The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-16 00:00:00

THE S UN,

. .
bean made in that code were far greaser than be origi- lif a motion of that kind had been sanctioned by the House
natty anticipated. Well, then, what did the Right Hon. of Commons, and if a change of Government had immedi-
i ately occurred, I admit there would have been some ground
Gentleman propose to do now that he was in office?
!for the Hon. and Learned Gentleman-whether it was in our
The Earl of Darby was no doubt a great man. The
power or not to take these steps to which he referred-put-
Noble Earl retired from Sir Robert Peel ts Government, 1
ring the question, and that it would have been absolutely
fully aware of the circumstances which had induced
and the ;whichnary that I should be called upon to announce the policy
that Administration to alter its policy,were prepared to propose.-(Hear, hear.) But I
Noble Earl thereafter set about forming his present 1 ask thevii-31ouse if that was the case?-(Hear.) Way are we
party, and many of hie followere, in do t hope that he
. sitting on this side of the table to take a different course of
given him their
intended to re itore protection, had policy from that which we asserted on the other side of the
blind confidence.-(Hear, bear.) The Noble Berl had House? - (Oh, oh, and cheers.) That certainly is not open
done ell in his power to cultivate that confidence, and he to us; bat it is our duty here to adhere to the principles
wanted to know whether the Noble Earl wished now to which, after experience and reflection, we bad adopted as
nu-like an effert to real:ze the hopes which he had created. the rale of our conduct in this Parliament-that we would
not call upon the present Parliament in any Ivey to alter the
lin said a man of that sort acted with the greatest re-
commercial polies, which it had adopted.-(Cheers, and a
pp ,neibility in this country. The Noble Earl had rank, laugh.) I put it. with confidence to all candid men if there
party obtaining power
hal ihrtune, and trent his position he, above all men,
ought to be prepared to announes the ceurse -which he ist: not a clear
.dheinction between a
protective
eprofeesien of what we in common parlance
intended to follow. Accorditg to the public prints theand finding themselves call
a
policy
Ne .tl.- Earl tatcmed to have likened himself to a general, party who in opposition deprecated discussion of that
and he had held out to his followers that the time wculd policy, however they might have felt that the time might
come when he should lead them on to victory.-(Hear, come when the , Heim of Commons would be induced to
hear.) Now, bad that time arrived? He had a right to adopt a policy contrary to that which in times past it had
parsued.-( Hear, hear. ) I ask the House to acknowledge
call for an explicit answer to that question.-(Hear.)
no more than that which any candid man would say is a
The Noble Earl bad openly declared in puldie that
perfectly fair poaitimo-(Hear, hear. ) That being the case,
when the time arrived there would be no flinching or
Ie think it is preposterous to suppose that instantly a change
hesitation in him, but his cry would be that a hick Wel-
lington Pted on 'he field of Waterlee, and wbieh 11,,,ef Government
Commons
ncl'
to announce the measures which we
wag, " Up, Guards, and at them."-(Liestr, hear, think should be introduced. But lam not disposed to take
and a laugh,) Well, that was stated in public, advantage of what may be considered a very limited and
and he now wanted to know when the mo- partial view of our position, in order to avoid lee fullest dis-
went was lek-e), to arrive when the Noble Lord cuvion of our present circumstances I will answer the
and his follemers would be up and at theua,-(11. f, ~ Hon. and Leanie.l Gentleman without any reserve whatever.
--(Hear, hear.) The Honourable and Learnea, Gentleman
hear, and leughter.) The Government was b iistal
says that our not announcing at this moment a statement in
to relieve the country frem its present sate ot use use.
detail as to the measures which we think necessary occasions
-(Haar, hear.) What. in fate, was the condition of
ndistrust and uncertainty in the country. But surely it does
the country at this hour ?-(Hear. hear.) At no 1
joatmoecoetatoeifi greater uncertainty than did our position in Per-
former period bad there been so much peace andoh 1"
There
the Opposition benches,
contentment as prevailed at the opening of the present and Ministerial cheers.)
_was in opposition a powerful
year. The history of the country presented no happier party, who felt necessarily and strongly that till this quo-
picture. Trade was good; commerce was flourishing; labour tion was put fairly before the country, they never would be
found ample employment, while capital never was more satisfied.-(Cries of " Hear, hear.") There was a powerful
abundant, or the population of this country never were party in both Houses who said that till a verdict was given
more employed or better fed than they were at this mo. at_ a general election they would not be content, and there-
went. What had produced this happy state of things ? fore the question was still unsettled and uncertain.-(Hear.)
There was the same uncertainty, and we may depend upon
Why,it was the free-trade policy which they had recently
it that in a country like this no settlement of a question
adopted. Nor was this flourishing picture peculiar to can be satisfactory
.till the vast majority of the population
one class alone. It applied to all, even the agricul- are convinced that it is a safe and a sound ,
one.-(Hear,
' i
tural class; for, according to' all accounts, the hear.) I think that what has taken place is, in fact, rather
farm labourer was never better off, nor tending to decrease the uncertainty, because it is achange
the land in better cultivation, than it was at the which hastens that very verdict to which we all look. If
present moment.-(Hear.) Well, then, what was to be we had been in opposition, it might have been postponed for
done? What did her Majesty's Government propose to a period much longer than in all probablity it will nog be;
de ? Did they propose to reverse the policy s& that argument of the lion. anti Learned Gentleman
which had had produced 30 much prosperity ? But pletely falls to the ground.-(Hear, hear.) But the Hon,
prepared
ltehim whether, in
then, again, with ' regard to our marl- :12tih11.7V
riam en Gentleman
t,we shall asks
be me
ret to
propose ac,
le
time code, was it prepared to make any duty, according to his own figures,)
ofl ss. upon cr.
change in that? In spite of the recent changes oar no.") That is the question, as I understand it.--("No,
shipping interest was flourishing, and was still able to no.") If it is not, I snail be glad to know what the real
defy competion.-(Hear, hear.) IVhat, then, was pro- question is.
posed to be done here?-(Hear, boar.) Aceerding to ttie ndr. VILLIERS-The question I put was, whether the
speeches of some members of the Government some
of Government intended to propose any scheme of commercial
them were of opinion still that the change had produced or fiscal legislation before the dissolution of Parliament in
great evils-(Hear, hear)-but he defied them to prove such a way that
should the que.stion o
bmitted tf the principle
dotprofection or
it.-(Hesr, hear.) Next, with y regard to cur colonie dut
s, a on corn be suo theite-og meat of the electors.-(Hear, hear.)
it appeared to him that what the members
the present Government found fault with was the The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER-That is a
abolition of slavery ; for if he looked to the mere Parliamentary
.periphrasis of what I said somewhat
returns and papers on the table he found more simply.-(A laugh.) Well, then, I say it is not the
that even the colonies under a free-trade policy intention of the; Government to do anythieg of the kind-
(Cheers and counter cheers)-I only express my own feeling
were improving and not declining, while upon the and that of my colleagues when I say we believe that very
. continent since free trade had come into existence great injustice was done to the agricultural and other inte-
there was a much kindlier feeling felt there towards rests in the changes that toek place in 1846 and afterwards
this country than prevailed before.-(Hear, hear.) in 1848 and 1849-(Hear, hear)-and that we are extremely
Nell, then, whence came that fear and distrust desirous, for the benefit of all classes of the community,
that was felt from one end of the country to that the injustice should be redressed.-(Hear.) We think
the
other?
Why, it was a dread that the gentlemen that it would be our duty to consider the condition of the
now in power were plaidged to reverse this free-trade agricultural interest-and I take that interest in particular
because it is the one most prominently referred to in the
Pliny, an the struggle which was coming . upon
this subject was anticipated with alarm by all clime, observatirsimshadte by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, not
observations to it alone-we
The tenant farmers did not require a return to a bleaicank it wouldw
beoo courndunte myt y o consider the condition of that
system of protection, because they had at length arrived Interest, and to propose
those measures which, in our
at the conviction that the sliding scale was devised for no
opinion, are mast calculated to redress the grievances
other purpose than to keep up ruts.-(Hear/ hear.) under which it suffers.-(Cheers.) But we are not pledged
He repeated, then, that the present uncertainty to any measure.-(Laughter from the Opposition benches,
would be ruinous to the countrx. Trade and Ministerial cheers.) I think it would be entirely
was coming to a atanchstill, while abroad merchants out of charactet to say, that in a new Parliament we
were accepting the change of Ministers as a reversal should he bound to bring in a certain specific in order to re-
dress. those grievances, or to propose the measure ludi-
cf the free-trade policy.-(Hear, hear-) For three
cated by thei ?OM and Learned Gentleman-a ss, fixed duty.
weeks the country had been reduced to a state of
patalysis; it appeared to labour under the dread _(Hear,
the .flonl. aaTdnot at all clear, sharing as I do the
Learticd Gentleman as to the little
of some coming evil and wanted the House opinion it has in raizmgp
to strike the blow at deco, and insist that this terrible which is by any means onelmnav thin;;th
it
"t. at
our
rs
duty tmetaosu rere-
state of unnertaintY and tear should be put a atop to. commend.-(Hear, hear.) But -I
say frankly to tlire Hon.
He asked him to tell the House distinctly whether he and Learned _Gentleman, that in cousideriut the fiscal ar-
meditated, under any pretence or reason, to impose a rangements of this country, 1., do not-I will not to gain
duty on foreign corn ?-(Cheers.) And he wished also any popularity or to avoid shy blustering, give it as my
to ask whether, in the case of a dissolution of Parlia- opinion that a duty such as he describes is one which any
ment, Government intended to propose any scheme of Minister under any circumstances ought to propose.-
( Hear, hear, and a laugh.) I think the Honourable and
fiscal or commeaseial legislation which should again raise
Learned Gentleman and his friends have so far succeeded by
the question of protection, so that the judgment of the their agitation-not their present agitation, which I believe
electors may be taken on the`subject?-(Cheers.) He to be very harmless, but by former agitation-to invest the
assured the Right Hon. Gentleman that he was actuated proposition with • ' such
_ an amount of prejudice that, though I
by no factious motive, and that it would be satisfactory
may consider such a proposition a
good one, 1 may not
to him, and gratifying to the country, to hear that there think it expedient to ado pt it.-(Cries of " Hear, bear.")
was not the smallest intention, now or hereafter, of die- I know there is a great desire on the part of gentlemen
turbing that policy which had produced such benefits, opposite that there should be a proposition for a fixed
or under any pretence of imposing again a duty on corn. duty.-(Hear, and laughter.) I regret, for their sakes,
-(Cheers.) Ha did not want, neither did the country that I cannot give a promise to make any proposition of
want, a dissolution at present. He wished to avoid any the kind. What I intend to do, with the assistance and
consent of my colleagues, is to redress the grievances of the
struggle which would interfere with the present prospe- agricultural interest ; and we reserve to ourselves the right of
roue and peaceful state of the country; and on that consicering what may be the best means by which that
ground they wished the Right Hon. Gentleman to come great object can be attained.-(Hear, hear.) I think that, in
forward and say that the Govereeneet had nu intention consequence of the prejudice with which the proposition for
a
of disturbing the free-trade polinv of the country.- fixed duty on wheat-such, for example, as the Hon. and
(Opposition cheers.) Learned Gentleman has referred to-has beeu invested, it
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, ,who on would be very unwise for any Minister to make it before the
verdicti of the country had been pronounced with reg.rd to it.
