The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-06 00:00:00

mm Doke of Ni
for doopvy. _

briefly returned thanks

The Loin; Maeon then proceeded to give "Her Ma&rV
Ministers," coupling with it the name of the Earl of
It was always, be said, a trial to a man to be called upon
to undertake the government of this country, but
how much greater was the onus oast upon the noble
earl who had been called upon et a moment's notice, and
without' • moment's preparation. For taking the helm
ender such circumstances Lord Derby was, in his opinion
'stilled to the thanks of the country. (Cheers.) There
might be political dideresoes in the City of London, bat for
his part he had always wished, and now felt proud to be Lord
Meyer of London, when he had the opportunity of enter-
taining the Earl of Derby, as her Majeety's Prime Minister.
(Hear, hear.) He had prayed for it, and he was thankful
that his prayer had been heard, for he believed most truly
and sincerely that the conservatives would yet save this
country. (A laugh.) Conservatives were no enemies to
progress, or he should not be one, but he believed that they
had ability to discover what was right, end power sufficient
to carry it when necessary. Again he must express his ',ra-
tification at having as Lord Mayor of London, the privilege
entertaining the Esti of Derby. (Loud cheers.)
The Earl of Duey—My Lord Mayor, my lords, ladies,
end gentlemen, I ries for the purpose of returning, in my
own earns and is that of my colleagues, our grateful and
sincere acknowledgments for the honour which has just been
conferred on us, for the very complimentary terms which
the beet was proposed, and the flattering manner in which
it has been re mid by this distinguished assembly. lam
well award that for • great portion, for the greatest portion
of that reception, myself and colleagues are not indebted to
our personal merits, so much as to the position which
through the favour of the crown we at present occupy. I
believe it is inherent in the British character to give to every
man who may for the time being be charged with conducting
the affairs of the counhy a respectful consideration and
attention in any public meeting of his fellow-
countrymen, and this from no unworthy motive,
no deference for temporal authority or station, but from the
More generous and honourable feeling that with those who
are connected with the public service, however political dif.
hrences may occur, in ninety-nine oases out of • hundred
the seine business comes before all ; and that all men so
situated, whether whites, tories, or radicals, must moire the
same sacrifices of domestic oomfort and private happiness,
and sometimes even of life itealf—(hear, hear)—muse incur
the same misrepresentation and obloquy from political oppo-
setae, and sometimes the dissatisfaction of disappointed
Mends. (Lend cries of " Hear, hear.") For all these sari-
ices the emoluments of office would be a poor return were
its labours not lightened by the approbation and confidence
of our follow-eountryrnen. (Hear, hear.) I know, my lord,
that on evasions like the present It would be unseemly to enter
upon any question of political enntroveny, sad if I deviate in
the slightest degree from that wholesome rule by referring to
a topic of public interest, it is because that topic ought to be
removed beyond the pile of antagonistic politics; it in because
it is • topic of the greatest importance in this great centre of
the commercial world ; it is a topic to which public attention
has been directed with intense interest—an interest all the
more marked when contrasted with the apathy which bad
formerly been exhibited towards the same subject. I need
hardly say that I refer to that great empire the formation of
which by British merchant. is unparalleled In the history of
the world. The formation of that empire reflects the
highest credit on the energy, ability. and vigour of
our countrymen, who in the spate of a little more
than a hundred years, and having set forth in the
peaceful pursuits of commerce, have subjected t
our rule a population tenfold that of this country, and a
territory hearing a similar proportion to the narrow dream-
&genee of this little island. (Hear, hear.) And although
during their rule faults not fit to bear the strictest investiga-
tion may have been committed, yet, wpm the whole, never
was a government carried on for so lengthened a period with
so much ability, or in a spirit so wholly free from party
motives, or in which the interests of the people governed
were so much consulted. (Hear, hear.) I am bound, my
lord, to pay this tribute to the India Compeay at the moment
when it may be said to be on its political deathbed. (Loud
