The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-13 00:00:00

against the possibility of its occurrence. (Loud cheers.)
Now that principle has been recognised from the first in all
discussions and in all measures that connect themselves with
the great Eastern question now pending. (Hear, hear.)
But having made that recognition, having laid down
that condition, that it is not right that the absorption
by external force of the Ottoman Empire into the
dominions of any European power should be permitted,—
subject to that conditton, and subject to that condition only,
and what reasonably interpreted it involves ; her majesty's
government have adopted and acted on the principle, it was
their duty, as I have said, to hope against and beyond hope,
but at all events so long as rational hope manifested itself
to labour for the maintenance of the peace of Europe. (Loud
applause.) Now, Mr. Mayor, that is what the government
has really done. There has grown up in Europe of late
years, a practice of combining what are called the greater
powers, for the settlement of difficulties arising in particular
parts. Now many benevolent persons have been most de-
sirous that a system of arbitration should take the place of
war, with all its frightful consequences. (Hear, hear.)
This is not the opportunity to discuss the theory of those
gentleman considered as a theory, but it is an opportunity
upon which, I think we may observe, not without satisfaction,
that some degree of real progress has actually been made
within the last twenty years, in the history of Europe
towards the substitution of arbitration for war. (Hear,
hear.) The miseries of war between Belgium and Holland,
were saved by the intervention of several of the great powers
of Europe. (Hear, hear.) Not by perfect machinery—yet
by means of machinery better than none at all—that same
influence of the great powers was used for the purpose of
checking and termmatmg the dissentions and civil wars,
which affected Spain. (Hear, hear.) On other European
questions,similar influence has been exercised with similar
effect. n the case of the Ottoman dominions themselves
in the year 1840, the war between the Pacha of Egypt, and
the Sultan, was brought to a termination by the influence
and agency of .the great European powers. (Hear, hear.)
The kingdom of Greece, which one day we may live to see,
or our children may see, playing perhaps an honourable part
in the affairs of Europe—that kingdom was itself relieved
from the desolating scourge of war, by a similar action on
the part of the great powers of Europe. (Hear, hear.)
Well, now, it is a great blessing that so much of the road
should be opened. (Hear, hear.) It is quite clear those
are cases in which the effusion of blood has been either pre-
vented, or at all events its continuance has been shortened
by Pacific intervention—by intervention which is altogether
to be distinguished from the principle of meddlesome inter-
vention which would involve us in perpetual quarrels. It
is not the intervention of one officious state undertaking to
settle all the affairs of our neighbours, but it is in the main the
intervention and agency of states who represent a combined
force in Europe ; and who have a right to say to Europe
with something, at any rate, like authority,—who
have a right to say, particularly to the corners and
portions of Europe, you shall not play such a game ;
you shall not prejudice the general peace ; you
shall not set us all by the ears on account of your little
petty, local interest," and recommending to them arrange-
ments which on the whole have been found to act well for the
interest and compatibly with the satisfaction of all parties
interested. (Hear, hear.) Well, now if this—and negoci-
ation is undoubtedly devoid of that romantic interest wich
attaches to heroic achievements and war; I fully admit it.
It is beset and clogged with delay, and vexation, and with
intrigue and chicane. (Hear.) That is quite true, but if the
result is the saving of that effusion of human blood, and the
averting of the calamity which would disturb business and
industry,. and deprive nations of their subsistence, surely the
sacrifice is small, and surely the reward is adequate. (Cheers
and cries of " bravo.") Now, Mr. Mayor, I have detained
you much longer—(cries of " No, no")—led onwards by your
kindness and indulgence, I have detained you much longer in
regard to matters of foreign policy than I had intended (go
on). The Chancellor of the Exchequer, you must know in
his official capacity, is opposed pretty nearly to all wars.
(Hear, Hear.) At the same time, the present Chancellor of
the Exchequer, in his official capacity, is really of opinion
that the financial arrangements—good financial arrange-
ments, are amongst the most important preparations for war,
when war is necessary—and I frankly own, so far as fin-
ance is concerned, I really do not think England has been
efthn better prepared for war than at this instant. (Great
applause.) Matters have been reduced to a state of simplicity,
and as I adverted to certain persons who were more anxious
for a resort to arms than I could wish, I really suppose that
those gentlemen are so satisfied with the present legislature
acceptance of the Income Tax by the mass of the people, and
it being embodied in an act of Parliament for seven years—
they thought it would be very convenient indeed to introduce
a bill which might double the income tax. (Hear, hear, and
laughter.) Doubling the income tax is a very simple oper-
ation I assure you, so far as the House of Commons is con-
cerned. (Great laughter.) About 12 months ago, we heard
much of another measure that promised a good deal of
money, namely doubling the house tax. (Hear, hear, and
Laughter.) Perhaps it is possible there may be a portion of
the community— I do not think a larger portion—with whom
this measure has also become very popular. (Laughter.)