rising was received with cheers, spoke as follows: -The- Hon. ear.) That verdict will in all probability be speedily
and Learned Gentleman who has just addressed the House 7(
. giv n. That question will then be decided. But a
bee
noticed the extraordinary contrast which he fencies lion of a redress of the just grievances of any interestinqu.
hise
exists in this country between the condition and feelings of country will not be settled by a verdict of that nature. -
the people in January last and in the present month of March. ..flerenamnehnetatro.)c i.hdat is a great subject, and it is for the Go•
The Hon. Gentleman stated-not, indeed, with that definite tiously believeonwsilllenret
ath°sett measures whicht t hey conscien-
a. tun the object, they frankly an-
derail which perhaps might have been expected, yet in lan- nounce it is their intention to accomplish.-(Hear, hear,) 1
guage sufficiently strong, and evidently impressed with the I hope I have answered the inquiry of H '
the ,nourable and
conviction of its truth-what he imagines to be the condition Learned Gentleman.-(" No, no," and laughter from the Op-
of England at this moment. It is, says the Hon. Member, a position benches.) I understood the Hon. and Learned
condition of distrust, apprehension, anxiety, and uncertainty. Gintlemau, when he was so kind as to interrupt me, to say
Warming with his subject, the Hon. Gantleman soon found that his main inquiry ot her Majesty's Government was,
out teat the feeling ot distrust amounted even to a state of whether it was their intention to propose any fiscal :arrange-
paralysis -(Hear and laughter.) I must confess I listened ments affecting our commercial system before a dissolution of
to this announcement with some applehenston, but more Parliament, so that the opinion ot the country might be
surprise.- ( Hear, hear.) No information has yet reached taken on the point. Nothing is further from my wish than
me tending to show that the condition of the people or the to misrepresent him. I uncleistood that to be his question.
state of public feeling at all corresponds with the description and I thought I had answered very frankly that it was not
given by the Hole Mel/then-0;1e., of .4 Hear, hear.") I the intention of the Government to do so. I em totally at
do not find in the commercial transactions of this country a loss to understand the derisive cheer of the gentlemen op •
any of those symptoms which the Honourable Member Posite.-(Hear, hear.) I went even further, I assumed that
• dilated on as a consequence of the change of Ad• the Hen. and Learned Gentleman would wish to know the
ministration. I, necessarily, have communications with feeling of the Ministry on the question of a moeerate fixed
many persons of great eminence in the commercial world- duty ; and if we, either in this or the next Parliament meant
men who are the highest authorities in matters of trade and to pr .pose it. I was not bound, if I had adhered strictly to
finance. They are persons familiar with scenes of the most the Leafier of .the inquiry, to state the facts I did, but I an-
active commercial lite, stet neither from their words nor swered that. I told the Hon. and Learned Gentleman that
countenances could I 'have inferred that the ceuntry was in a neither in this er the next Parliament uid her Majesty'.
. stafe of parely.ie, or that even feelings ot tii,trust, ;ip-ori,.. Ministers consider themselves bound to make any Fucii pre-
hension, and anxiety were influencing tho'e whose intereets position whatever. have I not frankly answered the que,te ei a
they ieweeented.eson the contsery, the juts:tenet' I or ,w -(Cloers, and counter cheere.) I inn totally at ti, lose awn
from the representations et these gentlemen it, that tte. pelt- to understand the derisive cheer opposite; but I can
plc are in a Mate of coetentineet and prosperity. - (Hear, only explain it in this insnuer, that Ido nut think my tin-
- hear.) I can find no confirmation of the Hoe. Gentleman's ewer to the inquiry was so agreeable as Hon. Gentlemen op-
gloomy views in the present price of the public securities.- Posite would have liked it to he.-( A laugh.) I ale tied
(Ctesers.) That barometer ot public opinion certainly gives the Hon. and Learned GcnAemau that we did think our-
nto ineicatien of distrust and anxiety. Every circum- selves bound to give ajust redress ot the grievances under
sthisance to which I direct my attention impressas me with which the great productive interest of agriculture suffers,
I,,lcouyiction that the putilic• mind at the present nut- and thet we would consider, it we had the, opportunity, in a
no.lettii,;l. in ,s state of peculiar tranguillity,-(Heer, bear.) new Parliament, the means which we thought best calcu-
and thrt'''' in the Hon. Gentleman's speech sarterieed me, Weed to accomplish the end we deeired.-( Hear, hear.) I
v._ ~ove was the discovery he bast made. not only that have recapitulated the answers I gave. to the Hon. tied
tiZ t..c intrient intends to Propose a fixed duty, but Learned Gentleman, ire order that there should be no "mie-
eq,c,tvs. Y,ritemount of that slut}, and also its certain tnke whatever ire their purport or meaning.-(Heer, hear.)
duty, it seeme, is to be Es., which, will raise lam aware the Government is placed in some difficulties,
the rice t
e 0 wheat
the Hon. M only 2s. a quarter, and oat that account but they are tl;fficultiee which, as we did not seek , them, so
ber we will not shrink from them.-(Cheers.) I am told, though
things result says, the farmers will not have it. Two
absolutely 'ir: this statement. In the first place, it is I know not on what authority, that there has been on the
price of impossiblewheat only
that a duty which will enhance the part of the new Government an ad Inisericgrdiam appeal to
consaquenees the Ilyo 28.
a-quarter can produce all the evil the House of Commons. lam not aware of it. I have not
if the farmers • will not
13. Member has predicted ; and, secondly, sanctioned it. I have not made it, nor have any of my
have deceived them it have the duty, they cannot say we colleagues. Let the blow be where or how, we shall do our
and laughter.) These we should not propose it.-(Cheers, best to encounter it. What we ask is, not fair play for the
are the irresistible conclusions which Government, but fair play for the country.-(Cheers.) It is
must be drawn from the matured argument of the Hon. our intention to carry on the affairs of the country, notwitha
Member. The Hon. Member
says the present Government standing the difficulties which we acknowledge to exist, to
are bound to state frankly and ffully their intentions with the best of our ability. There are, as all gentlemen must
respect to what he calls the foul o
stop to notice the Hon. Member's disingenuous9lepeople. I will not know, measures of an exigency which cannot be neglected ;
perversion of and in my opinion there are some measures not of so formal
what I may be permitted to call a provincial
by me. I never talked of a poor rnan vicial jest perpetrated a character, but not of a less important nature, that I think
in a c
offee-house; and I really ranee ordering
z mutton-chops ought to be passed. But if Gentlemen opposite suppose that,
that, wen we were expecting to hear frorPartet myl surprise so far as we are personally concerned, we have any wish un-
ix!, a high discourse on sublime political economy, n. men,- necessarily to prolong the present state of affairs, they in-
omy, he should dul e a very great mistake.
g
condescend to such a misrepresentation. Dismissing
to
oth that measures that I think should be introduced without delay-
matter, however, I feel it my duty to respond
says
Hon. not merely those votes for the public service, that all will
Member's challenge. The Honourable Member that join in granting us-not merely the Mutiny Bill, which
we are bound,
words now we are in power, to carry into effect the no one, I think-though I have heard some strange
opinions we declared in opposition, and he quotes some
inwhich I rumours-is prepared to oppose-(Cries of "Hear, bear ")-
with which I concluded a speech ot mine, re- but there are three measures with regard to which, on the
dieted that it the then Government refused to listen to the
claim of justice thewould ultimately be defeated end
_us_ part of the Government, the greatest efforts will be exerted
forte- to secure their speedy passing. Those three measures I shall
tice would be conceded. I cannot think that wash deem
oit mdroduty earnestly to press on the attention of the
nate quotation to make considering; that the motion I then mmons. One of them is the disfranchisement
brought forward was nOtfo a fixed duty on corn, consider. ot house
ofe,
me stated
laugh)-which my Right lion Friend
ing that it had nothing to dor with taxing the food of the near
c,,hiwzrated the other night would be proceeded with.
people, but was recommended Cu) the House ae a measure In
oon.with this waiter, I beg to ,ay I ,hall take the
of conciliation and compromise, and 83 a probehle arrasst op rueity of expressing, on the part of the Goa
means of terminating the fatal controversy between veeemt,P t
whate eur intentions are, if supported by the
great political interests. As far es regards my . cseduct House, with
which,
;hex case
apeat to the distribution of the four seats
on the occasion referred to, my task would indeed thato .Bill passes, will be at our eieeosal.-
be easy. I might take the expression which the Hon. Gen- (Hear, hear. ) M
portance, before Parliament
pinion is that it is of the greatest im-
tleman quoted, and say 1 am prepared, to the best of my
her of seats compiaetei.amer is diasolved, to have the num-
ability, to fulfil the spirit of the policy 1 recommended on(Hear, hear.) The next question,
the evening wtien I made that speech.-( Hear, bear.) But one ot very great imp-r
I think it. is possible, frocaanae, is that of Chancery reform.
with the permission of the House I will not narrow mY ob -
tion ie placed, that it may the manner in which that ques-
seryetione to that issue. I wish, without reserve, fairly and
reater speed than has
generate becarried through with much
f -ankly to express the feelings of the Government.-( /lean) kind. -( Hear, hear.) are?ta attended measures of that
I think that, in the first place, the House should consider the
with
the 1,,b1e of the House
position of the Government and the circumstances under the report of a Commission which Gentlemen are
which gentlemen sitting on these benches acceded to office. familiar. Im .y state -- thoughith
to give every creditt,,of course I am
That is an element ot consideration which must not be ready
omitted. Since the repeal of the corn-laws a controversy a desire to act on the reconamead.itionosurf predecessors for
that Commission
has been maintained in the country as to the policy or im- in the same unreserved manner a. ourselves lam still bound
policy of that important measure. Various efforts were in to say, that there may be no unfounded -
on 'he sal jest, that we have charge of delay
effectually male to induce Parliament to mini„ 'its eff:c - ' I's. a:Yatt,at us ,.found noßill of
the
At last 1,...,.the question arrived at this pant: -The present Cind by the late - G evernment, and have, therefore, found
'""nlellt, which was elected in 1847, when the effects nothing to assist tie in the matter.
