The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-22 00:00:00

The first annual meeting of the Huntingdonshire
Agricultural Association, which, after having been
in abeyance upwards of ten years, has recently
been revived, took place yesterday at Huntingdon.
The exhibition of -- stock, the skill displayed in
ploughing and other agricultural operations, and
the specimens of draining submitted, were reported
by the judges to be highly satisfactory. At four
o'clock the members, to the number of nearly 200,
dined together at the Town-ball, under the presi-
dency of the Hon. 0. Buncombe, M.P., supported
by General Peel, M.P., Mr. T. Baring, M.P., Mr.
G. Fellowes, M.P., Lord It. Montague, M.P., and
many of the principal agriculturists of the county.
Tile usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
disposed of,
The CHAIRMAN, in giving " The Army and Navy,"
observed that the preparations which were being
made by the Government led to the conclusion either
thit this country was about to attack some other
nation, or that we ourselves were likely to be at-
tacked. No one would for a moment imagine that
the former was likely to be the case ; and when it
was remembered that the destinies of a great neigh-
bouring country were in the hands of a single indi-
vidual, people might be excused if some misgivingNORTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.
Last
occasionally crossed their minds. He hoped he night a public dinner was given to Lord
might be wrong in supposing the possibility of seine Lyveden, who, as Mr. Vernon Smith, represented
great disaster occurring, but in the present aspect the borough of Northampton for the last 27 years,
and who only severed the :connection on being re-.
of affairs, it was the duty of the Government to
strengthen our army and navy, for it would be the cently elevated to the peerage.
most disastrous, as well as the most expeneivething Earl -Spencer presided, and was supported by
for this coentry, if our shores should ever be left Lord Henley, M.P., Mr. Gilpin, M.P., the Hon.
open to attack. (Cheers.) He was persuaded that, Mr. Vernon, and a large number of the gentry of
under any circumstances, the army and navy of this the neighbourhood.
country would do their duty, and that any attempt About 106 of the noble lord's late constituents
against England would recoil with tremendous
na-
awere present, that bci e-all who could be accom-
'
effect upon the rash. man ' wine...might _attempt it. modated. The -.dinner was held at the Peacock
(Chem 8.) . . notch - -
General PEEL, in acknowledging the toast, said The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
disposed of, '
—I think it my duty, as the senior officer present,
to return thanks for the compliment Which-has just The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Health of Lord
veden," which was received with enthusiastic
been paid to the united services. I perceive from Ly
the newspapers that at the St. Neot's Agricultural cheering.
Society the chairman stated that, in consequence of Lord LYVEDEN, on rising to return thanks, was
the multiplicity of toasts, it was proposed to omit received with great cheering, which was again and
the Army and Navy. I rejoice exceedingly, how- again repeated. He said—There are more exciting
ever, that that was not done, for I can safely say topics than the recollection of past events, and
that there never was a period in the history of this when I see the promises of the young men who
country in which the army and navy more deserved surround me, to dwell upon the past performances
the admiration and gratitude of their fellow-sub- of their elders is but poor entertainment ; but I must 1
jects than the present ; there never was a moment claim for experience sonic advantages. Age does not 1
when the efficiency of those services was of more always accomplish the promise of youth, and the
vital importance. (Cheers.) I shall not break phantoms of hope which we pursue with eagerness
through that salutary rule which forbids the in• to-day often vanish before we can approach them to-
troduction of political or party subjects upon this morrow. Such are the vicissitudes efthe future, but
occasion. It would be difficult, indeed, to intro- who shall deny us the glorious past. I came among
duce politics in connection with the present toast,
you ender the auspices of that tried advocate of the
because the army and navy, as soldiers and sailors, PooPle;
that stately tree which gave shelter t o Libual
are of no politics. As individuals, they have of opinions, and weathered every political storm, and I
course a perfect right to entertain and to express here heard him make declarations in behalf of the
their sentiments on proper occasions; but as the repeal of the corn laws, which were echoed through-
army and the navy they know no party but the out the country. (Hear.) When I first came among
Queen and their country. (Cheers.) To do their
you, there were three parties, as there are now, in
duty to them is their highest ambition, and the Northampton, the old Whig, the Radical, and the
acknowledgment upon, occasions like the present Tory parties ; the old 'Whig party in sunshine and
that they have done so is their highest reward, in shade, and along them riot only do I reckon my
But not only should soldiers and sailors have no
warmest political partisans, but seine of my oldest
politics, but I think that the great matters of peace personal friends. From the Radical party I have
and war, in which the services of the army and always met courtesy and kindness, and I have no
navy are engaged, should never be made a mere .right to quarrel with them if, in the exercise of
party question, even by those whose profession is their political principles, they thought that there
that of politics. (Hear, hear.) We are all actuated were other persons who were fitter representatives
by one motive, and our sole desire is to secure the than myself. I bore with good humour many taunts
blessings of peace, and to maintain our country in
which were thrown out against aristocratic connec-
that high position among nations which it has teens and official incubus; but I now find that hav-
hitherto held. I am delighted t 3 think that the ing got rid of the aristocratic and official incubus
country has expressed, in a manner which no . they have chosen as one of their representatives a
Governtnent can misinterpret, their perfect deter- noble lord. (Laughter.) It would be presumptu-
amffianiartsioenf
tnoth toe
continent; interfere
fe irnwabni
whilst
t wwaye takesvith c theai,e ous on my part to delay you by entering at length
into that career to which the noble chairman has
properly drawn your attention, but it would on such an oc-
which do
.to secure ourselves, we have no occasion
to enter into any disputes about matters casion be absurd if I did. ot make some reference
not concern us. I trust that the measures which
to a portion of that career. In 1855 Lord Palmer-
Lord Derby's Government took to strengthen the
-sten was called by the unanimous voice of the na-
defences of the country by sea and land have met Lion to the post Qf Prime Minister, and when that
with general approbation, and as they are being
section of the Pulite party, which then belonged
.
