The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-11 00:00:00

MR. L !YARD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

ies!ertiay evening a numerously attended meet-
ing of the electors and Imo-electors of the borough of South-
wark amembled at the Bridge House Hotel, London-bridge,
opouxbe levitation of Mr. A. H. Layard, for the purpose
et hearing from the bon. member an address explanatory
of his needed in parliament during the past session. The
their was taken by Mr. G. NZWILAII.
After a few introductory remarks from the Chairman,
Mr. LAYAID reviewed the progress made by the English
people during the but twenty-five years in education and
Intelligence, and protested against the unfavourable con•
trust tows de this country which Mews. Cobden and Bright
had lately drawn in comparing the state of education and
the political power which our working classes enjoy as com•
pared with ethers in Europe. He then touched upon our
torsi/a policy, expressing his opinion that Eel Hassell's
uply to the levitation to a megrim was unanswerable.
It was felt that Russia would net give up Poland, Austria
Venetia, or France Nice and Savoy, whatever the decision '
of the megrim might be, bet the government felt that if
those questions were raised in the congress they might ex-
its 'operations and animosities which would probably lead
to war. He was surprised at the coarse taken by his Italian
friends in the matter, because as the majority of the coovess
would consist of catholic powers, the result would pro-
bably be that Rome would continue to be held by the
Pope against the wishes of the Hallam people. Italy had
everythinii to lose from going into the coogrew,
and nothing to gain. (Hear, bear.) He would not at-
tempt to explain the Dauish question, became it WAS very
doubtful whether he understood it himself—(t laugh)—
and if he did it was doubtful whether he could explain
it to the meeting. But in that cue the British government
bad done what they had done in others ; they had en-
deavoured to persuade the contending parties to come
to some uaderstanding to keep the peace, and to ob-
serve Unities which must be after all the basis of peace.
They trusted that they would listen to reason. and not es-
gage in a war which must lead to inestimable injury to
themselves sad to Europe. He approached the (madam of
Poland with feelings he could not well describe. A policy
almost of extermination was carried on in that unhappy
minntry, and carried on relentlessly not only against men,
old as well as young. but against women and
children. But with all their deep sympathy with Poland,
end with every desire to help as unhappy dowc-trodden
race. the people of the country felt that they would not be
justified is going to war oe their behalf. It bad bees said
by the opponents of the government in one voice that
they had done too much, and that they had done too little.
On the one hand it was asked why they did not go to war
hr Poland. and on the other they were accused of giving
encouragement to the Polish people. The two charges were
irrecoocalleable. The government were bound to remon-
strate with Kumla, but the country did not desire • that
they should go further. But they always found in the his-
tory of &aliens that great crimes bought their own punish.
meat, acid be had beard it very justly remarked that
the great deportation of the people of Poland now going on,
instead of destroying disaffection, would sow disaffection
elsewhere, and it might literally be the case, that the very
cruelties that had been committed might ultimately bring
about their punishment. (Hear, hear.) As regarded their
eooduct in mambo to the Coiled Stake, be thought the
government might claim the
napprova one ole
.of . the
neutrality. Eng
people. Ter
the contendingiKch opdarti es, hut that had beenct
a mos
difficult course to pursue. Wherever strict neutrality was
observed, it was sure to displease both sides, and the very
fact that that had been the case in regard to America showed
that the policy of the government had been strictly followed.
An instance of the extreme difficulty which the government
had in doing its duty as • neutral government had recently i
occurred in the case of the iron cads. The question had g
cites been put why the merchants of this country, who sup-
plied gnu and munitions of war to me party, should nct be i
allowed to sell ships to the other. (Hear, hear.) The I
answer was very simple. There was a law which prohibited i
theme's of ships, but no law to prevent the sale of munitions g
et war. The course of the goverameat had been to carry I
eat the law to the utmost extent, but neither to be cajoled I
me coerced into going one iota from it. (Hear, hear.) An i
Eighth merchant had a right to the protection of his govern- ]
went, and to all that the law entitled him to do; but a
whilst the government had a duty to perform, he i
thought the really honourable British merchant 1
bad a duty to perform too. (Cheers.) He had seen with
deep regret that there had been parties in this country—
bat fortunately for the honour and credit of the country
there had not been many—who, for the Wm of their own l
advents" ma the risk of plunging their country into • war
with their felloworeatium on the other side of the Atlantic. '
(Cries of "Shame.") U more consideration had been shown 1
by those people, the difficulties with which the government !
had had to oostend would have been materially lumped. '
(Cheers.) T ' from the West to the But. 1m wished to
say • word about Turkey, as his some had been • great deal
eonnected with that country, sod had been exposed to a 1
great deal of censure for the policy he had advocated to- I
wards Turkey. The policy he had supported. however. bad
been crowned with success. He was that morning t•dkeir to
'
Mr. Cheatham, the chairman of the Manchester Cotton 1,
Supply Association, and that gentlemen told him that the
country which had done the most to supply the deficiency
of the cotton supply, that had shown the greatest energy in
