The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-14 00:00:00

MEMORIAL TO LORD CLYDE.

A meeting, convened by advertisement, was yes•
terday afternoon held at Willis's Rocms, King-
street, St. Jaines'et
for the purpose of taking mea-
sures for the erection of a memorial to the late Lord
Clyde. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge presided, and among those who were present
were the Duke of Wellington, the Duke of Argyll,
Earl de Grey and Ripon, the Earl of Ellenborough,
the Earl of Cardigan, the Earl of Dunonghmore,
the Earl of Malmesbury, the Marquis of Harting-
ton, Sir C. Wood, Lord Stanley, Sir R. Murchison,
Gen. Sir W. Gomm, Gen. Eyre, and several other
gallant officers who had been the companion in
arms of the deceased Field Marshal. There were
also several ladies in the body of the room.
The Bake of CAMBRIDGE, in introducing the
business of the meeting, Said—My lords, ladies,
and gentlemen, I feel that in opening our proceed-
ings on this occasion I need offer to you no apo-
logy for assembling you here, because there is, I am
sure, nobody either in this room or throughout the
whole empire who will not agree with me and those
who have called this meeting in thinking that the
painful loss which the country has sustained in the
death of Lord Clyde ought to be commemorated in
a manner which should do honour and justice to the
services of that great and illustrious soldier. (Cheers.)
In honouring him, believe me, we do honour to our-
selves, and I am sure you will be of opinion that it
is unnecessary for me to apologise for takirg the
chair here to-day when you recollect that I enjoy the
privilege of being at the head, through the favour of
my Sovereign, of the noble profession of which my
late lamented friend was so distinguished an orna-
ment. I am happy to be able to boast that I had the
advantage, the gratification, the satisfaction, and the
pleasure of being, I may say, the intimate friend and
associate of Field-Marshal Lord Clyde. (Cheers.)
In both a public and a private capacity, there•
fore, I feel I am justified in appearing before you
in order to ask you to join with me and those gen-
tlemen by whom I am surrounded in showing
honour to his memory. (Cheers.) The facts of this
case are so simple that I do not think it will be re-
quisite to say much to convince you of the advan-
tage and advisability—l might also add the neces-
sity—of doing honour to that great Man. (Cheers.)
The feeling on the subject is so general that it per-
vades all classes, from the highest to the lowest;
ani I am aware that her Majesty herself, even in
the distress and sorrow which has for so long a time
surrounded her, was the very first to express the
strongest desire that honour and justice should be
done the illustrious soldier—(cheers)—who had
shown such devotion in her service, and who, in de-
voting himself to the service of the Crown, had
performed such signal services to the country at
large. Born a soldier, Lord Clyde from his earliest
years gave himself up to his profession, which he
entered, I believe I am justified in stating, with-
out any friends or supporters, save his own good
right arm, his honest heart, and his noble bearing.
lie had the advantage of joining the army at a period
when a great continental war was being waged, at
the period when England first embarked on the
great Peninsular contest which terminated so glori-
ously for her and for that army with which Lord
Clyde was immediately connected. I find that in
the first engagements in which the troops under the
Duke of Wellington's command were concerned my
late noble friend took part. Following his career
we find him at Vimiera, Corunna, Barossa, Vittoria,
and at San Sebastian,on which occasion he received
two severe wounds. He wasagainseriously wounded
at the passage of the Bidassoa, and learnt those ru-
diments of his profession which can only be
learnt on active service in that great contest which
eventuated in the advancement and prosperity of
his country, and in contributing to raise her
position in the eyes of other nations. With that
contest the active career of my gallant friend for
the moment ceased, and here it is, perhaps, well we
should ask, why such was the case? It did not.cease
because there was any desire to keep back that dis-
tinguished officer, but from the fact of our having
had a long peace, an event which we cannot de-
plore, however much we may regret that an oppor-
tunity was not in consequence afforded for men
like Lord Clyde to distinguish themselves for a
series of years. But when this country again be-
came again involved in war we find my gallant
friend once more in the field, taking part in the ex-
pedition to China. Now, the duties to be performed
in that country in 1842 may not he considered very
glorious, but they were, nevertheless, very arduous,
and my gallant friend showed then, as on all other
occasions, that he was made of the right stuff for
a soldier. (Cheers.) It is well:known that the care
sled attention which he devoted to those under his
command were of a character which always brought
him prominently under the notice of his supe-
riors. I recollect well having seen the 98th Regi-
ment, previous to its going to China, in Dublin,
when it was pointed out to me—then quite a be-
ginner in the art of soldiering—as being peculiarly
well adapted for service, because of the able man-
ner in which it was commanded by Lord Clyde.
That regiment went from China to India, where my
noble friend was selected to command a division
under Lord Gough, and where he greatly distin-
guished himself at Remnuggur, Ciaenab,
Chillian-
wallah, and Goojerat. There are many of those
whom I see around me who could bear testimony to
the fact that at Chilliauwallah no officer was more
greatly distinguished than my noble friend.
