The Express.
London, England, 1861-05-02 00:00:00

(Stamped, ld. Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

" preserved surplus," because although I am not
myself satisfied with all the calculations of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer as to the probable surplus of the year, we
are compelled to accept as a matter of confidence that
the accounts will be justly, fairly, and reasonably
made up, and the question that the House of Commons will
have to consider is not whether there is not a surplus, but
in what manner that surplus may be best applied in
,diminishing the burdens and reboring the industry of
the country. And, my lord, I have • strong opinion
myself that one portion at least of the mode in which
the government proposes to deal with this question is
not the mode which principally or politically is most
desirable; and I believe that if this country were polled
from one end to another, and I would almost reconcile
myself to that favourite nostrum, that skulking bole
of political cowardice—vote by ballot—icheers)—l would,
I say, be almost reconciled to the adoption of the principle
if I *add put before the country for ,tor deliberate decision
this question—Will you, for the advantage of the country,
have • million and • quarter of duty taken off paper, or
• million and • quarter off tea? (Cheers.) That is a
question which the House of Commons will have to decide
in the noniron of the present week, and without pretending
to be • prophet on the subject, I think I may venture to
my that if the government fund themselves in a minority
upon it, they will not apteal to the sense of the country
to confirm them in their opinion. Nothing I should
like better than for the ministry, to whom we are op-
posed, to go to the country with this cry, " Down 'with
the duty on paper, and up with the duty on tea."
(Laughter and cheers.) I mention this subject because it is
one not only of immediate urgency, but one of great
pattiesl as well as financial oonsideration. It is the
turning point of the Anemia policy of this
It is one on which turns the question whether lige
House of Commons will sanction a larger increase of direct
and a greater remission of indirect taxation, or whether in a
time of peace they should apply themselves at cam, or as
soon as circumstances will permit, to the reduction, not
the abolition, of those duties, which, by reduction,
might increase the revenue, and which were imposed
only to meet the extraordinary emergency of war. I have
said this is • question for the House of Commons to consider,
and Imy emphatically for the House of Commons, becauae
no one can be more ready than myself to say that to the
House of Commons belongs exclusively the imposition and
the regulation of the taxation of the country, and that
when • surplus has been established to the satisfaction of
the house, and they have formed the judgment with
respect to the best mode of dealing with that sur-
plus, they need not apprehend what some persons pre-
tend to apprehend—any collision upon such a judg-
ment between the two houses of parliament. (Cheers.)
It is quite true that, last year, when circumstances altered
—when the Chancellor of the Exchequer was coming for-
ward with an amended Budget, entirely falsifying the cal-
culations which had been previously brought before the
House of Commons—it is quite true that, under those
circumstances, when the figures of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer showed a manifest deficit of the revenue, the
House of Lords did feel it their duty, and did exercise
as exceptional, but at the same time • perfectly con-
stitutional right. (Hear.) They did interpose to diminish
the amount of the deficit, and succeeded in diminishing
the amount of that deficit by a million and • quarter ;
and although the Chancellor of the Exchequer we, very
angry with his colleagues for not resenting what he
considered au innovation, he yet with the greatest com-
placency pocketed the affront, and also the million
and a quarter -(laughter)—sad at the end of the year
found himself in • much more advantageous position than
be would have been had not the House of Lords exercised
that salutary supervision which I believe ha obtained
for them the universal unction et the country at large.
There being • surplus it is for the House of Commons to
decide how that surplus should be applied, and if there
should be any persons who imagine that upon such
a subject there can be any collision between the
two houses of parliament, they little know the
spirit which actuates the House of Lords, or the renders-
tka which is prescribed by the constitution, and which I
am sure will be exercised by that branch of the legislature.
(Cheers.) I have been told there are designs for meeting
a supposed opposition of the House of Lords by sending
up me sure this year in an unusual or exceptional form.
I do not know whether there is any truth in that
report or not, but of this I am quite sure, that the
House of Lords ere too much aware of ;heir own
dignity—too much aware of the importance of their posi-
tion—that they have too much self.respect, and too much
respect for the greatness of the interests confided to them,
for a single moment to indulge in resentment at the effusion
of party intrigue, and whatever course the House of Com-
mons may teke, they will not for is single moment turn
hum that calm, deliberate, and dignified consideration of
the whole state of the eountry, which they are bound, in
their lmislative capacity, to give to every mea-
sure before them. (Cheers.) I feel that I ought
to offer a thousand apologies for havinE so long detained
you. (" Oh," and cries of " No, no. ) Hut I have been
induced, by the kindness of your reception, to forget
the occasion upon which we have met together, and to
imagine that I have been talking to you with that
frankness and unreserve with which my poliiical friends
know that I always treat them. But, after all, I really
know not why I should apologies, except fur the unwar-
rantable trespass upon your time. Although I well know
these words are spoken, not only to friends and supporters,
but that they will go forth tomorrow, and be known to
opponents, and even to those who take no interest
in political affairs, yet I know not why I should apologise
for dilating upon the course of policy Nod motives of the
enumerative party to be brought before the country. We
have no secrets to conceal, no latent objecta to effect, no
desire to spring a masked battery upon our political op-
ponenta. We speak of the motives which influence our con-
duct—we are satisfied and confident that those motives are
such as will commend themselves to every honest and
patriotic mind. (Cheers.) And we venture to believe the
purity of those motives and the patriotism of that conduct
will be approved, appreciated, and in good time rewarded
by the 'country. (Cheers.) In my own name, but far
more gratefully in the name of that great party which
has so long honoured me with their confidence, I deeply
and gratefully thank you for the reception you leave given
me this day, and I can assure you, both on their
part and on niv own, that the sentiments of gratitude and
antisfactiou which have been inspired by your lordship's
kindness, and by the gratifying proceedings of this evening,
will never be obliterated front my memory, or from that of
my political friends. (Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR then proposed " The House of Lords,"
which was responded to by the Duke of Rtrrtarru.
The Earl of DERRY then proposed the health of the
Lord Mayor, and mid that of the many occupants of the
chair of the first magistrate of the City of London none
was more respected or more honoured than his esteemed
friend who now filled the Mike of Ion) Mayor of that
City. He trusted that his right hon. friend, while attend-
ing strictly to his duties slord mayor, would not for-
get that he had still great and important duties to
perform in connexion with the House of Commons,
and that he would be, as heretofore, as constant an
attendant in that sesembly, to see that the interests of the
country were carefully attended to. (Hear, hear.)
The Loan MAron, haring briefly expressed his acknow-
ledgments fur the onnipliment conferred upon him, pro-
pnsed " The House of Commons," coupling with it the Rams
of Ilfr. Disraeli—a name that had obtained a world-wide re-
putation, for commanding eloquence and sagacious states-
manship.
Mr. DDIRARLI, in returning thanks for the House of Com-
mons, and more especially fur that party in the House of
Commons with which he was connected, mid that the
house had sat for three months, and its proceedings
had not been without remarkable features of interest.
During that time a series of measures hail been intro-
duced, not by the government, hut by a powerful section
of the 'arty who supported the government, devisod with
great ability, and calculated to affect the institutions of
the country, and bring about a disruption of the political
power of England. With respect to these measures, the
government had, in some iostames, supported them by their
speeches and opposed them by their votes, and in others
they had opposed them by their speeches and supported
then, by their votes. (Cheers and laughter.)
Amongst the other toasts of the evening were the fol-
lowing :—"The Lord Lieutenant of the County," which
was responded to by the Marini, of Salisbury ;
City Magistrates," "The Bank of England," and " Thu
Lady Mayoress."
In the course of the evening the land of the Coldstream
Guards performed several pieces of musk%
The banquet was in every respect highly creditable to
Hears. Ring and Brinier, by whom it wis supplied.
Mr. Harker was highly effective as a toast-master.