• Nevertheless, the Lord
of the drawn up the heads of a Bill, and instructions
repeal of the corn-laws lied not been felt by the Chancellor has
class' b 'n to frame the Bill itssle ith
Most in the measure, appro,ch e
• e a stave een give Kill he intro-
conelunee 1 interested
the natural t rmination of its career (Weed into the other 11°----, Progress will be
loeined in'th so(
fi, I
e i•tence. The Earl of Derby, attet• varioue greatly lacilitaeed, ano, there.ere, hope that, notwith-
efforts to mitigate the effects of the law, declared that it was standing what has occurred, a good measure of Chance v
necessary an
large t appeal Amid be made to the community at reform will be carried.-(Cheer..) I believ eit •un r-
neces-
o settle a that the Lui wile go unreservedly Upon
sufficientl controversy which in Parliament had been vary for me to say
Y Prolonged It perhaps will not be thought ar- the recommendations of the Commissi
on.--t Hear a
e , -ear.)
rogant on my n •
Member, to rethart, after the allusions made by the Hon. There is a third measure which we feel it our duty to bring
than two yeararato what I have done on the subject. More forward on the earliest possible day public business will
concerned, after the House I said that as far as protection was allow, and that is a measure for the internal defence of the
House had by large majorities nega• i country.-(Cheers.) These are the three measuees which,
tivei the motions from our side, I would no longer raise the whatever may be their fate in Parliemont, will be speedily
question, but would confine mself to introducing measures and immediately submitted to its consideration ; and I
which were totally n
independentthrough.-
of trust we shall
the abstract principle of _ I be permitted to carry them
protection. I also stated that I have
tion of protection, as my opinion that the
was
(Hear.) should now sit down, did I not feel
abstract question; was one a duty to perform to her Majesty's Ministers. The Opposi-
which could no longpr an considered in this House, tion has very frankly inquired what are the principles upon
e but must be settle hay an appeal
•
a appeal to the country. The which the Administration is formed. There is a subject
question being in state,is
there suddenly and un- • scarcely: second to that in iin ert in this country, and
expectedly a change of Govern- the principle P "ea
ent. If the Government; that ISisoat which her Majesty's
. , had. been changed by an expression of the opinion ot 'Parlia- , Opposition formed.- (Great cheering) I hope,
.., meat upon-the condition of the agricultural • 'therefore, I may be Permitted
bad been upon Imotion easertin _mterest-d: it . . to take this opportu-
g the expediency of imme- pity of that in
-(Cheers.)
diately returning to the priacipie. of. ty
__,
r_quu I have been some-
a protective policy. what eurPringe mug& vrat L inn informed USA WWI-,

LONDON,

tative statement, that the Noble Lord the Member for Lon
don, within a fortnight of resigning the Government of the
country from an avowed inability to carry it on—within a
fortnight of having communicated to the House of Commons
the solemn and mature opinion of his Cabinet that the dis-
solution of Parliament was not expedient—within a fortnight
of having communicated to our Gracious Sovereign that her
Majesty should send for the Nobleman now at the head of
affairs-1 am surprised to learn that that Noble Lord (Lord
J. Russell) has felt, it to be an imperative duty to construct
a new Opposition, the object of which, so far as I can collect
it from the authoritative statement, is to force Lord Derby
to do that which the Noble Lord himself would not venture
to attempt—(Cheer,)—that which be aenounced as the
opinion of his Cabinet to he inexpedient.—(Hear, hear.)
No doubt the Noble Lord arrived at that conclusion with a
due regard to all the important circumstances which in this
country 4:moot but enter into the consideration of an indi-
vidual responsible for the government of the country.—
( Hear, hear.) No doubt the 'Noble Lord thought that in the
present state of affairs, in the present state-of Europe and
of England, a diseolutien of Parliament was highly inexpe-
dient. IL was with this conviction and this general determi-
nation the Noble Lord resigned the reins of power,and re-
commended a successor who surely the Noble ord might
have felt tnuet be equally conscious of the responsibility of
advising his Sovereign to such a step.—(Cheers.) But if I
am to trust the authoritative statement, as I have a right to
do, the more especially when I have myself been challenged
on the part of the Government, surely I sin entitled to in-
quire what are the principled on which this new Opposition
finned—(Hear, hear)—an Opposition which the Noble
Lnd has constructed under the inspire, ion and with the aid
and assistance of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member
for Ripon—(Cheers)—and the Hon. Gentleman the Member
for the West Riding.--(Cheers.) Such unbounded confidence
exists between three such eminent men—l wish to know on
what. prirciple this new Opposition is founded—this new
Opposition headed by a Noble Lord acknowledged by all of
us to be an able and fitting leader, with such experienced
vice-lieutenants as the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for
Ripon and the Hon. Gentleman the Member for the `Vest Ri-
ding.—(Hear.) What, I again ask, is the principle on which
the new Opposition is founded? Is it the principle of Papal
supremacy or Protestant ascendancy ? (Cheers.) 13 it the
principle of national defences or of perpetual peace?
(Cheers and laughter.) Is it the principle of household suf-
frage or of the electoral groups?—(Laughter.) Is it the
opinion of the new Opposition, along with the Hon. Member
for the West Riding, that free trade is a panacea far all the
evils of States? Or is it the opinion of the new Opposition,
in deference to the opinion of the Noble Lord the Member
for London, that free trade is a great exaggeration ?
(Cheers.) These are questions I think it legitimate to ask,
and I think they ought to be as frankly answered as the
question which has been addressed to her Majesty's Minis-
ters.—(Hear, hear.) I know that the prospects we as a Mi-
nistry may have in the present Parliament very much de-
pend on our knowledge of those why are oar opponents. Con-
sidering the circumstances under which we acceeed to office,
I certainly did not expect within a fortnight of his resigna-
tion to fled in the prime mover of difficulties against the Go-
vernment the Noble Lord the Member for London.—(Hear,
hear.) But, great as may be the obstacles we may have to
encounter, I confesi for myself I do not despair. I have con-
fidence in the good sense and good temper even of the exist-
ing Parliament. If I have miscalculated those qualities I
shall still hold my trust in the sympathy and support of the
country—(Hear, hear)—convinced that it will support the
present Government in their attempt to do their duty to their
Sovereign, and in their resolution to baffle the manoeuvres of
faction.—(Loud cheers.)
Lord J. RUSSELL—Sir, when, some three weeks ago, I
quitted office, I stated the fact of our resignation to this
House in very few words, but at the same time indicating
the reason why we resigned, and the future course which 1
intended to pursue.—(Hear, hear.) But, Sir, that course has
been so misrepresented in the speeches that have been made
and in the addresses that have been printed and dissemi-
nated amongst the electors, that 1 feel myself bound on this
occasion to enter somewhat more fully into a statement of the
cause as to the reasons why we resigned, as also of the course
which we pursued as a Government.—(Hear, hear.) Ncr
will I refuse to the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of
the Exchequer—if my previous declarations have been in-
sufficient—an explicit statement of the course which I mean
to pursue as a member of the Opposition. (Hear, hear.) In
the first place I must say that the plea now put forward by
the Right Hon. Gentleman has been also put forward by the
Earl of Derby; more moderately certainly, but it has finally
been exaggerated into a most wonderful and extraordinary
statement, at which I am not a little surprised. Sir, that
plea and that statement is, that the present Government
have only accepted office lest her Majesty should be with-
out a Gcvernment, and lest the country should be without
servants to conduct its business.— (Hear, hear.) Now,
the notorious fact is, that, they have been endeavouring for
years to supplant the late Ministry; that they were not
very scrupulous as to the means—(Cries of " Oh, oh," from
the• Ministerial benches, and Hear, hear," from the Opp,-
sition)—and also that they omitted no opportunity by
which they could place themselves in the sitnetinn they now
hold.—(Renewed cries of " Oh, oh," and " Hear, bear.")
Let it be remembered, that they did sot satisfy themselves
with making direct motions in this House by members of
their own party, by which they could obtain the sense of
the House on great public questions—such, in the first place,
as whether the Act which establiahed free trade was wise and
politic, or whether that Act did not operate cruelly and
unjustly ; and far be it from me, Sir, to dispute the right of
any Hon. Gentleman to oppose her Majesty's Government on
those grounds ; but they further took advantage of every
opportunity and occasion, when any Member differed from
the Government, to come in and swell the ranks of the
Opposition.—(Opposition cheers.) It was in this way that,
without agreeing with the Hon. Member for Montrose on
the question of the income-tax, but quite the contrary, that
they came down to support him and inflict a blow on the
Government of the day.—(Hear.) What was their course
of proceeding at the commencement of the present session ?
Did they retrain from attack on the Government ? Did they
aniline these attacks to the use of legitimate means of
debate—or rather did they not wing poisoned arrows against
the Noble Earl the late Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.—( Hear:
hear). Had they not for the totlowing week a motion of
want of confidence in the existing Government? And after
all that, can ;bey pretend to say that they were surprised to be
called to take office, and on any other ground but because
they were successful against the Government ? (Hear,
beer.) Oa the ,late eccasion when the Noble Lord the
Member for Tiverton (Lord Palmerston) refused permission
to the Government to bring in a ill regulating the militia
enrolment—that was another occasion similar to that on the
Hon. Member for Montrose's motion, when Hon. Gentlemen
ePleosite came down, and without regard to the m lion or
respect to the eubjec•—( Ministerial cries of " Oh, tea")—l
repeat myself—(Oh, ob)— Hon. Gentlemen opposite took
the unusual course of rousing the Minister permieeion to
bring in a Bill.—(Opposition sheers.) Therefore, Sir, I am
surprised at the allegation of Hon. Gentlemen opposite that
they took office because her Majesty stood in need of a Mi-
nistry to conduct the affairs of the country.—(Hear.) Their
off its were unceasing and notorious to accomplish the defeat
of the late Administration. Sir, what I felt at such a state
of things and such a line of opposition I will briefly explain.
It is the duty of the Prime Minister of this country to super-
intend the whole of the important questions that relate to
the foreign, the colonial, and the domestic affairs of this
country, which, I need not say, is a duty of great im-
portance. But I felt it would be impossible for me in such
a state of things, with these frequent attacks and occa-
sional deteats—l felt it would be impossible for me to give
that due attention to those subjects of such deep concern
to the public which it was my decided duty to
give; and I further felt that, if not driven out, of office,
I should be worried out of i:.—(Hear, hear.') And now,
Sir, Hon. Gentlemen opposite come forward and assert
that they accented office entirely because of their sense of
duty to the Severeign.—(flear, hear.) It appears to me
that such a false pretence was unnecessary, because their
Parliamentary position was perfectly fconstitutional. They
might have said to her Majesty's late Mieisters, " Your
policy is injurious to the general interests of thsi country,
and we are therefore anxious to reverse or reform it."—( Hear,
hear.) For my own pert I would have no objection, because
I recognise in the Right lion Gentleman (the Chancellor of
the Exchequer) that talent and that intellect which so well
qualify him for the position he holds in this House; and
because I conceive he has displayed both capacity and
eminent ability in heretofore conducting the affairs of this
House.—(Cheers from both sides of the House.) Sir, with
respect to the position in which I now stand, I might say
the position in which I did stand a short time since, has
been entirely altered by the tone of the speech siil to have
been delivered on the 27th February by Lord Derby. I
have in my possession a pamphlet which pretends to be the
speech of the Noble Earl. In what position does that speech
place the Government? The Noble Earl declares he cannot
propose measures to the present Parliament, because he
would be sure to be in a minority. That is not an unusual
position. But Ministers so circumstanced have said that,
as it was impossible for them to propose, with any chance of
success, measures in an existing Parliament, they would
advise with a new Parliament. But the proposition of Lord
Derby, as also of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, is this, "we are in a minority; not•
withstanding we mean to conduct the busieess of the country
as a minority.—( Opposition cheers.) We mean to go through
the session, and when it is over we mean to act on our own
discretion, and dissolve Parliament or not, as we shall think
fit."—.(Renewed Opposition cheers.) The present Parliament
may be dissolved in December; and I ask, was it unconsti-
tutional in us, having as uncertain majority, to hold offioe,
seeing that Hon. Gentlemen opposite are determined to bold
it even with a certain minority?—(Opposition cheers.) It
appears to me that there is no constitutional precedent for
such conduct as this; and yet all matters of party, or of a
controversial nature, are to be postponed.— ( Hear, hear.)
