The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-19 00:00:00

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MORPETH, JUNE 17.
Sir George Grey having accepted the office of Secre-
tary for the Colonies, his re-election as member for
Morpeth took place to-day in the Town Hall, Morpeth,
in the presence of a large number of the electors, the
Mayor (Nicholas Wright, Esq.) presiding.
After the usual ceremonies had been gone through,
Thomas Jobling, Esq., nominated the right hon. baro-
net ; and this having been seconded by James Hood,
Esq. the Mayor too a show of hands, and declared
that 'Sir George Grey was duly elected.
Sir GEORGE GREY then stood forward, and, after
thanking the electors for replacing in his hands that trust
he received from them 18 months ago, said, that in ad-
dressing them on that occasion, he had not any new
political principles to announce, and that being so
he thought it would be a waste of time to repeat from
that place those opinions which on the hustings at
the county of Northumberland election, or in that
hall as their representative, they had heard on
former occasions in confirmation of those opinions with
which he endeavoured to guide his parliamentary con-
duct. During 22 years of his public life his conduct
had been before his fellow-countrymen, for in that time
he had taken an active part in conducting public
affairs ; but if he thought it not necessary to allude
to the past, there were two points, although of unequal
importance, upon which be would beg to offer a few
observations. The first related to his own personal
position, and the other, which was of far more im-
portance, had reference to the present state of affairs of
the country, as contrasted with that which existed when
he was first returned as their representative. With re-
gard to the first point, he must observe that when he
first addressed them as a candidate for that borough, he
did so in a private capacity, and as a neighbour residing
not far distant from them, and whose interest was in
common with themselves, and as such he sought their
suffrages from a desire to co-operate with them in pro-
moting the moral and social improvement of the country
although at that time he was totally unconnected with
the administration of the Earl of Aberdeen, which then
had only been just formed. They, however, might remem-
ber that at that time he said that that administration
comprised men who, although they were never collected
together in a cabinet before, yet nevertheless held
opinions approximating one with another, and who be-
came united at the end of that great contest for com-
mercial freedom which terminated in December, 1853,
by the resignation of the Earl of Derby's government.
Many of those hon. gentlemen, finding themselves in a
position to fight the battle of free trade, and having suc-
ceeded in winning a victory over Lord Derby's govern-
ment, felt themselves called upon to co-operate with each
other, not only in displacing the government, but in sup-
porting the Crown and the constitution, by forming and
carrying on the administration of the country upon
principles on which they were all agreed. (Applause.)
That administration possessed some hon. gentlemen
with whom throughout his life he had cordially
acted on terms of political and private intimacy; while
there were others whose talents, experience, and zeal
for the interest of their country no one could doubt who
watched their conduct, and he (Sir George) felt bOund
to state that when that Government was first formed he
had the offer of becoming one of its members. He, how-
' ever, felt himself at liberty to decline the invitation, and
that, too, on grounds perfectly consistently with his
public duty ; not that he objected to the principles of
that administration, as he did not go to Parliament with
any blind intention to support it, but from their broad
declaration of principles he felt determined at once to
give a generous and general support. (Applause.) This
pledge he trusted he had fulfilled, as he had been enabled
during the time he had been the representative of that
borough to support the general policy of the Earl of
Aberdeen's administration. The hon. baronet, after
briefly noticing how he was deprived of taking part in
the great and last struggle for free trade by losing his
seat as a member for Northumberland, referred to having
received a communication from the Earl of Aberdeen in
September last, requesting his acceptance of the office
of Secretary for the Home Department ; but being then
still reluctant to take office, he begged to be relieved
from the anxiety and responsibilities of it, and he was
glad this was acceded to, by the acceptance by Lord
Palmerston of an office which he had retained with great
ability and success, From that time he had not been
called to the performance of any duty, excepting that
which devolved upon every individual member who had
a seat in the legislature of his country—namely, the dili-
gent attendance to his duties, in which he thought every
member member ought to take a great interest. Recently,
however, it was with regret that he found himself again
invited by a new distribution of office, arising from the
present state of affairs to enter upon the duties of office.
Before doing so lie considered the question put to
him, and he did so in the light of submitting the
desires of those friends to whose wishes and services he
had always deferred, and acting, after due deliberation,
upon such opinions generously expressed, he determined
not to decline a proposal made to him for a third time.
