The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-05 00:00:00

THE SUM LONDON, SATURDAY EYE

Postmaster-General. I ask you why it should be a fact
'imt r, tv;tl-,ir, the mrinere of living ?MP, nothing
less than a peer should have occupied that position,
which requires a knowledge of business, and something
better than acquaintance with the requirements of com-
mercial necessity, and many other qualities, which
are not found in one peer out of ten. (Great
applause.) I desire to be as honest with you as I
am with others, and I think you deserve it at my hands.
Depend open it, because we wish it to be so it will be
•o. I believe at this moment there are not fifty men io
he House of Commons who are full proof against tbhousand firms of influence ItT, which they are
sur-
rounded. (Cries of " hear, hear. ) This will readily be
eeen to be the case when I call your attention to the
fact which has been brought prominently under public no-
tice, that there is in that house 120 sons of peers, and
100 ions-in-law, grandsons, nephews, or other re-
atives. I don't say that they have no right there
.f they possess the attributes of men calculated to
tarrying on the business of the country. So long as the
emstituencies continue to send such men, we shall have
.hem. But if things go on as they are, we must take
:tilted steps to remedy them. I am anxious to appeal
o every one interested in this matter, that it is only so
ar as you feel individually responsible for the candi-
iates for your suffrages that we shall get any real redress.
;Cheers.) And as a first step towards the attainment of
.bat object, there must be a thorough and entire change
,n public opinion as to the character of the relationship
e-tween a member of parliament and his constituency.
So long as he is compelled to go cap in hand to the
voter and ask for his vote, it will no longer be amazing
o hear persons say that they did not give their
vote, because it was not worth while if it was not worth
taking for. (Cheers.) It is this indifference on the
cart of the people which really justifies, at least tho-
roughly accounts for, the state of things to which I ap-
peal. My concluding remarks are, let us, as citizens of
London, take care of that at the next election. (Vo-
iiferous cries of hear, hear, and cheering.) I am quite
aware that I am treading upon tender ground. (Cries
" No, no ; you are on the right ground, go on.") I
tm quite aware that I am speaking indirectly in re-
erence to a man with regard to whom I must
express the highest personal respect. But in
reference to all questions of the day—all questions have
mg reference to that kind of legislation on which the
,ate lamented Joseph Hume spoke out so strongly—that
kind of legislation that seeks to promote the largest pos-
sible happiness of the largest possible number—with re-
'erence to all these cases of legislation there was
' tot that earnest and distinct utterance of opinion
' to which I think we have a right. In conclusion, I do
entreat you to bear these things in your mind, and to
take care to do your duty in this particular light when
you have next the opportunity. (Loud cheers.) I
,bank you, heartily, for the kind attention you have
given me, and I appeal to you, with all my heart, to
support me— (loud cries of "Hear, hear")—in preserving
axler to-day, and let me also beg of you not to allow
mur attention to be diverted from the great object be-
'ore us, which aims at the formation of an association
vhich I hope will prove of advantage to the country,
end which I hope you will maintain. (Loud cheers.)
Before I sit down I feel very anxious to refer to one
toint, which I have hitherto forgotten. It is this : I want
o express my honestindignation,as an Englishman, at the
"rippery of the Prime Minister. (Cheers, and cries of
Hurrah.") Lord Palmerston may be, and is a man of
:onsummate ability, and has manners which would grace
my dancing master. (Laughter, and cries of "hear.") I
iave no wish to enter into personalities, but the thing is
.o atrocious, and the deep injuries which England has
mustained, have, when mentioned, only Been met by
iniversal joking. (Loud applause.) I can take you to
eie columns of any newspaper, and I could select twenty
peeches that have been delivered by Lord Palmerston
ince he has been Prime Minister, of a character which
vould have broken the hearts of thousands. I can
how you that out of that twenty nineteen at least have
esulted in roars of laughter. (near hear.) I trust the
tterance from this' large meeting wilt be such as at lest
check such tendencies for the future. After again
`tanking the meeting for the attention they had'given,
jut the chairman resumed his seat.
Mr. J. J. TRAVERS Moved the following resolution:—
" That the disasters to which the country has been sub-
toted in the conduct of the present war are attributable to
re inefficient and practicelly irresponsible management of'
t various departments of the State, and urgentlydetnand
thorough change in the administrative system."
'here was little, he sail, to be added to what had al-
eady been stated by the chairman. The disasters
o which the country had been subjected in the
conduct of the present war was attributable to
,he inefficient, impracticable, and irresponsible ma-
iagement of the various departments of the State—
,loud cheers)—and he believed the country, from one
.nd to Ole other, would agree in the matured and mild
xpression of such a resolution as that he had proposed.
['hey did not require to look without for evidence
if the inefficiency and irresponsibility of the Govern-
rent, because they had given the country evidence of it
hentselves. (Cheers.) Lord John Russell had expressed
:is opinion of the defects in our present adinivistration.
sir Robert Peel had more than once asserted that
ie declined to aid in the responsibilities of Government,
tecause Government did everything badly. (Cheers.)
tVhilst Sir Graham and Sir Charles Trevelyan had given
!vidence of the impossibility of carrying on the Govern- ,;
nent in a correct and proper manner, so long as the
