The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-02 00:00:00

MR CARDWELL AT OBTORD,

Yesterday evening the anniversary dinner of the
Druids' Lodge,Oxford, took place in the Town Hall.
As usual the members for the city had received in-
vitations to be present. Covers were laid for about
260. The dinner, which was partly cooked at New
College, was highly creditable both to the caterers
and cuisnie. Mr. William Bacon, the Noble Arch
of the Lodge, took the chair. On his right sat the
Mayor of Oxford, Mr. Alderman Sadler, Mr. Ser-
geant Gaselee, Capt. Fane ; and on his left the
Right Honourable Edward Cardwell, M.P., the
Hon. A. Herbert, Mr. Alderman Spiers, Mr. Neate,
Mr. Pike, Capt. Mallam, ex-Sheriff Carr, and many
of the principal citizens of Oxford.
After the accustomed introductory toasts of
" The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of
the Royal Family ;" " The Army, Navy, and Vo-
lunteers," and " Prosperity to Lodge 59," which
were duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN proposed " Tho Health of the
Members of the City," regretting that one of their
hon. representatives (Mr. Langston) was absent
-from ill health, and highly complimenting Mr.
Cardwell for his eminent qualities, both as a mem-
ber and a Minister.

The toast was drank with all the honours.

Mr. CARDWELL, who was loudly cheered, said,—
Noble Arch, Past Arches, Brother Druids, and
Gentlemen, I rise with the most sincere feeling of
thankfulness to express to you my
ments for the manner in which You acknowledg-
ments been kind
enough to propose and to receive this toast. lam
very sorry that it falls to ray task to return thanks
for it alone. But I have the pleasure of knowing
that our friend, Alderman Sadler, received only this
morning from my hon. friend and colleague an ex-
cellent report of our Brother Druid's recovery; and
not long ago I had the pleasure of seeing myself
how much he had already recovered since we sepa-
rated for the holidays. He, like me, gentlemen, is
always most anxious to be present on these occasions.
I know that he would not have been absent from any
but the gravest reasons, and I am sure yon will agree
with me that if by judicious care now he can prepare
himself for discharging with efficiency in a few weeks
those duties in Parliament which you have entrusted
to him, it is wise that he should give that care, and
we most willingly forgo the pleasure of his presence
on this occasion. Gentlemen, in rising to address you
to-night I cannot but remember that when we met
together in this room on the Ist of January last a
question was trembling in the balance which was to
decide no less an issue than that of peace and war
between the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon
race. We were in hourly expectation of the tele-
graphic answer to the demand which England had
made for the surrender of those two gentlemen
who in defiance of law had been taken by a cap-
tain of the American navy from the shelter of the
British flag. That issue has been happily decided
in conformity with law, and in the sense of peace,
and I think we may reflect with satisfaction that
that happy issue was due in no small degree to that
mingled moderation and firmness which was exhi-
bited by the British people—(loud cheers)—that
determination to do no wrong and to submit to no
wrong—(cheers)—which in the intercourse of
nations, not less than in the intercourse of private
life, is the best guarantee both for honour and for
peace. (Loud cheers.) And, gentlemen, when we
look back upon the year that has passed, we may
feel an honest satisfaction that with the same spirit
the British people have contemplated the great
events that have been taking place. We have wit-
nessed, gentlemen, a conflict which appears to be
to the New World in our day what the French
Revolution and the wars that issued from it were
to the Old 'World in the time of our fathers. It has
been terrible in its commencement, and no man can
foresee its conclusion. We have taken the deepest
interest in that conflict. Our own prosperity has
been largely involved in it ; the welfare of our own
people has been deeply involved in it ; we have
been interested in it as members of that great
Anglo-Saxon family which we all hoped might
ever remain in union and friendliness within itself ;
but, above all, we were interested in it by those
deeper and stronger feelings of our common huma-
nity, which could not but be greatly pained and
moved when we witnessed those terrible sufferings
and read of that multitudinous carnage. (Cheers.)
And, gentlemen, in a free country like ours, where
the feelings of the community are moved to the
bottom through popular assemblies, but especially
through a free press—(cheers)—the feelings and
opinions of the community will always be expressed.
(Cheers.) But I think we may say that with us
no ungenerous motives and no unworthy feelings
have had the predominance—(cheers)—that we
have had a sincere concern for the sufferings
which we have witnessed on the continent
of America, an earnest hope for the termination
of this fratricidal conflict, and for the resto-
ration to our American brethren of all the blessings
and advantages of peace. Of this lam sure, that
the British people, in regard to their own conduct,
have been guided by the purest motives and by the
most righteous resolutions. (Cheers.) They have
desired nothing but implicit obedience to interna-
tional law, even when it told most severely against
their own interests, and they have desired stead-
fastly to adhere to the principles of inflexible neu-
trality. And, gentlemen, the trial to our lown
interests has not only been great, but I will acknow-
ledge that in former times when casting an eye to
see if in any quarter of the horizon there might be
danger to the greatness and prosperity of England,
it always appeared that the one spot from which
greatest danger might be apprehended was of that
single supply of the great raw material of our do-
mestic industry ; and looking to that as a single
supply, not dependent upon free labour, it was im-
possible not to foresee that that peril some day
might become a reality. In none of our anticipa-
tions did we foresee the precise form
n
in which that danger would arise
; and when dmanner
it did
come, what did we witness ? Thereeisn,ergyyouuoknow,
in the North a vast population, of
pled, of skill unrivalled, who work long houresxaanid-
obtain the great reward of labour. Suddenly, as
the earth had denied to agriculture its increase, the
very material of their industry was suddenly with-

