The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-06 00:00:00

THE ROYAL SPEECH.

The SPEAKER having read the Royal Speech (which
will be found in another column),
Sir T. E. COLEBROOKE, member for Lanarkshire,
who was dressed in the uniform of a deputy-lieutenant,
rose to move an humble address to her Majesty, in
reply to her Majesty's most gracious address.
The hon. member referred particularly to the visit of the
Prince of Wales to Canada and the United States. The
manner in which his royal highness was received in
the former was most gratifying, exhibiting as it
did so much loyalty in a colony which had
previously been disaffected, and some time since in a
state of actual rebellion. The manner in which his Royal
Highness was received in the United States was still more
gratifying and still more deeply interesting, and was
to be considered as a personal tribute to the
sovereign of these realms, and the policy which this country
had I ursued towards America. (Hear, hear.) He joined
in the expression of regret contained in the Royal Speech
relative to the dissensions that prevailed in that im-
portant continent, and hoped fervently that the
dangers which threatened the union of the provinces
might be shortly dispelled, and that a good understanding
might be restored. Having briefly adverted to the successes
in China,' he referred to the events on the Continent of
Europe. With respect to France, he contended that the
conduct pursued by the Emperor of that country was cal-
culated to inspire confidence in his pacific and friendly
intentions towards this country. In illustration of this
disposition he referred to the Treaty of Com-
merce and ,to the recent announcement of the
Emperor in the opening of the Chamber of Deputies.
, Ile contended that there was quite sufficient in the conduct
of that illustrious individual to allay apprehensions
that were entertained and expressed in different quarters.
With respect to Italy, he agreed fully with the policy of
non-intervention on the part of this country, but at
the same time, he considered that policy should not be
pushed tit an extreme. lie believed the feeling of the
country was with him in this respect, and that
no statesman would be able to maintain his position who
would not endeavour to secure for this country a due
influence in the councils of the countries of Europe,
without endangering the liberties in compromising the in-
dependence of any European State. (Hear, hear.) With
respect to the omission of any reference to Parliamentary
Reform, there never was a period when greater difficulties
existed for the introduction of a comprehensive measure
of reform than at present ; and to show that it was not
imperatively required by the community, ho alluded to the
absence of any expression of enthusiasm on the sub-
ject out of doors. While he concurred in the
desirability of retrenchment in the public expenditure,
still be was not so sanguine as to its practicability to any
considerable extent at present, taking into account the posi-
tion of foreign affairs. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member
concluded by reading the Address, which, as usual, was an
echo of the Royal Speech.
Mr. PAGET, member for Nottingham, wha also wore
the uniform of a deputy-lieutenant, seconded the Address.
Tie alluded particularly to the Commercial Treaty with
France, which he believed would eventually realise the
predictions of those who were supporters of that treaty on
its introduction. Hs felt confident that it would be the
means of extending the trade of this country, and that
this step in the direction of free trade on the part of France
would promote materially the interests of the people of that
country. He referred to certain circumstances in connec-
tion with the commerce of this country to show
the benefits which free trade had already con-
ferred, and the advantages that might naturally be
inferred from measures calculated to develope it
still further. With regard to the retrenchment of the
public expenditure when practicable, no doubt it was most
desirable, but he thought that these retrenchments would
best originate with the heads of the Government departments,
who must possess greater information on subjects on which
retrenchment could be judiciously and safely exercised.
He thought the proper course for private members to adopt
in respect to this matter would not be, as hereto-
fore, to throw obstacles iu the way, of Government,
but to render it all the assistance in carrying
out the estimates they might from their
position be enabled to recommend for the adoption of the
house. In speaking of this subject he alluded to
the.
,Zeg, gul &briny displayed by go Ate mrsarY 4

for War, and eulogised the manner in which
he discharged his duties. He mentioned in terms
of approl-ation the announcement in the Royal Speech
of the intention of the law officers of the Crown
to introduce a bill to amend the laws relating
to bankruptcy anti insolvency, which he believed
would give satisfaction to the commercial community,
as it would be framed in conformity with commercial in-
formation. He also commended the announcement of the
intention to introduce a bill for a uniform rating in Eng-
land and Wales.

After some general remarks, the hon. member concluded
by seconding the address.

