The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-18 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAME

HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening,

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
COUNTY COURTS AMENDMENT ACT.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said it was with much
regret that he stated he had been induced to withhold from
proceeding with this bill during the present session. It
would be impossible, he 'was assured, that the bill could be
passed through the other house this session. It was a
matter of very great importance, and had met with much
opposition in many quarters. It was desirable that the
question should be carefully and deliberately considered.
Lord BROUGHAM was glad that his noble and learned
friend had withdrawn the bill. Not only was there great
doubt about its passing through the other house this ses-
sion, but it was most questionable if it would pass through
their lordships' house.
THE DANO-GERMAN WAR.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH called attention to the
fact that in nine days' time the armistice between the
Danes and the Germans would end. Their lordships had
no doubt read with much pleasure the declaration of the
view of Denmark on the subject, published a few days ago.
What did she say in that declaration ? She consented to
the proposal of cession of territory, but she did it subject to
the condition that her future position should be one in which
she should preserve her independence and her autonomy.
In respect to the relation France held towards the Danes
he could not think that she would desert her ancient ally
when she was being trampled upon. To the question,
what right the German Powers had ? he answered the right
of conquest. A conqueror had no rights in an unjust
war. Had a housebreaker rights in a house he entered
the night ? He did not ask, under the present cir-
cumstances, what her Majesty's Government in-
tended to do. He inferred from what had been said
that at least they would not permit the junction of the
Austrian and Prussian naval forces in the Baltic—that is,
that they would endeavour to protect Denmark in the pos-
session of her island. That, he thought was little, and he
asked, what greater claims had the inhabitants of the
islands upon England above the claims of the inhabitants
of Jutland. In conclusion, the noble earl asked whether
measures had been taken for putting the fleet in such a state
as to make it equal to the blockade of the German ports and
to defend Denmark ?
Earl RUSSELL, in replying, referred to the points in
the noble earl's speech not more immediately referring to
the question at issue; and concluded by saying that he
must reply to the noble earl's question in a manner which
would not in any way hamper the negotiations at present
being carried on. The conference was still sitting. He
would therefore state that her Majesty's fleet was fully
prepared for any service it might be called upon to perform.
[lt may here be remarked that the greatest sensation
was produced, in a very full house, by the emphatic manner
in which the noble Earl delivered the following remarks :]
The Earl of DERBY—My lord, concurring as I do in a
great portion of the observations which have been made by
my noble friend (Lord Ellenborough), made with his usual
force and eloquence, I cannot but say, with great respect
to him, that I certainly dissent in some degree from a pro-
position which he laid down in the early part of his speech,
which appeared to me to involve a considerable amount of
constitutional error. My noble friend stated that his object
was—and there could be no doubt about it—rather to pre-
vent evil from being done and assist in promoting beneficial
results than to allow matters to take their own course, and
then censure those who are responsible. Now if we could
be perfectly certain that the interference of Parliament
upon all occasions clueing the progress of negotiations, and
during the communications which are passing between
various countries, would have the effect of preventing evil
and promoting good, and of giving to her Majesty's Go-
vernment the support which they may need under the cir-
cumstances of the case, I should say that such intervention
by Parliament, although exceptional, might at the same time
be justifi-able; but as a general rule I lay down a doctrine
entirely different from that propounded by my noble friend.
I conceive that the principle is, that while matters are in
progress, while the Government are engaged in negotiations,
it is nct the duty of Parliament, with imperfect information,
to interfere by advice or vote. I am of opinion that her
Majesty's Government must be le.t, in all matters of this
kind, with the exclusive responsibility for the course and
issue of that negotiation. (Hear, hear.) And I hope I may
take this opportunity of expressing my earnest anxiety that
if I have refrained during the whole of this session—as I
have refrained—from passing any opinion, from putting any
question, from raising any partial discussion, which I think
was greatly to be deprecated, that abstinence on my part
will not be supposed to have proceeded from indifference,
and still less from approval of the course pursued by the
Government. (Hear, hear.) Whatever temptations I may
have felt to enter upon a partial discussion of that state of
Europe, and more especially as connected with the Danish
question, which keeps this country in a state at feverish
anxiety from day to day, 1 have laid down myself a title
from which I have not shrunk. and will not shrink, namely,
that while matters are in their present state I will not
afford the slightest excuse for any man to say that by any-
thing I have said or done I have is the slightest degree
embarrassed or impeded the action of the Government.
(Hear, hear.) I will leave to them, as I apprehend it is the
constitutional duty of Parliament to do, the whole and un-
divided responsibilty of the course which they have pursued,
and the condition into which they have brought the honour
of the country. (Cheers.) At the same time I will say that
it appears to me the time must be approaching when this
transition state must be brought to a close. It cannot be
long. A few days must decide whether the Conference will
succeed in promoting peace, and, above all, an honourable
peace for this country—for, dearly as I love peace, I love
honour more— (cheers)—but the time, I say, must soon
come when we shall see that which I hope will be the effect
of the negotiations of Her Majesty's Government, peace
re-established, or the hopes of E urope dashed to the ground,
and war recommenced. Should that be the case I think it
is not only the right but the duty of Parliament, without
an hour's delay, to call upon Her Majesty's Government
for a distinct and specific statement of the policy which
they have pursued, and the course which they mean to
put sue. Nay more. I say it will be the right and the
duty of Parliament, upon such a statement, to pronounce
their judgment, aye or no, with respect to the policy pur-
sued by the Government and as to the position into which
they have brought the country. (Hear, hear.) 1 will add,
however, that, as we are now advanced to a very late period
of the session, I think it is of the utmost importance that
Parliament should not separate before the congress comes
to its determination as to the course which it will adopt, be
that course peace or war. And, notwithstanding what 1
have said as to my wish not to interfere with the action of
the Government, while negotiations are
in progress, I
must say that I think Parliament ought not to sit patiently
by and watch negotiations protracted by delays and ad-
journments from day to day until such a time of year has
been arrived at that Parliament cannot pronounce effee-
tually any opinion in its judicial character upon the con-
duct of the Ministers of the Crown. While therefore I
earnestly hope that by a speedy settlement of this question
one way or other the lips of Parliament may be opened,
and that Parliament may be thereby enabled to express its
opinion upon this matter, I think it my duty at the
same
time to say that it, contrary to my hope and belief, the
negotiations now going forward do not lead to a definite
issue, then I shall consider the circumstances so entirely
changed that it will be competent and justifiable—nay,
necessary—that Parliament should take some course to
prevent its voice being stifled in the arrangement of the
affairs of Europe. (Cheers.)