(Cheers,‘
) But that great contest came to a close,
aplio;tilatiutrd Clyde was placed in command of an im-
it is well known
in the North-Western Provinces, and
were of 8. :awn that at Peshawur his exertions
to they a the most important and valuable
praise forut7, and that he received the highest
me
dohwn
tservices on that cccasion. This
brings
to England in is°3th`3 period when he returned
fectly a stranger 'muP to which time he was per
I have mentionee,-teh' for, although I had seen, as
com-
manded in Dublin,
his
pe regiment which he corn-
lace was supplied by his
second in command—Gelle
will bc the first to acknowledgealY4re—who, I am sure,
the that
ghtililidtmeuinttllidepamo.rbambel:
condition in which
meet was attribu-
table not to him, but to Lottieeith,
proceed further in the entimerare and, before I
of a the services
of my noble and gallant friend,'
observe. that
it is supposed by many that the only
of an
officer
are those which devolve eo pf
so
in time of
war, and that otheris maatgtreerastarmeistake.
That, however, It is hi
necessary that attention should be paid to highly
and it is the power of . grasping and ttallne'
efficiently with those details while master' °
g the
great principles of the profession, and doing one',
duty ably in the field, that
constituteshe when
a m
a ti thehagood
t
soldier. It is well known that w
his regiment into such a state of efficiency as that
in which the 98th was under Lord Clyde, he will
be sure to distinguish himself whenever an oppor-
tunity might arise, and in my noble friend's own, case
paced
in may with truth be said that be never was aced
in a position of responsibility that he did not fully
answer the anticipations which bad been formed
of his professional capacity. (Cheers.) But to re-
turn to the history of his military career, we find
that, when in 1854 the war with Russia broke out,
one of the first officers selected to go out in com-
mand of a brigade was my noble friend. It is un-
necessary for me, I am sure, to dwell on the great
Service which, in the campaign that ensued, be
rendered his country. Whether we look at his
conduct at the battle of the Alms, or when defend-
ing with a handful of men the important landing
port at Balaclava, or at any other period through-
out the war, we
always find him not only perform-
ing his trust every British officer would
do ,then
e n
calledduty, as
upon, but exhibiting the talents and
acquirements of a
commander. (Cheers.)
No long period elapLe.at
before an opportunity was
afforded him of justifyine the anticipations which
were then formed of his great military abilities.
Shortly after the close of the Crimean War new
troubles in India broke out, and it
reslvreas
orderfelt thatand
it would be a tedious work to restore
tranquillity to that portion of our empire. Her
Majesty's Government felt called upon, under the
circumstances, to send out a general officer who
should be well qualified to assume the command of
our army in India, and I am happy to say that,
holding then the position which I have now the
honour to occupy, I was associated with my right

hon, friend, at the time at the head of the War De-
partment, in recommending to her Majesty that
Lord Clyde should be the person appoint to that
commend. (Cheers.) I never for a MOM 3 doubted
that my gallant friend would at epee ac;,pt the im-
portant and delicate post, and not en iy did he do
20, but he said he would be ready to start at 24
hours' notice—(cheers)—and he did start within 24
hours for India, and there brought to a close his
noble military career in that manner with which
we are all so well acquainted. (Cheers.) Ido
not think it too much to say that to
the intelligence and determination which
he evinced during the whole of his campaign in
India, and to the spirit of gallantry he was able to
inspire into the troops serving under him, it is to be
attributed that not only was our great Indian em-
pire restored to us, but our hold over it rendered
more firm and secure than it was before the mutiny
took place. (Cheers.) For this happy result we are
chiefly indebted to my illustrious friend ; but while
I make this statement, I must do him the justice to
say that he invariably said he could not do all that
he had achieved had it not been for the assistance
and support which he received from every person
with whom he was connected in India. Lord Clyde
was one of those modest men who desire to attribute
the merit of their successes to others ; but I think
he understood his powers, never seeming to take
into account that it is one of the marks of great
capacity to be able so to select as to sur-
round oneself with the most competent men
in the performance of any great work. But there
are other lessons which we may learn from the
career of Lord Clyde. It is a glorious thing for
this great empire that a man in the lowest rank of
life among us, if he only possess the necessary
talents and acquirements,
may aspire to and reach
the highest positions in the State. The State has,
therefore, a right to expect to be well served, for
she holds out to those who serve her faithfully and
well the prospect of a splendid reward. The career
of Lord Clyde also teaches us that in the military
profession we must not forget to attend to matters
of detail, and that although not engaged in war we
must keep our army in such a state of efficiency as
to be at all times prepared to meet any emergency
which may arise, and it is to men who perform their
ordinary duties with ability and conscientiousness
that we are—as in the case of Lord Clyde—chiefly
indebted for the existence of that efficiency. I would
therefore impress it upon the officers of the
army that it is by the display of such qualities
as these to which I am alluding that this distin-
guished man was able at the end of his career to
do so much honour to himself and to confer such
lasting benefits on his country. (Cheers.) I have
perhaps addressed you at greater length than I
ought—(cheers)—but I felt it impossible to remain
silent on a subject in which in my public capacity,
as well as for private reasons, I take so deep an in-
terest. I could not refrain from coming forward
to pay my humble tribute to the memory of an
illustrious soldier, whose loss I in common with you
all so deeply and so heartily deplore. (Loud
cheers.)