louse was constituted as at present. The people of this
country had no one to blame but themselves for
this state of things, and in dealing with ques-
-ions of this kind, he would entreat his fellow-country-
nen to dismiss from their minds any feeling of irritation
tgainst persons who bad been called from. circum-
,tances to work a system it was impossible to work
correctly. The objects and feelings of the gentlemen
vho in the first instance convened this meeting, it was
necessary the country should know, and he would en-
leavour to explain them. It had lately been asserted
that they were making an • attempt at a revolution,
tut he treated such an accusation with the contempt
it deserved (hear, hear, and cheers) and if any
'nun in his senses asserted that the tradesmen and mer-
shants of this country, whose debts and property were
ike "sheep on the hill-side," desired to subvert the
law and good order of this country, he would tell him he
seas a madman. (Loud cheers.) No such design
tiisted in London. (Hear, hear.) It had also been
asserted that they desired to subvert the Government of
the country, but that he denied. (Hear, hear.) This
uovement was, he believed, too large and too general
to condescend to attack any particular Government
or individual (hear, hear)—and he wished it to
no clearly understood that, so far as his
,pinions went, and those with whom he had been in
communication, they bad no desire to attack any indi-
vidual, or to hold them responsible for the disgrace and
evils of a system. There was nothing mean or petty in this ,
tnovernent of the people, and he should be ashamed
of any body of men in London who could attack any
gentleman, as he was grieved to Heathe House of
Corn-
nods had attacked one man. r, and cheers.) If
they believed the evils of which they complained existed
.vholly and solely with one particular class or govern-
ment, they would be almost content to sacrifice
hat class or government ; but it was not so—the fault
vas, as the chairman 'ad stated, with the constituencies
;hernselves—(cheery)—and in proof of that he hoped
moon to'place such facts before them that it was so, for
n every constituency in the country there was a number
,f men on the registry but unpolled sufficient in number
trel intelligence if they cmild be made to exercise their
"ranchise as would make the present representation of
,he people available for immediate purposes. (Cheers.)
Ie believed it was the first duty of the city of London
,o arouse the middle classes to a sense of their duties
nil dangers, and it was with that object that the pre-
ant movement was originated. (Hear; hear, hear.)
Et was for them to say if it should be called on
in a proper manner, or things rem tin as they now
were, left in the hands of a few and compari-
tively speaking unkno vn individuals. (Cheers.) An-
wering fer himself and others, they were determined,
as men of business—as a matter of prudence—and a
rnetter of necessity, to do everything in their power to
arouse the constituencies to a sense oftheir duty. (Cheers.)
In undertaking the onerous charge of putting before
the public some definite plan of reform, it would be an
assumption on their part without they had with them
the large masses of the people. (Cheers.) The object of
the present meeting was to appoint a committee who
should consider and devise some mode of reforming the
evils complained of, and in that he asked them for sup-
port, and he was satisfied from what he knew of the
spirit of the people of the country, they would have an
unanimous response to the call. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. B. GASSIOTT seconded the motion, and said,
whatever may have been the business-like character of
their statesmen, they certainly had brought this country
into a low state in the estimation of the other nations of
Europe, notwithstanding they had been supplied with
unlimited means for carrying on the war. The hon.
gentleman then referred to the meeting of Parliament in
December, and the introduction of the foreign enlist-
ment bill, which was opposed, he thought, very unfairly
by Lord Derby. (Hear.) He had a statement to bring
before them which he would not have ventured to do
had not the original documents been in his possession.
No doubt many of them had read the evidence taken before
the Parliamentary committee, and saw the question
which was put to the Duke of Newcastle, whether there
had not been an offer made to the Government of a
guerilla force, and his answer that it was the first time
he had heard of it. Oa the 28th December the house
rose, and on the 31st a gentleman, well known to him,
made the Proposition to the Government. In the last
week of December, 1854, Mr. C. Manby transmitted to
the War Department a letter from Mr. J. L. Manby, of
Paris, containing an offer to furnish for the
Crimea 10,000 Spanish guerilla troops, armed,
accoutred, and officered, 5,000 in three weeks,
and the other 5,000 in three weeks after, at the bounty
of U. sterling per man. These men were to be of the
first class of guerillas, and accustomed to their own
peculiar warfare. This letter was Bent to Mr. Roberts,
Under-Secretary of State. It was feared that otherwise
it might be lost amidst the numerous docuMents then in-
undating the War Department, Arequest was at the
same time conveyed that if the
offer wasentertained the
communication might be direct with Mr. Meet)), at Paris.
The receipt ospfsla,
chbeayt MI
youretrt.e lrleltw°t
t of
Jy
you
un u
wisha y ,
it,lB bear es r
tianntriboeunce
handsd onof
mt,ll
le. 1. s
s, who stated, will, if
the secretary of the duke—bee at r Brock,
with similar letters, and it is only
, that the details of organisation present we are flooded
right to let you know
February, having to transtriita letter heartily reciprocate your good do not rest here. I
wishes. On the 25th of
-1 to the War Department, Mr. on another subject
(I course to Mr. Roberts' kinduess,aMndaerrebmyniangdaeidn
hhimadthraet-
; p"etrhheeadgutherainllaswewsotmute been cheaper at 1/.
Westminster
ye at the then rate of