The Mat,quis of CLANRICARDE protested against
Parliament interfering with pending negotiations.
Earl RUSSELL replied that in the course of a few days
negotiations would come to an end, and it would then be
known whether there would be peace or war.
The subject then dropped.
THE BURIAL SERVICE.

In reply to a question from Lord EZURY;
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said that a great
majority of the clergy were averse from change in the burial
service, and he therefore did not feel authorised to propose
any legislation on the subject.
The Church Services (Apocrypha) Bill (the object of
which was to allow clergymen of the Church of England
to substitute other portions of the Scriptures for the lessons
taken out of the Apocrypha) was, after a sho •t discussion,
withdrawn.
On the report of the Penal Servitude Acts Amendment
Bill,

The Earl of AIRLIE complained that it would prevent
ticket of leave men from emigrating.
Some debate ensued, which, however, involved no points
of novelty, and ultimately the report was received.
Their lordships they adjourned.

HOUSE OF COletiONS—Yesterday.
Tho SPEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS. •
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Tooting, Merton, and Wimbledon Extension Railway--
Blyth and Tyne Railway—Bourton on the Water Railway
Carmarthenshire Railway—Dublin, Rathmiues, Rath-
gar, &c., Railways—E Gloucestcreiire Railway—Great
Western Railway—Kingsbridge
gton and
Eardisley Railway—Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway_
Lancashire Union Railways—Lynn and Sutton Bridge
Railway (Cross Keys Bridgc)—nacc!cEfield, Bollington,
and Marple Railway—Petertorough, Wisbnch, and Sutton
Railway—Ricktnansworth, Amereham, and Chcsham Rail-
way—and South Eastern Railway pro. 4).
FACTORY ACTS EXIFENSION BILL.

On the motion for going into commitee on this bill,
Mr BAGWELL drew attention to the condition of
the tailors and needlewomen of London, and contended
that the legislation in regard to other classes could be
applied with benefit to these bodies. He moved that it
be an instruction to the committee to take into considera-
tion the condition of the two classes to which he referred.
Sir G. GREY thought it would be inexpedient to legis-
late with respect to different classes of tho labouring popu.
Wien wi,hout the report of a commission. The Govern.