The Press.
London, England, 1856-08-02 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

permitted to say that, when Mr. Crampton received his
letter of departure from the President of the United
States, I from the first strove to discourage any discus-
sion of our relations with the United States upon the
narrow issue of the enlistment dispute. I thought that if
ever that grave debate took place it ought to embrace the
main principle ou which our policy towards that country
ought to be founded. I was persuaded that, if that ais•
cussion had been held in time, the people of England
would have adopted a tone on this subject that would have
relieved the American mind from the only cause which
keeps alive any feeling of jealousy or suspicion towards
this country—namely, the mode in which we presume to
deal with their appropriation of lands. How did the noble
lord behave, when the Minister of the Queen was—l may
say—rudely expelled from Washington ? It was expected
that this country might be involved, if not in war, at least
in a bitter and protracted controversy ; but, on the contrary,
the mild dignity of Conservatism was never more ade-
quately represented than it was by the noble lord on that
occasion. After that occurrence who can suppose that the
noble lord is the firebrand the world fur some time
assumed him to be ? (A laugh.)

Well, sir, under the circumstances, I cannot suppose
that the Government of which the noble lord is at the
head is the representative of liberal opinions. Whether
I look to subjects of internal interest, of to the great ques-
tions of foreign policy, the Government seem to me to be
pursuing a course which is in harmony with conservative
policy and conservative principles. But, because the Go-
vernment are pursuing such a course, are we justified in
saying that parties are broken up? It may be very convenient
for some persons to promulgate this theory. It may be
very convenient for some persons that such rumours should
be circulated ; hut I protest against their authenticity. If
the noble lord and his colleagues are pursuing a conserva-
tive policy, it is an erroneous assumption that the Con-
servative party is therefore extinct. What party is extinct
it is not for me now to say. I would rather leave it to the
country to determine. I know it may be said that it would
be more fair and straightforward, and more in accordance
with the habits of the people of this country, that a con-
servative policy should be carried out by those who are
avowedly conservative statesmen. That may be so;
but I would remind those in the country who maintain
conservative opinions, and who deplore the conse-
quences of a parliamentary session like that now closing,
that they have two sources of consolation in the present
state of affairs.

In the first place, what I think should be, and what
have no doubt will be, the greatest consolation to them, is
to see their opinions prevalent in high places.
They may alsi find consolation in what will be the in-
evitable consequence of the existing system—the delete•
rious influence which it will exercise upon the position of
their rivals, the Liberal party. The Liberal party cannot
exist when its chief and selected men are in power, and
continue to hold office, not only without carrying liberal
principles into effect, but without even avowing frankly
their profession. (Rear, hear.)
I see before me many gentlemen, members of the Go-
vernment, who have obtained their seats in this house by
their protestations to their constituents—by their liberal
engagements with the great Liberal Tarty, and who, by ob-
taining seats in this house, have also obtained seats in the
Administration. It is for them to explain their position to
their constituents and to the great party in the country
with which it is supposed they are connected ; but I call
upon the Conservative party not to lose heart, for if the
present system continue, the Liberal party in this country
will be thrown back fifty years. Nothing can long resist
the deleterious influence of the position in which the
Liberal party are now placed with reference to power, and
the people will, I hope, upon reflection, soon discover the
reason why measures of urgent public necessity are not
passed in this house although they are proposed by a
Minister. The Conservative party will find upon reflec-
tion that from the competitive emulation of great political
parties has sprung that wise and temperate system of Go-
vernment which has so long characterised the history of
this country; they will cherish with still greater interest,
and they will value still more highly, the distinctive prin-
ciples which make them a party ; and when they are told
that the present lamentable state of public affairs is occa-
sioned by the break•up of parties, they at least can say,
" That allegation does not apply to us; we are a conserva-
tive party; we hold conservative opinions ; we are pre-
pared to maintain them ; and if a Minister who has no
opinions cannot pass his measures, he has no right—and
those who defend him have no right—to libel the Constitu-
tion of the cour.try, to which we owe all our reputation
and our greatness." (Cheers.)
The right hon. gentleman concluded by moving
for a return of the number of public bills, and
their titles, the orders for which, in any of their
stages, have been discharged during the present
session, and the date of the discharge of each of such
orders.

MR. PELLATT'S NEW BILL ON IMPRISONMENT FOR
DEBT 18 printed. It proposes that, except in actions
for malicious prosecution, or for deceit, libel, slander,
criminal conversation, or breach of promise of mar-
riage, no process for arrest is to issue. That persons
in custody, except in the cases mentioned, are to be
discharged. Persons discharged may be examined,
and where there is property fit to be administered
under the Insolvent Acts an order may issue to vest
such property in the assignee of insolvents' estates.
Parties may be committed for fraud, &c. In cases
where the judgmant exceeds 3001., the original court
is to have jurisdiction. Arrest is to be reserved on
persons about to leave the country.

727

VrottOings arlianunt.

HOUSE OF LORDS-SATURDAY, JULY 26.

The Commons' amendments to the Bishops of
London and Durham Resignation Bill were con-
sidered and agreed to, and also to the Leases and
Sales of Settled Estates Bill.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-SATURDAY.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

Mr. GLADSTONE moved for copies of any cor-
respondence relating to the recent announcement by
the Government of their intention to discontinue an
allowance of 6001. a year heretofore made to the
Bishops of the Episcopal Communion in Scotland, and
called attention to this subject and to the legal disa-
bilities, not applicable to the ministers of any other
religious denomination in this country, to which the
said bishops and clergy are subjected, in common
with the episcopal clergy of the United States of
America _ _ _

Mr..l3l,Acx seconded the motion.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER admitted
that he could not see any reasonable ground for this
disqualification, wl ich existed under an act of Par-
liament, and must be removed by the same autho-
rity. The Government had no alternative between
placing the grant on the annual votes, which was
highly unadv►sable, and of abolishing it altogether.
They had come to the latter conclusion with reluc-
tance, but would not be justified in taking any other
course.

The motion was then agreed to.
MR. CONSUL MATHEW.

Mr. GLkDSTONE made a brief personal explanation
with respect to Mr. Mathew, one of the late British
Consuls in America!--

He had been given to understand, however, that
in the course of the debate on the enlistment question
words were imputed to him (Mr. Gladstone) to tho
effect that he was not disposed to give entire credence
to the statements of Mr. Consul Mathew. If any such
words had indeed been attributed to him, all he could say
was that they had been erroneously attributed, for, in
point of fact, he gave the fullest credence to the state-
ments of that gentleman, whom ho believed to be an
honourable and well-intentioned man.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. H. G. STUNT took his seat for the county of
Dorset.

THE RAJAH OF COORO.

Mr. MunßouGa moved for copies of all papers re-
lating to the deposal of Veer Wilder Wuddair,
Rajah of Coorg, including copies of the corre
spondence betweeen the English authorities and the
said Rajah, previously to the deposition of the
said Rajah by the East India Company in the year
1836.

Mr. V. SMITH said it was impossible to grant the
papers.