We are to have the St. Albans affair, introduced by the
late Home Secretary, and continued by the present Right
Hon. Gentleman. We are to discuss Chancery reform.
on which the late Government adopted a report of a Com-
mission, and directed a competent gentleman to frame
a measure to be laid before Parliament. But that great
and important question, in which the country is so
deeply and so naturally interested—thr• question submitted
by my Hun. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton—the
question af what is to be the price of food, ani whether there
is to be a tax laid on corn, five-sixths of which would be
paid to the owners of land and one-sixth to the Exchequer
—(Opposition che_rs)—we are told that next February we
may be informed in reference to that; but at present the
months of her Majesty's Ministers are sealed.—(Renewed
Opposition cheers.) The deductions of the most able and
scientific men are opposed to any such re-imposition.—
(Hear, hear.) Then, again, the colonial interests, the
navigation-laws, and the laws affecting our shipping and
commerce, all these are to be suspended until next February.
—(Hear, bear.) The Right Hun. ,Gentleman the Chan-
cellor of Exchequer repeated three or four times that
he meant frankly and freely to answer the question put to
him by the Hon. Member. for Wolverhampton; and having
thus raised the anxiety of the House, he as often disap-
pointed it by giving no answer whatever.—(llear, hear, and
" Oh, oh.") How different was the speech of the Right
lieu. Gentleman that night from his speech :n Buckingham-
shire a few days since. when he informed the agriculturists
that i„ was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to re-
store a fixe,l duty.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER here made
an observation across the table, which did not reach the
gallery.
Lord J. RUSSELL— The Right Hon. Gentleman on that
occasion quoted, to suit his own purpose, from M'Culloch's
ieesu lethuar
book;st inbrueftehree,.ceenttinrely omitted to quote certain portions of
that book which were unfavourable to' his position —(Hear,
hear. with " o, no," from the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer.) I read the speech in three or four different papers,
and they were agreed as to what the Right Hon. Gentlemen
regeisatgrri
It now appears, however, that the
whole matter is to cer te involved in its present mystery.
—(Hear, ' '
al
ear.)
burdens. It
dafe.scarefully conned
mode of redressing.
..
But in December next, when the
conned over, then Par-
liament will be Z.:
go to his constituents andt.evel?: Protection,
sup-
port me and you will have may, 1 am h
town Member will say ee' and every
protective duties"; „
constituents, "The teovern-
ment have given .up protecti: wristi
new Parlia-
.igricafltrural Member will
Parlia-
ment is assembled they will not mind their old friends, but
; and. when the
WO
Will
aid
that
Ministers pill be .goctd Free-tradore!".-

(Laughter, and hear.) x\k:‘,l this, Sir, is put upon as under
pretence of csnstitutionala t government. I believe there
never was such a delusion a tempted ro be practised upon any
people, particularly on people possessing the intelligence of
Englishmen.—( Hear.) Sir, t, us is a question now understood
by every one. At the period of the dissolution of 1841 it
was not an understood questii n. But now the whole people
cf the country understand it, and know that it means an ad-
dition of a halfpenny, a pen ,y, or it may be more on their
loaf; and which addition is .o go into the pockets of the
landlords of the country.—( ,apposition cheers.)
It requires
no talent to understand th 1, and therefore the community
at large require to know if i : be the plan or policy of the Go-
vernment to re-impose or abandon that tax.— (Hear.) To
that plain question we can ;bet no answer, but are to be left
in the dark. The Right Ilc.n. Gentleman the Chancellor of
the Exchequer has assert
office; that my views and opinions now
are different from what they were on resigning and
he wishes to know why we diet not then dissolve Parliament.
Now, Sir, under the circumstances had we dissolved Parlia-
ment we would have been liable to the objection raised by Sir
Robert Peel in 1846—namely, that it would be using the
prerogative of the Crown to keep a party in power.—( Hear. )
In the next place it wo ,Id be dissolving Parliament before
1 the supplies for the .. a`' tenance of the army and navy
were disposed of, whit . t would be an unwise step.—(Hear,
bear.) Even now, after the Mutiny Bill shall have been
passed, a dissolution of Parliament is only a choice of
difficulties. It is a choice of evils.—( Hear, hear.) But if
lion. Gentlemen were anxious that the public business should
be; proceeded with, that St. Albans and Chancery reform
should be conducted to an issue, why did they not leave the
late Government unmolested ? (Laughter and hear, hear.)
There are other matters I must speak of, because the whole
policy of the late Government—its commercial and financial
policy—has been assailed by member after member of the
present Administration.—( Hear, hear.) The policy initiated
by the late Sir Robert Peel, and successfully carried out by
him, we have followed up; and in our hands the beneficial
results to the country have been most important. lam
obliged to refer to some papers which will show the House
that, with regard to the country, we have obtained most.
important and satisfactory results. In the first place, when
We left office, there was a surplus of revenue of 2,700,0001.,
and the sum applied, besides that, as a sinking fund, in the
course of last
year, amounted to about 2,800,0001. The
state of public credit was unusually high. The taxes which
have been reduced during our government amount to some
4,000,000/. ; whilst the general revenue of the country has
not been diminished.--(Hear, hear.) The taxes, in particu-
lar, with regard to one branch of the Excise have increased
so much that, after the abolition by Sir Robert Peel of the
glass duty, followed by our removal of the duty on bricks,
there was an increase in the Excise of last year over that of
1844 of 1,080,0001. 'lie Excise duty of 1844 amounted to
14,450,0001., whilst that of 1851 reached 14,779.000L—
(Hear,) There are three subjects in particular, which, U.
pursuance of the policy adopted by Sir R. Peel, we proposed
alterations in the laws regarding them. The duties on sugar
were reduced, and the increase of consumption has been So
great that, whereas in 1845, the sugar admitted amounted to
244,000 tons, in 1851 the quantity admitted reached
329,000 tons. 'The-colonial sugar, which, according to the
Right Hon. Gentleman the Colonial Secretary, should have
fallen, admitted in 1845 was 244,000 tons, in 1851 reached
281,000 tons.—(Hear, hear.)
As regards timber, the altera-
tion caused this difference, that whereas in 1845 the quan-
tity admitted reached 1,317,000 loads, whilst in 1851 it
reached 2,037,000 loads.— (Hear, bear.) As regards the
navigation-laws we find a great increase, both in quantity
and number of British ships, since these laws have been re•
Pealed. In 1848 the tonnage of British vessels amounted to
4,052,000 tons, whilst in the last year it reached 4,200,000
tods. Now let us see if any dangers have resulted from
that alteration. I conceive that mischief could arise only
in two ways—namely, by the diminution of British shipping,
or by the increase of foreign shipping in such a manner
and to such an extent as to make the nation to which
such shipping belonged a dangerous rival to this country.
But this is not the case, for the shipping of the United King-
dom numerically exceeds, in a large degree, that of France
or the United States, as does also the number of seamen.—
(Hear, hear,) But whilst there has been an increase in the
tonnage of British ships, there has also been a greater in-
crease in that of foreign ships. But that, so far from being
a disadvantage, proves an increase in trade. It proves that
the persons who import articles of raw materials for manu-
facture, and articles of food, get them now at a cheaper rate
and with greater facility than previous to the repeal of the
navigation-laws.—( Hear, hear.) Now, what were these
navigation-laws to which so much importance has been at-
tached, and which Adam Smith defended as the least ob-
jectionable portion of our fiscal policy ?._(Hear, hear.) It
any person will take the trouble to examine, he will find
they were an act of vengeance against Holland, an act of
political rivalry to prevent that country having the greatest
carrying power in the world, and guater than England.—
(Hear, hear.) Therefore, of late years, where no such object
was required, it was fit to repeal those laws; and by thst
repeal we have not incurred that danger which Cromwell
anticipated. The Honourable Member for Wolver:lamptori
has said that under these measures the country has flou-
rished to a degree heretofore unknown.—(Hear.)
Nut only has there been an immense increase in our manu-
factures, but the number of our snips has also increased.
The quantity of articles of food consumed is such as no
man expected; and all these things prove that the people
are in a state of comfort and welfare never before attaine t by
them.—(Hear, hear.) It seems to he the purpose of the
present Government to reverse that state of things.—(Hear,
hear.) It has been stated in the speeches of the Members
of the Cabinet obscurely and mysteriously; whilst the Right
Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster
has plainly stated that it is the desire of Lord- Derby to re-
verse that financial policy which has been, according to him.
so injurious to the country.—(Hear, hear.) Now, my belief
is the reverse; and, therefore, I am desirous to maintain
that policy which has been so beneficial to native industry
and native talent.—(Hear, hear.) I will not, therefore,
Sir, cloak my meaning when I say I mean to oppose any
attempt to re-impose a duty on corn, whether for the pur-
pose of protection or revenue.--(Opposition cheers.) Sir,
that is a plain declaration; and on that point, with the
present Ministry in power, it behoves us to obtain a clear
decision on the subject. —(Hear, hear.) I conceive that the
Right Hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer is not justified in
delaying the elution of that question to next February.-...
(Hear, hear.). It must be the interest of all parties engaged
in trade and commerce to obtain a solution of the
question. I also think it is the interest of the agricultural
community. I said long ago —and the Right Hon. Gentle-
man the Member for Stamford declared his surprise at my
declaration—that protection was the bane of agriculture.
I did not assert that protection was injurious to particulai
classes, but that agriculture in general was injured by it.—
(Hear, hear.) Since its abolition we have seen treater ad-
vancement and improvement in the condition of the agricul.
tural interest than previously.— (Hear, bear.) My opinion,
therefore, is, that there never was a system introduced capa-
ble of doing more for the welfore of the people than the corn-
which, since 1842, has been placed on the
book.