Wxemr.TA:e Entteartme.—The annual meeting
on behalf of Wesley.. education was held yesterday even-
ing at the Ceotenaryball, Bishopec.,teatreet, which was
densely crowded. The Fed of Shaftesbury presided, and
was supported by the Rev. W. W. stamp. Rev. W. M.
Punshos, Rev. T. Vasey, Rev. John Scott, Rev. William
Arthur, /kr. The report of the Wesleyan Committee of
Education, which was read by Mr. C. Taylor, stated that
during the year there had been an increase of more than
17,900 Sabbath 'obelus and 7,500 day scholium. The num-
ber of new schools opened had been 32, and they accommo-
dated 4,679 children. The income of the fund had been
4.72'i!. lie. 9,1., the expenditure was 4,6.01. 7a 111, and
the balance in hand was 461. 3e. 104. The chairman, in his
opening address, said he had a high estimate of the service.
which the Wesleyan denomination had rendered to the
muse of education, and be gave with gloat heartiness his
support to the society. His lordship then entered at some
length into the general question of education, and said the
conclusions arrived at ia the Royal Commissioners' report
with regard to ragged schools were unjust, and he had in
the House of Lords given notice of a motion on the subject.
The report was adopted. Addresses were afterwards deli-
vend by Mr. W. M'Arthur, Rev. W. W. Stamp, Rev. J.
Vasey, and Rev. W. Pupation, andafter a voteof thankshad
been given to the chairman the pieceedinm terminated with
a prayer.