The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-03 00:00:00

at a furious pace, breaking into shop windows and
injuring all persons who are going by. Why, every
man would concur—every man going east, and every
man going west— in stopping the omnibus and telling
the coachman to get down from the box. (Laughter.)
How surprised all those passengers, with a policeman at
their head, would be if the coachman said, "Why this
is a factious combination— (loud laughter)—though
some are going one way and some another, you all com-
bine for the purpose of preventing me driving my omni-
bus into the shops." (Renewed laughter.) Such,
(Continued from our First Edition.) however, was the charge against us, and a charge which I
SPEECH OF LORD JOHN RUSSRLTa thinkyou will see we need not be verymuch concerned at.
But I must now come to more serious subjects, because
Lord J. Russ= rose and addressed the electors. He it was necessary that those who had concurred in
said :—Gentlemen,—l have now to return to you my that vote, having produced, as I Must say it was
most cordial thanks for the proof of your confidence natural it should produce, the resignation of the
which you have just given me ; but before I speak to late Minister, should consider whether, after they were
called upon by their Sovereign, they could form an ad-
you in the character which I have now again assumed,
ministration which mignt have the confidence of the
of a Minister of the Crown, you must allow me to say a Crown, and the support of the House of Commons and
few words in reference to my conduct as a member of
and
dd yfpoln by myat Sovereignt
the country. Well, now, gentlemen, I must fairly say,
had
that body which was in opposition to the late Govern' that I think, ?on
meat. I ask your attention on this subject because I too forinrm it, if
I tadstrabet administration,
as my former Administration had bean, attempted
oneo
have, with others, been accused of faction and combing- I
party, I should not have been doing my duty to my
tion, whereas I believe that there never was so forbear- Sovereign. Never will I in any way shrink from the
ing an Opposition in the history of this country. (Cheers.) defence of the men and the measures of the administrit-
It appeared to me certainly, when I felt myself unable tion over which I had the honour to preside ; but it is
to secure that amount of confidence from the House of one thing to break up an administration, and another
t hmg to upon a new administration, which cannot
Commons which, in my opinion, was necessary to a due
calculate upon that support in the House of
administration of public affairs, that it was but right Commons which will give satisfaction to the come-
that those who formed a very strong body in the House try, and which will appear to foreign countries
of Commons—the body next in strength to thosewho car- as a firm and strong Administration. This opinion of
ried onthe Ministry—shouldholdthereins of Government. ne, I must say, I had not concealed. I had expressed
years it to many of my friends, to whom it was generally
I thought that was advisable ; because during six known. Well, then, was it my duty to declare that I
they had addressed to ‘a. great portion of the country—a would not agree to be part of a combined Administra-
great and respectable portion of the country—to all those tion unless I were at the head ? I think I should have
who are engaged in agriculture—to all those who are en- been taking an undue importance to myself. if I had so
gaged in shipping—to all who are connected with our attempted. (Hear.) But there were circumstances
whichinduced me to think that the Earl of Aberdeen—
colonial interest--language the most inflammatory ; tell-
a man universally respected, who had stood by Sir R.
ing them that they had been injured •; telling them that Peel, who had enjoyed in an important post the confi-
the measures of Parliament had done them wrong ; and dente of his Sovereign, and who had been sent for by
that, therefore, it was the duty of Parliament to redress his Sovereign on a late occasion—was eminently vela,.
their wrongs, and place them again in the state of pros- fled to preside over a
better
rined Admid
if'nilst-ae tildorsh. ,(IPl,eeie.,y,
Peri
'ty in which they had formerly been. I thought it' I should have
'eab
c"lei av'e'"!%
'''.
the part of not entering into office, but ')lave given. say
was right that those who had used those topics—that full and constant support to such an 41dministration.
those who had addressed those exhortations to the coon- The Earl of Aberdeen was not unaware of my opinions,
try—should have an opportunity of bringing to but both he on the one side, and my own political
the test those mighty promises. (Hear, and cheering.) friends on the other, declared' that they thought
it was necessary to the formation of a Mi-
Now let me tell you that I believe there never was an in-
nistry that I should take office as one of its
stance of men who had held out such hopes, or who had members. (Hear. hear.) Having received this de-
at least shadowed forth great measures of redress, who claration, I thought it was my bounden duty, being
did not at once take one of two courses— who did not anxious to see the country in the possession of an Ad-
either propose to the House of Commons the measures ministration which should possess the confidence of the
which they thought were necessary for the welfare of Houseassent toofthe proposal Common ofs—l Lord Aberdeen,
rcti
ee wnastomiay my
my duty to
the country, or who did not advise the Crown to dissolve before her Majesty as one of his Administration.