I bounty." To that a reply was sent on the 26th Feb.
from Mr. Robert', " Your letter to Lord Panmure bae
been given to his private secretary. The matter of
Government offer of Spanish gueriila troops will
be inquired about." On the sth March a letter
from Mr. J. L. Manby, of Paris, dated the 4th, to his
brother, complaining of the delay, and stating " I wish
you to clearly understand that this is not a matter, of
business, it originated with my friend Colonel Gaudard,
a most gallant officer, who, although a Progressista, and
a great friend of Espartero, commanded the troops agairst
the rabble during the late revolution, rescued the Queen
Dowager, and certainly saved the town from pillage.
This 16 the officer I alluded to as ready to command the
troops which we offered." This letter was for-
warded to the War Department, and on the 6th
March the following answer was received from Mr.
Roberts :—" If the offer of a Spanish guerilla
corps came to me as a private letter, it was no doubt
given to the Duke of Newcastle, and I have nu means of
referring to it. If it bad been a public 16tter it
would have been upon the records of the War-office, but
upon reference to the register I do not see it entered.
My own recollection does not serve me with respect
to it, indeed with some hundreds of letters coming in
every day. I may well be pardoned for not carrying all
in my memory. You will readily perceive how,
in an office like this, only public letters can
be dealt with satisfactorily." (Cheers.) The honour-
able gentleman then adverted to the fact of their
being this offer to the Government of 10,000 troops at a
time when the Government said they had received but
a small ni-mber of applications on account of the lan-
guage that had been used in the house, which had dis-
gusted the parties, and prevented them offering their
assistance. (Hear, hear—" turn them all out.") He
next adverted to thel motion brought forward by Mr.
Roebuck, and its meeting with opposition from every
member of the Ministry but one, and the melancholy pic-
ture presented by the evidence that had been taken before
the committee. Every Englishman must have been
greatly mortified at reading the painful details he was
compelled to wade through. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
In conclusion, he called attention to the mercantile
marine of this country in connection with the transport
service, and showed how efficiently they conducted the
business of the country, and the energy of Messrs.
Peto, in contrast to the Government, and the
manner in which theY have constructed the railway at
Balaklava, and had completed it within a month of the
time laid down in the contract. As an instance of how
right men filled their right places he had only to refer to
Sir William Moleswortb, who bad been removed
from the Colonies, where he had been of such great as-
sistance, to the Woods and Forests, the business of which
department was manifestly badly managed. (Hear.) In
the House of Commons, Mr. Osborne, the Secretary of the
Admiralty, had taken credit for that department as
being perfect, whatever defects there might be in the
other departments ; but he (Mr. Gassiott) hap-
pened to know a circumstance whuh showed
a little remissness in the Admiralty eepartment. The
English residents at Oporto contributed a quantity of
wine for the exigencies of the array in the
Crimea, and they sent it to London, with
instructions for it to be forwarded through the Ad-
miralty. The Duke of Newcastle thanked the donors
for the very seasonable present, and that he had written
requesting it to be forwarded. A few weeks after
that his friend who had charge of it in the docks asked
him what had better be done with it, as it would
not improve by being kept in the frost. He
advised him to write to Mr. Osborne, which
he did, and it was only after that this perfect department
attended to the orders sent some time before by the Duke
of Newcastle. At a time like the present it was the
duty of every citizen to speak plainly and act firmly,
and it was from this feeling that he should second the
resolution.