the matter, and that had been the most liberal to the cul-
tivator and buyer, WAS Turkey. (Cheers.) Her finagling
had improved to as extent that he could not have contem-
plated, and they had now the curious tact of Turkey
preparing a budget and placing before the world an &boost
el her income aodexpenditure. He had regretted to notice
the attacks made upon him by a gentleman Dot unknown in
this country, and who had undoubtedly some influence—
he spoke of Mr. Goldwio Smith, • Feoleaser of history at
Oxford. A professor of history, above all others,
should carry himself, if possible, away from all
the minims of the day, aid look down upon
events like • philosophical historian unbiassed by
any party feeling or prejudice whatever. As to
China, ha was surprised at the misrepresentations that
led been sanest with regard to our dealings with
that country. He read with astonishment the other
day Mr. Cobdee's statement that we went there like
Oortexaad Pizarro, that our only object was loot, sad that
we were pursuing • policy which must end in our
being masters of China. Nothing could be more
opposed to the actual condition of our relations with China
than thou statements. The policy of the government was
sot to be antagoeidie with the government of China, and
seeking opportunities of quarrel, bat to come to a right
underateurung with that government, treating China as •
eivilised nation, admitting our respoueibilities, but com-
pelling them to observe theirs. The Chinese government
had completely changed during the last four or five years,
and the old anti-foreign petty being no longer in power,
mattes were settled between us by diplomatic notes; instead
of by recourse to gum ad ahem Mort important conces-
sions to British bah bad been gained by aegotiation with
the government of Petit, and the policy Misgovernment had
framed. instead et leading to
.war, kid moved us from war.
As to the employment of F:.oglohniga in the service of China
that was no more than had beta done ia 'eery country from
time immemorial, and was so different is principle from
the employmentemploymentPeter the Great of English, French,
7
and Germana Al that bad been done in opposition to the
Tappings was to protect these forts where e quantities
el British merchandise were lying from pits rby a body
of marauder!, and One the government was booed to do. il
Supposing in the recent distress from the failure of the
cotton supply our China markets had been also closed, bow
much greater would have been the calamity. As showing
the increase is the trade of China, be stated that the amount
ef the exports, whirl is 1854 were 1,027,0001., had risen in
am years to 5,451,000 f. The trade of Hankow rime it
was taken by the rebels had shown a rapid increase.
The total value of the trade in 1862 was 6,189,951 e, show-
ing so increase of 3,011,4821. 10s. over previous year The
total aggregate tonnage was 290,536, of which 128,478 tons
represented British vessels, showing en increase of 1,061 vee-
soh sad 169,103 toes over the previous year. At Shangliae
the daties collected in December, 1860, amounted to
122,000+., and in December, 1861, the amount was
281,500/. He proceeded theo to allude to the e,uestion
of Japan. and having stated at length the history
of the intercourse of foreigners with that mann% ,
urging that HAMA and America having broken down its
isolation. :sad secured arrangements for tied., it was the duty
ef this country to enderivour to obtain similar advantages
for its merchants. Alluding to the death of Mr. Richard-
nee, he unneeded that government were bound to demised
seders for the outrage committed, sad the Japanese go-
yeraineat having stated that they could me punish the
&Mao who did the wrong, and that the English mot deal
with him themselves, there weenoothercoemeopen but that
which was takes at Kagoeima. HIM. not true that baying
seised the three steamers the admiral flaunted them‘before
the Japthene. The bay in which they were was • very
narrow one, it was blowing • gale of wind, and the admiral
mot is as far as he could for shelter. Having seized the
vessels they could not get out without promise the batteries
en accmat of the narrowness of the place, sad the Mtteries
Lying bed apes them, if the fire Mil set been returned it
would Lave been reported es • defeat of the Et.ttsh feet,
and the result could possibly have been a gerund massacre
throughout the country. The British goverment had dons
all they could to maintain friendly reLtions with Japan,
but he must admit that here, as in China, much of the diffi-
salty that was experienced arose from the conduct of specu-
lators, who thought that the only ties of a British Sleet was
to eoable them lately to prey upon the people of the country.
It was said that the present government bad done no-
thing that their opponents would not have done, and yet at
the some time feels woe found with them for their coeduet
with re-ard to America, to Poland, to Chine, aid Japan. It
was true tbot so great political question had been agitated
in the house of Commods to show a great distinction be-
tween parties, but the course the present government bad
takes la .11 matters was marked by • thorough liberal ten-
elmey—a teudency which was proved by the recent appoint-
ments of Sir Jobs Lawrence to the governor-generalship of
Jodie, and of Mr. Stmefeld as • Lord of the Admiralty.
The hon. member's saltines was received with great
aferilig* _ • - -

As &TOlt usquired what bad been done by Mr. Layard
iu rolomptiao of his promise to do ail in him power to pat
slows it Wog in the army.
Lasts said his opioioa upon that subject was as•
shafted, sod be believed that great progress Lad bees
ode is patting doves that degrading punishment, using I.
• pent measure to what had taken pimp is that borough.
Be had not supported the motion of Mr. WLite on the
sabket, torso,. it came forward on an amendment to time
Matioy lliil, but be bad abstained trona voting on that
asillbell. (Hear, hear.)