If, however, he had consulted his own feelings and per-
sonal convenience, he should certainly have declined the
honour intended him ; but feeling that, on calm conside-
ration, and under the conviction that a man could not
always judge best of what was his duty, he had endea-
voured thus to make up his mind, lest he might be con-
sidered guilty of political cowardice, or an undue regard
to his own parliamentary ease and convenience. (Ap-
plause.) Standing, therefore, as he then did, as a mem-
ber of her Majesty's Government, he did so under a deep
sense of the great responsibility attached to the arduous
duties he was called upon to fulfil. With regard to the
second subject he had before adverted to, and which
was of immense importance, he would then offer a few
remarks. He had already said that there was a great
contrast between the state of public affairs when he was
first elected a member for that borough with that which
then existed. At that time the nation was in a state of
profound peace, and the minds of the people were ex-
clusively occupied by the extension of trade and com-
merce. A profound peace then prevailed, but which
certainly was threatened to be disturbed by some vague
apprehensions from the agitated condition which a power-
ful and neighbouring country was the subject of ; but
these happily passed away, and England was then in
close and intimate alliance with France. (Applause.)
That unfortunately was not the only change in their
circumstances. They had exchanged for peace, long en-
joyed, a state of war, of which none could foresee the
termination. They knew they had enjoyed the hies-
sings of peace for at least 40 years—a period marked
signally by all the results of peace, viz., by a progress
unexampled in any public history, either in political,
social, or commercial progress. (Applause.) But then
they were enaged in war, and he could not but express
his deep regret at such an occurrence, or rather
the circumstances which rendered it imperative upon
Government to advise the Sovereign of these realms to
declare war. War itself was not a light evil ; nay, he
might say that it was the greatest evil with which the
human race could be afflicted ; but still war itself might
become necessary even in the interests of peace ; and
he stood before them, because the mind of that adminis-
tration was inspired with the conviction, in which he
shared, and, he trusted, also was shared by every on(
present, that it was not a war of cupidity, ambition,
and aggression, or arising from the sinful love of commer-
cial glory, but in defence of a great cause, into which
Government had been forced in accordance with the
opinions of the great body of the people—to resist an
over-weening ambition of a mighty and despotic power,
and to stand in the gap in defence of the independence of
Europe against that power. (Applause.) War was so much
to be deprecated on every hand as to make it an impera-
tive duty of every Government to exhaust every means to
prevent it, on behalf of their Sovereign, their country,l;,!
ion
the world, before having recourse to an actual dee anrta
of war ; and such a course, he believed, the preseb
vernment had adopted. No one, at least, could dou t t at
it was with the greatest reluctance they involved the
country in war, although some thought it necessary to
censure them, because they were not mor.e ready than
they were to enter into it at an earlier period than they
did, to check the ambition and the projects of Russia.
He, however, believed that the Government had acted a
wise part, and one which became them in the emer-
gency, as Christians and as statesmen, in postponing the
step they were at length compelled to take. (Applause.)
But when war became inevitable, and the country em-
braced it, then there were two main objects which
Government ought to set before themselves. The first
was they ought, because hacked by the people, to take
the most effectual means for a vigorous prosecution of
the war ; and, as the second greatly depended on the
first, they ought to keep in view the great importance
of bringing that war to a speedy termination consistently
with the attainment of a just and honourable peace.
(Applause.) With regard to the first object, true eco-
nomy, the interests of humanity, and a sound policy,
alike demanded that the nation should put forth all its
energies in order to a vigorous prosecution of the war.
To wage war with inadequate means, and to attempt to
make the people believe that the burden of it would not
be heavy, would be a failure of duty on the part of Go-
vernment, tending to protract what they sought to
abridge, deceive the people, and ultimately cause greater
burdens to be imposed upon them than otherwise
ever they
would have had to bear. The Government, how,
had not concealed anything from the people to prove
that the war in which they were engaged could only be
by great be
prosecuted with vigour Eknd efficiency

W-onthe part of all clam' it L
sof the community. Th Al hit.