The CHAIRMAN stated at this point of the meeting
that such was the feeling upon this important subject
that parties who could not obtain admission to the meet-
ing here had formed one in the Guildhall, and that
meeting was at •the present moment presided over by
Mr. Olivera,.

Mr. P. B. POWLES supported the resolution, and in
doing so took occasion to complain most bitterly against
the course that had been pursued by Lord Palmerston
ever since he had been Prime Minister. The present
movement was one of the most important that
had ever been taken by the middle classes, and one
which he felt assured would ultimately, notwithstanding
all the difficulties that beset it, effect its object. (Cheers.)
Upon the C.,airrnan putting the question, that the
resolution should be adopted,

•
Mr. ALFRED WALKHR, who was in one of the galle-
ries, requested permission to make an, amendment to
the resolution, as he aid not think that it went far
enough. _ _

After some discussion and considerable uproar,
Mr. WALKER wag allowed to address the meeting on
his amendment, but such was the feeling against him,
that not one word in ten was heard.

The CHAIRICAN stated that they had got an enemy in
their camp, and appealed to the meeting whether Mr.
Walker should be heard or not.

The meeting decided unanimously that Mr. Walker
should not be heard, and consequently he bowed to that
decision.

Mr. W. S. LINDSAY, 1111. P., proposed the next reso-

uti on :

" That the true remedy for the system of mal-adminis-
,tration which has caused so lamentable a sacrifice of labour,
money, and human life is to be sought in the introduction
of enlarged experience and practical ability into the ser-
vice of the State."