—ione of all scientific men on this point, as also 01
(Hear, hear.) There is a perfect agreement
are anxious to see a perfect and unfettered inter-
coursemongst the nations of the world.—(Hear.) If, there-
fore,u maintain that policy you will do well. It is not
eanintitaiettrwhciethyaeoldo:
a question that can be constantly suspended. Last year her
Majesty's Ministers, after repealing the window-tax, had but
a small surplus left them ; and yet, proceeding on the free-
trade policy, we repealed the differential duties as well
this year, the question will arise how will that surplus be
:s ispthoseed dutyof?_7 coffee. Now, if there should be a surplus
11
ear, hear.) It will be said that it should
be applied to give further extent to those principles that
have been found so beneficial. Then Right lion. Gentlemet,
opposite will doubtless state, " We are not Ministers for that
purpose. With finance and commerce we are incompetent
to
deal,
e d,,Y must accordingly remain suspended for an-
other
country to have no decision? is it not the interest 01
eanr. thle
ask
is this to be?—(Opposition cheers.) Is
tie
every individual that, either in the le esent o • in the future
st:aorglitainhecelviti'lattnieorwe
fe:sional, the trailing,
ssuhffoeurledd bbeyinthtre ‘ydaurciLl
um
ietai
tseurreesstufo—rthreedprrets,i
the colonial, and the agricultural in-
of the RL.ht Hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer. I
in-
terests? -I
h4v", sir, been greatly surprised by the declara-
tionbelieve no Minsster of the Crown ever stood in the same po-
sition that he doek,—(Hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman's
position is this—.11e :r yet, "I have great mea-ores in con-
templation that will relieve the agricultural interest from
injury, the colonial from ruin, and the shipping interests
from the competition under which they are sulking. But 1
will not submit those measures. I will contrive to govern
in a minority, relying
that the House will, not only have for-
bearance with us, but that it will further be ready to improve
the country for us." - Hear , hear.) The course pursued by
the present Ministry,
(
whilst most convenient to themselves,
is most inconvenient to the country.— (Hear, hear.)\ If,
therefore, they get from this to February, without professing
--
any principle, but merely endeavouring to get together a
majority for the next Parliament, that will be a great ad-
vantage to them, though in the mean time, that is until the
spring of next year, the country is to be sunk in uncer-
tainty.—(Hear, hear..
) No merchant or manufacturer can,
in the interim, know that be will have a market for his pro-
duce; no farmer or man of business will understand his po-
sition ; and all this that the private interests of her Majesty's
Ministers may be promoted, even at the sacrifice of all the
great and important interests of this country.— (Cheers.)
Mr. HERRIES said that the first question which the de-
bate would naturally occasion was, for what purpose it had
Shortly after the late Government htd dis-
solved, an ostentatious announcement was made of some re-
solution t
bindingu up,
the House to adhere to a line of policy
which the Ron. Gentleman opposite, by.
had been originated, bad been quite instrumental in bring,
ing about. He would ask that Hon. Gentleman why he in-
tended to make such a motion, and if he did intend it, why
did he not try the House of Commons upon that issue?
They now Caine, however, to that very question, and he
would defy any man, looking back upon what had already
taken place, to doubt for a moment that any other answer
could be given thee that which his Right lion. Friend had
so clearly and so distinctly given. His Right Hon. Friend
had, in turn, asked the Noble Lord opposite, the Member for
London, upon what principles he intended to conduct his
opposition,_ and what had the Noble Lord said?—(Hear.
hear.) He had informed them of what should be the
conduct he should pursue in opposition, but he (Mr.
Berries) had learned nothing from what he had said
but this—that he would continue to oppose, as he had
always opposed, the re-imposition of those duties, the taking
off of which he called " free trade." So that the whole
extent of his opposition reduded itself to the matter upon
which the opinion of the country was to be taken. They
learned from him at the same time, however,, that the
effect produced by this change in our financial policy had
been not inconsiderasle in the association of parties in
Parliament, who, heretofore, had existed apart from one
another. But the fact was, that the public business of the
country had been conducted by an administration of parties
with whom these were manifestly, and on principle, at
variance. From that cause, too, th y were but imperfectly
principles supported on certain great questions, and the Noble Lord
had substantialiy admitted this, when he spoke of, having
been " worried" from office. Judging by appearances. he
already felt the force of an old Parliamentary aphorism
Which he had often heard—" Wait till the Whigs are gil"
" office, and then you will know what faction is.
(Laughter.) But universal suffrage, the ballot, and Metna-e
bers paid for their services in Parliament—these weretep
_eb .
to conduct the opposition, which it was right the. 11- us
risen but
ples apparently upon which the Noble Lord in
_.od de
should know. He (Mr. Herries) should not have risen
question,
for the circumstance that he had been repeatedly called
first by the Hon. Gentleman who had asked
t he made in
and also by the Noble Lord, as to some statementeeffect of the re-
othneotuornnage
another place, at his election, touching e
laws, and the LI
to that challenge
Deal of the navigation laws, and in answermallest
possible com-
he would put his observations into the s
He. would now, to
Pass. merely giving results in figures.
exhibit the result of the change St our
com-
mercial that itariiish and foreign Ai' • give
the figures exhibiting its effect on navigation code,leupn
thelast of the nevi shipping
respectively, between the year 1849,
of
the ga ion-
year
would take the imports and the _
exports, and he would show
1851, the second
inwards in
the
s yscomparativet c
o f th e nleewlBla4w9
of British shipping inwards was 4,390,000 tons, and in 1851
significant,
was only 4,388,000 tons, being a. slight, bet .k
-till a
1849 was 1,681,000 in 1851, 2 tons,
,and
While then had been no WENN ill British fillippin inwards
eoepee ra t i t )
--'nutcatit, diminution. The foreign tonnage

between these periods, the foreign shipping inwaris ,
bite lan iecrrase of 54 pe. cent- The drirish ehippipg out-
ward-, in 1849, amounted to 3,762,000 tons, and in 1851 to
4,147,000 tons, being an increase of 385,0'0 tons, or about 10
per cent. The foreign tonnage outwards increased from
1,600,000 tons in 1849 to 2,33'3,000 in 1851, being an
augmentation of 51 per cent. Taking the British and fo-
reign together, the British imports and exports in 1819
amounted to 8,152,000 tons, and in 1851 to 8035,000, being
an increase at the rate of only 4% per cent.; whereas the
toreigu imports and exports, estimated in a similar manner,
showed an increase of 47 per cent. He would now ask whe-
ther it was possible, with this slight comparative increase :of
British shipping to maintain a competiti, n with our neighbours.
What figures showed to be injurious as a result, every day's
experience showed them to be actually at work against them.
America always had a large quantity of shipping loading in the
ports of China, which formerly was not the case ;
.and British
ships which formerly could obtain freights of 61. and 71.
per ton, were now offered no more than 30s.—( Hear, hear.)
No one knew better than the Noble Lord opposite that the
French had made an ungrateful return for the voluntary re-
laxation in favour of foreign shipping, and that other con-
tinental nations were disposed to follow her example. Among
other things it was said that the new policy had produced a
vast deal of export trade. He would remind the House
on that subject that Hon. Gentlemen had no right to use
the fact of an augmentation of our exports as a proof that
our commercial system worked well; as the years 1826 ,nd
1827 and 1837 and 1839 were years in which, with large
exports, there was great commercial pressure. At the
same time he knew per:ectly well that the labouring classes
of this country were much more contented, and much better
employed than they had been, but still he Would say that
large exports were not a satisfactory proof of sound com-
mercial system. That protection must, in some shape, be a
benefit, was, in his opinion, completely illustrated in the
case of the states of the Z Averein. He had stated this much
with reference to one particular point of the debate, and he
should not have risen had it not undergone some amount of
discussion, being fully convinced that his Right Hon. Friend
had fairly, fully, and completely answered the questions put
to him.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir J. GRAHAM-1 should not have risen to follow the
Right Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down, if I had in-
tended to go at length into those fiscal questions he has
raised in respect to the navigation-laws, and to the extent
of increase or decrease which may be found in our imports
or exports. But I rise in consequence of the challenge which
has been thrown out by the Right Hon. Gentleman, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, with respect to the Opposi-
tion which he anticipates lam about to offer to her Ma-
jesty's tovernment. And before I answer that challenge, I
must be permitted to draw the attention of the House and
the country to certain large admissions which have just been
made by the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Con-
trol. That Right Hon. Gentleman admits that the country
is in a state of unexampled prosperity, and that, the working
classes are satisfied, contented, and well employed ; and al-
hough he does not attribute that contentment and employ-
ment to our financial or commercial policy, he yet admits
he facts broadly and frankly —(Cheers.) ant now
about to explain to the frankly
the view which
I venture to take in the present position of public
.

affairs. lam not disposed to enter into any factieus 1
opposition to her Majesty's Government, because I
think that in the present state of the country it dues be- I
come the House, without the slightest tinge of party, fully
and dispassionately to consider the amount of force which
ought to be provided for national defence by sea and land,
to enter into their discussion in Commi.tee of Supply, and
to proceed, having agreed on the amount of force, also to
pass the Mutiny Act. But, Sir, I do not think the ques-
tion
which is now at issue at all so infinitesimal as the Right
Hon. Gentleman was pleased to call it.—( Hear.) It is on
the contrary, in my opinion, as important a question as ever
was rained in a deliberative assembly, and one which un-
doubtedly affects the happiness and well-being of the great
body of the people. (Loud cheers.) It is not a question
of a ss. or a 7s. duty upon corn ; the question really at issue
is, will you reverse your entire policy ?—(Loud cheers)—a
policy the results of which, try them by what test y•er. may,
have far exceeded tae most sanguine expectations of its
authors and supporters.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon.
he Chancellor of the Exchequer asked what was the bond
of the opposition he saw around him. I certainly was
iiet prepared for that Gentleman's being particu-
iarly chary as to the weapons of opposition he
used, ( r the nature of the combinations into which he
might enter, to resist what he bad termed an organised hy.
pocrisy, and it is necessary therefore that we should come to
a clear understanding as to what is intended by her Majesty's
present Ministers. Now, although I think my Hon. Friend
the Member for Wolverhampton was quite justified in put-
ting the question be did, and in the menner in which be put
it, yet for my part I am bound to say that I have no
.'•• übt whatever as to the iiiten tie/is of Government with re-
pea to this poicy. if they cad. accomplish-their intentions.
--(Cheers.) Whether they shall suceeed depe. ds upon this
ilouse and upon the country; but as to what their purpesi s
are, I hare no more doubt than that I have the h.‘ntiur of
eddre-sing you, Sir, at this m imeree—(Hear, hear.) It is
not from the Right Hon. Gentleman who represents the Go-
vernment in this House that I Ask for explanation. I said so
last year, when the Right Hon. Gentleman stated his views
in mystified and hardly perspicuous language, and I was
forced to go to the other House, when I said the Peers
would be far more explicit than the Members of this House,
who were in party combinati -n with them. Then the
purpose was frankly avowed, and it was first to change
the Administration, next to dissolve the Parliament, and
then to impose fresh duties upon imports, among
others to re-impose the corn •laws.—(Hear, hear.) That
was my solution last year of the kints that were given to
me elsewhere. I adhere to that definition of their inten-
tions now, and I call upon them to deny it.—(Hear, hear.)
They have succeeded to power, have displaced the last Go-
vernment, and I now avow my belief ;hat they intend to
dissolve Parliament, for the purpose of imposing import
-Julies—among others, 'a duty on corn.—( Hear, hear.) I
trust the House will bear with me while I read a few pas-
sages from the speeches of a Noble Earl in another place.—
(Cheers.) I shall first refer to the statement made by the
Earl of Derby on the 28th February, 1851, when he had
tailed in his endeavour to form an administration. It was
on an occasion of great importance, he having to state to
the House of Lords and the country the cause of his
failure, and he completed that statement with a frank
avowal of the policy he would have adopted had he sue.
ceeded in forming a Government. I will now read the
principal passages in that speech, and point out the policy
which he would have adopted, The Noble Earl said—
" It would be impossible for me, even if my convictions
were less strong than they are, it would be impossible fer
me as an honest man to take office without a full deter
;nination to deal with agricultural distress, and to
endeavour to apply, as minister, effectual measures of
relief."—(Protectionist cheers.) Wait. The Noble Earl was
perfectly explicit. and I congratulate gentlemen opposite,
who have so long laboured for what they term some remnne•
ration for the unequal burdens upon land, on the prospects
which they now have with the Earl of Derby at the head of
the Government, and the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite in
the Cabinet, of their success in that object which for six
years they have so unceasingly laboured to accomplish.