Earl DE GREY and RIPON then proposed the
first resolution :—" That in order to commemorate
the signal services rendered to the country by Field-
Marshal Lord Clyde, this meeting is of opinion
that a statue be erected to his honour in the metro-
polis." In doing so the noble earl said,—The
speech which you have just heard described in
terms so forcible and eloquent the public services
of Lord Clyde that I feel it unnecessary to detain
you more than a few moments in moving the reso-
lution which has been placed in my hands. I wish,
however, before I sit down to bring under your
notice some characteristics of the man to do honour
to whose memory we are assembled here to-day,
which have come under my own personal notice,
or have been mentioned to me by those who were
intimately acquainted with him. His Royal High-
ness stated just now that Lord Clyde—then Lieut.
Campbell—was wounded at St. Sebastian, and that
he immediately after received another wound at the
passage of the Bidassoa ; but there is connected
with the short period between the two actions a
story with which, perhaps, the great majority of
you have not heard. Lord Clyde was at the time
lying in hospital at St. Sebastian with an open
wound, when he happened to ascertain that an
engagement was soon likely to take place with the
enemy. He thereupon, with another companion
similarly circumstanced, joined his regiment—l am
sorry, for the sake of military discipline, to have to
add—without leave—(a laugh)—and went through
the battle of the Bidassoa with great distinction,
receiving there a second wound. He was
on that occasion told that his breach of
discipline rendered him liable to be severely punished,
bat that the offence would be passed over because of
the eminent gallantry which he had displayed.
(Cheers.) It is true that, after this war in the Pen-
insula, a long time elapsed during which the public
heard but little of Colonel Campbell, but he was
nevertheless during that time engaged in the perfor-
mance of a great work, for there are few public duties
more important than those which devolve on the
commanding officer of a regiment, and to the admi-
rable manner in which he discharged those duties
his royal highness has borne ample testimony. And
, when at length he was chosen, most wisely by the
Government of the day, to fill the high position of
Commander-in-Chief in India at a moment of great
peril, most nobly did he justify the confidence
which was reposed in him, and prove the value of
that regimental training which he had undergone
in the earlier portion of his career. The result of
his proceedings in India speaks for itself. He con-
trihuted
in an eminent degree to preserve to us our
Indian empire ; and I believe I shall be borne out
by the opinions of men more competent than myself
to form a judgment on the point, when I say that
his campaign in that country will long remain a
worthy model for the contemplation of the students
of military science. (Hear, hear.) lam told that
when Sir W. Mansfield, his chief of the staff, who 1
at the time of his appointment occupied an impor-
tant diplomatic position at Warsaw, was leaving
that capital, Prince Gortschakoff said to him, "I
have no doubt the revolt will be put down by force,
bat when that is accomplished it will be a very
difficult task to deal with the population of the con-
quered provinces." This remark can scarcely be re-
garded as unnatural coining from such a source, but
I believe I am right in saying that Lord Clyde dis-
played not only great ability but singular modera-
tion in the execution of his arduous task. Acting
upon the policy which had been laid down by the
Government of India and by the Governor-General,
Lord Canning, whose name naturally rises to one's
lips on this occasion—(cheers)—in particular, for
_Whom, all who lead the honour of his acquaintance
well know, Lord Clyde, from the moment when on
hie arrival in India he saw the spirit in which he
was labouringfrienthih at his post, entertained the warmest
that a friendship which was maintained
sought
that
poli7ey,thheir intercourse—acting, I repeat, upon
to
ea: heartily co-operated with those who
so much carry it into effect. (Cheers.) In doing
a soldier, but in :10 on his qualifications, not only as
exhibited in the
performance
sense as a statesman, and he
remarkable powers. or,na_ance of his task great and
during the campaign in now know that it was
jury which ultimately led to he received that in.
accident i dae rit
his valuable life; but how few the termination of
midst of the stirring events of the
t7ore aware in the
a dislocated shoulder, which halte time, that with
superintended i
.spirit that he
very day after this ‘... been scarcely set,
opera •
he the
in his fort held by the
palanquin an attack
enemy. (Cheers.) It wssasui.nthis
conducted to a succe f I issue his brilliant
tions. Bat there was another secret in his life
which contributed to earn for him the eminence
which he achieved—it is the secret of the success of
antlers. He possessed a sin-
all great military comm .
m the men under his
gular power of attaching to lat ,
command. (Hear, hear.) He was very careful of the
lives of his soldiers, He did not hurl them recklessly
on the enemy, thinking solely of obtaining victory
for himself. (Cheers.) He guarded them against dan-
ger, of
as far as was consistent with the attainment
the object which he had in view. They knew, there-
fore, that when he called upon them to make un-
usual exertion it was because he was convinced of
the necessity of the occasion, and they went for-
ward to victory with the confidence which was las'
tia"l by experience. (Cheers.) Such was the public