(Hear.)
that Parliament, and appeal to the people to return men There was one other course, to be sure, that all those
who should better represent their wishes and interests who had combined in that vote should decline to form
(Hear, hear.) The Administration of Lord Derby took an Administration, and should advise her Majesty to
neither the one coarse nor the other. (A laugh.) send again for the Earl of Derby ; but there was no
prospect, I thought, that the Earl a Dery at the head
Declaring that the country was going to ruin—declaring of the same Cabinet would have been bleb to enjoy more
that the measures introduced by Sir Robert Peel— confidence in the House of Commons than he had hitherto
the measures introduced by the Administration, enjoyed. Besides, it is to be remembered that he had
of which I had the honour of being the head, already dissolved Parliament, and appealed to the sense
were reducing men of industry daily to poverty, of the people, and that that very House of Commons
and that Parliament could redress those evils, they which, in the name of the Crown, he had summoned toadvise her Majesty had already declared against him.
yet proposed to postpone for a period nearly of a (Hear, hear.) For these reasons, therefore, I have
year the consideration of the measures which they would accepted office in the present Administration.
lay before Parliament Now, I thought this conduct so You may be sure that, without giving any pledges, I
unusual—l ris2y say so unconstitutional—(cheers)—that have taken means to ascertain that upon those
subjects in which I had taken a deep interest as affecting
I did not hesitate to state to my friends, whom I had the welfare of the country, the noble lord who was to be
assembled in my own house, that I thought they ought at the head of the Ministry was a sharer in my views.
to bring Ministers to a declaration one way or the other (Loud cheers.) I found that a year ago he had declared
—either to propose their measures before the existing with respect to one question in which I know you take a
were generally agreed as to that course, but we were so great interest—l mean the removal of the Jewish dis-
aAlities—(hear)—to those who are more immediately
Parliament, or at once to call another. (Hear.) We- his political friends that, if that question came again be-
forbearing that when the Ministers of the Crown declared fore Parliament, a measure forathe removal of these dis-
that they wished to carry measures which they thought abilities should have his support. (Loud cheers.) Gen-
might be carried with utility to the country, and which tiemen, with regard to another question which has been
were then before Parliament, and that they would mentioned, namely, the reform of the department of
the Customs, I am well aware that there are many
then meet the new Parliament before the close of the regulations of the Board of Customs which require re-
autumn, we acquiesced in that course, unusual as it was, vision, and lam sure that the present Chancellor of the
and waited our time for the production of their mea- Exchequer will examine that subject with that ability
sures. Now, observe that when Sir R. Peel took office which he possesses, and with that impartiality which is
in 1834, he at once assembled Parliament together in his characteristic, and that he will endeavour to place
those regulations on the footing most favourable to the
order to propose to it his measures ; that when Lord
trade of this country, while he will take care that the re-
Melbourne proposed his measures with regard to corn, venue is not sacrificed. There are many other questions
sugar, and timber, in 1841, and dissolved Parliament, which I will not detain you by referring to. (A voice in
he at once called Parliament together to judge of those the crowd, "The Income Tax. ') As a gentleman there
measures ; but the late Ministry not doing that, has referred to the income tax, I must make a declara-
which I think was but due deference to the people of
mtioadneu.po
You
aat,renaearwalyre
et. ha't Mr. tih,iattt,wwhhicehn Ihehathvoe juhstt
this country, not considering that this great question that the imposition of an income tax was a necessary
of free trade affecting the trade and commerce of the measure, laid down the principles upon which he con-
country, should be decided at once, they waited ceived it should be founded, and you are aware that the
for a period of 10 months before they assem- Marquis of Lansdowne afterwards, when Chancellor of
bled the new Parliament, and brought this
the Exchequer, and that Sir R. Peel, when first Lord of
the Treasury, adopted the same principles. But, gentle-
question before them. And now, I ask you, men, there has of late been much discussion upon a sub-
was not our course in submitting and acquiescing in that ject affecting that income tax, namely, the rate at which
delay, one of forbearance and not one of faction? (Hear.) different incomes should be assessed. Now, that is a
Then Parliament met, and we looked then anxiously, as question which the late Ministry undertook, but which
the country looked, for a plain declaration on this ques-
they undertook evidently without having a full ea-
tiamination ; for when they were asked respecting
on—were those who declared themselves to be Protec- whether in curing one injustice they did not create
tionista Protectionists still ? or, had they on the many others, the answer of their Chancellor of the
contrary seen the errors of their way, and were they Exchequer was, that he had not had time to examine
prepared to embrace the doctrine and practice of free the schedules. Now our Chancellor of the Exchequer,
trade ? (Cheers.) They did neither the one nor the other. my colleague, means to make time for the examination
The obscure paragraph in the Queen's Speech left us of those schedules, and he will devote all his time and
totally in doubt as to what were their intentions and attention, in conjunction with others, to the subject, be-
what were their doctrines, and they did not hesitate to say fore bringing forward the income tax measure, in order to
that they were afraid of an amendment coming on one see in what manner that measure can be amended, and in
side from the free traders, and one on the other side from what manner those amendments can be defended. I have
the protectionists,and that, therefore,both parties would be always said that I thought that injustice was inherent
contented, but we thought it was due to the country to en- in an income tax, and lam so thoroughly a believer in
deavour to obtain a solution of that question, that that that opinion that Ido not believe it would be possible
question which had been under discussion for six years, for any man, or any set of men, any more than it was
should at length be settled in plain and intelligible words. for Mr. Pitt or Sir R. Peel, entirely to expunge injustice
Mr- Charles Villiers, whom I am happy now to say from that measure; but, everything that can be done by
holds office under the Government—(cheers)— drew up weighing and examining the different cases will be done,
a resolution which was a plain, manly, and explicit de- and I do think it is possible, although not to attain
claration on the subject. (Cheers.) I supported him in just measures, to make a greater approximation to
that vote, but those with whom lam now acting and who them than the measures which now exist. (Cheers.)