The Noble Earl goes on :—" I will take this opportunity of
explaining to your Lordships what are my views and inten
tions on the subject of agricultural distress. I say, that by
imposing a moderate duty on the importation of foreign corn
you might raise a considerable revenue for the country,
while you need not materially raise the existing prices to
the consumer, while you might, by the acquisition of an
idditional revenue of one and a half or two millions annu-
ally, enable the Government to effect an object which would
be of great value to the community at large,
namely, the
extinction of the ineoine-tax." Now, observe the Noble
Earl expects one and a half or two millions from a duty on
corn. The Right Hon. Gentleman opposite said he would
scorn a ss. duty. I now understand his contempt. Five
shillings would not raise one and a halt or two millions; it
must be a much heavier duty. —( Loud cries of " Hear.
near, and cheers ) The Noble Earl then says. "
not hesitate to say, that if I found it impracticable
effect such a commutation of our system of taxation
(rather a severe comeient on the plea of the present Chan-
eellor of the Exchequer) as should place all classes on a
perfect level, then, according to the best free-trade authori-
ties, it is not adverse to the principles of free trade to
impose in favour of the class which is subjected to
is undue share of burdens countervailing duties to an
mnount sufficient to meet those burdens, and I believe
that by the imeosition of a moderate duty upon
the import of corn and provisions you might raise
such an amount of taxation as, at the end of the year after
this, would enable the country altogether, and I trust for
ever, to abolish the income-tax. I express my frank opinion
that the question of protection-- or, if you chose, the ques-
tion of the unrestricted import of provisions—is one whi di
must be settled by the couetry once and for ever.—(Cheers.)
The Hon. Baronet the Member for Essex cheers that. I
say there is nothing more clear than the course of the Govern-
ment, as expressed by the Earl of Derby. He asks for im-
port duties, including a duty on corn (Hear, hear)—and
the means by which he proposes to effect his purposes are, a
dissolution of Parliament. Nothing can be more plain.
The Noble Earl goes oa, " But until I see that expression
of the feeling of the country—when I find that the present
system is working an amount of evil far greater than was
anticipated by its opponents - certainly greater than I an-
ticipated myself—l cannot, as an honest man, abandon the
attempt to relieve the existing distress." How? By re-
tracing the false step that had been taken—" by the im-
position of a moderate import duty upon corn. That was the
statement made early last year, and his Lordship concluded
by saying, " I trust your Lordships will think that I have
n •.t trespassed unduly on your time in making a full and
frank declaration of the course of policy which, it' 1 had been
called to office, I should have ventured to recommend."
What, then, is the use of inquiry further, when we have this
statement from the head of the Government? Tut
may
t lalTabyee
ti
said that since then he has changed his
here a statement which he made on the eiesvtdwes;
irefrotheseops treo-
sent session, and as I know that the Noble Eri
t
have a doubt
carry out every word be utters, I cannot
as to his present intentions. On
year, Lord Derby says, th e two
ho fe
aFt, eiborru
the
last
belief 18 now,
four years has perpetually Tfahleleup,rice m
"
hat
as it was four years ago, t
be not made to the
mu diminish if some alterati
may be inconvenient,
th:n(cultivyation of wheat
law; aye, even to an extent whiche__Are. otwelooskhouolnd
if not dangerous to its real w
ouram
this matter as one of indifference,-
draw continually a namelly,dothant
great
principal articles of food tr
illocrereigasningcoasnutprpielys. of
fI
the principal portion of our supply,
convinced that the rep of the corn-laws will make us
more dependant for
_ona
state of things pregnant with
and that is in my opinion a
I have not altered the opinion
danger to this country,
©acs ago, that both for purp
revenue sad
of
rinte
which I expressed s
ad for the protection industry it of our native •is
eneriautdseedd.4nTthhee
should b desirable that agricultuhriaclnparorleuvceenusheould be i
go beyond corn, to cat le, and
articles of import on w
Noble Earl would t
all those
n_ hich my amen e 'friend, Sir Robert Peel,
provisio s
struggled so eernestiy fie., in order that all the food of the
should be relieved from taxation. But snore than
people
this I see below the gangway of my Right lionoua
Friend the Member for the University of Oxford, and rbitheree
is no disclosure of a secret in what lem going to state, be- !
cause the Earl of Derby mentioned it in the House of Lords.
Ilis whole arrangements were kept suspended until my
Right Honourable Friend had returned from abroad, and
when he returned, and when the Earl of Derby made his-;
proposal, what wles the preliminary point raised by my Right
Honourable Friend? fie asked Lord Derby what he in-
tended to do with the corn-laws, and Lord Derby at once
said, "My opinion has been pronounced.' I thin import
duties must be again imposed, and I am not prepared to say
that grain must be an exception." My Right Honourable
Friend, true to the principles he had invariably advo-
cated, replied, "This preliminary objection is fatal, I cannot !
join the Administration."—(Cheers.) So earnest was the'
Earl of Derby in adhering to his faith and principles, and so
sincerely was he of opinion that reversal was indispensable,
that although he had made his whole arrangements turn
an-
sorer,
the arrival of my Right Hon. Friend, when he got that
that my Right Hon. Friend would not be
a petty
r nto
restoring the corn- laws, he abandoned the idea of
an Administration. I am sorry Ido net see the Noble Lord
the Member for Tiverton in his place, bat unless I am g_reatly
deceived, Lord Derby had also an interview with that leloble
formed, and pro-
Lord when the present Administration was
the
Mod to him to take part in Ilia AsiugOtrottou. Brit

lobe
rye tbers•
same question that was put last year bv the Right Hen. was given that when the urgent necessity shall have P
wners el .
Member for Oxterd Uraversity was put this year by the away, a united attempt shonld be made to re-IroP ' , land
Noble Viscount the Member for Tiverton, and the same an- Now, lam satisfied that amongst the largest o
of bis cult.
swer was given with the same results. It was impossnsle for in the United Kingdom, considering the area
.e.. largest,
the Exe to 20 backwards. The corn-laws must not be re- 1 vated land, the Duke of Buccleuch is amongst tau
reed with
stored, and the Noble Lord would not be a party to any ! Lord Derby knows-and I speak from my
attempt in that direction. I think I have now gone ! --that in the year 1846 the Duke of Bucclench eg el the
wasl ,
far enough to show the intention of the Government, for I him, but that his Grace stated last year that hebet be e/1"
the House may rely implicitly on the honour of the Earl of receipt of as mach rent as he bad ever enjoyed-
that
who
a
herb, Weer once he hes a 'flounced any intention. He gave in the receipt of as much rent as he desired
_ho was
a practical proof of it last year by his speech on the first that he had no tenant whom he wished to keeen "opintour
day of the session ; and this ear he again gave a frank ex- not ready to pay him that rent-and that, in I"'
to be deers*
planation in the conference witla the Noble Lord the Mem- any attempt to re-impose the corn-laws was
chew.)
ber for Tiverton. Even within the last fortnight he has . cated by the landowners as most injurious. a (LOUT via, to
given the most direct and practical proof of his firm and I have talked of dukes and great nun ; but now
ed will' t"
tbe i•-•
unaltered intention to review our commercial policy, es e- call your attention to two or three points connect
to f 2
daily that which relates to the corn-laws. hut I can have poorer classes. I will only call your attention .
..utbeeric
recourse to other evidence. There is no man of strie•er ho- tistics of Glasgow, which I have here in a, ms® :sys shot
own knowledge
flour than the sight Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the form, in Dr. Strong's "Social Statisti alu
ts bresd fer
Duchy of Lancaster, a mail who would not palter with any there has been a gradual substitution of wheaote,e„ ineen
question for a moment. In his speech to his constituents oatmeal. Within the six years, from 1840 trite°'`6l.isetne.
he said that he stood firm to the doctrines of protection, sive, the average annual quantity imported 1 ele, 1840
and that he gave his support to Lord' Derby. because was 13e.,000 quarters, and of flour 107,''00 sacks. From
h at has rill
he relied on the assurances of his chief. But then let to 1850 the average annual quantity of weee s risen a
us go to Lincolnshire, and we shall find that the truth to 199,000 uaiters, and that of flour nalBsl. The
is not hidden there, but that the most explicit ex- 211,000 sacks-(Cheers.) Take the single r
Yeaooo quarters,
planations have been given. Now, I, who have fora lone quantity of wheat imported ainountet. to 388,, et et la-
time been relegated to the back benches, need not say that ; and the flour to 333,000 sacks. -(Hear.) In
.'ll° was shear
I am rejoiced when I see country gentlemen of my own sta- I quar ern loaves were baked in the city 'obi` in the Yf
Lion and standing coming into official nee lam sure that albs. per head, the popuiation being )40,000. centre 0
whatever they say may be relied on. and therefore quote i 852 the population was 600,000, and that great, nteactile.
them confidently. The Hon. Baronet, the President of the manufacturing and mining industry is naturaelg,na. le!
Poor-law Board said at his election, " I repeat to you the of the poor inhabitants of ,the islands and oflreland bread
words of Lord Derby, and what his futurepolicy will be you they have arrived at an average consumption ,uebeers )
cu • d
may gather from them. The question does not rest with amounting to Slbs. for every individual.-(Lcala 'is the
has lacr" r
him, or with the Administration, we can do nothing But now do they spend their money without Inc $e
unless backed by the constituencies."-,,Hear.) Certainly, merely in eatables? The consumption of tea
that of sues.
so say I. Let the case be fairly put before the country. Let in the short space of two years 325,331 lbs.,
ee.o.) peel
the country know what it has to decide on. lam then 5,610 tons, and thst of molasses 913 tons."(%"`arld ear of
ready to go to trial, and then God defend the right. The have, again, my neighbours lost their fregaL. number,/
Hon. Baronet continues, Having recited the speech of the habits? Take the saving banks. In 1841 tee,o 344,41e•ti
Noble Earl, "Lord Derby refers the matter to the electors depositors was 16,100, and the funds arnountee_', ienresli
of the empire, and it must be determined by them." When? In the year 1851 the number of depositors had le 1e.,,
I say speedily-without a moment's delay. -- (Cheers.) The 1,898, and the sums deposited amounted to 60,beua in lee's
Hon. Baronet says-" It is evident the esent Pattie- there was one depositor to 21 of the inhabitants'tii avert;
ment cannot last long, and I think you will agree with me there was one to 12. In 1841, 12s. 6d• was the
all'urr
that the sooner it is dispersed the better." There was no amount for each inhabitant; in 1851, the ay
te 0• to be'
proposition for these measures there.-(A laugh.) No was 11. Bs. 9d.-(Loud cheers.) You may at 'encode
on
Militia Bill, no Disfranchisement of St. Albans, no four seats verse this policy, but I tremble for the conlaisuce turet
to be given away in a manner that has not yet been ex- cause there is something more trembling in the weenePtie
plained. That would not be dissolving Paliament rapidly. whether there shall be a corn-law or no corn" ,bat'icoo.
