The Press.
London, England, 1857-10-03 00:00:00

THE PRESS, OCTOBER 3, 1857.

These are not party politics ; they are the feelings now
uppermost iu the heart of every Englishman.
I believe it is now also the universal conviction that the
description originally given of those unfortunate and extra-
ordinary movements in India was not authorised by the
circumstances of the case. Day by day we have seen that
that which was at first characterised as a slight and acci-
dental occurrence is in fact one of those great events which
form epochs in the histor) of inanLiid, and which can only
be accounted for by considerations demanding the deepest
attention from statesmen and nations. But, although three
months have elapsed since the startling news of these
disasters originally arrived in England—although every
succeeding mail has brought to us gloomy intelligence
showing that these disasters are culminating to a propor-
tion infinitely more terrible than the country at first
imagined—although we cannot flatter ourselves that either
by the next mail or by the mail alter that, or even for a
considerable period to come, we shall hear the cheering
news which we were informed so often would immediately
reach us, but which has hitherto eluded our expectation,—
although I foresee much evil, still I do not now, and I
never hare, counselled despondency or despair. (Cheers).
But I am persuaded that if we wish to repair these mis-
fortunes we must recognise their magnitude and impor-
tance, and that it is only upon this recognition that we can
devise remedies adequate to the emergency. (Hear,
hear.)
I have said that every succeeding mail has, like the one
which has last arrived, brought us gloomier tidings. We '
were told at first that though the Bengal army had proved
false, yet that the armies of Bombay and Madras could
be entirely depended upon. Week after week, however, we
have found that the hopes we have indulged have been
fallacious in both of these respects. Greater disasters may
occur. We shall probably learn that the Mahratta princes
have risen against us. We must prepare ourselves for an
insurrection in the Punjaub--a province which we are
always told has been faithful. Nevertheless, if England,
instead of being induced to treat these events as merely
accidental, casual, and comparatively trifling, will compre-
hend that the issue at stake is enormous and the peril
colossal, I have not the slightest doubt that a nation so
great in spirit and in resources as our own will prove that
it is equal to cope with dangers of even that magnitude.
Our perils arise not merely from those who have rebelled
against our authority—our dangers spring not alone from
the insurrection which may rage iu our distant dependencies;
if we undervalue the gravity of the crisis in which we are
placed our greatest danger will be from ourselves. (Hear,
hear). I may be permitted, therefore, to express my hope
and belief that if towards the end of this year a force of
sufficient strength is lauded on the shores of Hindustan, if
that force is guided with the wisdom and energy we have a
right to expect, if the measures taken aro strong and cAn-
prehensive enough for the emergency, we shall be able to
vindicate our empire, and shall have an opportunity, of
which we may avail ourselves, to lay the foundations of a
stable and, 1 trust, a virtuous Government. ( Hear, hear).
And allow me to say—and I do it invidiously to no one—
that I deeply regret that we do not see the preparation
which the occasion seems to justify. I would ask this
question, as the subject has been introduced to us, nut
with reference to the conduct of any political party, but
with regard to what at this moment most deeply interests
Englishmen—" How is it that all this time the navy of
England never appears to have played any part in the
measures of preservation to which we have had recourse ?"
We are now told that it is mainly by availing ourselves of
our gunboats that we shall be able to penetrate into the
interior and convey succour to our beleaguered country.
men. But there is not a gunboat in India. I see by the
last accounts that the accidental arrival of a single frigate
—the Shannon—was hailed with rapture by the inhabi-
tants of Calcutta. Why. there are fifty frigates like the
Shannon in England. What are they doing? Where are
they? Why are they not there ? Are they cleaning their
decks and squaring their yards? But if the casual an ival
of a single frigate so much emboldens the authorities of
Calcutta, and gives so much hope and encouragement to
our European population, I say that is a proof that we
ought to have an adequate naval force there, and that
there should be gunboats, which might at this moment
carry help and relief to our besieged countrymen at Luck-
now and Agra. I take this opportunity, therefore, of ex-
pressing my hope that the people-of this country will con-
vey to those in authority that at the present conjuncture,
while they are ready to support any Ministry in any mea-
sures which will assert the empire of England and tend to
bring rescue to our suffering countrymen in India, they
do expect from any Government that this noble disposition
shall be wisely taken advantage of, and that the measures
devised shall be commensurate with the exigency.
(Hear, hear.)