are accused of indecent combination, and of being for- Let me say this, however, finally, that if we find upon
ward in faction, objected—not that the words were un- examination that we are not successful in that endea-
true—not that these words were not applicable to the your, we will come down to the House of Commons
question—but they said they were words which might and expose all our arguments and our reasons upon the
hurt the feelings of those opposed to them, and they subject, and ask the House of Commons fairly to judge
would not agree o that resolution. Why, that showed whether we have not grappled with the question,
that those gentlemen were willing to give every with a view of making it as just as it is possible,
chance and possibility to the Ministers to adopt that large portion of our revenue. At the same time,
free trade in earnest, and to give good mea- gentlemen, let us not forget, that faulty as it originally
cures to the country. Well, we were defeated— was, and faulty as it must be, it has been the means
fortunately defeated--on that question. I say fortu- of relieving the country of upwards of 12,000,0001.
nately, because it gave an opportunity to the Ministers of taxation, bearing heavily upon the industry
to propose those great measures—to show this wonder- of the country—(loud cheers)—and in my opinion
ful medicine which was to cure everything—to propose if it is borne some time more, a still greater alleviation
this plan which was to satisfy every one and displease will be attained, and that in gradual revision, and not in
nobody—(laughter)—and it came forth, but a plan so sudden revision, is to be found the true financial policy
little answering to that description cannot well be con- of this country. (Loud cheers, and a voice in the crowd
ceived ; because, while the satisfaction was very small— " What about the Ballot.") Well, I was not going to
while the farmers, for whose benefit the great part of it refer to that subject, but as some gentleman has men-
'was intended, expressed a very doubtful and grumbling tioned it, I must beg to call to his recollection *hat when
sort of assent--(laughter)—the householders of the I was on these hustings last a gentleman put to me seve-
great towns, who were intended to be sacri- rat questions, and, among others, whether I was in
ficed—(laughter)—expressed their displeasure in no favour of the Ballot. I declared to him, as I
unequivocal, no ambiguous terms. (Hear.) But, gen- now declare to that gentleman before me, that I was
tlemen, what was the origin of this budget, and what against secrecy in everything— (loud cheers)—that
were its defects ? In the first place, the Ministers had as I was against secret trials in our courts of law, against
formerly said that they were the friends of protection ; secret debates in our Houses of Parliament, so I was
and when they found this did not meet with the assent against secret voting by the great electoral body. (Loud
of the country, they wished to give it up. In the next cheers.) Let me say, however, that since we last met
place, they were to take away all the local burdens here, the elections which have taken place in various
which pressed unfairly on the agricultural interest. places in the country, have produced gross instances of
That was found not to be successful, and that was bribery and intimidation—(hear)—and I shall think it
given up ; but there was a third scheme, which, my duty—not adopting the ballot, objecting, as I shall
after those two schemes had been abandoned was continue to do, to a secret mode of voting—to turn my
still perserved in, and that was called the " revision of mind to those other means which I think may perhaps be
taxation." Now, gentlemen, I declared here on these devised, if not to extirpate, at least to diminish, those
hustings, when I last addressed you at the election, scandalous scenes of bribery and corruption which we
that I should be prepared to vote for such a diminution have unfortunately witnessed. (Cheers.) I will not
of burdens, and such a revision of taxation should be refer to those various questions to which my proposer,
fair and equal to all classes in te country as
• but it was Mr. Dillon, has adverted. Let me say this, however,
obvious that the proposal lately made 'not fair and that while these questions of reform of various kinds, of
equal to all classes in the count was
obvious
education, of Parliamentary representation, are all most
It was
that it was intended, althoug4i. rY. in that important questions, I think a Ministry which has any
intention to please and satisfy one
class at
ofclaim to confidence may claim also forbearance as to the
other classes. (Cheers.) I believe likewise at the expense
: and manner in which their measures shall be
most unwise, in the view of all statesmen,, that it was tame
forward. I remember a friend who, speaking of
measure of that kind, which to attempt a brought .
