The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-01 00:00:00

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

Lord PALMERSTON brought up by command of her
Majesty copies of correspondence with the commissioners
at the head-quarters of the Austrian, French, and Sardi-
nian armies. Having moved that these papers should lie
upon the table, the noble lord said—l avail myself of this
opportunity to make a very short statement to the house,
not so much as to those circumstances in regard to which
the public are already perfectly well informed, as with re-
spect to the course of business which we shall propose to
the house. It is well known to everybody that upon the
failure of the efforts of my noble friend, Lord Granville, to
form a Government, I was honoured with the.commands of
her Majesty to endeavour to construct an Administration.
The first step which I took under those circumstances was
to address myself to my noble friend the member for
the city of London, between whom and myself an agree-
ment already existed that, whichever of the two might hap-
pen to receive the commands of the Sovereign to form an
Administration in the place of that which had given in its
resignation, we would co- operate for the purpose of forming
an efficient and strong Government. (Hear, hear.) My
noble friend, with the utmost promptitude and generosity,
immediately consented to give his co-operation for that pur -
pose, and undertook that which is at all times one of
the most important departments of State, but which
under the circumstances is, beyond all others, of national
importance—l mean the direction of our foreign relations.
My noble friend and myself were able to surround ourselves
with colleagues eminent for their public station and re-
markable for their ability and knowledge of the administra- ,
tion of affairs. and I trust that we have succeeded in pre-
senting to this house, to Parliament, and to the country an
Administration which, by the distinguished elements of
which it is composed, will command, attain, and secure the
confidence of this house and of the country. (Cheers.) I
need not say, Sir, that in some respects the duty which I
had to perform was pasnful to my feelings, because I was
unable to ask and obtain the assistance of many of those 1
personal and political friends with whom it had been my
pleasure and pride upon a former occasion to co-operate in
the public service—men whose talents, zeal, and ability in
the discharge of the duties which were imposed upon them
entitled them not only to my esteem and confidence, but
also to the approbation of their fellow-countrymen. The
Administration having been formed, it now becomes our
duty to consider what course of proceeding it will be our
duty in the present state of the year, and in the present
state of the business before Parliament, to propose to this
house. There are two great questions which pre-eminently
occupy the attention of the public ; one, the state of our
foreign relations as connected with those important events
which are now passing in the south of Europe ; the others
that question of the amendment of the laws regarding the
representation of the people in Parliament, which has so
recently and so anxiously engaged the attention of Parlia-
ment and of the country. The course which we intend to
pursue with regard to -that first great question is the course
which has been chalked out for us by those who preceded
us—(Opposition cheers)—and which has been recom-
mended, or is intended to be recommended, by the resolu-
tion of which notice has been given by my noble friend—
that is, a strict neutrality in the contest which is now
waging. (Hear, hear.) I trust that nothing can occur
which should involve this country in hostilities, which, as
far as human foresight can go, seem to turn upon matters
which, though interesting the sympathies one way or the
other of the people of this country, are yet so remote from
their direct interests that it would, I think, be unpardon-
able in any Government to endeavour to involve this coun-
try in the contest. (Cheers.) It will be our duty, as no
doubt it would have been felt to be the duty of the late Go-
vermnent, to avail ourselves of any favourable opportunity
which may occur in the course of these events to tender the
good offices of England, either separately or conjointly with
other Powers, for the -purpose of restoring to Europe the
. blessings of peace; but I am sure that this house will feel
that steps of that kind ought not to be lightly taken, that a
great country like this ought not to tender advice or inter-
pose offices until it seems that the march of events renders it
likely that those good offices or that advice will be accept-
able to those to whom they are tendered, and that lightly
and without sufficient consideration to commit the country
to steps of that sort would be derogatory to the dignity of
the country and useless with regard to any good which
might be anticipated from the adoption of such a course.
(Hear, bear.) With regard to the ether great question—
the amendment of tho laws regulating the representation of
the people in Parliament—l think It is almost needless for
me to say that, consiaming the season of the year, conside-
ring how short a thee must elapse before the return of
August, and possibly imf September, will so thin the attend-
ance in this houre that no question of great importance
ought to be submitted to its deliberations, and considering
the amount of inevitable business which we have to go
through, it would be t tilling with so_grcat and important a
_ _ . _

subject as that of Parliamentary Reform if we were to at-
tempt to introduce into this house during the present ses-
sion a bill upon that slt bject. (Hear, hear.) That it will
be our endeavour-and determination to avail ourselves of the
earliest moment•of the, Just session• of Parliament to pre-
pare and produce a bilt, I can give the assurance of myself
and my colleagues. Ni-13 en that next session will commence
must depend very much. upon the course of events, and upon
the course of business- i wish to withhold any opinion