The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-01 00:00:00

donee I would give tiin every support in my. power. I
trust that in ece acting I have not been unfaithful to those
principles which I have always professed. (Cheers.) It
has been well said that con4iptionel Government is now
upea its triair mal that thoxyas' of. the whole world: are
new flied upon England. , 'T%win. !low bs seen whether a.
couetittitional Government Ifni carry out that for which
it was formed ; and if public me ;will, forgot those who
made -
me them publid lien, and , every man in a
14,0
scramble foe ple j 8 t 0 t tke 'the 1 i place that is offered
him, We shell become the laughiegaa- ck of the world, and
and show that, after all, a benstitettlonal Government so
for is but- a sham .and that 'labile places are the re-
ward cif e vele thing hut peblic merit. (Hear.) I ordi-
nary occasions I shoull have addressed you on home sub-
jectsabut at this moment these are leid aside. There is one
all-absorbing qlestiori which engeeteos the feelings and
senses of Meer lii the country, and in favour of which
wo hate agreed to waive all considerations of a domestie
nature. ' I will orals tle-itefole say that upon all those great
questions, such as the ballet, church rates. nail the princi-
ples growing put of these eueations, I have followed the line
which three years nee) 1 toia you I should pursue. I have
upon these and similar questions always toted, I trust, to
the satisfaction of those who have scut ma to Parliainente
(Cheers.). If those questions should come before Parliament
this year, you will elways find me en tke right side of the
lobby. But there is one subject of
,eueli importance that
to come to an understanding with you upon it has been the,
.
chief reason- Why I have met you to-day. Wo have now
become so excited relatiee. to the disastees that have be-
fallen us in the come of the great events which have oce-
carted in the Crimea, that we have almost forgotten the
history and origin of this. war. It is, however, most im-
portant and essentierin the present phase of the question
that the great object for which the warwas undertaken
should not be forgettee or kept out of sight. There is a
party in this country, not larger but influential from those
whO lead it, at the head of which ate Mr. Bright and Mr.
Cobden. I have great respect for the opinions of those
gentlemen upon many subjects, and men who have done
greater good to the ptiblic cause do not exist. I only
regret the line they bete taken or, .I)iii 'subject, with
which I cannot at all agree. It il. tea-Abet I object to
, Mr. Belglat-er Mr. Widen taaciagatelaeace line in the
d i scussibn of this au bj eote - butt atliat they assume
those to be facts which are not 'facts, and that they
argue the question up in a false basis. From what those
~
gentlemen say, it would appear that in this war we are,
fighting for the Turks. No doubt, to a certain extent, that
is the case, but that is not the essential part of this ques-
thin. It is very easy to excite public feeling against the
Talks, and to say that .we are fighting for one despotism
with another despotisua, and against a third despotism. I
am the last man to stand up and say that we ought to fight
for any despotism, and if this were purely a Turkish ques-
tion I should not take the interest in it which I have
always avowed. But there is a far greater question in-
volved in this war than any involves the Turks alone. This
war has been truly called a statesman's war, and those who
have entered into it ought to see that a great question is
involved in it, affecting net only the present but also the
future welfare and civilisation of Europe. What are the
real grounds upon which the war iseinitertaken? Ido not
speak from mere book knowledge, bat from having devoted
myself for several years almost to the study of this ques-
tion alone. (Hear.) Although I was concerned in the East
in archaeological pursuits, - yet I was- a member of the
diplomatic profession, and was for a time attached to the
embassy at Constantinople, where .I saw with my own"
eyes the progress of events which have resulted in the
present war. For some years past the Turkish.thaverne
went had been making great endeavours to -improve the
condition of the population upder its sway, although it has
not only been able to carry out all that it prpfsssed, or all
that it wished to .aCcomplisli,. It is difficult. to change a
nation in a day. (Heir, hear.) The rulers of Turkey
are many 'of them men of no principle at all—they
look to personal considerations —they look to their
private advancement and filling their own pockets,
and, they here done, great harm to the cause which
the Sultan has sought to sustain. But it is impos-
sible to deny that great improvements have been made. I
have knoWn Turkey for 15 years, and no. one who knew
Turkey then; and sees what . has been done daring that
time, can deny the imprevement that has been made, not
in
among the Mussulman and Mahoetati population, because
there-are causes at work whiCh will probably lead to the
destruction, of the Mussulman in Turkey in Europe but
among the Christian population of Turkey. It is not for
the leemetans we are fighting, but for the Christians.
