alluding to the qualifications which are re quired in a person selected to fillthe ofllccof Speaker. The only excuse I have to offer is the usual custom, and the great number of new lkiembers returned to the present Parliament. I will now„, Sir, proceed to the more immediate object for which liave risen, namely, to propose to the House the selection of an • individual to undertake this honourable but difficult office. And, in doing this, I assure the House, that I would not suffer myself to be betrayed into this proceeding by private friendship—that I would not have stood forward on this occasion, if I had not felt a strong conviction that the proposition would be in unison with the feelings of the Douse, and a confi dent hope that it would meet their almost unanimous wishes. I trust, Sir, that in proposing to the House, that he, to whom this most important trust was con fided by our predecessors, be continued—that the Right Hon. Charles Manners Sutton be again placed • in the Chair—l shall meet with the general support' of those whom I have the honour of addressing— (Lout/cheers.) The experience we have had of his conduct in that exalted situation, has of course, been short. But, such as it has been, I may, with confi dence, appeal to those who hear me, whether it did not fully justify all the expectations - of his friends ? (hcar, hear) —whether it has not borne out all those admissions, which were made by those who; ▪ while they recorded their preference of another, gave testimony of the high sense they entertained cif his talents and.his virtues ?--(hear, hear.) Sir, these li beral admissions were drawn forth, not only by the esperiente of his conduct in the situation of Speaker, that, of course, could not be—but by the recollec- tion of his demeanour in anothet office, which re quired, . for the perfect performante of its duties, /many qualities similar to those necessary to the for mation of an eScient Speaker. The situation to which I allude demands constant attention, which is indis- Pensible for the administration of all justice, but isl peculiarly necessary for the administration of that branch of it which was intrusted to his superinten dance. From the great extent of the military body, over the judicial ad ministration - of which be presided, an undeviating attention was demanded. Beyond this, the situation reouired great knowledge of man-' kind—great delicacy, from the nature of the business which was to be transacted, and the rank and habits of those with whom he had to commune—great pa tience—great vigilance—great equanimity, and deep fore-thought. Sir, the tenor of that office imposed on him the duty of taking a part in the deliberations Of this House, when military subjects, connected with his dutiet, were introduced—and I am sure I' can safely say, to those who hear me, and to those who were more immediately connected with such sub j ects, that he defended his opinions and conduct , with that warmth and earnestness, which never lost sight of decorous feeling—with that honourable zeal and boldness which were inseparable from conscious innocence —(Hear, hear.) But, although he mani fested, on every occasion, the warmth and sincerity of an upright heart, he constantly avoided the use of a single expression that could pain the mind or wound the feelings—(hear, hear.) He took his share in the contest fairly, but he never created an enemy—and, if it be his lot to be again called on to preside over I our deliberations; he will enter on his high office, certain that he had never excited any hostile, any personal feeling—(hear, hear)—assured that be had never overstepped those bounds of forbearance and moderation, which, if elected to the Chair, were so' essential,to" the just maintenance of its dignity and character—(Ulcer, hear.) With respect to his other qualifications I will not speak. There are some of a particulN,r and personal nature—his facility of access, thereadiness vith which he imparted information, his mild and ccncaiatory manners--of these I cannot suppose you are ignorant. In alluding to the quali fications which I conceive to be necessary in a Speaker, there is one, Sir, which I wish particularly to notice. Whatever may be the talents and attainments of a Speaker, I consider it absolutely necessary that he should possess the confidence of the House—(hear, hear.) That confidence, no talents, no attainments, no rank can alone command, but a ready deference is paid to high integrity and lofty indepentleace.— It is upon this principle, the principle of general con fidence, that the individual whom I propose must succeed. lie had sought and obtained the confidence of the Iluuse, and, without it, all the efforts of his authority must be useless—(:lcer). It is, Sir, an honourable, and perhaps a peculiar distinction of this country, that rank and :althorn) , alone are regarded —and that what we consider private character, com mands great and deserved distinction, and sheds additional lustre ott the brightest talents--(Hear, /tear). Now, Sir, if there be any office in which it is peculiarly desirable that purity of private character should be observed, it r, in that of Speaker of the House of Commons—ar. office, the powers of which are often exercised a-uidst the warmth of party feel ing—exercised in the approbation of honourable ac tions, and the censure of base ones—exercised, it ought never to be f rgotten, where the votes of the' House