therefore, at once called upon the people to, ,-....-
them those burdens, in their own day, withont ',---,At.\.7,0,
them upon posterity, and had asked them ttite ~ntg1i,77.71/fflaccF;:v974,7,
means to make such efforts as were plMir; Rf'ra 7,-,
great people and country, and which veoww,f— 1 A i,- f----
colated to bring that war to a speedy of "", - tieit,,: :,,,
4,.:,44;
k
(Applause.) The representatives in th ri."...sits-4 ..;:tt4.4lN,
Commons, actuated by the feelings of the lite le ex-r,- L_,,-
pressed throughout the country, freely granted tilt> sup.: 1. 4
plies requisite for the war, and measures had already
been taken by sea and land. They had sent forth a fleet
of such magnitude that few in the present generation
could remember ever seeing proceed from this coun-
try ; a fleet provided with all the appliances which
modern science could invent as aids in naval warfare,
and commanded by gallant and determined British sea-
men. (Applause.) They had, likewise, sent forth a
land army of no inconsiderable force to act in con-
junction with their allies in defence of the com-
mon principles of justice—a force comprising men
bold, brave, and of determined bearing, who would,
no doubt, distinguish themselves in any service,
and who were commanded by a chief trained under
the eye of the great Duke of Wellington, his
early military friend and companion in arms, and
who was associated with him to the close of the life of
that great and lamented hero in the administration
of the military affairs of this country. (Applause. The
Government, therefore, had done all they could do, and
all the people could expect them to do ; and there could
be little doubt that whenever the services of either the
fleet or the army were called upon, these gallant seamen
and brave soldiers would maintain unimpaired the glory
of the British flag and arms. (Loud applause.) The hon.
baronet next proceeded to caution the nation against
glorying in war, for the sake of it, or of bringing fame
to individuals, but to remember the misery it carried
with it, either from victorious or defeated armies, and be
desirous of a speedy peace—remembering the words of
the greatest of English poets—that
"Peace has her victories not less renowned than war."
Let them then contrast the most successful wars with
the results of those applications of mind in promoting
domestic improvements, and the social, moral, and, com-
mercial progress upon which the happiness of the people
depended. And when he said that he did not wish to
apply it to themselves, but extend his desires to the
civilised globe, wherever the influence of Englishmen
was felt, or where it could be exerted for the benefit of
people in the most distant parts of the universe. (A-P•
plause.) The hon, baronet, atter a few other general
remarks, thanked them for the hearing they had given
him, and concluded by pledging himself to a faithful dis-
charge of his duties. (Cheers.)

SIR GEORGE GREY ON TILE WAR..

The speech of the new Colonial Secretary, Sir
George Grey, on his re-election to the House of
Commons, will startle many of those who were
inclined to support him, and will assuredly revive
many of the old dislikes to the Whigs. Sir George
Grey narrates very circumstantially to his consti-
tuency the history of his repeated refusals to join
the present Ministry—at a time, it will be recol-
lected, when they were struggling with difficulties
—and the reasons which have induced him to join
them now when they seem more safe in the saddle.
This merely personal detail is a matter more in-
teresting to Sir George Grey than to anyone else,
and may fairly pass without further comment than
this—that the Colonial Secretary has a keen sense
of the interests of Number One.

The latter portion of the speech cannot be so
easily passed over. It is, if one may use such a
term with respect to a literary composition,
"flabby." It wants body. It is the speech of an
invalid—weakened by too much " coddling." Sir
George Grey forgot seemingly that he was talking
to common-sense Englishmen, or he would never
have droned over the war as he did. People don't
want a Minister who takes office, when we are in
the midst of a war, to be repeating all the old talk
about the miseries of war. We want Ministers who
will prosecute the war vigorously, and bring it to a
rapid and prosperous issue. " War was no slight
evil," droned out Sir George Grey. Why who ever
imagines now-a-days that war is not ? What is the
meaning of this cuckoo-cry about the evils of war 7
Is it to disgust us with doing our duty by the war?
Does Sir George Grey want to induce us to put up
with a dishonourable peace? "It was, indeed, one of
the greatest evils by which the human race Of
course it is ; and therefore let us get out of it as soon
as we can, by inflicting such a punishment upon
the provoker of the war that be shall be glad to sue
for peace on such terms as will ward off the evil for
the next century. -Why, of all nations in the earth,
do we need these constant allusions to the evils of
war ? Don't we feel it in every shape ? Is not our
legislation delayed? Are not our friends abroad.
risking their lives ? Are we not paying heavily for
every cannon-ball that is fired ? Are not prices
high ? And is not the income tax doubled ? Why,
again, does Sir George Grey think it necessary to
address the English public on the necessity of pro-
viding heavily for the demands of the war ? "To
make war without adequate means—to attempt to
induce the people to believe that the burdens would
not be great, heavy, severe, and general, would be
an omission of duty on the part of the Government,
and would only protract what we want to see
abridged to the least possible period, and ultimately
impose upon them greater burdens than they would
otherwise be called upon to bear." To do the Go-
vernment justice, they never neglected this duty
of telling the people how costly war would be.