The SPEAKER then read the Address.
Mr. WHITE said he was most reluctant to dis-
tiirb the unanimity of the house on the sub-
ject, but he felt that he would not be dis'
charging his duty if he did not notice some state-
ments and some omissions in the Royal Speech:
In the first place, they had been told that the
conduct of the House of Lords last session was one of the
greatest innovations of the Constitution that had taken
place for a considerable period, and yet there
was no allusion made to that subject. He
did not wish to eliminate the House of Lords from the Con-
stitution, but he assured the Government that this subject
would be agitated until it was satisfactorily settled. Ho
thought there might have been some more generous reference
to the policy adopted by the Emperor of the French. He
thought there should have been some more specific
information relative to retrenchment, and he denounced the
present Government as one of the most extravagant that
the world had ever known. The Chancellor of the Exche-
quer contended, with truth, force, and that eloquence for
which he was unrivalled, that their expenditure was a ruin-
ous expenditure—(hear)—and he concluded by remarking
that his belief was, " that for such evils as those of the pre-
sent system nothing short of reform could be an effectual
remedy." (Hear, hear.) Those words, coming from so
high an authority, made a deep impression on the mind of
the nation ; and could the house, therefore, fail to be sur-
prised that not a word was to be found about administra-
tive reform in her ➢lajesty's Speech. (Hear, hear.) He
(Mr. White) had never been behind the official scenes—
(laughter)—and he know not, therefore, how royal
speeches were framed ; but it might be like the weird
sisters in .Macbeth--who could imagine the noble lord the
member for a ndon, thrusting in his contribution of a re-
form bill, and exclaiming, " a finger of birth-strangled
babe." (Loud laughter, caused by the earnestness and
energy with which the hon. gentleman gave expression to
the quotation.) But he wished they had another finger of
" the birth-strangled babe," in this ocean. (Hear, hear.)
To complete the simile, he had only to clothe the First
Lord of the Treasury in the habiliments of Hecate, and
proclaim him exclaiming
" Well done—l commend your pains,
And every one shall have the gains."