are so equally divided, are so nicely bid, lanced, that we intrust to the Speaker the power of giving force and validity to our resolutions, or of Imparting the whole weight of law in what would otherwise be reduced to waste paper. Men in ho nourable confidence is earned and obtained, we then give to the decisions of a Speaker, not a reluctant submission to their force, but a ready acquiescence in their justice—(lleer, hear). If, Sir, I am right—if think correctly when I say, that the atithority of the station is much increased, by that respect which we naturally pay to men distinguished as well by virtue as by talents, then I can recommend, still more strongly, the Right Honourable Gentleman, whom I have named. I know it would be indecorous to men tion private life. But, without raising the veil that ,conceals plicate life from public observation, I may appeal to every man who knows him, and ask, whe ther, in their intercourse with mankind, they have ever met with purer principle, with higher character, with more spotless integrity, than lie has ever main tained?—(Hear.) In times when the acts of public men arc not lightly passed over—when motives, not the most charitable, are frequently imputed to them —the spotless integrity of my Right Honourable Friend has been admired and admitted by all—( Hear, hear). I shall now, Sir, conclude with moving— " That the Bight Honourable Cnarles Manners Sutton be appointed Speaker of this I louse." Lord CLIVE.—" Sir, when I consider the impor tance of the situation of Speaker—when I reflect on the abilities necessary to fill it effectively—and the knowledge, both of the law and the constitution, which are requisite to enable an individual, entrusted with the office, to perform his duty correctly to this House—l feel that a very great difficulty exists in finding a person fit to undertake those functions. When, in addition to this, I consider the temperate feeling, the patience, the attention to the debates con stantly occurring in this House, frequently under cir cumstances which provoke animated discussion) and arc calculated to call forth all these stores of know ledge, which a Speaker ought to possess—when I contemplate the necessity which exists for the con centration of these qualities in an individual, I am still more impressed withthe difficulty of procuring one capable of filling the situation. It is his first duty to preserve that cider which is so essential iq a deliberative assembly. It is for him, paying proper respect to the House, to restrain that impetuosity, which sometimes occurs in debates, by a temperate and well-timed appeal, without forgetting . what is due to the individual in error—and, on every ocea sion, when circumstances 'required it, he should be prompt in manifesting that knowledge, and, I must add, that impartiality, without which the Chair can not be properly filled. In addition to these duties, let me not forget others of a very important nature— and not the less important, because -a6t seen by the' ' public eye. Those Bills, by which million& &pro.' peaty are disposed of, are placed es pe cially under his observation—to him is allotted the laborious task of examining them. There it cm; qualification, which, beyond all others, is necessary in the formation of a Speaker—that of bearing an unblemished and pure put:die character. This ought to be considered in choosing individuals for all great offices—but, in the selection of Speaker, it is doubly important. Happily, Sir, we have had, as my Right Honourable Friend hai just stated, a certain degree of experience, during the last Parliament, of the temper and abilities of the Right Honourable Gentleman whom he has named —and that, as it appears to me, under circumstances of peculiar difficulty—he having succeeded an indi vidual, whom, without meaning disrespect to ethers, I must describe, as pevhapsrhe most eminent of those highly-gifted persons,, who have filled the situation of Speaker since the commencement of the present King's reign —(Hear, hear). Of this lam sure, that no man ever paid more attention to this House—or more completely enjoyed its esteem and confidence —(Hear, hear). Under such circumstances , the Right onourable Charles Manners Sutton fulfilled the complicated duties of Speaker, so as fairly to de serve the eloquent eulogium which my Right Hon. Friend has pronounced. He had secured that cha racter in the House, for attention, impartiality, and ability, which completely justifies my Right Honour able Friend in offering him to our notice ;his day.— , That the proposition submitted to the House will be supported, I cannot doubt—and I could not refuse myself the satisfaction of appearing amongst those who were anxious to do justice to the Right Hon. Gentleman's merits—being perfectly satisfied, if it sheuld please the House to adopt the recommenda tion of my Right lion. Friend, that, so long as he fills the office of Speaker, he will perform his various duties in such a manner as to merit our approbation and justify our choice. He will, 1 am confident, sup port the honour and dignity of Parliament within our walls—and, wheneverjt is necessary to claim an interview with the other branches of the Legislatin e, he will secure for himself, and for us, that res?ect, which every well-wisher to Great Britain must al ways desire to be felt by each body in the State to wards the other. Under these circumstances, it would ill become