The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-06 00:00:00

Government of trance; and he (Mr. Fitzgerald) heard the
noble lord say that within 24 hours he had recei7ed the
reasons of the French Government fief not going to ware
(Hear.) But more : in the whole of the discussions what
had been the excuse of the Government for not going to war?
Not thet they loved peace, not that they had never treedie
tated war, but that they dared not go to war. (Hear,
hear.) They said that they had tried to induce foreign
Powers to go to war with them, but that they would halve
gone to war if they could have ebtained suppoit, (sea*
hear.) Then, were the Government entitled to calf theme'
selves a peace Government ? Could they fix upon the
oppos tion the character of being a war opposition ? What
was the complaint of the last speaker / 'that they eonld get
nothing out of the opposition with regard to their policy--
not that they would have encouraged war. (Healey What
was there that would justify the imputation on the Censer'',
native side of the house of being more anxious for war than
those who sat on the Ministerial side ? (Hear.) The hon.
member for Bradford said he had listened with the greatest
pleasure to the speech of the hon. member for Huntingdon
and that of the noble lord the member for King's Lynn.
But how did the hon. member for Bradford argue ? He
said he agreed with every syllable that fell from the noble
member for King's Lynn, except one phrase of two words.
That was the only reason given by the hon. member for
Bradford for fixing on the opposition a war policy. This
was not an accurate statement. He had not heard a single
member of the house, nor had he heard a private individual
assert that England was bound by treaty to defend Den-
mark. Therefore, neither did the Government deserve the
character of a peace Government, nor did the opposition
deserve the character of et war opposition. It had been said
that the opposition ought to have pointed out a policy. This
had been sufficiently answered. It was not the duty of the
Government, and it never had been the practice for the
opposition to indicate the line of policy they intended to
adopt if they succeeded to power. Weeks or months might
elapse before they would be in possession of the informa-
tion which alone could enable them to form an opinion even
of the past policy of the Government; it was, therefore,
impossible to indicate what would be the future policy of
the new Government. He believed that the opposition had
strictly performed their duty in challenging the verdict of
the house on the conduct of the Government, and he be-
lieved that nine members oat of ten cordially agreed in the
words of his right hon. friend's resolution. But of this he
was sure, that it the hustings were to be appealed to, as was
threatened, the constituents would believe that the Opposi-
tion had performed their duty in challenging the verdict of
the House of Commons and asking their answer to the
question whether the policy of Ministers had not " lowered
the jtts; influence of this country in the counsels of Europe,
and thereby diminished the securities of peace." (Cheers,)
Mr B. 0 StORNE and Mr LAYARD both rose to move
the adjournment of the debate. The motion was carried ;
and it is understood that Mr Layard has caught the
" Speaker's eye," and that he will consequently resume the
debate on Thursday,
PETTY OFFENCES LAW AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
STREET MUSIC (METROPOLIS) BILL.

This bill, as amended, was considered.
INDIA STOCKS TRANSFER AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill passed through committee,
PILOTAGE ORDER CONFIRMATION (No. 2) BILL

This bill was read a second time.
DRAINAGE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LANDS
(IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES
(AMENDMENT) BILL.

This bill was also read a third time and passed.
JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES (VOTING PAPERS)

BILL.

This bill passed through committee.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT (1858) AMENDMENT

BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
➢lr BERKELEY obtained leave to bring in a bill to
alter and amend the Poisoned Grain, &c,, Prohibition Aot,
1863.

Mr BARING obtained leave to bring in a bill for con•
tinning various expiring acts.
The house then adjourned.