The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-27 00:00:00

was in the Cabinet made any distinct proposal, of which
I am aware, for the better prosecution of the war, which
had been rejected, and on the rejection of which he was
entitled to say that he could not continue to be responsible
for measures of which he disapproved,—on Tuesday even-
ing last, after having appeared in this house, and having
given notice of motions which he had to make in his capa-
city of President of the Council, writes to the noble lord
at the head of the Government, tenders his re-
signation upon the simple ground that ho is unable to re-
sist the motion of the hon. and learned member for Shef-
field. If, as I have said before, my noble friend's resigna-
tion was founded upon the objection of the First Lord of
the Treasury to adopt the change which he had proposed
in the War Department, I think he would have done better
to have repeated that reason in the letter in which he ten-
tiered his resignation. That would have given the noble
earl at the head of the Government the opportunity of re-
considering the proposal, and the reasons on which it was
founded, and if he had declined to adopt it, and my noble
friend had still continued of opinion that this was a sine
qua non change which he had proposed, then his resigna-
tion would have been placed en grounds to which it ap-
pears to me nobody could in reason have taken any objec-
tion. But I must say that I think the noble lord's col-
leagues are entitled, not only to feel regret at the loss of
so great, so eminent, and so influential a member of the
Government and of this house, but they are entitled also
to say that that loss occurred to them in a manner in
which, according to usual practice, they were not j as-
tided in expecting it. (Hear.) With regard, therefore, to
the circumstances under which my noble friend has quitted
office, I feel bound to state that I think the hasty and pre-
cipitate manner in which he tendered his resignation
Was a departure from the ordinary practise, and was a mea-
sure, I eau hardly say of which the Government had a
right to complain, but which, at least, they were not j usti-
fied in expecting. Having stated thus much on this part
of the subject, I shall abstain from any further remarks
with regard to it. I can assure my noble friend that, in
making this criticism upon the course he has pursued, I
do it from a strong sense of duty, and not from any un-
friendly feeling towards him. (" Hear," from Lord J.
Russell.) I entirely agree with the opinion expressed by
the noble lord towards the close of his address, that, who-
ever may be charged with the management of the war in
future will feel it his duty, as far as his functions go, to
conduct the war with vigour and energy, with a view to
a successful result. Undoubtedly I concur in that view,
and her Majesty's Government have felt it their duty,
notwithstanding the loss which they have sustained by
v the secession of the noble lord, not to run away from
the motion whichis to come on this evening. They
have felt that it would have been a disgraceful flight
if they had
not determined to meet that motion. W e
stand as we are, minus the loss of the noble lord (laugh-
ter), and without any other change. We are ready to
meet the motion as we stand, and if should be car-
ried, as of course may ensue, it is unnecessary for me to
say what the result will be. (" Hear," and a laugh.) If,
in the course of the debate, reasons should be urged against
the motion, of sufficient weight to induce the house to re-
ject it, why then it will be for her Majesty's Government
to consider what course they will pursue with regard to
their composition for the future. (A. laugh.) This, how-
ever, we say, that whoever may be the person charged with
the conduct of this war, it must be conducted in the man-
ner described by tho noble lord—in accordance with the
public feeling of the country, and with all the energy and
vigour of which the Government is capable. (Hear, hear.)
If be so conducted, I concur with my noble friend that
this war cannot fail of being brought to a successful issue.
We have for us, not only the unanimous and enthusiastic
feeling of the British nation, but we have also the cordial
persistence and co-operation of our great ally, the Em-
peror of the French, and the French nation. (Hear.) I
must say that one of the most magnificent spectacles which
history has ever presented to mankind is to see these
two great nations uniting their efforts in so noble and
glorious a cause. We have often seen in former times two
great Powers united and co-operating for the purposes of
injustice, in the pursuit of further conquest, and for the
destruction of the independence of nations . but this is the
first time in the history of mankind in which we have seen
two great nations, co-operating cordially and earnestly as
one;Poaer in support of a cause honourable to both. (Hear,
hear.) It must be evident, therefore, 'that if the energies
of this country are directed, in co-operation with those of
the French nation, by a Government which knows the value
of the instruments it possesses, and which appreciates the
objects it has in view, my noble friend will prove a true
prophet, and the war will be conducted to an honourable
and safe peace—a peace which will secure not only the
dignity of the country, but the independence and future
tranquillity of Europe. (Cheers.)