me, after the eloquent speech of my Right Hon. Friend, looger to detain the House, than while I state, that I most cordially second the motion which has just been made." Mr. BARNETT—" I rise to crave the attention of this House while I express my cordial assent to the Motion which has just been made, for the ap pointment of the Right lion. Charles Manners Sut ton as our Speaker for the present Session. Let it be remembered, as no small tribute to the talents and high character of this Gentleman, that he was called upon to succeed a person whose great experience in our Chair, whose learning, comprehension, and acute ness, made him justly formidable for his Parliamen tary knowledge to any successor, whatever might be his character ; and let it also be remembered, that, in following such a man, Mr. Sutton discharged the high duties of his station with full cfliciency, and the utmost satisfaction to all sides of the House.—( fleas, Acar.)—l hope he will long enjoy, to his satisfaction and that of the Ilouse, the dignified station to which he is now about to be called, and that he will, conti nue to perform its various slid complicated duties hi the same manner that he has already done, with promptitude, integrity, and impartiality.' ( Hear.) Mr. CHARLES M. surruN then rose in his place, and spoke as follows— ,, I never felt more real uneasiness than I now do, in faintly endeavouring to express my sincere gratitude to my Right Honour able and Noble Friends for the motion they have just • and the manner in which they have expressed their opinions of my conduct and character ; and also to this house for the manner in which it received, the proposition, and the flattering speeches which ac-' companied it. It is impossible for me not to consider and feel how far my Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Peel) has, in his proposition to this House to-day, through feeling, of private regard, outstepped his usual accu racy is the enumeration of the qualifications he has attributed to me. I owe to his liberal construction of the performance of my duties the high compli ments he has; aid me—and I also feel, in the man ner in which they have been this day received, how uniformly it is the characteristic of this House to ac knowledge and repay any exertions which are well intended for the execution of the duties it imposes, however limited may be their character and extent. Of all this kindness and considerate indulgence of the House, I, who stood so much in need of both, have already had abundant proof. And yet the expression of approbation of my former conduct in the Chair— that expression too, from those whose good opinion I must ever cherish as the most valuable reward which an honourable man can receive—from those who wit nessed my humble services, such as they were, in the discharge of my duties in the last Parliament—that expression of approbation, 1 must repeat, is one which necessarily calls forth my warmest gratitude, and must ever impress upon my mind the deep obligations which I owe to those who have conferred it upon me. In every word which has fallen from the Honourable Gentlemen who have preceded me, respecting the difficulties and important duties which are to be per formed by the person who is destined to fill the Chair of this House, -I fully and entirely concur. They are difficulties in their nature sufficient to make the man, be he whom he may, distrustful of his own abilities. I am, I am sure distrustful' f mine for the due dis charge of so high a trust but yet I can earnestly assure this House, that if it a second time confers upon me the high honour of filling its Chair, 'my most constant and unwearied efforts shall be directed to the fulfilment of the trust reposed. in me—relying now, and at all times, that I shall receive a continu ance of that of which I have already had such an abundant experience—l mean the indulgence and kindness of the House, in construing my efforts to support the dignity of the Chair." Loud cries of 66 Chain_ chair!" followed the deli very of this speech, and Mr. CHARLES MANNalti &revert was conducted from his seat to the Chair by Mr. Pen. and Lord Cravz ; when he took his seat, he was loudly cheered from all sides of the House. The Right Hon. Gentleman then rose in the Chair, and addressed the House as follows : “ In offering my most respectful and cordial thanks to the House for having conferred upon me the . highest 'honour which it has in its power to be stow, I have only, with the utmost sincerity, to assure the House, that I will strain every nerve to justify the choice it has made, and retain the confidence which led to that choice, by a straight, steady, faith ful, and impartial discharge of the duties you have entrusted to me."—( Loud c r ies of Hear, hear.) Mr. CANNING 'then rose and said—g' tkingt a move the adjournment of this House, and i n ad , dressing you, Sir, fur the first time since yon v ete called on to till that Chair, I cannot refiain t ;003 offering my congratulations, nor so much to yo u , to whom they are yet so largely due, but to House itself, upon the choice which it has just mad e of a Member to preside over its deliberations—ft . / 4i , hear). The various and important functions l )? 