The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-24 00:00:00

RINQUET TII Jr.:at-BE:ZS OF
IIEI,E

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Yesterday the Liberal representatives of the city
and county of ll,reford, Sir Henry Gears Cotterell,
Bart., Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford, and George Clive,
E,1., were invited to a grand banquet in the Shire-hall.
The Right Hon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer pre-
sided,

In the course of the evening Colonel MIDDLETON
BIDDULPH, M.P., propoxed the h.,a,lth of Lord Palmer-
ston, as the representative of "a progressive system
of political reform in Church and State."
The Right [Toe. the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said that no person who looked back to the events of

the last 25 years, and who reflected on the present
temper of the country, as shown in the last election,
could be mistaken as to the spread of Liberalism. The
late election was, for the most part, an independent ex-
pression of opinion ; not a result brought about by inti-
midation or coercion, but, for the most part, a genuine
expression of unfettered opinion ; and, looking at this
circumstance in its proper light, there was no one who
would not come to the conclusion that the sceptre of
power had passed from the hands of the Conservative
party, at least for some time to come. (Hear, hear.
Indeed, since the year when Lord Grey became Prime
Minister, and the Reform Bill was proposed, there had
not been so few obstacles or interruptions to the exist-
ence of a Liberal Parliament. At one time, it
was true, Sir Robert Peel, for a few months, made
an attempt to take advantage of the feeling
of the country against free trade, and came
into power, but soon found himself obliged, by pressure
of circumstances, by his own convictions, and by public-
opinion, to adopt the opinions, the principles, and mea-
sures of his adversaries ; and in a very short time, by
the adoption of that course, brought about an irreparable
breach in his own party. (Applause.) Peel's Adn3ini-
.tration, by his own public spirit and admirable conduct
in reversing his former Protectionist policy and adopting
t Free-trade policy, proved by indubitable testimony the
ascendancy of those opinions in the country. (Hear,
leer.) Afterwards, in 1852, Lord Derby made an at-
tempt to form another Conservative Administration, and
we know how short its duration was, and what was its
tate. All these circumstances conspired to throw the,
ceptre into the hands of the Liberal party. It re-
mained, however, to be seen whether they were able to
grasp it with such firmness and in a manner that
would entitle them to the confidence of the country.
rhe right hon. gentleman wont on to show that the
course Lord Palmerston and his colleagues had taken
after the late vote of the House of Commons, by advie-
mg her Majesty to appeal to the country, was a proper
.me, as was evidenced by the manner in which that ap-
peal had been received by the country. But although
be appeal to the country had been productive, as far as
enild be ascertained from the returns made, of a majo-
ity in support of Lord Palmerston, it must not be for.
;otten that Lord Palmerston's Administration was corn-
) ,sed of only one portion of •the Liberal party ; and
;:sat, if they should fail to command the support and
teefidence of the country, there would undoubtedly be
ther portions of the Liberal party who would be pre-
cared to offer their services as candidates for public
•eufidence. (Hear, hear.) Lord Palmerston's
Adnii-
,istration, then, would hold office solely and simply
loon their deserving and receiving public support.
,Hear, hear.) The present Administration bad been
Barged with reckless, violent, turbulent, and aggree-
eye policy—with seeking quarrels upon insufficient
;rounds with foreign nations, and with destroying do-
eeetic interests, withwhich such easbroilmeuts interfere.
flf that charge could be supp Tted Lord Palmerston
tuld not calcu:ate upon the sympathies of the country;
out he (the Ceancellor of the Exchequer) had no hesita-
ion in saying, for reasons he had already advanced, that
eie charge was wholly groundless and unsupported by
acts. How could such be the case—and what had really
.een the main object of Lard Paltnereton's policy ? Had
t not been the conclusion of a war with Russia that had
peen in existence two years ? Peace, not war, he averred,
eas the main object of Lord Palmerston's foreign policy,
but peace ureaccompanied with national dishonour.
(dear.) It had been said that the Government was one
of reckless expenditure. In the midst of an enormous
ear it was found necessary to resort to taxation by loans
upon the public credit. These extra means were con-
eneled in a generous. liberal, and encouraging spirit by
he people, because they considered them necessary and
,Niudocive to public interest. Now that war was over,
end the Government was reducing the national expendi-
,ure as rapidly as it could, but stilt this must be
lone by gradual step?. Yet because that expendi'
cure was not in a few months brought down to
the level at which it stood at the termination of a lo°
ceacs—immediately nrecedine the war—the Gerors"
cent was accused of being wasteful and lavish. One
thing the nation might rest assured of, that all possible
retrenchment, consistent with the safety of our ova
•hores, and the security of our colonial possessions,
could be made ; and founding their actions upon the
principle of progressive reform, they would seek to in'
reduce all practical ameliorations in our domestic instie
eitiens, without disturbing the foundations of our pa'
ional prosperity. (Hear, hear.) He meant to sale,
that eschewing organic changes, the Government
Lord Palmerston would endeavour to meet the necessi'
ties of existing circumstances, without disturbing the
fundamental principles of order and society. (Applause')
it was by these means alone, he confessed, that the
Administration of Lord Palmerston could retain poises'
-ion. The Conservative party would, doubtless, attempt
,o regain the power which had passed from their hands,
but whether Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli would sue'
:reed in recovering the sceptre which dropped from. .
:lands of the late Sir Robert Peel remained to be proved
•
(Applause.) In the meantime the Conservative Pal
tilled a somewhat useful function in a constitution e_
40v,rnraent like ours, where there was such a diverslt
of opinion, and where so many different projects were 6ati
afloat; but the position they now occupied might
theB
,leseribed as that of " a drag "—(hear)—for while
0
Liberal party initiated public measures, the Oppositiooo
by their vote and discussion, though they could n
sway the country, prolonged the consideration of theio.
tTheyhat theykn e w
adhered
hwear
es
daB.vti at
undueh
dng t
reproach g e
acit
withstanding the expression of pubic opinion. 1-I°‘6
nayait against
office, M i
tar, in the case of the present Government, this charge
was well founded, no one, he thought, who looked at
the circumstances of the case, would say that Minister,
could .he justly accused of undue adherence to office.
(Applause.)
The company shortly afterwards separated. nisoteorest,

