The Express.
London, England, 1860-09-25 00:00:00

LONDON. TUESDAY ByENING„ SEPTEMBER 25, 1860.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE

____ _ ---
PROMOTION of SOCIAL SCIRNCR.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS Ol LORD BROUGHAM.

The annual meeting of the National Amociation
far the Promotion of Social Bcieoa area opened in °lasso*
yesterday (Monday).

A buSii;ess meeting of the council and other preliminary
meetings took place during the day.
In the @veiling, the city hall wee crowded with a brilllent
aasemblage to hear the inaugural eddies@ of the prosiest,
the Right Hon. Lord Brougham and Vauz.
The following is an abstract of it :

"It is impossible to open the congress without ex-
pressing the satidaction felt by all that this, our fourth
niesting, shagld be held in the great capital of the west
of floothind—the centre of her manufactures, and the em-
poritun of her trade. But we are also highly
gratified at finding ourselves in a place. not mor
renowned in the history of commerca than in
that of philosophy, and of those branches of philosophy
which have exercised the most important influence in the
promotion of social science. It was here that Black mad*
those discoveries which have changed the face of natural
Kidelle more than any since the days of Newton ; that Watt
gave the great invention to the world which has nude such
an alteration in its aspect, and such a revolution in its foe-
%Mu i felt *SIM! alol.o4.mei-Minepeenlienfll4-10•6110