1, t ing to your high station, Sir, have been already aptly and eloquently enumerated and dwellel up ra by the Gentlemen who have preceded me, th at rb. thing of description of those functions remain for me to attempt to elucidate. What we have just hosed from you, Sir, is a striking proof of your just use of the station you fill, how greatly you uudersta n d your various duties, and how firmly determill e d vo a are to discharge them, as becomes the Speaker a House—(Near). But, Sir, whatever implicit crt. t we may be disposed tb pay to the pmmise a x declarations of a man of honour and ilitegriN„ have yet, on the present occasion, something In than promises and declarations, however justly they may be appreciated; to assure us of tba fa ment of our expectations, that you will dischnr. your duty as you ought. We have, Sir, year example—we have the experience of your owa • vice in the same capacity in th.: last l'arliar.re:... which gave us the fullest (npectation, if .not most implicit confidence, o:at you would ev•rci.. your efforts to support and assert the priyile ; tr which belong to this House. You, Sir, were la. year electe.t alter a contest with a Gcrtlemat. be put in competition with whom - w as ragement, hat, on the contrary, a cre,iit man, be his character what it tray—Wear,lc..l Yet I am not sure whether the contest on that ylf or the unanimity on this, reflects the greater creel upon you, or, indeed, upon all the parties concenie. Oa the past occasion. the Members, while deciiiin' between the talents and pretensions of each parz.. naturally threw into the scale of one and the othi their predilections and prevaiences—yet in no one it. stance was the slightest disposition shewn to undo value the qualifications of the respective Candidate , The unanimity which has bean now shewn in your re . election is a compliment to you,. Sir, as high as it i wise—it is high, because it is the homage which we pat to your efficacy and integrity in the discharge of you: duties—and it is wise, because it shews to you, Sir. that in the preference which we gave when you rex joined in a contest with such a man as f'e to wham you were opposed, we looked forward and expectedte receive from you a more than ordinary atterricn, diii gence and activity, in presiding over our delihmaiens ' That you, Sir, have redeemed our expectations, and fulfilled our wishes, we have this day given you a substantial proof—that you may long Ell that Chair is the wish, I am sure, of every Member who hear me—and I am equally confident I express the gcr.en. opinion, when I say, that so long as ycv shall c.r.- tinue to fill that Chair, so long we ate c-.i . led ta expect that you will preside over all 0 . ,17 and deliberations with a wise, firm, and clEeient 2...:- thority—and with an impartiality which, while proclaims your fitness for the station you fill, will render it at the same time evident to all, that you art servant of the whole House, and not the : organ of any particular party it may contain. Weexpect, Sir, that you will interpcie your author ity with dignity and temper, and that you will at all times evince an anxious desire to confine our debates within the limits of order. That you may long go on in conciliating the goad wishes of all, is, I am persuaded, as much our wish, as it is our confident anticipation ; and as you hate united on this occasion all our suffrnges, so, I firmly trust, you will on all future ones comm on! our uni versal confidence and highest respect— ihear, hear!. As there is no business at present before the Horse, it only remains for me, Sir, to move that we do nor; adjourn." M. BRAGGE BATIirIIST seconded this motinn, and the House immediately adjourned without the usual form of putting the question from the Chair, the Speaker not being formally invested with thr duties of his office, until he receives the concurreit: of the Crown to his nomination by the House. THE EVENING STAR, LONDON. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1319. THE FUNDS. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLCCR : Bank Stock 269 2681—Bank Long Inns, 201 6-16 Reduced 78i14-3 per Cent. Cons. 773 a et. div. Cons. for Account, 791-11-3 i per Cent. 871- 4. per Cent. 96113-5 per Ct. Navy 106i1} ex. diy. India Bonds 86 87 pre.—South-Sea Stock 863/ Old Annuities 78i—Olunium 11 pre. Exchequer Bills (2d.) 19 21 pre. A more detailed account than we were able to sir? yesterday, of the proceedings at the opening of alf new Parliament, will be found in our preceilitv, columns. After the Commons had returned from the of Peers to. their own Chamber, Mr. PEEL, the laa Secretary for Ireland, rose, and in a very handsorrx speech proposed the election of the Right Iloa. CHARLES MANNERS SUTTOK, who bad so ably the Chair during the closing session ..of .the last-Par liament, to the office of SPEAKER. The motion seconded by Lord CLIVE, supported by Mr. BAli- NETT, the Member for Rochester, and. unanimoutii adopted. The Speaker Elect was then conducted to the Chair in the usual form, and returned thar.ks to the House for the high honour thus coafeired u pcn him a second time. Mr. CANNING then moved ;in adjournment, and (it congratulating the House cn t•`.c choice they had made, availed himself of the opper tunity of passing an : additional and eloquent ado gism on the Right Honourable SPEAKER. At two o'clock to-day, the Lords assembled, whri Mr. MANNERS -SUTTON, accompanied by scvrral Members of the House of Commons, appe*ted ac the Bar, and notified to ,tic lords cummissioncm tiien Lords' ness t l acting The re turn day'" i of ge t:on i.rn :r ' . f ftJ out lea the the T ~~