That is a distinction which the. heads of the peace party
have always kept out of ;view. (Hear.) lde nit say that
the Christian population have obtained all those privi-
leges which we should wish to, ¢e9 possess, but they
have been gaining wealth, they are becoming more pros-
perous, they have been intrusted with public employ-
ments of great weight and importance, which a few. years
Ware were denied to them. The Turkish Government have
sent Christians to represent them at foreign Courts.- The '
Turkish Minister in England is a Christian ; the Turkish
Minister in Feria was a Christian ; the Turkish Ministers
in Belgium and at. Berlin are Christians. Such a thing
20 years ago as a Christian being employed by the Turkish
Government as its Minister at a foreign Court was almost .
unknown. In domestic affairs they are making greet progress!
In lit nature they are reeking-a great stride, and in'Turkey„
at - this moment, 'I know that- liberal .opinions both in
politics and religien are gaining ground‘ The Emperot of
Russia saw the progress-making by theChrhstian population,
and this very progress was the.groundwork of his interfer-.-
ence. The object of P. duce Menschikoff's mission to Con-
stantinople - was. to check the growing spirit of liberty
among theChriiitiaia population of Turkey. The Emperor
knew perfectly well thatif the Christians of Turkey should

selveS to:take the ple:cb a ,thir WatiiciiiiClFtiiTiftiel'arZi;
population, all hie hopes -of having -Constantinople!, and
possessing those magnificent provinces which 'would make
him the-most.powegnirpotentate., in the world
.world have
been digappinuted and destriayeo, I, am perfectly . well
aware that lie has been. arming with tibis object. He did ,
so in-1820 ;he did -so at the Tfeaty f Adrianopleb t
for seine yearsb6 has not had the op-p• o•rtunit of carrying
his views into 'effect. Lord Abertn.bedame Prices. -,-M-
-nisteroml apparently at the head 6 a liberal Government, ,
which I shall -always regret; fox' Lord Aberdeen hattibtee'
more to destroy the Liberal party than any man whoever
lived. (g L
ear, hear.) When ordAhardeen- came to pcwer,
with his known views upon foreign poiicy;
Russia thought it a d
g" PPPOrtunkty D :the:Emperor-of
and lathing at the conquest of- Turkey-: -y°f'- ?jag hijilriews
he sent Printe lilenachikoir to" cookiiet-4ii9no- plth
e..atrlacro anThiot
accuse LoreAliercleed of -co '
but it is' impossible 'to ilenTtYbaautee' " some 4a" done,
affairs encouraged the Einpefor of R hill
opinions on. pi'ahlin
was the'time;to tarry out 13i1 b, nssia to hope that now,
"am itious.sehethes. Attlit time of Prince .- Illenschikoff's... , .
arrival. at Constantinople• I
was there, and from What I saw
th it was my conviction; and
I atilt enter Wl* it, ".that.if
he Government had shown a
bold front—if the Emperor
'would go to .war rather,tha.aaodkateen" told that England
of Russia, wledge the pretensions
frilice Mellsci'lk°6 Would not have pushed his.
views; _ but' would haie beo"
..,(ch-esrs,y u,,iB3atti,sfleti with the first thing,
offeied`t et -.him..
u .we aia not, take ,this;
course, and hence the origin
The • Government at thisi - time°f all these misfortunes.
Liberal party, and a party-with was cOMposed •of the
popular in Englnd-Imeanthe few followers and not
distinctly opposite opinione as t Peelites. They held
predonainahee in &rope to 13 tini danger of Russian
lima° of Lord John
'Russell,. Lord Palmerston. the
all very of Lansdowne,
ea the other' Liberals. It is a
to have a divided Government, b well in quiet times
on great national affairs Whsti nt it is imPossible to cart
have a divided Cabinet:
(Cheers.) In great butters half
do: What Was the tasult ? • If.-aild:half politics will not
ticker what they thought of his
paced of telling the Em:
patted. on the back. • The 008 ambitious schemes he was
' bold front, and the Emperor Government never showed a
most, thinking that the English his claims to the ut-,
oppose him,. MI lib *anted wagtnetit iirotild he*
foita6, not over the Greek but
thi, right of direct intei,
Turkey, which would have lit
the Christian subjects of
11,000,000 of the Satan's subject him authority over
.f. 0," thinctt. The tinperlir crossed.
the PNith, and-then" r 4
'the Governtneht hot- to alio* rEt timeJOSe Mid besought
Pratt without a declaration 4, the Emperor to cress the
'--,--no Man does--but I kne* thaf 41'. I did not wait Iva.
