The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-30 00:00:00

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to a million with a power which had 2f shlpi of the line
in the Baltic, and eighteen in the Black Sea. Well, then,
this was a foe worthy to contend against the forces both
of England and that ally which has stood by us with the
greatest constancy, with whom we have always taken
counsel, with whom we have stood side by side in the
field 'and in the Cabinet—l allude to the Government of
the French empire. Well, my lords and gentlemen,
what have we seen with regard to the naval part of our
operations ? Having had in former wars to contend
with foes who came out to meet us, and endavoured, at
all events, to win naval renown from us, we now have
an enemy which we have shut up in their ports, and
have prevented from pressing us as respects the opera-
tions of the troops. Among the first considerations
which came before us was. how to prevent the march of
a great army in the immediate neighbourhood against an
enemy despised by the imperial head of the Russian em-
pire ; despised by its statesmen, and despised by its
generals—Turkey. It was said, and it was boasted,
that the destruction of the empire of Turkey would
be an easy matter, as she would be unable to resist
the march of the Russian arms. Now we considered,
seeing that at least the power of
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the French Government, we determined upon sending
an army—a considerable army—to the East, to protect
the threatened power. The question then arose, having
determined upon sending an army out, who should we
place at its head ? That question, my lords and gentle-
men, was soon resolved, because there was one man who
during the Peninsular war had been constantly at the
side of that great warrior, Arthur, Duke of Wellington
—(cheers)—who had conducted also the military depart-
ment of the British service under that illustrious duke,
and who had had opportunities of observing in the field
the execution of all his plans—(hear, hear)—a general,
too, who possessed himself the greatest experience, and
who was admired and beloved by the whole British
army. I speak now of Lord Fitzroy Somerset (Lord
Raglan), a near relation of the noble and gallant duke
(the' Duke of Beaufort) who sits near me. (Cheers.)
We did not therefore hesitate in our choice, and, gentle-
men, the results which have followed that choice have
more than justified all our expectations. When Lord
Raglan placed himself at the head of the British army
at Constantinople he immediately sought an interview
with Omer Pacha—(cheers)—with that daring and skil-
ful warrior who so long had kept the foe at bay, and
who, not rashly risking his army in the field against
the well-organised troops of Russia, thereby gained for
his own force considerable advantages. I have said
chat Lord Raglan sought an interview with Omer
Pacha, for the purpose of deliberating on the plans of
the campaign. That interview took place at Varna. It
has been stated that Omer Pacha had asked for assist-
ance from the allied armies to relieve Silistria, and I
have seen a statement in the public, papers that it would
have been only necessary to hA've sent 10;000 men for
that purpose ; but my lords, Mr. Mayor, and gentlemen,
men accustomed to military duties, men of great expe-
rience, caution, and judgment, do not concur in that
opinion. (Hear, hear.) Neither Marshal St. Arnaud,
Lord Raglan, nor Omer Pacha so judged of the matter.
Although Omer Pacha had succeeded in repelling the
Russians, and might have succeeded without the pre-
sence of the allied army, still I believe that Russia
would have renewed her aggressive attacks again and
again, and might have in the end proved successful,
had it net been for the neighbourhood of the English
and French armies, which, together with the position
which Austria had then assumed, made the case so en-
tirely hopelesss that the foe was compelled to retire
across the Danube. (Cheers.) Here, then, we have
the blocking up of the ships of Russia in their ports,
and we 'have the failure in their operations of the Rus-
sian army. (Cheers.) Immediately after the siege of
Silistria was raised a new question was opened for
consideration, both by the Government at home and the
generals engaged in the conduct of the war, as to what
should bo done on the allures of the Black Sea. The
Government thought that the time had now arrived
for the invasion of the Crimea and the capture of
Sebastopol. The instructions of the Governments
both of England and France were received at Varna
is little alter the niiddie of July, and at a council of the
generals commending the allied forces the expedition
was resolved on. It may seem to' Ile that a long
period elapsed before the resolution was carried into
operation, but, gentlemen, we do not and we cannot
know all the obstacles which bad to be overcome, all the
difficulties to be' met and surmounted, all the arrange-
ments which had to be made fur the movement of such
extensive armies, and for taking the steps best calculated
to ensure perfect and successful operations. (Hear.)
Before any landing of our troops was attempted in the
Crimea, Lord Raglan, with General Canrobert and Bur-
goyne, and two French officers, surveyed the whole of
the coast ; and at the place which was selected by Lord
Raglan as being (having a regard to every consideration)
the most suitable for the purpose, the landing toot
place. You all know how successful that landing was,
(Cheers.) It was effected without resistance on the part
of the . enemy, and without the shedding of blood.
(Cheers.) There was time for the two armies to form,
and they marched on to the Alma, where they gained a
brilliant victory—a victory which shed glory upon the
allied arms. But that victory was clouded by the death of
the Marshal of France, who showed in the last days of
his life a vigour, energy, and readiness, which could not
be surpassed by men in the very meridian of existence.
We have also had to lament, all of us, high and
low, rich and poor, have had to lament the loss of
many killed in that great battle, and, what has
been quite as fatal and more distressing, many
who survived the peril" —Of the battle bad scarcely
time to rejoice ere they fell victims to that
dreadful disease which has caused so much mourning and
'e o'ation. But, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, we shall
ail agree in this, that those who fell with without the
opportunity of crossing swords with the enemies of their
country—those I rave men who were stricken down by
disease, died for their country qeite as much as those
who fell in the very front of the battle. (Cheers.) Well,
my lords and gentlemen,jwhat remains must be decided
by the'fate of war. It is not for us to say what the re-
sult will be ; all we can -venture to say is'this, that we
have prepared all the.meais that should ensure success.
We have a large and Well-appointed army, a numerous
artillery, and vast stores of ammunition. We know that
we have allies acting with us in mutual confidence, and
we know further, that of the justice of the contest in
which we are engaged but one opinion prevails. Lord
John Russell then quoted from a speech of Sir John '
Tiollope, a political opponent, t show the unanimity
which prevails, and continued. With a very few excel).
tions, there does not exist the man who is not convinced
that there never was a more righteous cause than that
on which we have embarked, and that we should prose-
cute the war so as to secure a peace that is just and
honourable, and based on a lasting foundation. (Cheers.)
If such a misfortune should happen as that Russia should
triumph, the present war would be followed by one far
more dire, and Europe would be brought under the
Cossack dominion. The people of England naturally
dread the ambition of the ruler of millions .half
half barbarous—a ruler who• has proclaimed opinions
utterly inconsistent with the independence of any Go-
vernment. My lords and gentlemen, it is of no use at
present speaking of peace till la the course of the war
the means shall arise for securing a peace which shall be
lasting and secure. However long we may have hesi-
tated, and however far we may have been anxious to
avoid the dreaded evils of war, it is on account of those
very evils that we must so prosecute War as to snake it
conducive to a peace that shall endure. (Cheers.) My
lords and gentlemen, I could not forbear giving utter-
ance to these sentiments touching a subject on which.
we all feel the deepest interest. I can only again ex-
press my gratitude for the reception you have given me,
and I trust that while I hold a place in her Majesty's
Government, whatever you may deem to be my errors
of judgment, you will yet believe that I am actuated by,
a steadfast desire to promote the good name and pre-
serve the liberties of my country, and to maintain her
in the position which she has so long held amongst the
nations of Europe. (The noble lord resumed his seat
amidst lend cheering.)
Several other toasts followed, and the company sopa•
rated a little before midnight.