civet geometry Which he restored ; that Reid placed the
philosophy of mind upon its firm foundations, and freed it
from sceptical gee* ; that Milian tinned the history of the
constitution, and freed it from vulgar errors of an empirical
kind as well as those of alsolutiets ; that Smith established
those sound doctrines now happily become the faith of
practical statesmen as they had long been of the learued—
connecting the commercial gains of all nations with the
improvements of each, and making their mutual intercourse
a mutual end equal benefit and the bond of peace. Nor let
it be forgotten that here the great step was made by Birk-
beck (on which five-andthirty years ago I congratulated
yea) of throwing open to all classes the temple of science,
ad showing that the highest intellectual cultivation is per-
fectly compatible with the daily cares and toils of working
mem These are proud recollections for Glasgow ; and
Yds pride is shared, not envied, by her sister, Edinburgh,
whose own glories are far too bright to dread being out-
shone. The hospitable reception for which we are thankful
here Is given to the Fast as well as to the South ;
and, though locally on the Clyde, the congress
embraces the Forth, and the Thames, and the Liffey."
" In the outset of oar proceedings we are naturally led to
mirk the progress of sopa science in past times, as well as at
this day. The novelty of the name to designate what was
before unknown in its various branches proves bow little
till of late years men had devoted themselves to these in-
quiries in the aggregate, although particular eubjecta might
more or less have engaged the attention of different denies,
without regard to the relation subsisting among them. But
Milted we canuot go far lack in the history of
statesmen and lawgivers, and of the community
at large, without the conviction that the attention
of any clams fixed exclusively upon one or other of the
branches is only to be observed in the more recent period of
our social annals. We shall best ascertain the progress of
our science by carting an eye over the history of the parties
which have divided both the rulers and the people, mei ob-
serving what attention was given to it, and how' bar it
entered into their controversies.
"That men of rare endowments flourished in these times—
indee d of the highert qualities over displayed in public We—
is undeniable ; and that their talents fitted them for go-
veroment in an extraordinary degree is as certain as that by
their eloquence they were masters of debate. Besides
Wulpole, there was Pulteney, of first-rate distinction as an
orator, and Bolingbroke, &counting to all tradition, the very
first of modern times. But their lives were io council de-
eded to the intrigues of party, in the senate to party ale-
quince, is aim to preserving all things as they had food
thou ; and when Lord Chatham, seenewbet later, was ate
the head of affairs, either in opposition or in the ministry,
mot only were Lis whole attacks upon his dramatise con-
find to purely party grounds, but his own policy shows hint
so little in advance of his age that, ae regarded Francs, it
was grounded upon the narrow antiquated notion of
natural enmity ; and as regarded America, upon the
equally narrow and antiquated notion of natural sovereigsti.
To work out those great principle—to attack all Manes
of the one either in alliance or in war, and of the other in
government —was the object of his life. Yet so powerful is
habit, such the force of routine, he seemed wholly unable
to comprehend that it is our first duty by all means to cul-
tivate pace with our nearest neighbours as the but of
blessings to both nations, each being able to do the other the
most good in amity, the mod harm in hostility ; but he would
only see glory, or even safety, in the prosiness
superiority grasped by a successful man. In
like manner, as often as the idea of American
indepeadence crossed his mind, he instantly and utterly ra
jectsd it as the destruction of oar national centimes, instead
of wisely perceiving that to become the fast friends of the
colonies which we bad fret lauded and long cherished under '
our protection would benefit both °oracles. and them the
more by suffering them in their full growth to be as code-
pendent as we had always been. Was Lord Chadian' sin-
gular in than feelap ? Not at all ; but he mu not at all
wiser than others. The American war had raged for yeara
before the word of separation crowed the lips of any man I.
either home of parlamenti the intern t of the war
and ill-treatment of the minded" being only topics of
attack upon the government treat three whosearowed object
was to present the oesemilly el tiro. Bat out of this war
and this revolution stem tal differeoces of opi-
nion upon the great guestiese of , of popuhn
• and penally of dell carried still
further by the pent revelottea mesemseled with that
at cowshed beeps a few years later ; and
parties became membelled award* to pelasiplee thus me
tertaised by
alsonii
aefemeill by more ; sod the end of the
century was ces bed been the greater part cit
the watery not by the Aimee of all
party end posional combine*" bat by imperteni princi-
ples Is matters of church rad slate leseasig the ground of
siteohnoset or or
yn non to pairess. er of the ties that hold
the
the Folding meals opinions, and acting upon
eerie& principles, more or Ws mixed with personal or
party feeliogs, gives thine 'Odom aced principles • weight
in the pull, eseiniatime pester than their intrimic is-
purtmice would hoes pseetinel, they were all, without any
exception, of each a deorlpilon that they lent themselves
to the policy of eandicting parties. But, in the course of
time, and the improvement of men. views toeishieg their
real interests. their seeentins was turned to opinions
▪ Pli=o---etionig the most important of all
thereon she Imam of particular classes could not
fries tie as to appropriate them, Looser they so *hely
semseraol the whole ocanrimity, er were Of mob tongue-
tienable seunisses and hos*, that no dispute weld mime
=lWeak any divinity of views Wag aseasserily
e pais of detail. aod rumentasedb` OW were
pissed beyond the hid of party malioX The deny and
of philentheeple paltry in one sense imprimis
the subjeets halcoging to this dorm; but GM In
• more restricted semptstion it —houses awe si
the most remarkable leolierso One sheenenoilie of these
apenioas has lust been eseigeil, their nee theemeeleve
to party controversy. Aziathor, emilognily MAMA& is their
not Laws held by those the are Insermhol in
teem. Their professes, might be bwsited with the not
ef the community, MOW every Garr seeped Ware Illeirel7
dirniteriated. Indeed mom pelosiphe wage mieumsestol with
soy benefit, even to the sommianity all VI aught
involve a saseilice of Ye Wired W Wisp
of duty. The subject hslogging tile sir, earliest
date, is aim the use QM smell troy falls within this de-
scription of haring oriented in jest red pure principles. ia
them of lushes and hvesemilp—the extiaction of away
sad abolition if the iii demo Noe the int tins
detainee ad orators were ems Wessling their esertisei to
a subject which au party in the Mello Geoid here to its so
count, upon which all men woo agreed se ts the ineries if
quaoma, and could only Miler regarding the time and
manner of its solution. The waged was fret mend upse the
nuance of the legislature by nos who belpage nut to its
body, and whine °pistons Meted with thee. of the
government; and it was weisemodethAymemben of ribs-
meet formerly attached to the —nor even uring
the half minter, ova whisk the history of the rpostioe
ectouds was it mixed is sey mom of way with the con-
diets of party, while they raged mere fereely than to say
former period, and the ass la la them were on ail
other questions the most lavishly praised, sad the mad use
sparingly assailed. This felicity in the Viet gasifies has
mot attended it in the New World. Slavery ie not merely
a ground of party division, but it le the goat and pare-
mount way, almost the oily greeted bath of ooeffict in
every mate of the Union, sad ef the dilemmas
between the slaws themsel res. The peed
lion el the *lacteal' at President Igeser
depends entirely upon W principleseQr
candidates respecting slavery; sad this gemetlen Inlves au
other disputes, inasenisch se, to the anspodstille mideriami
of WA great ioneeneattiraott appeidomell ef pubis
functionaries. hem the ti
6111Wae
upon the election of the chief red an as be
rammed on their psely being detailed eisetime

