The Press.
London, England, 1855-08-18 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

SATURDAY,

Mr. GLADSTONE commenced by observing that the argument of the
Hon. Gentleman was antagonistic to the first principles of political
morality. (" Hear, hear," from Sir J. Graham.) The post of Chairman,
so far as he had been able to investigate the question in its complicated
variety of aspects, could only be regarded as an honour conferred in a
righteous recognition of distinguished services. It was from that
point of view that he advocated the motion of his Right Hon. friend.
(Sir J. Graham.) The Noble Earl had entitled himself to the grati-
tude of the country by the firm and vigorous manner in which he
prevented the prosecution of the war. If it had not been for his Noble
friend where would the honour and power of Russia have been now?
He shuddered when he thought of the consequences which would have
ensued had the benevolent policy of the Coalition Cabinet been un-
timely frustrated ! (A thrill of sympathetic horror was here seen to
convulse Lord Aberdeen's frame.) It was perfectly true they had been
parties to the declaration of the war. But, he would ask, had his
Noble friend failed to prove himself worthy of that lively regard and
generous confidence which that great man, now gone from amongst
us—(here the Right Hon. Gentleman became deeply affected, and
wept freely in Mr. Hamilton's pocket-handkerchief)—the sainted
Nicholas, had shown him ! " Palmain qui Meruit ferat !" The Peelite
party, he felt in his conscience, had entitled themselves to hold a
foremost place among the apostolic champions of peace. There was
not a thoroughfare in the metropolis, from Whitechapel to Padding-
ton, from Covent-garden through Oxendon-street to Carlton-gardens,
where the services of his Noble friend were not publicly acknowledged
and extolled. He should support the proposition of the Right Hon.
Baronet (Sir J. Graham), that being the only one of twenty-six courses
open t.) him.
Miss Hamm= MARTINEAU, as the chosen delegate of the women
of England, should support the presidency of the Noble Earl, for
whose character and career, as a woman, she felt the deepest sympathy.
(The fair speaker sat down amid the waving of Mr. Hamilton's pocket-
handkerchief.)
Sir Jamas GRAHAM then said a word or two in explanation of his
motives, and in vindication of his character. He had nothing to fear,
and nothing to conceal. Deceit was abhorrent to his nature. He
would tell that great meeting the whole truth. He had the highest
respect for his Right Hon. friend (Mr. M. Gibson). He had known
him when he was a promising member of the Conservative party, and
it was pleasing to find they were once more in camp together. But he
must speak without reserve, and say, that to the distinction of taking
the chair on that occasion no one could have such claims, such
superlative claims, as the Noble Earl who was at the head of the late
Government. The war had been effectually starved. They knew the
reason why. Sir Charles Napier had returned from the Baltic with
his fleet and without his temper, and they knew the reason why.
Sweaborg had been most barbarously demolished, as they had heard
that day, by gun-boats. It did not suffer that fate last year, and they
knew the reason why. In conjunction with his Noble friend, now
First Minister of the Crown, they had worked very harmoniously to
preserve the honour of Russia inviolate, and her resources unimpaired.
It construed they had consented to serve under the Noble Viscount;
but it was on the distinct understanding that the foreign policy of
the Coalition would be faithfully adhered to. He should persist
in putting his motion
Lord Jon); RUSSELL then rose, and after a prefatory allusion to the
constitutional liberties of the subject, as guaranteed by Magna Charta,
and a biographical sketch, which occupied forty minutes, of his own
humble services in the cause of civil and religious liberty, so dear to the
heart of his lamented friend Lord Somers, said that having recently
returned from Vienna, he flattered himself he knew what diplomacy
was. There was a great deal to be done by caution and reserve. The
most effective mode of damaging a cause, or injuring a rival, was to
profess to support the one, and venerate the other His noble friend
(Lord Aberdeen) would not fail to allow that he had consistently
acted on that principle. Unmitigated peaceism was a mistake. It
made Downing-street a sort of political Sebastopol, impossible to be
taken. (This allusion to the strength of Sebastopol was received with
great enthusiasm.) The wisest course was to be ready for office
whenever an opportunity might occur. if he knew anything of
French—(lronical cries of " Hear, hear," from Lord Aberdeen).—He
really did not understand the Noble Earl's cheer. If he knew any-
thing of French character, the war would become unpopular, and then
he should be at the service of his Sovereign. He should not vote
either way. (The Noble Lord sat down amid general snoring.)
Mr. COBDEN then spoke for two hours. In the course of his
address he traced the history of Russia from its earliest annals, and
in an elaborate argument satisfactorily proved that cotton and civili-
sation were inseparable.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, in a speech full of smile and sentiment,
supported the original proposition.
As two o'clock had now arrived, it was moved and carried that
the meeting adjourn till that day week. The great assemblage then
dispersed without any confusion or accident. Miss Martineau was
kindly offered Lord Aberdeen's carriage by Sir James Graham, which
she availed herself of.

Mr. HAMILTON having stated he was bound for Poland•street, Mr.
Gladstone said he had got to go into St. James's street, and would,
therefore, be glad to accompany him as far as Panton-street.
Sir B. Hall has kindly promised us any information Of the
further proceedings of the Society which he may be able to collect
from private letters and confidential conversations.

A CRITICISM, COMPREHENSIVE AND SUGGESTIVE.
Dismally dull and dolefully dawdlin%
Unnyson's Maud should be Tennyson's Maudlin'.
J. 1-1,