The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-01 00:00:00

party will muster less in Parliament than they have
mustered for many years past, and I believe it only
requires that we should have a really honest and
liberal Administration to enable a Liberal Parlia-
ment to do liberal things. (Cheers.) Speaking of
the Administration, which somebody has said is very
much the same as it was, I venture to say that it is
very different. I think that I know almost every
member of the Administration, and many of them
with that kind of intimacy which comes from long
attendance in the House of Commons, and I
should say that it is composed of men more en-
titled to confidence, probably, than any other Ad-
ministration of our time. (Cheers.) It is pledged
to introduce a measure of Parliamentary reform
and of extending the suffrage for the people, and
I believe it will redeem that pledge. I believe, fur-
ther, that it will not introduce a measure of less
dimensions or of less value—l speak now only of
the suffrage—than the bill which was introduced
and withdrawn in the year 1860. (Cheers.) I could
easily suggest improvements in that -bill, but I think
the government would have a right to say that if
their measure is as comprehensive as that they will
have fulfilled their pledge, and have done that
which was of service to the cause which in office
they chiefly represent. I believe they will bring in
a billfree from all tricks--(cheers)—from all childish
propositions for representing minorities, from all
those schemes which some have cleverly devised of
giving something with one hand and taking it back
with the other. My own opinion is—and I will not
give up that hope and opinion until I see myself dis-
appointed—that the authors of the bill do not be-
lieve in the dangers which are ascribed to popular
representation, but are willing to accept the power
and authority which such a representation gives to
the administration which it sustains. Now, I will
say that I believe there has been a real change in
the government, and in my opinion this change is a
very auspicious event for the people of England ;
but Earl Russell does not come into office without
finding himself immediately in face of difficulties of
no common order. It is rare that a minister imme-
diately on stepping into office finds himself con-
fronted with events such as those which have re-
cently occurred in Jamaica. I dare not trust my-
self to speak what I feel on this subject. I fear that
the fame of England has never received a deeper
wound or a darker stain than it has from the recent
transactions in that island. I judge only from the
statements made by those who are living and who
are most concerned. Thedead can confess nothing of
their offences, and they can make no complaints of
the wrongs they have endured. I take my opinion
only from the documents furnished here by those
whose interest it is to put the most favourable inter-
pretation on their conduct; and I say that murderis
foul, and there is no murder more foul than that
which is done by men in authority under the pre-
tence of law. I say, if murder has not changed its
name and be yet a crime visited with punishment in
this country, then I hope that the Governor of Ja-
maica and his accomplices will have to stand at the
bar of justice for the murder of Mr. Gordon. No
words of appeal or remonstrance to Mr. Cardwell,
the Secretary for the Colonies, under whose depart-
ment these matters more particularly come, will be
sufficient. It is not a question for a Secretary of
State or for a department; it is a question for the
Crown—(cheers)—it is a question for the Prime
Minister, for the whole Cabinet, for Parliament
when it shall meet, and for the whole nation, whose
character for justice and for mercy is at stake.
(Great cheering.) I will not believe that Lord
Russell in this matter, any more than in the matter
of Reform, will disappoint the just expectations of
the people. I believe he will honestly and thoroughly
inquire into the matter, and until I see otherwise, I
believe lie will say, " Let justice be done ;" and,
uniting as I believe with the bulk of the people of
this country, may I not say that we are disposed to
give a large measure of confidence to the new Mi-
nister? (Cheers.) I hope it may be
„justified by the
courageous and honourable course of action which
he will pursue in that lofty eminence to which lie
has been called by the favour of the Queen, and, 1
think I may say, no less by the general suffrage of
the nation, and I trust that the last years of his life
may be sweetened by the thought that God has
twice enabled him to render signal service in the
glorious work of building upon broader and more
lasting foundations the ancient liberties of his coun-
try. (Mr. Bright resumed his seat amid loud and
general cheering, having spoken for a little more
than an hour.)
Several other toasts were given, and the proceed-
.ngs were not brought to a close until a late hour.