Sporting Intelligence.

TATTERSALL'S-THURSDAY.

A large majority of turfites being still detained in the
north, the room was not numerously attended.
Two THOUSAND —3 to 1 and afterwards 100 to 3v,:„:
offered ou the field-7 to 2 would have been taken en-c,
Vedette. At the commencement of business 4 t° a 1 to
2001. was kid against Kent, who, in the City, chiri4 At
morning, had the " nil!" of Lord Z-_,,tland's horse. r„
the close 100 to 30 was the highest offer against 110;3 to
to 1 was taken and offered about Loyola ;7to ly 0 ;
2, and finally 8 to 1 to 501. were laid against Antl?tot
300 to 200 and 350 to 200 were laid on Vedette ags
Loyola. .7 but
DERDY.-8 to 1 was offered against Blink Bonviir•
tbete were no backers ; 14 to 1 was laid against Anteo,
masher, and 500 to 400 NV OA betted on him against

CLOSING PRICES.
• TWO THOUSAND.
10 to 3 apt Vedette (ake 7to 2)
10 to 3 agst Kent (4 to 1 taken freely)
1; to 1 agst Loyola (taken and offered)
Sto 1 agst Anton (taken)
8 to 1 aget Sydney (hfftred)
25 to 1 agst Loid of the Hills
25 to 1 agst Druwour (taken)
1000 to 30 aget Turbit (taken) /taken)
500 to 15 aget c by- Surplice—Bees WitZ
DERBY.
Bto 1 agst Think Bonny (offered)
14 to 1 awe Skirmisher (taken)
20 to 1 ag,,t Arsenal (taken)
33 to 1 agst Commotion (offered)
CHESTER CUP.
Offers to take 6 to 1 about Leamingtov•
ufeJ for
The Sub,,cription-rooin will be opened on Satifr
the settl,3ment of the current week's accounts.

MALTON RACES —THURSDAY.
Two•year-old Stakes. 1
Soothsayer
Darkie
Hero ~ .•
Mischief.. •'
Liverpool:e at.
ro t I. . . :
.
..
Cuurtenay..,
gr 1
. _
a ...... • _
,• .. ......... . 6,7,
.....
Mag"lia ... . ............................... .....-
Eight ran.
8ird,,,,1i Haticicap.
Attorrie.Gen.ral ........................ ............................ .. ..
Laird c,' the atle ..........
ti x I an.
Particulars iu our mat.

Three ran.
Hunt Cup.

Eight ran.
Malton Handicap.

Seven ran.
Norteliffe Plate.