He felt ashamed of the course that had been pursued by
the Prime Minister, and the flippant manner in which
he had answered some of the most important questions
that had ever been put to a Minister of England. There
could be no doubt that the Government was formed of
clever men ' • but somehow or other, every one of them
appeared to be put in the wrong place. (Cheers.) As
a man of business and a merchant of the City of London,
he asserted, without fear of contradiction, that the course
the present meeting proposed to adopt was legal, and
one which was called for, and must be adopted either
now or 'some time hence. (Hear, hear.) He had
made an offer, some time ago, to Sir James Graham,
when he was First Lord of the Admiralty, to show
him a plan, and to carry it out, to reform the course
pursued in that department ; but that offer was
treated with contempt and disdain. There was no doubt
that the committee, on the question of the course that
had been pursued in the Crimea, would end in the sacri-
fice of several bullocks ; and it would be their duty to
take care—and they might depend upon it he would do
so—that those bullocks were not the lean and unfattened
ones that had fed upon charity, but those who had ob-
tained their portly shape under the auspices of the
Government.
Mr. SAMUEL BAKER seconded the resolution. Could
any one say that the country, with its liberality in carry-
ing on the war, and finding the means of doing so, had
been met in a true spirit by the Government ? (Cheers.)
To use a common phrase, had they had their pennyworth.
for their penny ? He thought that every man of common
sense would say that they bad not. (Hear.) He
felt proud to see the members of the press below him,
because he felt assured that they would send to every
corner of the world the opinions that bad been
expressed upon this important movement by the meeting.
Atter some further observations, Mr.BAnER concluded
by proposing the resolution.
Mr. FRANCIS DEVAN seconded the resolution. He
alluded to the unfitness of the subordinate appointments
of the present Ministry, particularly that of the Under-
Secretary for War, for he contended that Mr. Peel was
very unfit. (Hear, hear.) Capacity and small pay, in-
capacity and large pay, seemed to be the rule in our
public service. Those offices which ought to be
prizes and rewards for services were now monopo-
lised by a few. Who was the Master-General of
the Ordnance ?—Lord Raglan. (Groans.) Either Sir
a.. Ross, who represented him here, was inadequately
remunerated, or Lord Rag'an ought to be deposed.
(Odes of "'No Raglan.") If great energy, knowledge,
and judgment could be purchased, depend upon it no
place could be found for any but the aristocracy. He
did not say a word against the aristocracy as a class.
All honour to the aristocracy as a class. (Hear, hear.)
But need he' refer to the gallant charge at
Balaklasa. What was the judgment that guided that
charge ? (Hear.) Why, at the Battle of Inkerman,
which was called the "soldiers' battle," if the officers
had done their duty, the blood of the men would not
have followed, as it did at that memorable engagement.
(Hear, hear.) Then look at the supply of boots and
shoes for the soldiers--look to the management of the
hospitals at Scutari. At first all was mismanage-
ment ; but when the appointment of civilians
took place all was improved. The speaker pro-
ceeded to comment at some length on the facts elicited
before the*Sebastopol Committee. What was the re-
medy for this state of things ? Why, it was only in such
an association as this. (Cheers.) What was the fact ?
Why, a great number of,people who were unable to gain
admittance here were at this moment assembled at the
Guildhall, lied had sent for the resolutions of
this meeting to support them. (Lond cheering.)
Why, this meeting was attended by Liberals, Con-
servatives,
_Radicals, and all shades of political
opinion, who had agreed to merge their differences in one
great effort, for which this meeting was assembled.
(Cheers.) Mr. Layard treated of this " system" in the
proper manner in the House of Commons ; but, though
he was hounded down by the party most interested in
keeping up the present system, the people would back
him out. (Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding the sneers of
the Prime Minister, and the cry of the pack of
hounds that followed him—(hear, hear, and cheers)
—the people would back Mr.Layard up, and he need not
remind the meeting that those members of the House of
Commons who took such an active part against Mr.
Layard, had all of them, in all probability, gained their
position by the very principle which Mr. Layard de-
nounced.' (Cheers.) He should not occupy their time
longer. (Cries of "Go on.") He should leave it for
others,to follow with many other facts ; he should only
say that the voice raised by Mr. Layard was the voice
of the country. (Cheers.) Their response proved
that it was, and that Mr. Layard was at least one of the
men fit for the emergency. (Cheers.) There were many
more such men, who, by their votes and voices, were
ready to aid the great movement so auspiciously begun
this day. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. J. NEIL supported the resolution. He felt
strongly the course that had been pursued by Lord
Palmerston, and could not but lament what he had done.
He had disdained baying any assistance from them in
the city, who could have given him the best advice
upon some of the most momentous matters
that had occurred. Perhaps blame in that respect was
more to be imputed to the system than Lord Palmerston
himself. The bon gentleman concluded by supporting
the resolution. which was carried unanimously.
Mr. TITS then rose to move the last resolution :

"That an association be now formed-to promote, by all
constitutional means, the attainment of administrative re-
form,

