The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-22 00:00:00

Viscount PALMEIISTON, whose rising was the signal Noble Lord concluded by proposing " Lord John Rus-
for a fresh burst of enthusiastic applause, after silence sell and her Majesty's Ministe:s," which were drunk
had been restored, spoke as fillows t —My Lords and with the usual honours.
Gentlemen, when I think of the honourable and flatter- The toast- was drunk amid loud applause.
ing reception which I have received from you this day,. The' ATrORNEY-GletheateL, in replying, said that he
and when I think of the terme—far exceeding anything could have been well pleaeed that it 'had fallen to
which I. can , feel conscious of deserving—in which: soma person other than himself, to have re-
my Hon. and Gallant Friend has been pleased to propose turned thanks on the , present occasion for . the
this toast to you, lam sensible of that truth which we, honour which had been conferred on him, in coin-
have often heard—that it is far more easy to find argu- mon :with her' Majesty's Ministers, by drinking their
ments successfully to repel opponents than words adequate: health, in the manner they had; and. ho should have'
to express all one's thanks and gratitude to one's friendeS been:better pleased had he been more comneteut, from
—(Cheers.) It is said, indeed, that from the fulness of. standing higher in the scale of her Majesty's Ministers,
the heart the mouth speaketh; but the heart may be tot to have stated mote fully and completely those principles
full to allow the tongue to give proper utterance to the which, ea he believed, actuated all their opinions and sen-
feelings.—(llere the Noble Lord became much affected,: tireotts.—(Hear.) But he considered it no slight honour
and for some minutes could with difficulty proceed.) to-be called upuu on the present occasion to return
Gentlemen, you have met here to-day, not merely to thaultsfoo them, because, from the very dirlitst moments
testify your kind and friendly feelings towards one in-
that , he could recollect, what were his sentiments,
dividual, but you have met also, I apprehend, to record he could recollect . that they were connected with
by this public demonstration great and leading principles! those sentiments of the freedom, and progress, and itne
of public policy.—(Loud cheers.) lam entitled to infer, Provement of liberal institutions which actuated every
gentlemen,. that the principles of policy which have feeling, every motive, and every measure which was
guided the Government of which I hove the honour to brought forward by her Majesty's Government. -He
be a member in the administration of the foreign rale.- felt it also the more strongly, because he considered that
tions of this country, have been such, generally sleek- no usual degree of honour was conferred 'on the presmit.
ing, and in their general tenor, as to be thought deserv- occasion upon her Majesty's Ministers, 'When there was
ing of your approbation.—(Loud cheers.) Those prin-, an assembly like this which he saw around him meeting
ciples of policy may be described in a few simple words: there fur no other purpose than to give honour to that
the guiding object of the policy of the Government with nobleman who presided over foreign affairs—(Cheers)—
regard to its foreign relations has been the interests of who, es he (the Attorney-General) believed, cared:
England—(Great cheering)—interests which begin in: merely to effect those principles and opinions which ac-,
the well-being of this country, and which in their prod tuated the whole Cabinet, and the carrying out of them
gress comprehend the . well-being of every other as the representative of this country with respect to:
country.—(Loud cheers.) In regard to this country, it foreign countries; and he felt it the more Strongly be-
is needless to say that it ought 'to be the first object of cause that Noble Lord had' thrown the perfection of the:
those who are charged with its foreign relations to main-. power of this people over every inhabitant of thel
tain unimpaired its honour, its dignity, and its rights.— country, and that he had made not merely the citizens
(Enthusiastic cheering.)* It 'is also our duty to protect of England abroad, but the citizens of England at home, l
our fellow-subjects in whatever foreign land they may feel their hearts burn within them when they said that?