•.' his evident that the question must be solved, and I trust duties or no import duties.-(Cheers) 1 feeareseistieg _Ol '
it will be set at rest for ever." So say I. "We cannot result of your dissolution should be, with fin
the redrito
dto be always in collision with our fellow subjects "- stituencies, to return a majority in favour °teats, anw
(Cheers.) Then comes a most useful and salutary piece of of that policy in which the comforts, the intet
ne uP, 'see
advice to the owners of the soil. The Hon. Baronet tells his feelings of the great body of the people are °Liner reps
rd it
constituents," You must either have protection or learn to will turn, not againstmr your policy, but against Yen- I beanee
live without in"- (Loud laughter.) I would say to Hon. tative system.
Gentlemen opposite, altering a little word of the President stated hatthislcannot expreee not
Goivtehrnamreegnrtet
was
~..3,,
breoaliresYtwtoli
formed, anu
of the Poor-law Beard, " You car.% have protection, arid not in much,t but still with sufficient, detail that 0•
you must learn to live without it."-(Continued cheering.) flounced that a system was to be inaug
Then the Hon. Gentleman goes on to show how they "may produce" Peace on earth and goodwill anlerrgde of the
live without it. I know that we shall have to turn our Solemn words! Awful and holy words! N°e,s,tlio ea it
attention to the improvement of our estates, for where is Harbinger of those glad tidings of every blessing coca ;;1.
the landlord who could say that more might not be done with healing on his wings to men 1.-(Cheere:)o that
with his property. Here is no artifice, no guile, I had truly be said that this policy is of a descripty?ll to e'er for
lusted st orb.
almost said here are Disraelites in whom there is no guile. cute, ed to bring peace upon earth and go Ho,, WM% the
-(Loud cheers, and laughter.) There is another point (Cheers.) I confess, as was noticed by tne La°,ll;nce wits the
to which I must call the attention of the House. The Noble Wolverhampton, that it was exactly in accor 0 courssnag
Earl at the head of the Government has admitted that he '• Up, Guards, and at 'em."-(Cheers.) It la It wilitheeta
was in a minority in the House of Commons.-(Mr. Dis- effects of which will not be to bring Peactiosity Tee air
raeli-No, no.) The Right Home. Gentleman the Chancellor such heartburnings, dissatisfaction, and aerial-eon e"ci de'
of the Exchequer denied this, but I had the advantage of class and class, as years will not efface.-0-'"e cots, ea OP
hearing my Noble Friend's speech; and he said, I know I cretary at War lately addressed his constitteke FeseS, 00
am in an undoubted minority in the House of Com- claimed on the tax upon corn importation•
crowd crlet"ent
mono and I appeal-to what ?-to the forbearance of the mers were delighted, but some voice in the
country. - (Laughter.) Now, Sir, I deny absolutely that in " Cheap bread." What reception did the Sec e. farm. I
the Parliamentary history of the country, such an admission give to him ? He said, ~ lam speaking to Ease• A.b, "ossif
was ever made by a Minister, or that such an appeal was away with that Braintree rabble."- c retari Pne!
(Chetre.) foots , i
aver made to
elan forbearance of the country,-(Cheers.) I am afraid that at future electione, whatever the ecbsers•iise
a ill challeng y gentleman who may do me the honour to say, that cry will be turned against ttlerneillen thet
follow me in this debate, to point out in our Parliamentary am asked what is the bond between us? 1 will tom' of
history when there was such an admission, or any such re- Gentleman. I have entered into no unvlort'n'aint•
enee-eble
quest.-(Hear, hear.) I say that homage to the represen- I have but one single object, and that is, the .• my balle be
tative system is at variance with any such request. I say that policy to which I have contributed Iseii sheet
that our representative system would be brought into disre- aid; and,' in the maintenance of that polIcY1:0 will 7••
pate if we prolong this state of things an hour more than is glad to co-operate with every gentleman
,:da a solealeriserr,
'necessary to provide for the safety of the State and for its in maintaining it.-( Loud cheers.) 1"a that '''°'
defences. Take the ease of Mr. Pitt in the great struggle of faction. I remember the last conversation the eve
ire
1784 between him and his great rival. Mr. Pitt only asked had with the late Sir Robert Peel. It. erae are,Pcy, ie Weber
the House to pass the Mutiny Bill, and the struggle that great discussion with respect to foreign P°"hnt Go•rs- de
was whether even the Mutiny Bill should be passed. - we found it our painful duty to vote against Ibisthat
frert the
(Cheers.) He said only give me that and I will at once ment which, on account of its maintenance of nes. at
_„,,
eissolve, for the confidence of the House of Commons is policy, we generally supported. We were 101'0"jgbtro
indispensable for my Administ retion.-(1-lear, hear.) What consequences of that vote. I pointe ' out that,' iiel3eliotl
was the course pursued still more recently? In 1831, my sibly be overthrown, and what might succeea.
comp
Noble Friend (Lied J. Russell) w.is in office. and I 1,..d. then
me,
"I know that in this couetry without Pali, and lege
the honour of being his colleague. The Retoriti Nil Was no man can govern ;my party ties are dissolve is, ther%et,
under discussion and the point in dispute was an exceed- not prepared to renew • hem ; power in my hands eetervlree
ingiy unimp •rtant one, but General Gascoigue beat us. impossible, but, come what may, of this 1 alai, tbst site
Eigetsand-tarty hours did not elapse before our resignation that there is no effort I will net mike to Insinta r tee ease
was placed in the hand' of the Kines unless power was given trade policy which I believe to be indispensabl tieing' of 'ls
us instantly to dissolve.-(Hear, hear.) If the Noble Lord financ of the peace, happiness, and well, posseldr
(Lord J. Russell) will pardon me,
instance wher,,, I was unfortunately opposed to him. In the leayst. degree the abilities of my departed fries 'I 01'0
I will give another country."-- e.. (Loud cheers.) Now, Sir, Ido no.d. bet
.0;
1841, a vote of want of confidence propoeed by my late share his determination. There is no effort whic."00000.
Right Honourable Friend (Sir Robert Peel) was carried. prepared to make - there is no sacrifice I will noa, tnyec.e
that was on a Friday night, and my
till Monday to consider. He came down to the House and science, I believe to be indispensable for the Inolleay. fell'
moved the estimates. The army, navy, and ordnance es- piness,
Noble Friend asked to uphold that policy which, in my heart and 1" be v,',:;r
and the well-being of the great body 0' "" eve
timates had indeed been passed, and so had the Mutiny subjects.-(Loud and long-continued cheers.) _ ja 141'..e,
Bill ; but the commissariat, the civil contingencies, and the Mr. WALPOLE noticed the peculiar
miscellaneous estimates had yet to be voted. 'My Noble they were placed. No' question was really beforp", 00 eitoFs,
Friend proposed to take a vote for six months, but Sir and, as was always the case when there Waa,rea :Teri '1,;001
Robert Peel went through all the similar cases which had tion under discussion, evey subject on which bad o
positioe“,,e 0011._,,
arisen in the history of this House. He said the proposal Gentleman desired to express bis opine that a aro,
to take a vote for six months is too long ; you will by that brought into the debate. The real fact was Learned gees
course bring the session to its usual termination, and 1 have question was put to the Government by the That eeet'bret
rfireezied.tara tod to re lid
no security that you will call a new Parliament imme- tleman the Member for Wolverhampton.
eeequer
afore
diately. Sir Robert Peel, who we all know had the most was answered by the Chancellor of the E!`iel, iv aebbeen
scrupulous regard to constitutional authority made a long hours ago, and the only topic of discussion which had notoi• ite
speech in which he distinctly said, unless you pledge your- the House was whether that question had fie speed; caws°
selves with the least possible delay to dissolve this Perlis- properly answered. He referred to the u
af
the cerre e I°4
merit, and also in the shortest possible time to call the new Right Hon. Member for Ripon as a proof,o
observat° TO
Parliament together, I shall propose that the vote Shall be of what he said. His Right Hon. de lolicY•sfelle
taken only for three months.- (Cheers.) Now, what is the been directed against the reversal oFf
course proposed to be adopted ? And this brings me to the was scarcely fair, for the Ministers didene° glee-trade !rasa
speech of the Right Hon. the President of the Board of free trade, but they thought
Control, who has promised to propose a committee of in- should be so altered and so
quirt' , into Indian affairs, and to renew the East India Com- on no class. It; therefore, the question tin their, eoei
pane's charter,-(A laugh.) What a melancholy state of country on a true issue, let that issue beiyouar,
bear., reeere,
things.-(Hear, hear). There is the Right Honourable and not in those of their oprionents --(that it waste it ;be/
Gentleman the Secretary for the Colonies, who tells us Derby had said, both last year and this, ender we rip tip tpf
thatt,l he has the strongest possible fears unless the the agricultural interest from the burden:es, enjoYee"'t reir
aw o e policy of the sugar duties is changed Thee is suffered, while the protection which tbs.t how bat two
was
Presst g fie°
rtribor,
da.cending scale of prices, and' on the sth of July there 1-46, had been taken from thernitdhifiaatenddtatesnon a fl.lll c::' inters;
Rightsisanoher downward step; and we have the evidence of the ionlely to be given must 'deeenu "" an the nto I
Hon. Gentleman's colleague that when once such
a step is taken it cannot be retraced.-(H ear,hear) Yet he of the countryand that amongst t"
, a ecessarJ tides
is contented to remain in office without making one effort might be necessary-probably would be II I, all arnelaffle
at of the -eiscal ar-ranements affecthinoteso
aron„,g,...entieo rosoif
to counteract the evil which he says exists -(Cheers.) Let alder the propriety of putting on duties 0
nion e2c- beer'
to
us mark their arguments as they have
President ofof food,- 4, unt to
.0•
the Board of Control has gone into the navi- necessarily articles
a duty upon
.. , fie meant n° doing 911
gation-laws, and I am prepared to follow him at a proper
t.nimwear;dbut the Hon. Gentleman knows that the tonnage both import, except raw materials-not in his °P eHear, tto
and cheers from the Opposition.) Hewes not An. AD
the question unfairly, and believed he Thum: 1' if '",e
and outward' has increased greatly saloon that of (Hear, hear.) The House should reM
bated, that aPe
'the two antecedent years; and that with the exceptisn of Derby had also said, and constantly reP against ... es
one year, which was the largest ever known, the tonnage well.expressed opinion of the petiole,
has been larger
~ e „s.,,,,than it has ever been before.-( Hear.) being put on articles of food, partly moo
ell) se
we he Right Hen. Gentleman seems to bun, with jealousy, that partly for revenue, he should not attempt to „ewe es;
wiror'Psrent.escbtie°P46,
our own tonnage has increased, that of other coon- fion a ' 'l'be Noble Lord to este Ito;
gain. - (Cheers.) , Wu' o
tries has also been eiovern s 'se
augmented. Why, when we opened brought a grave charge against the , ea,..) , r5l I
our imports, and consequently our exports, we ex takin • t (Har, '`ll unueeor
g an unconstitutional par .-
that the tonnage b ,th ot our own and other nations would eon in the H iuse or out of it more thorougu /but been 0114
be affected. - (Hear, bean) Here is a Minister of great constitutional questions than the Noble L° of 4 01070010
experiencenewho talks of appealing to the forbearance of the to convince him that the Government, instead
_tu they tiff,
country. When he says that these measures are erroneous, unconstitutional part, were taking the only Pa',otele Pe We'
let him and his colleagues take at once the bold step of take under the circumstances, and were curare 011.0'
bringing in the measures they consider right; and it the by precedent. (Hear, hear.) 'How had they, 741
House think differently, then let them give advice to her power? Not by raising a particular questiono..„, cal.., ;Di
Majest to dissolve parliame( Loud cheers.) I stated te the dissolution of the late Government n 1" 1)0%011
that ih re was a diecussion in 1841 upon a constitutional the House, by a definite vote, to overturn- e „nee s r et.
