The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-09 00:00:00

opinion with regard to certain circumstances which aro
occuring abroad. We all know it is very easy to get up
in this house or in the country, where people are rather of
a pugnacious disposition—(hear, hear, and a laugh)—a
feeling, which may seem justified, of a wish to protect the
weak against the strong, and that feeling may be pushed
to that extent, that all efforts by the Government, how-
ever friendly and patriotic, to preserve peace may possibly
be frustrated. (Hear.) Now, if I thought the Govern-
ment at this time was pushing the country to war—a war
which would be unpopular in this house and hateful to the
people—then I think any one would be justified in insist-
ing upon discussion, that this house might bring its power
to check the Government ; but that is not so on the occa-
sion before us. I speak particularly of the Priine Minister.
So far as his conduct is concerned in this matter I have the
utmost confidence in the course he is disposed to take..
(Cheers.) I take it for granted that he will maintain peace
if it be possible to maintain peace consistently with the
character and position of this country. (Renewed cheers.)
Well, having that confidence, I think it highly probable
the discussion of a question like this, in a popular as-
sembly, may have the effect of damaging the object
which I have so much) at heart, and it is because I am of
that opinion—not that I shrink from the discussion of
any question before this house, or in this house, if oppor-
tunity rendered it desirable—yet it is because I hold that
opinion that I say, though Ministers of course use the
phrase when things are to bo concealed, that the public
service will be injured by discussion. I believe the chances
of peace will be damaged if this question, with all the irri-
tating circumstances connected with it, is brought before
the house now ; and having as I have great confidence in
the wisdom of Government—their moderation—the con-
ciliatory course which they are disposed to take under any
difficulties of this kind, and hoping that by that course
they will be able to keep this country from the untold and
inconceivable calamity of hostilities with Russia or any
other country, I beg the honourable member not to bring
forward his motion now. (Cheers.) lam quite sure that
in course of time he will see the wisdom of the course re-
commended by the noble lord, and which I should recom-
mend. It may be some will taunt him with not bringing
it forward ; but if, to-morrow or next day, persons in the
press, or in this house, or anywhere else, taunt him with
want of spirit and neglect of duty, he will have the satis-
faction of knowing, and it will be acknowledged before
long, that he withdrew his motion because he was anxious
to help the Government in the steps they are taking to
preserve the peace of this country and the peace of
Europe. (Cheers.)
Sir G. GREY : I rise merely for the purpose of expressing
my dissent from the inference which the right honourable
gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) draws from the course pursued
by her Majesty's Government on the present occasion. He
has inferred, as a necessary consequence of that course,
that we must now be in a far more disadvantageous
position than we were a week ago—that circumstances of
gravity and danger must have arisen in the interval which
induced her Majesty's Government to make an appeal to
the hon. member for Aylesbury -to postpone his motion.
I must confess, without pretending to any knowledge of
the facts of the case, that I draw a totally different infer-
ence from that course. (Hear.) The speech of the right
honourable gentleman is calculated to produce great and
unnecessary alarm. (Hear, hear.) But the inference which
I draw is, that the prospect of bringing about an amicable
adjustment is better, and the Government apprehend that
discussion now, leading to an irritating debate, might tend
to mar the prospect of an amicable settlement, which we
all desire to see as the result of this question. (Cheers.)
Mr. HUME—In all tho experience I have had, it does
not occur to my recollection that resistance has ever been
made to such an appeal as that of the noble lord, and being
ono who has great confidence in the moderation, firmness,
and judgment of the First Minister of the Crown, I ain
disposed, with my hon. friend the member for Manchester,
to think the hon. member for Aylesbury will act wisely
and prudently in not urging any discussion at present.
(Hear.) It is quite hle, publicity is on almost all occa-
sions of advantage, but there are exceptions, and I think
this is ono. (Hear hear.) The object of this country is
to keep at peace with the whole world—not that I would
have the country ready to submit to insult, or to give up
that which would derogate from its honour ; but I think
the hon. member will act wisely in giving an opportunity
to her Majesty's Government to point out, on an occasion
of so much importance, when this discussion shall be
brought forward. (Hear.) He must not mind what per-
sons may say, and I hope that, with the view of promoting
peace, or assisting in the amicable arrangement of the
present difficulties, he will accede to the wishes of her
Majesty's Government. (Cheers.)
Lord D. STUART was received with slight indications
of impatience. He said—l think I can recal to the re-
collection of hon. gentlemen a circumstance which may
possibly make them think it is not altogether presumptuous
in me to address one or two observations to the house on
this subject. That circumstance is, that the motion of
which my hon. friend the member for Aylesbury has
given notice was given notice of by myself somo months
ago, and when my hon. friend was not in this country.
(Hear.) Ho was then at Constantinople; but on his ro-
turn to his place in Parliament it was the wish of many of
his friends and of mine and of those taking a great interest
in this subject, that I should make it over to him. I most
willingly acceded to their desire, and surrendered it into
his hands, convinced that he possessed much greater capa-
city for doing justice to tho subject. Having (lone so, I
may be supposed to feel peculiar interest in the course
which he is about to adopt, and have somo title to express
my opinion upon it. (Hear, hear.) I certainly do lament
the course which her Majesty's Government think it their
duty to take on this occasion. I cannot myself see the in-
jury which is likely to arise from the subject receiving de-
liberate discussion in this house. I should have thought
myself that such a discussion would be likely to strengthen
the hands of the Government, supposing they are going to
take, as I am ready to suppose, a right and honourable
course. I hope they mean to take measures calculated to
maintain peace (which I suppose we all desire), and which
will not expose us to the reproach of falling away from any
engagement or of violating any assurance which this coun-
try may have given in support of a just cause to any other
country. The house will, no doubt, see there is a great
advantage in maintaining peace—that peace ought to be
maintained by all means consistent with the honour and
true interests of this country. (Cheers.) But there is such a
thing as having a peace entailing half, if not all, the dis-
advantages of a war. There is such a state of things as
having largo armaments, as expensive as if there were
war. There is such a state of things as having a foreign
army occupying the territory of another state, and sub-
jecting the inhabitants of that state to all the evils,
the expenses, the cruelties, and the sufferings of war,
and all in the name of peace. (Hoar, hear.) lam desirous
of seeing peace maintained, but maintained in such a way
as not to sacrifice our interests, nor depart from our good
faith. (Hear, hear.) I hope that the dexterity and the
spirit of the Government will compass both these ends. I
should, however, have thought that the noble lord (Lord
Palmerston) would have been anxious to grant further in-
formation ; but since the Government take the responsi-
bility of asking the hon. gentleman not to press his motion
—since they do not feel the necessity of the support of the
representatives of the people—(hear, hear)—l think there
is but one course left to the hon. gentleman (Mr. Layard),
and that he cannot, with any propriety, do otherwise than
consent to the appeal that has been made to him. But
though, under the circumstances, the delay may be assented
to, the house and the country will, at the proper time, ex-
pect, and insist upon having, the fullest information on all
these points. They will know whether there has been
within the last week, any change as seems to be suspected
on the opposite side—(hear, hear)—in the motives anti mea-
sures of the Government. They will be acquainted with
all the circumstances which made the Government at ono
time apparentlydesirous that this motion should be brought
on, and at another that it shall be put off. (Hoar.)
Mr. LAYARD said that, after what had fallen from the
noble lord and others, he had no difficulty in acting on this
occasion. After the appeal that had been made to him, he
had no hesitation in withdrawing his motion, which, how-
ever, he would bring on again whenever the public service
would admit of his doing so.
The subject then dropped.
ARMS ACT (IRELAND)
Mr. BUTT hoped that, though the noble lord the mem-
ber for Tiverton had already moved that the house should
adjourn at its rising to Monday, he would not be prevented
by the forms of the house from answering the question of
which he (Mr. Butt) had given notice. This question was
to ask the noble lord the Secretary of State for the Home
Department, when the intention of her Majesty's Ministers
with reference to an Arms Act for Ireland will be stated
to the houso, and if it is intended to introduce any bill,
when that bill will be brought in ? Tho matter was ono
of tho utmost importance, and in connexion with he bogged
to remind the Government of the old maxim, "his dat qui
cito dat."
Sir J. YOUNG said that, as had already been stated,
the matter was now under consideration of the Govern-
ment, and duo notice would be given of the course they
would pursue.
Lord NAAS said that tho importance of this question
was such that the house ought to know distinctly what the
intention of tho Government was.