cries of " No, no.") I believe the decision of public opinion
to be that the time has arrived when the mission of the com-
pany is at en end, and when its poter.eno end duties should
be transferred to the direct authority of the crown,
that suthority which already for many years has indirectly
been exercised in all matters of Indian goverment. But,
my lord, the transfer of that authority is by no means that
simple task which some persons might "'lppon. Great in-
terests are to be consulted, and great ditllcaloiew overcome—
s great problem is to be solved, and that problem is no ler
than this . How, if the change is now to take place, it la
able at at once to secure the necessary audit ided responsibility
of the crown, and at the same time to surround him with
that experience and that knowledge respecting our Indian
empire which must be at the command of any minister ap-
pointed to deal with such vast, varied, end complicated in-
terests. (Hear, hear.) That is the problem which
parliament has now to solve, and I think he
would be a bold, not to my a presumptuous minis-
ter, who could hope at a few days' notice to sketch out •
'scheme which should not be liable to grave objections, or
which in its peeress would net require impatient modifica-
tion. (Hear, bear.) We have been called upon suddenly
to undertake the duties of government, and amongst them
that to which I have adverted is not the least pressing, and
we have brought forward a measure, to be laid before the
country daring the recess. in order to bring to bear upon It
the light of public investigation and inquiry. We do not
deprecate, we court discussion—we hope for advice both in
parliament and in the country—in order to render the change
an safe and as beneficial as we earnestly hope it may be.
There is but one thing we deprecate, not for the
"Ake of the government of the day, but for the sake of
great and mighty interests here and in India—the only thing
we deprecate to, that these mighty interests may net be merle
the sport of political partial, or the battle-field of rival point-
ciens. (Hear, bear.) My lord, we shell approsch this great
question in no presumptuous, in no controversial spirit ; and
for the Rake of the country, and for the mks of India,
we trust that by those who object tut as well as those who
approve of, our measure, we may be met in • spirit, not of
political controversy, but of fair and candid discussion—the
common object of alt below to render the measure now before
the country ae just and efficient as possible. (Hear.) While
leriststinarmt the subject of India, wehero seen a formidable
and
aloo ming revolt nee to the magnitude of a mighty war ;
and that revolt has boon stained by atrocities at
which human nature shudders, and over which humanity
would fain draw a veil. But it has also broutht to
light unparalleled heroism and gallantry In the field, and
courage and constancy in the siege which has no parallel in
the history of the world. (Cheers.) 8n long as history
shall remain so long, familiar as household words to every
Englishman, will be the desperate courage that marked the
capture of Delhi, the heroic endurance, the more than mortal
suffering that it oast us to preserve Luclatow. (Loud cheers.)
Eves whilst I am speaking I trust that good news is travel-
Hag to um from Lucknow; I trust that by this time the gallant
andilluetrious chief who commands the army of India Las
collected all his forces for a final effirt. With L.:choose ewe
fatten I would it were possible to think our victorious soldiers
might sheath the sword. But the stern behes's of
justice must be carried oat deeds have bees oren-
witted which comma be allowed to go aspenisned,
sad there is innocent blood which calls for a heavy retribu-
tion. (Hear, hear.) But, my lords and gentlemen, if the
sword must be kept drawn, let it be the sword of calm and
impartial justice, not that of wild and indiscriminate revenge.
Let us punish crime, and 'meet oar authority ; let us extort
• were penalty from those who have violated our laws. But
when we have executed the full measure of Justice, I trust
that we shall exhibit in India that mercy which belongs to
the conqueror and to civilisation. I trust that we shall be
not only generous, but just enough to cast vengeance away,
to show mercy to those who may no longer be in arms
Kunst us, to those who shall submit to our authority,
et who' may have been seduced from their &Deanne*
by the pressure of strong temptation. It will also be our
grateful task, when oar power shall have been re-eoestilished,
to reward those, and there were many such, In high and low
stations in India who adhered to their allegiance, and who