There is but one more point connected with this un•
happy subject on which I will venture to touch. When
an opportunity is offered to us, and when at the end of the
year that great advance into the country takes place which
we anticipate. I have no doubt, and I expect, that all that
retribution—if we may use the expression—which the
solemn necessity of the case requires will be exacted.
(Hear.) But I may be permitted to add that I trust
nothing more will be exacted than the necessity of the
case does require. The horrors of war need no stimulant.
The horrors of a war carried on as the war in India is at
present especially need no stimulant. I am persuaded
that our soldiers and our sailors will exact a retribution
which it may, perhaps, be too terrible to pause upon. But
I do without the slightest hesitation declare my humble
disapprobation at persons of high authority announcing
that upon the standard of England "vengeance," and not
" justice," should be inscribed. (Hear.)
At this moment I see by the newspapers that her Majesty
has iv•tied a proclamatian for a day of solemn fast and
humiliation, N% hen she, inviting her people to join t,er,
will humble herself before the Almighty, acknowledge her
sins and these of her people, and express her belief that

in the existence of those sins some cause of these terrible
calamities may be found. Now, how inconsistent it is for
us as a great and good people to obey commands so earnestly
communicated to us by our Sovereign, to talk of fasts and
humil►ations, and at the same time announce that in the
conduct of our foes we are to find the model of our own
behaviour. I for one protest against taking Nana Sahib
RS a model for the conduct of the British soldier. I pro.
test against n►cetiug atrocities by atrocities. ( Hear, bear.)
I have heard things said and seen things written of late
which would make me almost suppose that the religious
opinions of the people of England bad undergone some
sudden change, and that instead of bowing before the name
of Jesus we were preparing to revive the worship of
Moloch. ( Hear, hear.) I cannot believe that it is our
duty to indulge in such a spirit. I think that what
has happened in India is a great providential lesson,
by which we may profit; and if we meet it like brave
and inquiring men we may assert our dominion and
establish fur the future in India a Government which
may move at once lasting and honourable to this country.
(Hear, hear.) _ _

I hope that the clergy of our Church, on the occasion
that is impending, will seize the opportunity afforded them,
while they support the spirit of the people by the con-
sciousness of the Divine assistance, to impress at the same
time on the national mind that this is a Christian country,
and that the character of a Christian warrior is not only to
be brave but to be charitable. (Hear, hear.)
I will not enter further into this engrossing topic. It
was impossible for me at such a moment to remain entirely
silent upon it. My object has been to insist upon two
points which ought not to be absent from our minds—viz.,
sympathy with our suffering fellow countrymen and country.
women in India; and also a determination to enforce upon
the Government that the preparations for the future shall
be adequate to the gravity of the occasion.
As the arrangements for our meeting in this county,
owing to geographical and other circumstances, are ex-
tremely difficult, I would also express a hope that steps
may be taken so that Buckinghamshire may not be found
wanting at such a moment in offering that contribution to
the national fund now iu course of collection which I am
sure the honour and the best feeling of the county would
prompt. (Hear.) I trust when it is my privilege to
meet you again that the aspect of affairs may not be so
gloomy as at present. If they do assume a much brighter
character, depend upon it that happy change will not be
due to our baring treated grave events in a depreciating
spirit. There is no error so serious as to underrate peril.
We should be prepared to encounter every danger when
our duty requires us to assume such an attitude. But I
never knew disaster which upon the whole could not be
traced to the dealing in a light tone, and in a temper in-
adequate to the oc:.asion, with the commencement of
great perils. I think the people of this country have at
length been awakened to the importance of the contin-
gency ; and whenever the opinion of the nation is so
aroused—whenever England knows that she has to put
forth her greatest energit.s—l have never found that she
has failed iu the result. ( Hear, hear.) lam persuaded,
if a serious and solemn conviction pervades the land, that,
instead of this being but a partial
.military mutiny, occa-
sioned, as was alleged by a person of high authority when
it first happened, by a mere impulse of the moment, it is
in reality a great and formidable rebellion ; that, compre-
hending the true position of the empire, we shall be able
to take those measures, endure those sacrifices, and make
those exertions which will vindicate our imperial power,
and keep England what I hope she will long remain—the
leading nation of the world. (Cheers.)