At any rate, gentlemen, I assure you it is not in
my seperate capacity, as peculiarly charged with the res-
ponsibility for the state of the public finances, that
T appearafn -war Tt is boewrisa, ava fin,. nil of us. thu
advisers" of the Crown, necessarily responsible, one and all,
on this great and vital subject of European policy, and be-
cause whether as a minister, as a christian, or as a man, I
Cannot but entertain from the bottom of my heart, the feel-
ing I have expressed, and moreover, expressed my perfect
confidence that those are the principles on which the Govern-
ment will endeavour, as you have stated, to secure the
honour of the crown, and the best interests of this country.
(Cheers.) Now, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, with respect
to domestic policy, I need not detain you long, for
the subject of greatest interest in connection with domestic
policy is that subject on which Manchester has spoken to-day
more audibly and more emphatically than any man or any
community can speak by mere words. (Hear, hear.) We
have happily reached a time when argument and statement
are alike needless in regard to the principles which ought to
regulate our financial and commercial legislation. (Hear,
hear.) In accepting, with the warmest thanks, the expres-
sion of your approval which has been accorded to the efforts
of Government and of public men, and of parliaments, during
recent years, I am well aware—and the addresses I had the
gratification to receive, would have made me of themselves
aware--4hat naturally and properly. you look' not to the past
only, but likewise to the future. (Hear, hear.) Much has
been achieved ; but in the vast and ever extending concerns
of this mighty empire, as far as my own experience goes, I
should say that the more active in each successive year Par-
liament becomes in its works of legislation, not less but more
still remains to do. (Hear, hear.) New social wants are
developed, new improvements suggested. It is a blessed
career, the career of wise and cautious but vigorous improve-
ment (hear, hear) ; and to that career in the transaction of
public business, I do not believe that a termination can be
fixed. (Applause.) Now, with respect to the present, I will
venture to say this one word. We have really reason for
gratification, as Mr. Bazley has well said, in the state of the
revenue which has just been declared. There is an apparent
increase in the quarter's revenue, of about £400,000, as com-
pared with the corresponding quarter of 1852, which was like-
wise a period of great prosperity. (Hear, hear.) A strict
analysis of that quarter's account, I am bound to say, would
make a considerable diminution in that apparent increase,
but still it remains true, that in the revenue of the country
there is a real increase on the quarter of the year. (Hear,
hear.) Now, that I venture to submit is, under the circum-
stances, a most gratifying fact, and for this particular reason :
during the session of parliament, we repealed taxation
with no sparing hand. (Hear, hear.) The address of the
Chamber of Commerce states that that body would be
very-well pleased if the silk duty, and certain deferential
duties had been swept away, and if the wine duty had been
reduced. They say they-would have been very well pleased
f that had been done. My answer is—so should I.
(Laughter and cheers.) But at the same time I say we
must see that such a reduction is consistent with the exigen-
cies of: the state, and we must fix such limits, to every
reduction or modification of taxation as will ensure to the
public the immense benefit and advantage, which is a
security and' a strength almost indescribable; the certainty,
as nearly as human foresight can secure it, of a surplus in
the public revenue. (Hear, hear, hear.) But this so hap-
pens, with no sparing hand did parliament repeal taxation
during last year, I think the repeal of taxes already it
operation, passes the sum of two millions. We proposed tc
provide for that deficiency from three sources, one was the
augmentation of the spirit duties in Scotland and Ireland;
the second was the extension of the Income Tax, in certain
respects ; and the third was the succession duties. Now
at the present moment we have derived, I think, the mere
trifling drop in the water of £lO,OOO or £12,000 from the
extension of the income tax. We have not derived, up to
the present moment, in consequence of the delay necessarily
attending the transaction of business, one farthing yet
from the new law, regarding the succession duties.
The spirit duties alone have been in operation, and
it is upon that account gentlemen I would point out to you
that when you consider almost the whole of our reduction of
taxes has taken full effect, and then on the other hand the
principal sources to which we look to supply the defect are
not practically in operation—you will agree with me that,
under these circumstances, the increase ofre venue in the quarter
is a most gratifying indication of the strength of the country.
(Hear, hear.) That is the case with reference to the pros-
perity of the country which is indicated by the revenue of
the quarter. Bnt there is a reference, I think, in the ad-
dress of the Chamber of Commerce to the paper duty. (Se-
veral gentlemen, " no, no.") It is in the proceedings of
the Council; I beg pardon; my memory failed me. But,
gentlemen, I will venture to tell you, although it
is a confession which works against myself, that when public
curiosity is excited with reference to any measure that may,
in a future session, be adopted, you cannot possibly have a
more inconvenient or impracticable a guest than a Chan-
cellor of. the Exchequer. (Laughter.) The gentlemen
holding other offices under the crown can ordinarily enter
into tolerably free discussion, and may announce their in-
tention to introduce this measure or that measure in the
next session of Parliament. But although I never felt more
disposed in my life to depart even from what I consider a most
salutary rule ; yet, still, I am sorry to say that the lips of a
man who holds my unfortunate situation are always hermeti-
cally sealed, until the particular day, hour, and moment
arrive, when it is his duty to rise in the House of Commons,
and bring forward what is called the budget. (Rear, hear,