drawn ; and what was the consequence ? In former

times, although accustomed to prosperity, they
had been subject to occasional reverses ; but they
were an independent, they were a sensitive peo-
ple, not
willing to be dependent on the libera-
lity of others. They were a heroic people,
bearing their trouble when it came upon them,
always ready to assist one another, never willing
to apply for assistance to those who by Provi-
dence were more blessed than themselves. No !
At once came the blow which deprived them of
the whole material of their labour; and what har
their conduct been? Their conduct has
been
beyond all praise.
(Cheers.) I will not disparage,
it by attempting to give expression to it in any
feeble words of mine. I will only say that it has
realised to the utmost the language of the poet when
he says,-
6, How sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong 1"
(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, they are a highly edu-
cated people, and, believe me, for their good con-
duct there have been two great grounds—first, that
they knew that the time of privation through
which they have had to pass was not caused by any
legislation of this country, and could not he attri-
buted to their rulers—(cheers)--and another cause
was that they have seen the conduct of em-
ployers of labour generally. (Cheers.) They have
known the sacrifices made by many of those em-
ployers, sacrifices made in silence, and without
the knowledge of the general public ; but such exer-
tions, such a discharge of duty, have tended to draw
closer the bonds of respect and affection which
unite the employer and employed. (Cheers.) And,
gentlemen, if such has been the conduct of the
working classes, let me ask you what a spectacle
has been afforded by the conduct of the country ge-
nerally ? From the queen upon the throne down
to the humblest peasant "Nilo
has
mite into the treasury, wasthrown his or her
there ever a more
simultaneous or a more generous expression of sym-
pathy with th.e wants and distresses of others.
(Loud cheers.) From every part of the United
Kingdom—and you in Oxford bore an honourable
share in it—from everfpart of the I.7aited Kingdom,
from India and from the colonies—nay, from f •
oreigia

