The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10 00:00:00

THE ADDRESS.

The Queen's Speech having been read by the Lord Chan-
cellor,
Earl Delawarr, who wore the uniform of a general office],
rose to move an Address in reply thereto, fie sail : In the
Speech there wes one topic which might fairly be said
to cast all others into the background. The recovery of
the Prince of Vales had been hailed everywhere with mani-
festations of delight hear, hear,. Whatever might
happen in the future, the nation had its anchor of hope in our
glerlous constitutional monarchy, and in an Illustrious royal
family (hear, hear. The acknowledgment of gratitude of
the Queen would find a responsive echo in every Eng-
lish breast, and was one more solemn recognition that a
Divine Providence over-ruled all human affairs. The
country was now prosperous; both crime and pauperism
were diminished, anti foreign commerce had attained
colossal proportions, which might fairly astonish the world
But we had not yet attained the Ideal condition to which
our anxiety would lead us to aspire, as was shown by
the remedial measures which the Government were about
to propose. Passing to the, special topics of the Queen's
Speech, he was sure their lordships would feel thankful
there was no pros] ect of a disturbance of the general
peace. The public mind had been much agitated within the
last few days on the subject of the claims which had been
made by America -claims which he should not misinterpret
the feeling of the country in declaring to he utterly in-
atimisaible, and could not for a moment be entertained
(hear, hear. Amongst the domestic subjects noticed in
the Speech, their lordships would have been surprised if
the Ballot Bill had not found a place. A measure would
be introduced this year, similar in principle to that
of last year, but considerably amended in details. Looking
at the relations of different dresses of the community, he
came to the cmiclusion that there was a desire for power
and Influence on the one side, anti for increased independence
In the privilege of voting on the other, and that the majority
of the latter desired the protection of the ballot to be thrown
around the vote. This measure would he Incomplete
unless a sincere effort were made to suppress all the mal-
prattices in connection with elections, and the Govern-
ment would bring in a Mil which would deal with those
acts whit-h, he sabl, debased and demoralised large
sections of the population when called upm] to exer-
cise their political rights. Reverting to the illness of
the Prince of Wales, he glanced at the necessity for
Improvements winch local boards could not carry out.
There was a necessity for some central authority to stimulate
the operations of local hoards . lie disregarded noisy
clamour, and argued that Ireland had started on Acareer of

P.....
rogress and prosperity, and that In a es', years all hoattlity
to England aught be expected to disappear.
- -

Lord Powerscourt, in seconding the -Address, dwelt upon
the signs of material prosperity now visible In Ireland, while
s spresalng a doubt whether the full effect of recent Liberal
measures could be reaped during the lifetime of the present
generation.
. . . . . . .

The Duke of Richmond, after a graceful allusion to the t
Illness and happy recovery of the Heir Apparent, criticized
the tone and language of the Speech from the Throne, and
complained of the absence of any allusion to the Army and !
Navy. Ile regretted that greater care had not been used .
to prevent the misunderstanding which had arisen in '
regard to the A lakana Claims, end trusted that the
language used by Her Majesty's Government to
that of the Cnited States would IA characterized by
great friendliness, but also by great decision. Ile
contrasted the el.clarntion made by Mr. Justice Fitzgerald
last November iii titrltlirr, that life and property were not
secure, with the peace and prosperity which were now
allegtel to prevail in Ireland. Assuming that due regard
would be paid to the religious education of the people of
Scotland, arid that the pecuniary interests affected by
the licensing Bill would be considered, he said
that Lord Hartington had completely justified their
lordships in rejecting the Ballot Bill by stating
that a simpler and more effective measure would be brought
forward this Session. He next passed some severe strictures
upon the present Admiralty administration, as illustrated by
the loss of the MegTra, and remarked upon "the absence of
the great scheme of Army Re-organization promised last
Session. Ile trusted that the country would this year he
apared legislation of a sensational character, and that the
Government would frame their measures with a single eye
to the welfare, safety, and comfort of the people.
Lord Granville, who has been long suffering order a severe
attack of gout, but who plcaaantly declined the Bake of
Richmond's suggestion that he should address their lard.
attire from his seat, replied to some of the objections raked
to the Speech. Her Majesty had stated to her Ministers
that it wra her wish to perform every duty incident to
her high station, so far as her health and strength per-
mitted. and it would be his duty to move for a Committee
to niake arrangements for their Lordships attendance
at the National Thanksgiving service at St. Pairs. Passing
to the French Commercial Treaty, he said that the Go-
verriment, while anxious to meet every requirement of
France, were not disposed to take any retrograde step with
regard to Free Trade. The harmony of the political relations
of the two countries, however, remained undisturbed. rpon

the subject of the A Wows Claims It was advisable for the
Government to proceed calmly and deliberately, and he
explained the reasons which had induced them to
make a communication to the United States' Government
of the character Indicated In her Majesty's Speech. Last
Session he explained the interpretation put upon the
Washington 'treaty by Her Majesty's Government, and Sir
stafford Northcote defended the rreaty upon the same
ground, that the claims now set up were believed by the
Cononissioners to be shut out by the terms of the Treaty.
is hen the proper time came for discussing the A labanot
Claims, he should allow', not only the intentions of Her
Majesty's Government, but what they had reason to suppose
were also the intentions of the United States' Goverment.
While the Government would not consent to sacrifice the
rights of this country, nothing should be wanting on their
part to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of the matters in
dispute.
Lord Derby approved measures of sanitary reform and the
regulation of mines as a welcome substitute for constitu-
tional change, and recommended that, as they were non-
measurtw, one should be introduced in that House.
Iteniarki ea on the state of Ireland and the omission of any
allusion to Irish Education in the Speech, he said that all
other questions sank Into insignificance by the side of the
great international complication arising out of the case of the
A laba ma. The origin of the mischief was in sending out a
Special Commission to Washington, for we were previously
in an impregnable position, and our Government had only to
ask the Government of the United States what they had to sug-
gest. At the same time the Government knew what they
believed their otter to be, and if the Americans meant one
thing and we another there was no contract, and the whole
negotiation fell to the ground. If our Government con-
tended that these claims never were Included in the Treaty,
they would have—what no Government in this country had
Possessed In American negotiations for the last eleven years
—the undivhled support of the whole people.
Lord Redesdale urged the necessity of inquiry into railway
management in connection with the proposed' for vast
amalgamations.
The Address was then agreed to without a division, and
their lordships adjourned.