The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-27 00:00:00

TrIE SUNILONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 271 1882.'

ment was a Government without as principle, and he
should therefore take every opportunity of giving it his
most decided opposition. The right honourable baronet
added that he had returded to the views which he had
abandoned in his youth, and he should support no
Government which was not in favour of an extensive
system of progress. So much, then, for the noble
baronet's declaration on the hustings. When he came
up to town he disclosed matters in his speech in
the corn law debate which led him (Lord Derby) to
believe that there had been a union of parties, including
Whigs, Reformers, and Conservatives, for the purpose of
ousting the late Government. The noble Earl then pro-
ceeded to detail the circumstances connected with Mr.
Villiers' motion, and its concoction, as they were dis-
closed in the right honourable baronet's speech, and then
went on to say that although the negociations
which took place would not justify his calling
the movement of these three parties a conspiracy, they
yet did justify him in thinking that the three parties
acted in concert, for the purpose, if possible, of ,de-
feating the late Administration, as they ulti-
mately succeeded in 'accomplishing. (Hear, hear.)
Certainly the course Laken by the noble earl's friends was
not consistent with their expressed desire to give the
late Governinent a fair trial, and he repeated his con-
viction that there had been a concert between these
three parties to place that Government in a minority.
(Hear.) He should abstain from discussing all the points
of the budget which had just been thrown out, but there
was one point which he must refer to, namely, that
which related to the subject of the income tax. (Hear,
hear.) That was a topic which must be taken up by
her Majesty's present advisers, and if they could
succeed in removing. the inequalities of that
they should have his hearty support. He could not
help feeling that the principle of concession had been
carried too far by some of the members of the
existing Government. It could not be said, indeed,
that the various hues of their opinions could be
treated as distinctions without a difference ;
while he must be allowed to dissent in toto to the state-
ment of the noble earl, that the foreign policy of this
country for the last 30 years had been conducted only
upon one principle. (Hear, hear.) In extending na-
lional education and law reform, the noble lord, how-
ever, was doing quite right, and upon those subjects
he should be disposed, to some extent, to concur with
him.

The motion was then agreed to, and their lordships
immediately afterwards adjourned.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ADDRESS.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF
LONDON.

GENTLEMEN,—Having contributed by my vote to
the overthrow of the Administration of Lord Derby, I
have considered it my duty to assist, when called
upon by my Sovereign in the formation of a new
Ministry. I have felt it incumbent upon me, in order
to give to the country the full advantages of a liberal
policy, to sink those personal pretensions which my po-
sition might have entitled me to form. I have conse-
quently accepted office under the Earl of Aberdeen, upon
whose upright character and enlightened views I place
the greatest reliance. My seat is therefore vacant.
I have little of novelty to add to the declarations I
addressed to you on 'the 22d of May, previously to
the late General Election. I then said that I could

have no hesitation in accepting the challenge—to decide
finally, completely, and conclusively, the contest be-
tween Protection and Free Trade. That contest has
been decided, finally and conclusively, in favour of
Free Trade. I then said, and I now repeat, that the
commercial policy of the last ten years was not an
evil to be mitigated, but a good to be extended—not
an unwise and disastrous policy, which ought to be
reversed, altered, or modified, but a just and benefi-
cial system, which should be supported, strengthened,
and upheld. I adverted at the same time to the legal
difficulties and expenses which clogged the transfer of
land, the complicated machinery of the Customs depart-
ment, and the remaining burdens and restrictions on the
shipping interest.

Now, as then, I am prepared to attempt the removal
of these impediments to the increase of our prosperity.
Now, as then, I am prepared to attempt the relief of
that portion of our fellow-subjects who are still excluded
by their religious belief from political privileges. I enter-
tain a sanguine hope of success in that endeavour.

I then stated that the progress of the working
classes in knowledge and intelligence ought to be
accompanied by an increased share of political power,
while I was aware how difficult a task it is to adjust, in
any plan of representation, the respect due to ancient
prescription with the claims of advancing trade, increased
population, and growing intelligence.
To this task the Ministry of the Earl of Aberdeen will
anxiously apply themselves. A matter of so much im-
portance requires from the Government the most delibe-
rate consideration before any measures are submitted to
Parliament. _

By joining the Administration of Lord Aberdeen I
believe that I shall best promote the cause to which my
Political life has been devoted—that of rational and en-
lightened progress. It is to progress that all our efforts
will be directed.

I look to the extension of education, of civil and re]
gious liberty, of commercial freedom, and of politic,
rights, as the true means of preserving those instituti9l
under which we have enjoyed so much happiness.
Lhave the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
• Your grateful and obedient servan:,,

J. RUSSELL,

Chesham-place, Dec. 27, 1852.