countries and even from America contributions have
flowed in, bearing a noble testimony to that spirit
among all classes which I believe is the greatest
characteristic of the age in which we have the
happiness to live. (Cheers.) And when I allude
to the contributions of America I cannot help
expressing the hope that these contributions are
an evidence that there is in that country a dis-
position to appreciate us, and that there are
these who see the spirit by which England has been
gaided, and who will be as desirous as we have been
here to maintain a growing and constant affection
and goodwill between both countries. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, soon after the great revolution
in France
in 1848, the distinguished Frenchman who had been
the First Minister of the French King wrote a
treatise, with the subject of which we are not now.
concerned ; but he had occasion
ocooounr
ts
re yof it
to speak of the feelings which
pre-
vailed between the rich and the poor. He said that
the poor are not envious ofiiianththise the rich, and the rich
are above all things solicitous to contribute to the
wants and distresses of the poor. (Cheers.) He
spoke of that fact in terms of just eulogy, as con-
cement of society in this happy and
an he ene a ole -
con-
stituting
a
trophe—,c , These are the virtuesh of Chrnistbianity apes
the
ntry,
d
Faith, Hope, and Charity." (Loud cheers.) And,
i gentlemen, I think we may look back with satis-
faction and pleasure to the conduct which has been
exhibited by all classes during the year that is past,
believing that it has done much to cement society
in England and to promote the stability and per-
manence of our happy institutions. (Cheers.) Gen-
tlemen, I remember that about the time of the first
great Exhibition I was present at a dinner, when a
distinguished American, adverting to the great
calamities which had occurred to many of the most
settled Governments of Europe, pleasantly observed
that his own country, the United States of Ame-
rica, though not one of the oldest, was, he verily
believed, one of the most firmly established in
the world. We have seen not only the mon-
archies of Europe shaken, but have seen that terri-
bleconvulsion which has taken place in the Republic
on the other side of the Atlantic—(hear, hear)—
and we must, indeed, therefore, be doubly thank-
ful our lot has been cast under institutions
which are at the same time more free than a re-
public, and more firmly established than the most
ancient despotism. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I believe
that those institutions are so flee and so strong be-
cause in this country through popular assemblies
and through a free press there is that constant inter-
communication of sentiment and feeling, that
continual taking counsel with itself of a whole intel-
ligent community, that it is impossible that any
acts of the governing bodies can for any length of
time be at variance with the real well-considered
feelings and determination of the people. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, you all have seen in the papers to-day a
short summary of the trade and revenue of the year
that is past. (Cheers.) I think it will have sur-
prised you that when the right arm of our industry
was paralysed—when that which constitutes by
far the greater part of our export trade was at
a standstill—the general trade of the country not
only maintained itself in so remarkable a manner,
but that, when so large an amount was withdrawn
from the weekly wages of the population and the
productive powers of the country, the revenue has
maintained itself in so astonishing a degree.
What a proof, gentlemen, both to ourselves and to
foreign countries of the great powers and strength
which our commerce really possesses, and how
great a cause for thankfulness and congratulation
on ou part ! (Cheers.) lam very glad that a con-
siderable part of the prosperity of our trade has
been due to the operation of the French Treaty—
(cheers)—for not only on commercial grounds, but
on other and, if possible still more important
grounds, I say that nothing is so desirable as that
that barrier should be broken down which has for
a long period of time separated us from our near
neighbours in France. (Cheers.) There is
scarcely anything which France produces which we
do not want, and there is scarcely anything
we produce which France does not want ;
but for many years, owing to the sys-
tem of legislation of which, I am afraid, we our-
selves set the example, the sea was not a greater
barrier between the coasts of the:two kingdoms than
our self-imposed restrictions upon the interchange
of our respective industries and commerce. (Cheers.)
It is impossible to say what may be the result when
that barrier is broken down, and when the greatest
freedom of interchange is encouraged between the
two countries ; for that interchange not only means
the reciprocal increase of wealth, but it means the
silent growth of cordial goodwill and affection be-
t ween the peoples of both countries—it is the greatest
security for that permanent good understanding be-
tween France and England, as has been well ob-
served, is the true guarantee for peace in Europe.
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, we opened the last year under
a deep sense of that great sorrow with which the
Sovereign and people of these realms had then re-
cently been visited. That sorrow will never be
effaced by time, because everything which comes to
the knowledge of the English people tends only to
make them feel the more keenly and the more truly
the severity of the loss they have experienced; but
by the blessing of Providence, we open the present
year in the prospect of an event which, as your
chairman has justly told you, is Jo give to the Heir
Apparent of these realms a marriage of affection
and a home of happiness. (Cheers.) And, gentle-
men, we know how much these words imply, not
only of lustre to the Royal Family, but of substan-
tial benefit and advantage to the people. (Cheers.)
We know that they mean the strengthening of the
monarchy, the consolidation of its foundations on
the only true bases, the hearts and affections of a
devoted and united people. (Loud cheers.) Gen-
tlemen, the vessel of the State has been exposed to
storms—to a storm which it appeared to those who
predicted danger from a distance was the most
likely severely to try her strength ; but by the
blessing of Providence, and by the union of her
crew, she has stood up gallantly against the
danger. (Loud cheers.) Let us hope and be-
lieve that, with a loyal and uncomplaining
people—with a buoyant revenue—with trade,
if checked, yet not altogether depressed,—we are
destined to open the present year under happier and
better auspices than the last; and, thankful for the
great blessings we have hitherto enjoyed, let us
trust that in future we may be able to increase those
benefits for tho advantage of the community at
home ; that our revenue may enable us to do all that
is necessary for the safety and honour of the coun-
try, with due regard V) a wise and judicious eco-
nomy; and that, receiving at the hands of Provi-
dence these great blessings ourselves, we may be
permitted to be an example to other nations of
unTiohnearnigdhgtoohdon. government, of esfaitrid dust a
ow amid loud industry and peace.
cheering.

Several other toasts were drunk, and the convivi-
ality was kept up till a late hour.

DREADFUL TREATMENT OF A SAILOR ON BOARD
A SPANISH SHIP. case has just been brought to
the knowledge of the Liverpool
.cpapotlaiicae,
Antonio exhibiting3iogirliodsas and
continued cruelty inflicted by
the ship St. Lucia, upon Thomas
but of English parents), who l
St. Lucia. When the St. Lucia arrived in Liverpool the
v as N
a Neale
(a Dane by birth,
seaman on board the
pboolaircde
naked
receivedake d aninformation
a,
at knadto: ni an was confined on
to the ship
feet they found Neale in the forecastle, in a most Wretched con-
dition, quite naked, and his hands and proceedingtin
were fastened to the side of the ship. He was brought to
the police office, and there made a statement that he shipped
on board the St. Lucia about three months ago in Alcto3
Bap !Before he came on board he bought 500 cigars for £1
10s., which the captain afterwards accused him of stealing.
Neale was charged with the alleged theft by the captain
befere the British Consul at St. Helena, but the case was
dismissed. Subsequent disputes appear to have arisen be-
tween Neale and the captain, who, after one of these dis-
putes, ordered Neale to go forward and to be put in irons.
Neale also states that the boatswain (who was the chief
executant of the captain's orders) on one occasion endea-
voured to cut his (Neale's) throat. Neale was kept in irons,
and fastened to the side of the vessel for a period of six
weeks altogether, during the whole of which time he was
naked and very scantily fed. When the irons were fastened
upon him, the captain stood by with a drawn sword. The
depositions in the case will be forwarded to the Spanish
authorities, who will also, it is understood, take charge of
the captain.