katZeileding to the necessity el public education, his
ecietinned :
" There are two subjects of a more general description, one
'of which has often come under discussion, and is not unat-
tested with difficulty; but the Mbar of great importaace,
and 6y so imam of difficult consideration. A great error
wee at one time oneunittel, at.ths establishment of schools
epee the plan of Bell and Lancaster, the facilities afforded
for teaching great numbers under a single master gave rise
to ayremiling impremion that cheapness of instruction
world beet be secured by these means and there was too
pool a disposition to mike this the riding principle. But
=.l:has proved what a little reflection might
ve shown, the great adveatege of mime-
rout teachers. In truth, this is essential, not only
for securing thorough instruction, but for main-
ininifig that discipline, that influence of moral
authority, which is the most Important benefit conferred
by attendance upon a schooL It in to be hoped that the
whole of this subject will be fully considered b the depart-
ment, end these facts. whisk are the results of men's actual
expedites; be lotherid together, and the inferences to
'width emporkeeelieds be distinctly pointed out."
*BaUWesi odumilkie and training, imparting
semi relfelsee and l, exalting the
itheracter, es o rational beings, mora
is the most im-
portant of all our ditties towards the humbler
class of our fellow-citinem, it is by no mean. to super-
sede the care of their temporal welfare, or be taken ea
• substitute of the other Imperative duty. A wide field is
thus opened to social edema and it is one whkh only in mo-
dem tip Ass has received any cultivation. Count liumforti was
tae benesctor to the. worl4 JLEromoting the mote