vigorously carried out by our successors I hope that to the ministry, left it, Sir G. Lewis and myself
they will prove successful and permanent. I trust were requested to fill their places, I being appointed
that we shall have no more of those occasional in- President of the Board of Control. That was a
vasion panics which from time to time "fright the high office for country gentleman of Northampton-
isle from its propriety." Do not think for a moment shire to fill, and I will say that
whatever abuse I
that I underrate the danger, for I cannot conceal fell' under, and I certainly had my share of it—
from myself, and I will not 'conceal from you, that (laughter)—none came from this quarter. Gene-
the introduction of steam and railroads has mate- rally speaking that abuse came from a porde%
-
rially affected the security which this country of the press opposed to my principles. Ido
formerly derived from her insular position. Large not quarrel with
that, for I am perfectly well
bodies ofetroops may now be suddenly collected and aware that no public man in this country can aspire
suddenly landed upon any part of the coast, and it to office without being subjected to the criticism
is the universal opinion of all the great military and of public opinion, and I would rather see the free-
naval authorities of this country that we should al- dour of the press carried to the utmost license than
that it should be subjected to those shackles which
ways be prepared to meet such an emergency (cheers).
That preparation must consist in maintaining the are imposed upon it in some foreign countries. At
fleet in such a state as to be perfectly able to cope thn same time I do not think that it is advisable
with any fleet that may be opposed to us. We must that the press should indulge in indiscriminate
also be prepared to meet an enemy landing with abuse which is neither dignified nor useful, and I
force sufficient in the first instance to check them will show how it affected me and why I think it
until we can call out our reserves. Those reserves may be most mischievous. When I was first sub-
naturally consist of the militia of the country. Of jetted to it I confess I was extremely irritated. I
that militia I cannot speak too highly, for to them, never said a word about it, or answered it in any
when I was Secretary of State for Wain I was in- way ; and very shortly afterwards my irritation
debt.ed for the means of employing the regular army gave place to amusement, because I found those
to au extent which I could not otherwise have done. things made use of to abuse me with which I had
We must also depend upon those volunteers whose nothing to do ; and I was actually shown an article in a provincial
zeal and exertions in the matter of drill are beyond paper in which it was said, "No
all praise. Without previous drill their bravery and wonder India is so misgoverned when the chief
zeal would be thrown away. There is not the slight- administration of its affairs is entrusted to such a
est doubt that if England were invaded the whole beardless boy as Vernon Smith." (Laughter.) At
country would rise like one man to defend it. Where length, however, after having been irritated and
is the coward who would not dare to fight for such a. hmused by the abuse in the press, I became per-
land. (Loud cheers)? But, as I have said, without fectly indifferent to it. I ceased to care anything
previous drill all volunteering efforts would be use- about the observations which appeared in the papers,
less. I would, therefore, urge upon every county to and that, I think, is the ultimate result of iudiscri-
keep up its militia, if possible, to the full quota, and urinate abuse of public men ; but it is not a proper
where volunteer corps exist to do everything in its state of things, where ministers should at all times 1
Power to maintain them. If those steps are carried be open to the strictures ofpress I pon- 1
the am res 1
out depend upon it you need have no fear of an bible to public opinion. There were, however, two
invasion. In a country like this occasional difficul- observations made by a person so conspicuous in
ties must occur. An Indian difficulty has just been the country, that as I have never yet had an oppor-
overcome. We have now a Chinese difficulty on tunity of referring to them before I shall do so now.
