The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-06 00:00:00

THE ADDRESS.

Earl BEAUCHAMP, who wore the Windsor uniform,
then proceeded to move an address, in reply to the speech
from the throne. He said that he had no doubt that if
parliament proceeded in the spirit of moderation and for-
bearance so wisely recommended from the throne to the
consideration of the measures which would be laid before
them, the session of 1867 would take no unworthy place
among its predecessors during the present reign. (Cheers.)
He concluded by moving the adoption of an address,
which was, as usual, an echo of the speech from the
throne.
Lord DELAMERE rose to second the address. After
referring to other matters, be said he hoped that the
reform measure to be introduced would be one which
would obtain consideration from all classes, except those,
of course, who, instead of reform, wished for confusion—
who, under the pretence of adjusting the political balance
of the constitution, desired to accomplish its destruction,
and who, under the specious name of equality for all
chases, hoped to gain a predominance of power for one
particular clam. Did they wish a general representatiou
of the feelings and interests of the country by earnest
men, practically convinced of the truth of the measures
they introduced, or did they desire the representative body
of the country, the great traditional House of Commons,
to be • mere transcript of popular feeling, • repre-
sentation only of the most uneducated, the most impres-
sionable, and unfortunately the most suffering, therefore
probably the most prejudiced, class in the kingdom?
Unless they wished such a representation as that they
must pause before they introduced a mere sweeping mea-
sure of reform. He assured them that there was no mem-
ber of their lordships' house more convinced of the absolute
necessity of reform than he was, and therefore it was ne-
cessary to watch carefully every footstep in a progress
which must be onward, and in which retrogression was
impossible.
Earl RUSSELL said no one could complain either of
the brevity of the speech or of the variety of topics con-
tained in it. The question of the late war in Europe was
adverted to, and • hope was expressed that the termina-
tion of the late war might lead to the establishment
of • durable peace. In the speech delivered at the
close of butt session her Majesty declared that she had
not been an indifferent spectator of the war, but that
she bad not thought it expedient to take art in it,
as neither the honour of the crown nor the in-
terest of the British people were mixed up in it. He
entirely concurred in that view, but he was afraid
the spirit of aggression which of late years had ani-
mated some of the European powers, and especially
Prussia, might lead to future calamity. Referring to the
question of reform, he said he trusted that • bill would
be introduced into the other house without unneces-
sary delay, and that it would be of such a character as
to enable the house to consider it with a real desire to
settle the question. In consequence of the introduction
into the bill of 1832 of the Chandoe clause, which
gave votes to the moat dependent class that could be
conceived, the question of reform had been since con-
tinually a subject of debate. He defended the bill of
last session, which, he said, was defeated by those who
combined against it for factious purposes. If the bill pro-
mised by the governnieut were a good bill he should give
it his support, but if it were a bad or a delusive measure
he should oppose it. He cautioned the government not to
attempt by • trick to deprive the artisans of the fair right
they had to • share in the representation, or to give them
less than they were entitled to. Most public meetings had
declared for manhood suffrage, but parliament was not
likely to go so far. If they passed an unfair bill the people
would say it was necessary to have a new government, •
new House of Commons, and a new bill.
The Earl of DERBY said he would relieve the noble
earl's anxiety as to any attempt to delay the question of
reform by announcing that at the earliest possible day—
protAbly Monday next—it was the intention of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer to lay on the table of the other
house the proposals of the government. At the same
time he wished to impress upon the noble earl that there
was no hope of a satisfactory settlement of the question if
it was to be taken up in the spirit and temper just mani-
fested by him. If it ware really desired to see a settlement
of the question which, although not final, would render
it improbable that any agitation for a further measure
would occur for a considerable time, such • result could
not be attained by making it a question of party or political
strife. They must be prepared to give and take, and to
meet each other's views, for he was convinced that there
was no government in the country which could, at the
present time, of itself carry • reform bill. With regard to
the relations of landlord and tenant in Ireland, he said it
was the wish of the government to give every facility to
tenants to secure the value of their improvements con-
sintently with the rights of the landlord.
The address was then agreed to, and their lordships
adjourned at 20 minutes past 7.