be.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, wo are eminently a they weralinglish citizens. He (the Attorney-General),
travelling, an inquiring, and a commercial " nation.-a had always thought that it was the greatest test of im•
(Cheers.) There is no part of that great ocean that oc. provement when they discovered weakness in any insti-,
cupies so vast a portion of the globe on whose bosom. tution which it was their object to improve, while the:
our ships and our merchandise are not found to flush greatest defect was to suppose that perfection could
There-is 'to 'land, however distant, or however near; exist— (clear, hear)—and in his opinion, no institution,
bower civilised, however barbarous, in which Eoglishei or anything connected With institutions, could ever, by
men arenot found, either for the purpose of recreation any possibility come to be made perfect. It was not
or of health, in the pursuit of science or of •commerce, given to public' affairs, but it might become nearly per-,
or in. the nobler and higher vocation• of shedding in the tect, and it was the sacred duty of every Government
regions of darkness the light of our Christian faith.— so to make such reforms as 'closely and accurately to
(Deafening plaudits.) I ceutendogentlemett, that those arrive at that perfection which existed only in the idea
fellow-subjects-of ours are entitled,' wherever they may of man.—(flear, hear.) It was therefore necessary con-
be, •to think that they are under- the guardianship of stautly to keep a watchful eye over every institution of
the watchful eye of this' country ;' and that the arm of the country, them the lowest to the highest, to discover;
England will -either protect them - •from wrong, or, it how to make reforms and improvernerets in every branch,'
wrong should • be. done, will be -powerful to obtaib and it was because he believed that :that was the firm
for them -redress:—(Tremendous -and prolonged ap, conviction of her Majesty's Government—that it was
plauso.) • I -have said, gentlementethat the interests of their desire, and their wish—it hae.for those reasons he.
Englandlie not only in our own • particular objects, but felt the greater pride in returning thanks 'on the present!
iii -thee well-being also of other-nations.—(Hear, hear.) occasion, and it gave him also a greater pride in thinking
The days aro gone by, at least in this country, in which that he was connected with that Government, and made
men thought and nations imagined that their prosperity him wish that the company should feel, as intimately as
ooh
promoted by the advereityof others.—(Cheers.) he did, the anxiety which he, in common with his co
We glory in our own wealth—we glory in our own hap= leagues, entertained that the institutions of this country
pintas, and We glory in our own liberty; but we are not should be so far perfect: as to be made to be as conducive]'
desirous to monopolise thosceblessings and, so far as our as possible to the happiness of every class, from the
efforts can be properly exerted,- I•thinle it is the duty of highest to the lowest.—(Cheers.) He returned his sin=
Government of this country to assist other nations in core thanks on behalf of the Government, for the honour
following at least our example, • and in endeavouring to which they had done them in drinking their health on
attain a• position similar to that which- we have attained. the present occasion.—(Loud cheers.) i
—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen,' Ido not mean to say, ah SIT G. STRICKLAND, M.P., had to propose " The
Peers who supported the foreign pelicy
meat in the Lords." He could not help expressing o
those who have endeavoured to thwart our policy have Of the Govern=
regret that a majority of that House, which was an oil
unfoundly asserted, that too ought to go dike knight
errants of civilisation forcing institutions on other
sential tetanal of the British constitution, should have
countries; exciting them to discontent -and encouraging
them to. disturbance:—(Heah, hear.) Such is not a part been led astray by the; talented eloquence of onoindi
of the duties of the Governnient of England.—(Cheers.) viddal, who, apparently thoughtless of that discretio
But when we hee nations-which are endeavouring iu con- which had marked the course of a long line of illustriou
junction with their Governments to improve their in- ancestors, seemed to be impressed only with the war-cry o
stitutions—when we see nations sensible of the cent " On, Stanley on!" - ' • I
under which they are suffering, endeavouring rationally, eh(Cheers.) During the discussion which bad taken
temperately, and calmly to improve their condition— pluce.on the foreign policy-of the Government, and mord
they deserve at least the 'sympathy- ef-England—(Loud especially of the Noble Lord who had that evening ace
cheers)—and if other powers, differently impressed cepted.their invitatior, he (Sir George Strickland) had
by opinions,. should endeavour to interfere, in eerdet• been much astonished to hear it stated that that policy
dlot commercial to rereset
constituencyt he most
in o
to prevent the developMent of libertyt--(Cheere)-etny was unpopular among the people of Eaglaud. It ha
flbeueenotfiyari
Pl
agricultural a il
)rs his
an
Conviction is that the Government of England will
always be supported and backed by the people of Beg-
land in throwing our weight into the scale, arid endea,a England, and, therefore, ho thought that he had ha
houringthus to restore the balance.—(Loudappleose.)--e some' opportunity of ascertaining the feelings and the!