(Laughter.) He implored the noble lord no longer to
ignore the claims of the industrious classes to the franchise,
who were now groaning under the greatest wrongs and
oppression. (Hear) He confessed that he was not one of
those who believed that they should enter upon the present
session of Parliament without the announcement of a Re-
form Bill, and he treated with utter contempt the sinister
reports that were in circulation before the meeting of Par-
liament to the contrary. He very much regretted that
her Majesty's Ministers had failed to announce their inten-
tion to bring in a measure on the subject, for he believed
that they might have brought in a bill that would be wale
calculated to satisfy the middle class of the people, while
it would also assist to extend the franchise to those indus-
trious classes whom the noble lord, the member for the
city of London, some years ago told them " were most un-
justly excluded from their rights." He meant to move an
amendment to the Address. There were other amend-
ments, also, which he contemplated adverting to, but he
would leave them in the hands of the hon. and learned
gentleman who would second his amendment to address
himself to. Before ho sat down, however, he must refer to
' that part of her Majesty's Speech which had reference to
China. Upon that subject he could say much, having, as
he had, spent many years of his life in that country. But
he felt he had already trespassed long on the indul-
gence of the house, and he would content himself with
remarking that any peace that was purchased by the
humiliation of a people would always be looked upon
with doubt as to its stability ; and he must say, with
regard to the Treaty of Tien-Tsin, that it would be a gross
delusion to believe that any concessions so extorted
might be expected to be faithfully carried out when the
military pressure under which they were exacted was
removed. (Hear, hear.) He could not but deplore the
great and utter ignorance which their diplomatists had
shown, and he apprehended that the course which they
adopted contained within it the seeds of future wars. Ho
thanked the house for tho attention with which they had
listened to him, the member for Plymouth, who was an
independent supporter of the Government of the noble lord
—(laughter)—and who should deeply regret the return to
power of the Derby Administration, as a great national
calamity. (Laughter.) He might, in conclusion, say one
word to the noble lord at the head of the Government, that
it might prove fatal to the Liberal party when it was dis-
covered that an Administration professedly Liberal, and
avowing sentiments of pure Liberal faith, had failed to bring
forward such a measure of reform of the-representation as
the country had a right to expect and was entitled to. He
would, in conclusion, move as an amendment to the Ad-
dress—" That h Majesty's Government should, at an early
day, introduce a measure to extend the elective franchise to
the boroughs and counties of the United Kingdom, in ful-
filment of the express pledges given by her Majesty's
Government when they came into office--thus adopting a
course calculated to increase the loyal attachment of her
Majesty's subjects to her Majesty's throne, and also of
satisfying the long-deferred, but just expectations of the
country." (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DIG BY SEYMOUR said he rose with great plea-
sure to second the amendment of his hon. friend. He must,
however, in the first instance, say that he did not entirely
agree in all that his hon. friend had expressed in some of
the observations which he had made. He agreed with his
hon. friend in the importance of his observations in rela-
tion to the vast expenditure of the finances of the country.
When they reflected that in the present year the expen-
diture of the year would amount to the enormous sum
of r 4,400,000, and when they recollected that so large
a proportion as £61,000,000 of that large sum was drawn
for the maintenance of their military and naval armaments,
then it appeared to him necessary that some effective
steps should be taken in the present session to reduce
the national expenditure. (Hear, hear.) Why, when
they found that those £61,000,000 exceeded in amount
that of the whole of their exports in woollens and other
fabrics throughout the United Kingdom, they had some
evidence of the vast expenditure in which the country was
involved in connexion m:th their military and naval arma-
ments. Upon the question of Reform, to which his hon.
friend had referred, he entirely agreed with him, and it
would be impossible for him, with reference to the prin-
ciples upon which he was returned to that house, to remain
silent on that question. He should not be true to the prin-
ciples he avowed to his constituents if he failed to express
his feelings on the subject. When he was returned by his
constituents, he said he should not be carried away by fac-
tion. The first question put to him was whether he would
support her Majesty's Government, and under the impres-
sion that the country could not obtain so much from the
Earl of Derby on tho question of reform, as from the noblo
lord the member for the city of London, he gave, in refer-
ence to a vote of want of confidence, his vote in support of
her Majesty's !present Government. But her Majesty's
Government did not now hold out any promise that the
country should have reform. The country had had assur-
ances in 1854, 1855, and 1859 respectively, from Lord Aber-
deen, Lord Derby, and the noble lord now at the head of
her Majesty's Government, that it should have a reform of
the representation of the people; but notwithstanding those
promises, no reform was yet granted. The hon. gentleman
having referred to various topics in the Speech from the
throne, concluded by stating he felt great pleasure in second-
ing the amendment of his hon. friend.
Mr. DISRAELI said—We reassemble under very im-
portant circumstances, when it is of consequence that the
world should be convinced, as we all flattered ourselves it
was, that at a crisis like the present the Sovereign of these
islands is supported by a devoted people and an united
Parliament. (Hear, hoar.) I do not propose to criticise
the amendment which has been offered to the house. In-
deed I think it hardly necessary to enter into the subject
at all. I would, however, say in vindication of the Govern-
ment, although it is certainly not my office to defend them,
that the reception which was given to the comprehensive
measure of reform which they introduced last session by a
great many of their own supporters—(hear, hear)—was not
of a character calculated to snake them hold it a matter of
duty again to solicit the opinions of the house on the
subject of Parliamentary Reform. (Hear, hear.) To
the second reading of that measure those on this side
of the house offered no opposition ; and therefore the Govern-
ment secured for it free and fair discussion, and every oppor-
tunity of improving, altering, and amending it. Yet, not-
withstanding the forbearance and moderation of the Oppo-
sition, the great majority of the speakers on the benches
opposite to us, including many gentlemen representing
capital cities and considerable communities, expressed the
most decided hostility to that measure of the Government.
(Hear, hear.) I think, therefore, that those who find fault
with the Government for their reluctance in again bringing
forward a proposition of reform should reflect what were
the chief elements of the opposition to the former measure.
When we consider the present situation of the question, I
do not think it is open to gentlemen opposite to accuse the
Government of having betrayed the interests intrusted to
them. I certainly do not myself complain of the omission.
I cannot but think that a measure for the reform or recon-
struction of this house should not be introduced at a time
when there is no probability of its being accepted, and that
a Minister would incur a great responsibility who again
introduced such a subject from a mistaken sense of honour
to a party which was not unanimous in supporting his
original proposal. As far as those matters are concerned,
to which the hon, mover and seconder of the amendment
have referred, I am perfectly content to give a general sup-
port to the Address. I should not have troubled the house
with any observations to-night, had it not appeared to me
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