were weft weft dewier to hiereese the ecimfort of the poor, and
serried into execution while he held high court and mill-
' tray employment in Bavaria, deserve the greatest attention;
sod the study of his essays, in which they are minutely
detailed, is a duty incumbent upon all well-Wishere to the
trosperity add the peer and order of society. Repeatedly
be considered are his proposals for improving
the construction and arrangement of cottages, far
the convenient application of heat to culinary and other
purposes, for the preparation of cheap, wholesome, and nutri-
nous food, for the saving of fuel and alimentary
tweeter. Much may be done for the substantial be tirtft of
the poor man's condition and the preservation of his health,
as well ea the saving of hie money and of his labour, by
*Bending to Count 'a suggestions, in almostevesy
instance the result of his actual experiences, ands sore
tamers (as in regard to the communication of heat) the
oortdkries from certain truths which he ascertained by his
nta, although ho erred in some points of the timely
expo
sought to establish upon them. One inferenoe of
much importance which he drew from the improve-
ments effected in the oonditiou of the poor, including
the vagrant class, is the salutary tendency of increased
comforts to lesion the number of crimes, as well as to
mitigate their character, both in the civil and military pot-
tier of the community. There can be no greater en-
souragement to our efforts in augmenting the comforts of
the people than the high and pure gratification derived
from the conviction that increase of happinese is attended
'with Marie of virtue, that the good bestowed makes men
more worthy to receive and enjoy it. Nothing can be more
prifying in this. and in every other view, than the success
of the peat measure which the working dames themselves
have lately adopted to provide for their comfort, to husband
their resources, and to protect them from imposition,
by the formation of empties societies, and happily
these have greatly multi • especially in the menuhe-
turing districts of Lams ire and Yorkshire. Such socie-
ties are of two kinds. The one has for its immediate object
to expend the income of each member to the beet admin.
tags for himself ; the other to enable him to obtain the
largest return for his capital and industry. This most in-
teresting subject will certainly occupy both our grata and
judicial departments.
On the temperer* question his lordship said:—" At our
last congress great attention vies given to the important sub-
loct of temperance, mil especially to the necessity of primer.
mg public opinion for them repressive measures which expo-
/tenor daily proves more and more dearly to lie required for
lessening the consumption of spirituous liquors. The
=source of pauperism and of crimes has
only been attacked by palliatives, and although
these have had a certain success, yet if there
be any means not exposed to serious objections by which
the evil may be extirpated, the gain to society would be
incalculable. No measure of absolute repression can, of
roues, be recommended until the public mmd has been not
°sly prepared, but strongly Mabee& for it. But the pre-
paid of the grand &thence well derma a careful meads-
-the plan of ambling • certain yrepoetica of the
to in every district—aproportion considerably
• the commercial majority give the magistrates
authority for placing the destrkt ander a general
Repression Act, pared with such modifications
as according to the act's provisions may be al-
lowed in the peculiar local mmumetances. A very ex-
tensive adhesion has been given to the proposal in the
great districts of Manchester and Birmingham, and this be-
aides it. intrinsic merits will be quite sufficient to cause a
searching examination by our departments—sanitary and
of jurisprudence. That it deeply concerns both need not be
added. But which, of all our departments, does it not
most deeply concern ! Remember the memorable expres-
sion of the great philanthropist, our eminent colleagr, the
Breeder of Birmingham : ' Whatever step I taiaex
Mr. to ' and in whatever direction I may st
drink demon starts up before use, and blocks the way."
" But," proceeded his lonlaklp, " although the dif-
ferent branches of social science and their principles
are in this country removed from the influences
el party se • disturbing force, that influence must,
of coup, constantly interfere with the adoption of
the measures which these principles lead us to recommend.
Hence the conduct of the government end of the legislature
becomes a most important subject of consideration ; but we
are, by the constitution of our body, obliged to confine this
discussion within somewhat narrow limits, more especially
avoiding all personal or party topics. It is, however, both
permitted that we direct our attention to those parts
of the political system which prove obstructive
to the progress of social improvement, or which
are more or law shown to have that tendency,
in the history of our times. Any defects of this description,
whether in the power of the government or in the uniform
course of its practical administration—my such obstructions
arising from the structure, or the action of the branches
themselves, of the legislature, fall within the scope of our
legitimate disc :eras ,• to be undertaken respectfully as to
the manlier, cautiously es to the subject•mattera, and tona-
-1 perattly and considerately as to the suggestions offered ;
regard being had to the great importance of the interests
involved, and to thedignity as well as the power of the authm
rities a hose constitution or whose proceedings are in question.
The greatest obstruction to the conduct of brines in the '
two houses of parliament, particularly in the Commons,
Mies from the reluctance to fetter discussion either by
roles binding upon the members, or by restraining the
speakers in their addresses. Besides the question before
the house, and on the merits °. which a speech must always
be regular, there are many questions in debating which
post latitude Is taken, 10 IS to introduce topics quite
foreign to the subject matter itself. Thus, upon a motion
for adjournment, although the only matter in question is
whether there shall be an adjournment or not, it
Is the Inveterate habit to introduce any subject
an which say speaker desires to be beard, however
foreign to the question of adjourning. Now the motion to
adjourn either the house or the debate may be made at any
time, sod may be repeated any Dumber of times. Then, as
the Me Is absolute that except in committees no member
shell speak raw than once in any debate, he may evade the
ride by moving as adjournment and could only be pre-
vested by the ger ral upriar which it would probably ucca.
sire fres spsakLgsgain upon the question, under colour of
snmsorting the emotion to adjourn. Yet this is
y the only &bur of the motion to adjourn
which has ever been committed. Upon this motion,
repeated speeches are made and divisions had, sometimes
for the avowed purpose of defeating a measure supported
by a vast majority, sometimes in order to delay its pro-
gram. It is to be observed that all obstructions of this kind
—indeed, of every kind—arise from the rights of • mi-
nority, however inommiderable. If but a few peters
themselves together they may occasion as great a1714Z
as If they composed • numerous and powerful body. The
mare prolixity of speech is far from being the only cause of
obstruction. The number of speakers is • very great cause.
There are many members so insignificant that beyond •
few of their own connexions they are wholly unknown, ex-
art to their own constituents. Bat they desire to speak—
ark beams shag would court these cestileents, or
impels them with a notion of their importance; next,
became tier/ commider that they gain general reputation by
their speeches. It is therefore tiniable that the two canses
of this excessive speaking—the speaking of members whose
talents, information, er personal importancegives themclaim
ime be heard—are their Muni to parliament by bodies of
electors, and the report of their speeches in the daily proem
This the combination of small parties, the determination le
resist whatever proceeds from certain quarters, the govern.
meet especially in whom hands sorer it ie placed,
the desire to make their support of oonsequenee, which, in-
significant iu itself, may be of moment when the great
torten are equally balanced, and the countless number of
endless speeches without any merit by persons of no ma*
have of late times made the House of Commune • bye-word
r a place of talk and act of work, the caricature of •
W
popehr assembly,
here pokey is busied all night long
la setting right what faclios hes set wrong ;
1 When flails of oratory thresh the floor
That yields them chaff, end dust, and nothing mom."
Baehr pointed out the means by which the poo-
-1 laxity al debates might be prevented, his lordship
mid :—" That noisome' open the principles of social
with all other real improvaeseats, mass pia
by sash a damp sow east doubt. But if there
as epeettim of social impruvement, me drains of aineed.
ease of tae law!' if the Aims of model science were no
saws baud, sad the thing aooapisd ma's minds so more,
Won is a paramount interest so be oomailod, a pest agar