Mr. MACARTNEY said that the law as it stood ought
not be allowed to expire; he trusted that her Majesty's
Ministers were prepared to introduce a bill upon the
subject.

After a few words from Sir W. VERNER,
Sir J. YOUNG said ho thought ho had already ex-
plained that it was the intention of Government to intro-
duce a bill. When the measure was matured it would be
brought under the consideration of Parliament.
mi.
in NAPIER urged that no time should be lost in bring-
Mr. S. HERBERT said that as soon as public business
permitted the bill would be introduced.
The motion that the house at its rising do adjourn until
Monday was thou put and agreed to.
SUCCESSION DUTY BILL.—PUBLIC BUSINESS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved,
that the order of the day in reference to this bill, be read,
in order that it might be discharged. On Monday next,
after the Committee upon the India Bill, he would brim.
up certain amendments upon the Succession Duty Bill,°
chiefly designed to give effect to two or three points on
matters which had already been agreed upon. Should any
question be likely to arise upon the amendments, the
Government would endeavour to bring the Indian debate
to a close by ten or eleven o'clock, in order that tho amend-
ments upon the Succession Duty Bill might be considered.
The third reading of the bill would be fixed immediately
after the debate on the India Bill was concluded ; this he
trusted would occur in the following week, so that the
third reading might be looked for on Monday week.
The motion was agreed to.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BILL.
Upon the motion that the Speaker do leave the chair,
Mr. BLACKETT said that after the division of last
week it would be useless to oppose the Government upon
this measure. He trusted, however, that right hon. gen-
tlemen would use their victory prudently, and listen to the
reasonable remonstrances of those who did not approve of
this measure. The first question to which he would call
the attention of the house was as to whether the Court of
Directors were willing to remain as they now whore with-
out any commercial character. In the last East India Bill
or charter it had been expressly provided in the preamble
that the company was to give up its commercial character;
the preamble of this bill merely stated that it was expe-
dient to provide for the government of India. This was a
point on which ho should like to have the views of the
right hon. baronet (Sir C. Wood). Again, as to the system
that
seemed nominating members of the Court of Directors ;
In
seemed not to meet with a very favourable reception.
a letter from the chairman, dated 2nd Juno, 1853, he
stated that, notwithstanding the selection was confined
to certain persons, it was very much feared that tho per-
sons nominated would bo chosen from political bias. He
thought they were bound to contemplate all adverse con-
tingencies. Ho wished the President of the Board of Con-
trol would state what ho was prepared to do in the event
of the refusal of the Court of Directors to take upon them-
selves the government of India. The next point concerned
the my loose way in which thisipill was drawn, This