" That the association be called the Administrative
I Reform Association, and that the following gentlemen,
with power to add to their number, be appointed the com-
mittee, to collect funds, to prepare an address to the con-
stituents of the United Kingdom, and generally to carry
out the objects of the association."
He believed that it was the duty of everyman connected
with the movement to go heart and hand with it.
(Hear, hear.) He believed the country had been dis-
graced by. the men at present in power, and it was the
duty of the present
futetingtoadopt the resolution in
order to effect some alteration. There was very little
doubt.that-the.preslint government Were Clever men but
the worst of it was they were all put in the wrong place.
He would not much longer detain the meeting, but be-
fore he sat down he would mention an anecdote in con-
nection with the war. A body of scientific gentlemen
met some time ago in connection with the Royal Society
on subjects wisociated with the exposition of French
industry. He Vas at that time greatly shocked
with the state of things existing at the hospital at
Scutari, and the number of deaths which had occurred
there. Many medical gentlemen were present, and he
brought the subject forward in the course of converea -
tion,.and inquired " bow is it at this time of the year we
are losing so many men from dysentery !" One of the
gentlemen, then a medical man of high authority,
informed him that the wantuf ventilation in the hospi-
tal, was the cause of the excessive mortality, and until
some remedy for the evil, was devised, dysentery would
prevail. The doctor further told him that he bad invented
a very simple means of ventilation, which would not cost
101., and was, moreover, so simple that any ship's car-
penter could make it ; but that he had not thought it
worth while to bring it under the notice of the Govern-
ment. He (Mr. Tite) therefore wrote 'a letter to the
Duke of Newcastle on the subject. He waited
a week for an answer, and then it arrived with
plenty of routine and red tape—(laughter)—and was
pretty much to the following effect :—" I have received
your letter, will you be good enough to state what is the
nature of the invention of the learned doctor," without
writing to the doctor to obtain the required information.
The suggestion it was needless to say was not attended
to, nor had been to this day. Before be sat down he
must request them not to forget the sinews of war.
There must be subscriptions towards the association, and
he trusted those who nould afford it would come forward
with their subscriptions, and that all would put their
hands in their pockets and contribute their rtmite.
Mr. HUTCHINSON, Chairman of the Stock Exchange,
seconded the resolution, which he said he did most cor-
dially and heartily. The resolution was then passed
with acclamation.

Mr. GEORGE BISHOP jun., next came forward, and
said he should most heartily lend his humble endeavours
to carry out the objects of the association. (Cheers.)
Mr, OLIVEIRA, M.P., then came on the platform and
said he had just come from the Guildhall, where he had
the honour of presiding as chairman, which was most
orderly and peaceful. The resolutions of this meeting
were taken as the basis of the meeting at the Guildhall,
and were all passed unanimously, with the exception that
to the first resolution a rider was added to the effect that
there must be an enlargement of the constituency.
The resolution was then put from the chair, and the
chairman said as they were in earnest he begged the
meeting would put down their names to contribute to
the funds for the objects of the meeting.
The usual vote of thanks to the chairman concluded
the proceedings, and the meeting separated with cheers
for the Queen, and the va't assemblage then dispersed.
A numerous list of contributors was then prepared in
the adjoining room.