hand; but for the good sense and forbearance of Lord Derby, on the first outbreak of the Indian
Governor Douglas we should have had an Ame- mutiny, charged me with levity, and said that
rican difficulty also. The only way to prevent these when the first news of the mutiny reached England,
occurrences is to be always prepared to meet them. I treated it with too little gravity •, but every dime-
There are other questions connected with the army for of the East India Company and every person of
which, considering the official position which I have authority on the subject whom I consulted, took
held, I should be happy to touch upon, if it be the the same tone, and accordingly I took a bold tone
general wish of the meeting. (Cheers.) Next, then, in-the House of Commons ; and I contend that as
to the of eieney of the army, probably that which the Minister of one of the boldest Sovereigns who
concerns. you most is the expense of the army. I ever sat on the throne of England, I had no right
have seen it stated at agricultural meetings, and to come to the House of Commons and pretend a
elsewhere, that we have very little indeed to show fear which none of us ever felt. • Lord Derby alto
for our' money. The estimates, I acknowledge, are attacked me upon an expression I had made use of,
very large ; and I perfectly admit that, so far as that Delhi should be surrounded; and some four '
large standing armies are concerned, it is itnpossi- months afterwards the noble earl, who in the mean-
ble that we should ever compete with the great time I suppose had been studying the map of India,
continental military nations, because our men are said, " Surround Delhi ! There's ignorance !" when
raised by voluntary enlistment, whilst theirs are - at the very time I had letters from India which
raised by conscription. But when we' are asked informed me troops were advancing to Delhi on all
what we have got to show for our money, it sides. But the other point upon which ire attacked
must be remembered that we have an 'empire me was so void of foundation that lam even now
on which the sun never sets; that we have posses- surprised he should have done so. He said that
sions and colonies in every part of the globe; and after certain engagements had been made with the
that the ships and troops are required to protect Oriental and Peninsular Company I wrote to know
them. It is impossible, therefore, scattered as those whether they could carry them out. That was
troops are, to show any vast number in any one disproved over and over again, but Lord Derby
spot; but Sir Erskine Perry, when he spoke upon never had the manliness to come forward and own
this subject, being acquainted with India, might that he was mistaken. I will not detain you any
have recollected that that country was saved by the farther by reference to past events, but I may per-
aid of 100,000 of her Majesty's troops, whilst we haw be permitted to refer for a few moments to
had at the same time 100,000 in this country, and those which are now taking place, and upon which
42,000 in the colonies. So also with regard to the eyes of almost all men are at present fie cd. Th©
military works and barracks ; you see Very little of great question which has been agitating Europe for
them, yet the expense is enormous. No person months past is the Italian question. On the last occa-
could have entered into the army estimates with a sion on which I addressed you I hadjustreturned from
greater determination to cut them down to the France, and I told you that the Emperor intended to
lowest possible point, consistently with their per- invade Italy, and invade Italy he certainly would do.
feet efficiency, than I did; but I rose from Every one who had travelled in France was certain
their consideration with the most perfect of it, and so it proved. Now, whatever may be said
conviction that, instead of asking too much of the Emperor of France, I think it is quite clear
from the House of Commons, I could have spent a that he left Italy in a better position than she was
of all men
great deal more with advantage to the country. 1 before, for he has turned the attention I
was, indeed, obliged to postpone many works which towards the Italian question. Late events lave
would have proved economical and highly benefi- given them a chance to establish their nation,ality,
vial, Under these circumstances I cannot hold and I hope they will succeed in doing so. IN e are
ess, which
out to you any hope that either the present or told t! ere is to to be an E iropean congrb ~ _ ~ _
any futurnceretary of State will have it in his England is to take part; but I must
e pinaidoned
power greatly to reduce the army. estimates ; for if if I express my opinion that
,England rarely comes
you intend to maintain yourselves in Perfect security well out of congresses.
W e are generally out-
,.
1 ' la 'are •
you must keep up the army to its present strength. witted,either because our ciip ea tists deficient,
I must say that when I was Secretary of State I or from some other cause, and film dm e I hope that .1
her Majesty's Government wi I pause long before
never met with the slightest check from Parliament
. ts to enter into a congress. (Hear, hear.)
in granting any money which was abso.utely ne-
cessary for the country, and I was always most Then, again, we are told that we, are to arm our-
tethe
gra .rul for manner in which the House of Com selves for fear of an, invasion. Now, I think that,
houeh it is per cctly ri ).
mons voted money for the services both of the army alt e
~ ,right that we should be
and navy. Another point on which I wish to touch ,prepared toe such au event, I cannot understand
is the control which Parliament has over the money upon what round we ere to apprehend a:ny attempt
that has been voted by Parliament; and here I of the kind will take place. It is said that the
would i'emark upon a speeah which was made by Trench still smart under the recollection of Water-
Mr. Bright at Wakefield. [A voice tHe has 100 ; but nearly half a century has elapsed since
nothing to do with us.] I only wish to do so in that event, and all things are changed since then.
order that I may disabuse tire public mind upon an I cannot believe that such a thing dwells in their
import.nt question- (Hear.) Mr. Brin:ltt stated at minds, but if it did, what are they to do Could
that meeting that over OM InClTlCyvoted by Parlta- they evil . . hope to cenquer this country by in-
ment for the army Parliament had little or no 0 nitrol. vading il ; and although it is possible that an
He stated that the Horse Guards, who spent the army might effect a landing, do you suppose that