question, and that the Government, being in a minority, late Government had pursued in order to stibst"w"cr 14sai
hesitated not to dissolve or resign. Now I have here a of their own. They had been brought into Pse the ocer
speech which was made on this occasion, which you will reasons, and two reasons only. First. .beell:_eoode of,
allow me to read. Tue eohie Lord (Lord Johu Russell), Lord, by his own admission, had so tar lost the .c`blio ,01
speaking of the financial measures of the Government, said his supporters that he could not carry on
according to
---,• I admit that we do not sufficiently possess the confidence ness of the country in his own WaYter°e"
c or the couotrYl44
of the Hous t to enable us to carry our measures." Was he believed, for the general interest
er_ . „bet* ~dvi
there ever such an admission made by a Government before? secondly, because there was no other
bltttellenitulve"nioyeeioc;
-( Heir, hear.) Suppose t hat at any other time my Right of Parliament sufficiently st
enable them t take tna r o alt
to
Hon. Friend had brought forward this proposition, and this confidence of the country to
That was a totally miffs fit teed
alone-the first branch, observe, of his present motion-that power.--(Hear' bedaernis that had been cited agal,riegliee,e'el
the Government do not sufficiently possess the confidence of from all the prectiihronet
(Sir James Graham) 1111,° "je s' itt
the House of Commons to enable the o to carry their melt-
loathes.Te ig
el" ldents-those of 1831, 1841, and 178*. oe"
sures through the House - just pause for a moment and con- s-those
reform was the issue distinct,f -Le
Sider what must be the position of a Government who to that tke queetioon
ofbetween the Goverr mand tbein °P` be:iii,
single proposition is bound to reply," %Vs admit your allege- that decidedons
against the ent , ear,
Government—tee wes,-011
lion; we are unable to dispute it." Why, in ;try other time, and
41.' a vote of
want of confidence waley
e mild not such an admission have been regarded as a con- In
18against the Ministers. that agij
elusive proof that the Government was unworthy to conduct rigid ,
the case e aMinistry
the affairs of the county?-(Hear, hear, and cheer.) to ' called
Commons, convened by Government' isle 0'
the late citeo nee
But that it was necessary the Minister says, "Although
into power
brought because the late MinistrY a tset Do'
we have not the confidence of the House, it is not
unable
e they were to carrynine° ord 011
incumbent upon us to retire. We have Yet
It dues cheers from the Ministerial on the Gover e
toy
chances to try-we have yet some turns to take.
r that able to carr othe side.) Had the ?` - his Po den
not necessarily follow, because we are without
Iptoewne),
The a more exteyndsnd business by intendre-construFtinedee t
00 t,
we must also be without office."-( Loud pang_
hetdOuse to talk if any other 4 basis, as rumour said he lid,
speaker goes on and says-" It is note or t
I tion, for as the busnse party was sufficiently strong ~,,,„istere b
oi
leot
Ss o -
of a dissolution or of abstaining from
isso
uwithin our own ri ‘ht f the Go. ernment, the pfesent V"day or retaet
House of Commons we have the
meallsm I refer is the AI to sit on those benches for a single a teoreinr.ol
hands." (Cheers.) The speaker 'o
The cwonsequence of all this they
eers ) Placed as the country was without. e bad 1,000,
Earl of Derby.-- (Loud cheers.)Melbourne) disselved the ey would indeed have neglected their datY.._ , barlestas
was, that the Noble Lord (Lord done at least their best to carry on the necesse be Otis et
was summoned,
House of Commons, a new parliament. and, the countr • until the sense of the country condo" toy 00110
3,,
came into power.-(Hear.)
absit omen, a new Government
.certain grave questions, and, among othedooce °erjit'i
question
lam very unwilling, since thereeos naodirect before the gravest of all-whether they enjoyed its Con
et bad ;ere
House that is Wisely to terminate i motion which Both the Noble Lord and Right Hon. Baron with eiclee
I think
practical issue, it is
can be brought to a
.unnecessary undervalued the importance of going '3ll t c°- 'le
I have
to vindicate the opinionformed. But there en be
are two 1 measures before a dissolution of Parlialn r t le
or three points in reference to the conctition of the landowner entirely sed over woe hoe
and of those connected with the land, to which, advised. They had Pas' iness et sis
I should like very much to
permission, with your that the whole of the private bus , ere. ea
allude. - • • - that hest''l'ell fr
sNow, is it entirely put an end to- (Hear, hear).
the fact as stated by Lord if
2 ETV, thatcurr) DO'
produce ef the country is greatly di • ' men the agricultural would be occasioned, and great expense ne .
, _ Heel', Lot st i,
'shed ?-( Hear.) would be completely thrown awe). ( we eor
1 will not weary you with man • 'had e•P ea! •
e statistics • but Iwill •
rectal to your mind the circumstance,
5,203,000/. of the public mon matance, that, since 1846, cellor from whom the country might reastre.e' P: 0011,e
landed interests for the pur money has been borrowed by the most beneficial law reforms.-( Hear, 11 eat; e'
etiis in
of that money has been pos .of draining. Every farthing Lord seemed also to have forgotten.whate: et ie an oae
that has also been laid expended, and much more than fortnight ago-that a dissolution of Petit
nes"ens n'seel al,
out. Aa admirable Bill has been sent state of the country and of the contirienel•o"o,6cseapprse
passed by the Duke of Richmond
to enable tenants in tail to which he, as a responsible Minister of the 'Jean,. vsoPits Joe
borrow money, and I know that immense eelee l eo- hoe'
sums have been vise.-(Hear, hear.) Let knot be said thal' ' A d
borrowed b
tion y them under the ofthat Act. In addi- in to the forbearance of the House-he anl)- the Wan
powers
to all this, a comany was established last year by the tics; and contended that it would be untas e lets bed
authority of Parliament tbes .6.
.{
for a similar purpese. Now, Ido not to have a dissolution at this time, when tires of le
~r, ,et
believe the', in the present state of agricultural knowledge tions had to be decided. As to the preceda tee by Petlee:o
and practice-which is rapidly gaining ground under the ' lieved that a dissolution was never adverted 100, Geo', sin
pressure of this very system-I will not believe that these ' till near the end of that struggle. The nigh!, „nor°
deer of
/10,
sums have been expended in vain.-(Hear.) It the House then, a'ter comparing' the conduct of
.s-1° ee rol oso
will appeal to any gentleman acquainted with arable land, he ' that of Mr. Pitt, under circumstances which . love
!leis 0
be, a d etl 1
will at once reply that, upon the same surface, an increase of ; similar, warned Lord John Russell how OAd
produce must have taken place which it is very difficult in- , constitution, allied himself with democrats'e blidl' ,et
0
deed to estimate.-(Cheers.) Well, but now, is that all? 'by an earnest vindication of the course the OP tse
sr, 00 er tie
You have drained your land, but has the demand for artifi- , taking. time "'" ila de
cial and stimulating manures increased ?- (Hear.) You Mr. GLADSTONE said this was no ..e so bes,,f,
have imtorted-this ruined landed interest - you imp, rted in ' the length of a debate, the circumstances_belenoew te,..e./Iran.
1849, from Peru and most disant par sof the earth, guano Ever effort which man could make ouglatefi issu.be
rdes.
to the extent of 85,000 tons. In 185') you imported at least to bring the ques. ion of free-trade to a euZtv of 'S rogssenet
114,000 toils • and in 1851 that immense amount was nearly hear.) tele would consider two points- he "
t_ „es, 'tee eves,
doubled-in '18)1 you imported 214,00 e tons.- (Cheers.) as regarded the Government, and its higher eleillg tesl nal
;;ale pie i° •
Well, but you say, this is land perhaps of a superior quality, the question of protection.-(Hear.) _ „, co ,ei .ocr
which has been drained, and to which stimulating manures Lord Aberdeen had taken upon the subje!eVed recob,,itt.'o of
had been applied. But I would point. in answer to the re- Mr. Walpole, in his able speech, had we° ras the Igo
markable desire which has been shown for inclosing ntate the fact that there was something irregular of the.. Ito '' el
lands, which were never inclosed du ing the high prices of of a Government which was in a minoriht)a'd teltevdictleill
the war, and which was not touched under the comparative Commons. Arguing that Mr. WalPole ere. 1114'000 of
monopoly of the sliding scale,-(Loud cheers.) Tee report ueous view of the precedents afforded by. n't as con.riese, as
Inclosure
of the Commissioners shows that 355,000 acres re carded not merely as dry precedents, DU., to be °‘'.e dO.l/
have been inclosed in England alone; and in the year 19-1 f 6 Igreat principle that a Governmeni mons: os beelio.
Dot re p he "IT theofbeTue° the
There
less than 50,000 acrea were inclos(Loud cheers.) useful, must have a majority in t
dto een 'IC
There is another important fact h' h I tff d - 1 'that the present 'Ministry ha . r ree
wic canno aor to pass comp am to hrlt'g to er el
by, although I need dwell
not upon it. Since 1846 you have their having done so promised _titled efl ris
remitted 4,200,0001. of t • The House was co that. aa 0
connecteddir taxation upon food, and uon articles to an issue. ass should b° oh'sol
ectly with the c t'andcomforts of G t for a distinct as , n sho eto es
the people, and have onsump ion
you received into your Exchequer not- dispatch sn: necessary business, the
f the 11" on the
ci, 'l'(,
withstanding, and the preset duty 0 , eight . an be ot
the the sum of pearl 4 800 000/ d *' 1'
whole amount of y „ . over MI above tochsso Ne.
in .
the taxes} (He h' ) This speaks that assurance plain terms. He tno aring, e 0
to •be Id 1" dal l' '
3.- Hear hear.)
i ea
volumes- L icheers.)'
Lord Derby( ote lt hail been stated that, in 1845, question Government were
~,_
eons!, ere..., aea
_ereee
stood alone in the Cabinet in reiistin the re real t 11-lt on the St Albans Bill i•ulete sea foCI uvecbanevene,"
of the corn-laws. That is not correct. The Duke of a dd b delay But the dispos:iry, nor was cettete."
c- fen e Y. •
cleuch supported the Noble Earl d h b h f d within the category of nets-0141bial
an tey ot re use to come iet gill •
mama to the atopeueleh of the- corn-lawo, wilco A pledge Perm A (1400tiOn for the ..01,0