20
10
12i
St

25
812 s

The following speech was to be delivered by a gentle-
man present :—" I feel honoured in being per-
mitted to second the resolution RO ably introduced to
your notice by the honourable gentleman who
has just spoken ; and must express at the same
time- a regret, approaching to deep sorrow, at the
existing causes which have originated this meeting.
Twelve months since I would not have devoted one
hour of time or ten pounds of money to the
object for which this assemblage bas met,
and which I am now here to advocate ;
but, sir, many and melancholy have been the changes
the public affairs of this country have under-
gone since then, and those feelings which now influence
me, are, I doubt not, shared by most of you here present
whu like myself little contemplated the establishment
of such an association as this. But, let me ask those
present, Who have perused the reports of the proceedings
of Mr. Roebuck's Committee, and who has not ? Whe-
ther the lamentable disclosures made thereby do not
fully justify that thrilling declaration of the right hon.
member for the City of London, when on the 26th
of January he states in his place in thetHouse of Commons
"No one can deny the_ melancholy condition of our
army before Sebastopol ; the accounts which arrive from
that quaiter every week are not only painful, but horrible
and heartrending." What has been done since to remedy
these evils. A beneficent Providence has improved the
character of the weather. The efforts of Hiss Nightin-
gale, to whom be all honour, have been eminently
successful in the relief of the sick and wcunded.
couple this again with the graphic but mournful nat..
raeive of that indefatigable and praiseworthy clergyman,
S. G. 0., and you have the origin of this meeting
clearly before you. A. report has been freely circulated
to the effect that this is nothing less than a revolutionary
meeting. having for its object the humiliation of the
upper classes of society, . and the subversion of all
law and order. (Hear.) You, sir, and gentlemen,
know better. Men occupied, as most of us are,
and have been for years in this great city, are not likely
to seek the destruction of those social elements which
are the protection of our property and labours, and I will
venture to say. that there are few here but what will
heartily join with me in reiterating the sentiments of the
Prime Minister, that it will be a sorry day for
England when its nobility are not found in the
front ranks of the public service of the
country, as civilians, naval and military men, there ,
they ought to be—and there distinguish themselves
in La manner worthy of the memory of those men
whose public services first gained these honours.
but when they lack ability, or a laudable desire to la-
bour for the public good, let them cheerfully yield
the palm to those men who possess their
attributes, men whose general merits and habits
of business fit them for public stations. Such
men have been found, and may be so still. Hav-
ing said thus much, • I will trespass briefly on
your time by sluding to two or three grave
questions in connections with public affai.s,
and then leave •to better qualified men the
opportunity of addressing you in detail. I
With respect to that disastrous but brilliant sacrifice—
the Light Cavalry charge at Balaklava, it has been re- '
marked, that we shall never get at the cause of its occur-
rence ; but, gentlemen, the solution is plain and painfully
simple. Your administration sent to battle two noble-
men of unquestionable personal courage, rivals for fame,
and devoted to their countries cause ; but these two I
gallant soldiers were not, as is well known to
every member of the social circle in which
they move upon speaking terms. How then was it
possible. for these two men cordially to co-operate,
or to effect any interchange of opinions, in regard
to the proper performance of the momentous
duties—it was too much to expect—and the re-
sult of these mis -appointments was as we all
know too well, mournfully disastrous. I have
fresh on my mind, a case bearing strong analogy to this
—it the total loss of an East Indiaman in the China
sea, owing to the officers in charge of the watch
being at enmity and not on speaking terms—
the one in charge of the forecastle nailed the
quarter-deck. "Breakers ahead." "You may be as-
sured you are moonblind," was the reply of a few morns
later—and the crew were in the open ocean, and
the noble ship a total wreck. And owing to
the prevalence of secular hostile feelings, do I attribute
the wreck of our gallant Light Cavalry
Brigade. Where then, let me ask, was the wisdom
or foresight that courted rather shunned such fearful
probabilities. I now come to the equally grave
'of the many and valuable transports sa-
crificedthe 14th November, owing entirely to of-
ficial mismanagement and want of that judicious fore-
sight which should have regulated the proceedings
question
on
of the Admiral and his immediate subordi-
nates. Why condemn to death, as was the 'case, the
unfortunate master and crew of the Resolute, who
imploringly sought to be permitted to adopt the only
course that would save his ship from destruction. 1
am credibly informed that for several days prior to the
gale of the 14th, the barometer had given indication of
its approach ; and these indications no seamen can
disregarrd without incurring a fearful penalty—
one of the standing orders of the Admiral
I cannot forbear remarking upon the general apathy that
seems to prevail in regard to all these momentous mat-
ters, whether looking to the Administration or to the
House of Commons. The first have notoriously failed
in their duties, and consequently possess not the
confidence of the country ; but more strange still
that the latter appears to sanction or connive at all this
wrong—nay, by the general hilarity of the members on
certain trivial occasions, one Would imagine they ap-
prove, or rejoice in the prevailing confusion. Our
venerable Premier—failing to realize his age, or the
dignity of his office, takes the lead, lets off some barren
commanding-in-chief should have been to proceed to sea
on such indications being shown, and t •
ap am Heath, in
his examination before the committee, states as a
cer-
tainty, that these vessels were in the offing, with sea-
room, not one of them Would have been lost— words
to that effect—and their valuable freight—trebly 'ya u
able, under the circumstances then existing, would have
been saved ; but to leave ships at anchor in from
twenty to forty feet in water within a few
ships-length of a rocky iron bound
witticism—the cue is taken up by the minor coast,
sattelites of
the constellation—and cheers and laughter prevail,
where mourning and sorrow would be more fitting.

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