They were never weary of dwelling upon these
points. This was one of the great cards of the
friends of Russia in this country, and the Czar evi-
dently expected that it would play his game well.
He thought that a nation of shopkeepers would be
frightened at an appeal to their pockets. Has this
been the result 7 Have the English people grum-
bled at any fair demand made upon them ? Why,
then, this reiteration of the necessity of warning
the people of the " great," " heavy, " severe,
and "general" burdens they would have to bear
If this is not the merest twaddle it has a most
suspicious meaning in it. Is it intended to
draw away the attention of the country from the
beneficial results that a war vigorously and success:.
fully carried out would procure, and fix it on the
injurious effects it would have on their pockets!
Let us hope that it is simple twaddle—pure inanity
of the 'Whig Colonial Secretary. 'What follows is,
perhaps, more absurd than what has been quoted.
After adverting to the anticipation of the success
that might attend our arms, the speaker continues
—" In anticipating these successes, however, with
which we hoped Providence would bless our fleets
and our armies, they hAI to guard lost th© public
feeling, which was naturally excited, should lead
them to engage in a war for war's sake, or for the
sake of the glory which war brought to the indivi-
dual and the countries. He trusted that that was
' a feeling against which the people of this country
' would be effectually guarded. It is difficult to
speak harshly enough of this absurdity of " guard-
ing" the people of England against the danger that
they become intoxicated with war and glory. There
is not ono sane person in the country who looks
upon war in any other light than as a great and in-
calculable evil—heroically dared for the sake of a
great principle. Why, then, are we to be warned
by Ministerial twaddlers not to become mad for
the sake of what in itself is most distasteful ?
If Sir George Grey has entered the Ministry to
throw cold water upon the enthusiastic desires of a
people to put down a war-making despot, he had
much better have kept out of Downing-street. We
don't want another member of the Cabinet to hold
a brief for Russia. Lord John Russell was pulled
down into the mire once before by this kind of
" statesmanship," and will suffer a similar fate,
unless he takes care to keep his Whig friends in.
order. We wan't no war for war's sake ; but,
having gone to war for principle, none but the
friends of the Autocrat should throw cold water on
those who are making great sacrifices in a great and
I righteous cause.—Daily News.
to

ATTACHMENT OF A SPARROW TO ITS MITTEL .--Nn,
merous detachments of all the regiments of the garrison.
of Paris assembled yesterday morning in the large court
tnptioy
of the Ecole Militaire to be present at the reading of
judgments of Courts-martial, by which seven soldiers
were arecondemnedtowsohateoE
others called " peines afflictive'
et
e inntfgmai The ntes,'
and
m
hcaorrdreclatiboonuarl,pouiah
rnth!
ma
peine du boulet, which ar
former sentences
d carry with them malty-II
degradation, and accordingly the seven men were de-
gradedT he
ccooaunnl
condemned
bme
they could exncseleudedned from the army in the usual form.
bo lad --- to hard labour were placed whirl
all the condemned , and. those sentenced to the ",re/e du
were paraded with their eyes bandaged bef the
their troops,
dgegminngedaf
waist. After these formalities were gone through,
dterrawtnhemupa cannon ball attached at
in a line, and the troops
marched off past them. A curious circumstance oo•
cured in the course of the proceedings :—One of the
condemned, an ex-corporal cf the 38th Regiment, named.
Aurich, who is under sentence for five years' imprison-
ment in irons for having, when in confinement in the
Penitentiary of St. Germain, insulted and threatened
the officers, relieved the tedium of captivity by
taming a sparrow, which ho had happened to catch. The
poor bird became so much attached to him that it never
left him--and on being brought up to Paris in a cellular
van, it accompanied him. It was resting on his fingers
when his turn canoe to undergo degradation. The gen.
darrno who proceeded to the operation tried to frighten
the bird away, but it flew about until the corporal was
released from his hands, and then went and perched oz
his shoulder. It was still perching there when the man
re-entered the cellular van to be conveyed back to gaol,
--Gaizan;o*.
BREAD r. THE WAR.—During the past week au
order has been given to some of the ship•bread bakers in
this town for 500 tons of bread for the .
troops. It appears
the facilities for baking ship bread are greater in Liver-
pool, as well as cheaper, than in any other town in the
kingdom. The order came through
three The bread is to be on shipboard in
destination is said to be Turkey. Lwoeenkdso,nah and the
Such an order could.
not have been executed by the same of number persona is
i few years ago under two Inontns.-14vcrpoo1 Mercury.