sacrificed so la the critics in the reviews, said they always blame an au-
easily gathered, and easily collected, and rge a revenue,
create any amount of discontent, in order to not doing that which he does not happen to be
which did not thor for . .
taxes, which could not but be felt grievous put on new attempting.argument, they
tares, he writes a very serious
and if his book is full of wit,
tome. It is our misfortune, gentlemen, tos and burden- say he is not at all lively,
in it. (A
a large amount of taxes, which are the co have to pay they say they have found no logical argument
wars carried on by our forefathers. If we had 'on The are
consequence of laugh.) So it is with critics of an Administration. . They
are
pay what we now pay for the military and civil attempting perhaps a large reform in the Court of Chan-
togovernment of the country, , one-fourth, or perhapseivil eery and in the courts of law. It is immediately said,
even one-fifth, of our present taxes would suffice l, " Why do not you reform the Church ?" (Loud
we have incurred debts owing to those wars, cheers.) They are treating, perhaps of the
and those debts must be religiously and faithfully , abuses of the Church, and it is, Why don't
pais. (Hear, and cheers.) But when that is th YOU look to the faults and corruptions in the
case nothing can be more unwise than to give up taxes representation ? What I ask, and what I think lam
which the country has been accustomed. the regula- 8 y entitled to ask is, that, provided good mea-
to ures may be
tions of which are made easy by experience and consi- will pay attention produced, that Parliament and the country
deration in order to resort to others which must tags is to be to these measures, and if advan-
lv create dissatisfaction. (Hear.) For these pass them,
and
dtained to the country by passing them,
obvi fors
~
therefore, this budget was a most unwise mea- ject, but not at the they are not good measures to re-
reasons,
It
was a
sure. (Cheers.)
the lat. Ministers to .
propose, because for six years brought forward Considered, and that that
the
subject
is th • which essential.
they discontent on jof (Hear hear.) A e very thing is
they had been exciting, nd now I must with
b They had given up two of their the de,
agricultural grievances. partment over which I have say, respect to
hinted at, and they could not well to preside that lam the honour at present
measures they had
in themselves to the which ' • • happy to say th tthe
give up the third without expos g we are living with all - foreigna
upon
during the whole of that of peace ;—of course I nations are those
accusation of being imposters . _ do not include, as •
time. leanerer, were obliged to bring forward some partment, the war which is now going on not in my de-
meaaare in that necessity they brougdt forward a with respect to foreign, our relations in India, but
measure winch cessary to them, and per- and amity. (Hear, hear.) With res
are those of peace
was perhaps necessary
hane nit% al, which for the country, I question, which of course comes under Peet to another
am 8„, a eto them, but the notice of th
e, would b most disastrous.l therefore op- Seeretary for Foreign Affairs, I think I am e
po.eA that To e enabled to
say this, that when any English •
tax, for I beasyure baits first shape. I opposed the house
.subject, not joining i
althc..ugh their ~",.,e(1. there was no necessity for it ; and any conspiracy, or making any attempt against gtl n
though the hon°se-seat,a Nv,.a4 of no eat amount, and government or internal peace of any foreign country,
good measure of t-- " generally grextended, may be a is injured unlawfully and wantonly, I will lose no time
necessity for financedoublin, I did not think there was any in bringing the case before the consideration of that
way at the preseA,it''" g with it in any foreign government. (Hear, hear.) I cannot see my-
objected likewise and be Well, gentlemen others self that there is one of those governments which is not
the House of C'enneae,eats: lattls,er diff. ' ' • cri osed to do justice to a British subject ; but this I
concurred in the same voc'te; object-e 4
at
tb.e..rseant /3,rties m -1-if
erceive that subordinates of those governments
Prime Minister of factious colgrnsaiZ're ,weThaer,niebe,
lateand c. p
often intrusteds with too great power to harass and
men, how in all the objections of combination by
l why, the
tl I are
unoffending travellers. But I have again to thank you
measure, could they have done oathenlrwi. -- than thee- 1 vfoerlthe confidence which you have reposed in me. My
Let me ask you to allow me to,eut
r an ill:lest:at' Concur. belief is that the Administration which I have joined
case. (Cries of " Hear, hear.) lf an orarat° not the will be able to carry on public affairs for the public ad-
twelve passengers inside is goings down ibus with I ant am Quite sure that that system of free trade
Ludgate- , want :Mt I - -
we have been the voca es ad t, is the system

rbtrb IL-Itttion.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

THE CITY ELECTION.