if the Ooveiiittiont *ea
afraid of :war alert thAt ,wzasrfrwas
thing on- earth could save;
- inevitable; and that no
ex pressed in,
Om won • (Cheers)• This is
an opinion which I have
House of Commons frop the nas4m th
intntt thit I liad this- licinou,
of representing yell'. Th© nett
*as in placing the negotiations in ta eof the Governme,nt
*Mailed an placing
in keeiiifig Ili backl AO4, of Austrm;
g peace under Uveri' isaerl ficia; 1.- ~ --
.B.Uil: 14 64'31 'ltalie'
sienna- dtmirelidiA I' r,1111;. ‘` Rohr Ptt.44“g""
'"o
Constantinople, or anywhere rather than
conferences at_
Mations to the direct inteifereneof a subtnit:the nego-
° Austria " Well; wA
w;e:,`,!uo :Vienna, and there, tn, as 11 _ 1,, '• ~ ~
were "hutubtigged:" (A. laugh.) TILI'V.UIq Plif"Se, li.e?
net haie been eupiniticd to sego ti". vie,llic4 Rot!? cotict
enterlid 464 the *hi with A. .dria.e t
~, ..51;A‘gfolt.ft:7:9 'hq
intje,A..t aild great
for.
14 stake. Wniie had gi6ll',
settle thaticjuestion, foßr us at •. Vas it .a liAweinl
tiniately aoquait*4.4wiith. the raisifera i I;
voes;tl;vvrieinienvderawhiatlid
towers of mind equal to the crisis
the courage to put the right man in the right place, and
the Government never would sacrifice their private p ty,
personal, and family considerations, tothaiood of thisapruh-
, lie. We "drifted itito the wail according to.i,lie 'eip- res.
sidn,df DiArd•Olarendon, and Lo 'S'. Russell deciared-that
• i
,iii,e I,wl eoJerritorial changetet itctsottal'Objects to attain.
ttOhat, was net,'oo ' PMent :t'F' tell hart Itwittkt% that me
'should. nett :insiitt Upon territorial shows. A was loldink
'Out a:premiuni to Aussia, top" s;',. ii, was telling tier that
34 iiiLrbt log' worst-bill while she could lose nothing by
the ')iiSt: (Cheers.) Me, waihroke out, and we sent our
trOopS to Gallipoli. No provision ,was made for the
therd, and if it had not been for the' reach the mig ilt
a
,have starved. They• Weill-R.9# Stilt, to -
jit 'An . twaE tEtin
in constant temunin,.Cation with ate UoVernliant, and
there Jaen iCartely anything- of which the want was felt
Afteierards of which I did,not acquaint the Government.
I told them that the tromps were going to a most unhealthy
place, and that they. wmild inevitably suffer from disease.
They were warned by others that it was a PeOiferefts clii,
mate, and yet, in despite 'of thett tannings, tiro men' were
-sent to Ternsi where in a short time they lost an incredi-
ble number of men) and •vitre almost detnoralised. The
hen. member proceeded with great pOwer to trahe the sub::
sequeat landing of the trepps in the Oriole% the eirenth 6f
Alma,. Inkerman, and. Balaklate, and the horrible nais•
Management of which our brave troops have been the vic-
tims before Sebastopol, and of which he had been the eye-,
witness. The Times had opened a subscription for tb;e
relief of the sick and wounded: Ina few days 10,0001.,
were received, mad that amount might have been doubled."
Did the editor send out anincompetent man to lichhihister,
it, because he hadahousin or an micle who wished to go?
No, he looked about forth° best man to do the work, and,
the result was that those 10,0001. had saved the lives of
thouiands of our brave .fellow-countrymen. (Cheers.)
Now, if private individnals And firms could, do these things,
why should 'not the Government? (Cheers,) :If the Govern-
ment departments Wouldnot do their work as it-ought to
be-done, the sooner they`were differently constituted the.
better. • (Hear.) ' Men 'were Appointed as heads of depart-
ments who had No title to their situations from their merits
or knowledge—they were afraid of responsibility—and
they too often connived at mal-administration and winked
at neglect. He douisted• the utility of sending out the
Commissioners of Inquiry. ~,An army could not be reduced
from 54,000 to 15;000 men if proper attention had been
paid, to
that,w'had officers in the Crimea who were incompetent,
L to carry out the. matters intrusted to them,, and who ought,,
_ .