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London, England, 1867-11-21 00:00:00

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341

LONDON, THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 1867.

But little of importance took place in the House
yesterday, but it seemed as if those unquiet spirits
who had been kept in abeyance during the previous
evening's debate were resolved to have their say and
fling their reproaches right and left. On the report
of the Address being brought up some discussion
on the paragraphs took place. Respecting the
Abyssinian expedition, Admiral WALcorr approved
entirely of the affair, and declared very truly
that having exhausted all efforts of a conciliatory
character it was fitting that the country should
come forward in a manner becoming its prestige,
and relea.st its subjects from captivity. It really
seems strange that this opinion of the gallant admi-
ral is not a universal one, for it stands to sense
that we cannot have the authority of our SOVEREIGN
set at naught after this fashion, and yet maintain
our position among the nations of the world.
Mr. GRIFFITH paid a just tribute to the
zeal and ability displayed by Lord STANLEY in his
management of Foreign Affairs, which department
of the State has for too long a period been a fruit-
ful source of annoyance to the country, and a
disgrace to our reputation abroad. As the hon.
member said the manner of the noble lord is much
to he commended, for " he lays aside entirely that
frequent but most injurious feeling, the distin-
guishing characteristic of former statesmen,
a perpetually irritable amour propre." This is
very true, and we hope that succeeding statesmen
will lay it to heart, for great and grievous conse-
quences come from the offensive policy adopted by
some Secretaries of State in dealing with foreign
diplomatists. We do not agree with Mr. GRIFFITH'S
remarks about the prerogative of the Crown being
in reality exercised by the Ministers, and
therefore virtually at a discount ; because
it is one of the chief features of a
constitutional Government that the Sovereign
should consult with his or her advisers for the time
being, and if this rule be not complied with, we
should verge on absolutism, if we did not realise it
altogether. The Minister is responsible to the
country, and has to brave public opinion, so that
there are many safeguards in the matter.

Mr. WHALLEY'S observations were exaggerated
in the extreme, and seemed to savour not a
little of that prejudice which refuses convic-
tion. For instance, what can be more ab-
surd than the remark that this expedition is a
most Quixotic one, and that King THEODORE might
put the prisoners to death before all the armies of
Europe, and in such a case it was ridiculous to talk
of honour or prestige. Every one knows that our
forces may be too late to save the prisoners from
death, but that has nothing to do with the question
of right or wrong. It is the duty of our autho-
rities to vindicate the insulted honour of the Crown,
and to let each take their course irrespective of
their actions.

Mr. MAGI IRE made a rambling speech chiefly

concerning Irish questions. He complained that in
the Speech from the Throne there had had been no

allusion made to a " remedial measure" being intro-
duced for Ireland. If there had been there would
be plenty of exceptions taken to it, no doubt, or
innumerable suggestions would be made as to the
advisabilicy or inadvisability of this, that, or the
other proposition. Of course opinions differ, and
every one has a right to follow his own judgment ;
but it is hardly fair of Mr. MAGUIRE to accuse the
Government of acting with passion in this affair,
for they have done nothing of the sort. He states
that there is a strong feeling among those
least likely to sympathise with Fenianism
that the extreme penalty of the law should not be
inflicted against these men. We really do not see
how this can be substantiated with any show of
justice, for a more deliberate offence could not
have been committed. As one of the Judges said
at the trial they did not set out with the intent
to murder, but they were indifferent as to whether
murder was committed in their violation of
the law.

Unless the authority of those who carry out the
laws can be upheld there will be an end to all
maintenance of authority, and the rights of indi-
viduals will not be respected, or the peace of the
community adequately preserved without constant
struggles and commotions. The hon. member con-
cludel his speech with some remarks about Italy,
which induced Lord STANLEY to reply briefly on the
subject. The noble lord said that he had already
informed the House as to the views of the Govern-
ment respecting the temporal power of the Pope,
and he thought Mr. MAGUIRE had partly answered
himself as to the position when he referred to the
Catholic Church in the United States. Few of
those who were opposed to the temporal power
would object to the Catholic Church in Italy hold-
ing as good a position as it occupies in the United