Anti, gentlemen, be persuaded that that can often be opinions of his countrymen, undhe could not help ex-
done without endangering the continuance of quo peace- claiming; " Were they indeed so changed that they no
ful relationso—(Cheers.) Do not imagine theta we are longer wished to see the property and the interests of
leis sensible than any man in the country of thte value British subjects steadily maintained and supported in all
and importance of peace—de not imagine that wo thin h parts of the world? Was it time that they were 0
lightly of the calamities of war—of the interruption changed, that When they now heard of a British subject
which war interposes to every improvement; Boole), in some despotic state cruelly and hardly treated, thee!
and commercial. :Do not imagine that.we aro did not wish the Foreign Minister to demand some
political,l'o
insensible to the reasons which ought to deter the go- dress for' his wrongs? Was it true that the people of
vernors of any country from involving, without absolute England no longer wished to see the British subject
necessity, the people with whose destinies they are supported and maintained in every part of the globe to
charged in the miseries and calamities of war.-a(flear, which a ship could sail, and did the people of England
hear.) But, gentlemen, do not let the , people wish to see their Foreign 'Minister submit to the frowns
of this country" ihatigide that every:hrigry'wOrd that may of some distant:and ,halt-civilised tyrant? Such things'
fall from other Governments will be immediately he believed, could never be in this country.—(Cheersd
folloWed by a blow:—(Loud cheers and latighten)h- In the disetisSion which bad reeently taken place ho hat,
Do not let the- people of this country believe that heard it asked, how it was that the IhOhle lord who was
every angry demonstration—every exhibition.,of die- their guest that evening, when assailed on every side,
satisfaction, diplomatic or otherwise— (Laughter)..o. when reproached by a mejority of the House of Lords;
that may come from Governments whose policy and when attacked by an able portion of the press, whet
views may be thwarted by the views and' policy assailed, likewise, by a party arrogating to themselves
of England, will necessarily lead to hostilities. the character of being . the only supporters o
(Hear, hear, and applause.) Anxious as the' people of peace—(Hear, hear)—how it was that the Noble Lor
this country are—and to their honour be it spokenal always rose superior to the attacks of this array. Th
believe no other people are more anxious for the, proper- answer was to ,be given in a very few words: that hip
vation of peace, or.more desirous to avoid war with any had never lost en opportunity, by negotiation and by are
country whatever—ye?, believe me, that no other coun- titrationa-(flear, hear)--40 settle disputes betweei
try is a bit more destrouseaed for the best of all reasons nations; that he had for many years preserved the peat
of going to war with. England, than England can be of of Europe during times of unexampled difficulty
going to war with it.—(Loud and long protracted (Hear, hear)—that in periods of wonderful progression,
cheering.) Gentlemen, this consciousness of strength, in times when revolution had shaken thrones and del
this feeling of national poWer, ought never to tempt the stroyed dynasties, the Noble Lord had remained in the
Government of the people of England to do anything same steadfast course that he had originally pursued,
that is unjust or wrong.—(Loud cheers.) But it ought, and made the great principle of a well regulated freedom
at least, to bear, US up in perstting 'the course of justice the foundation of his proceedings; that he had the goo
and honour, and must induce us not lightly to give way of his country as the pole star to guide his course; an
to apprehensions which may be founded on no real that he had never lest sight of the maxim of the great
grouud.-e(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I feel that 'we may Lord Bacon, " that the real use, of knowledge is this
be proud, and reasonably proud, of the country in which to dedicate that reason which God has given to us fo
we bevelled the good fortune to bo boru.—(Hetir, the use and the advantage of man."-e-(Cheere.)
hear.) ' It seems to me that this British nation , The toast was received with great cordiality.
is destined by Providence- to bear an honourable pare Lord CAMOYS said that it had been arranged that hi
in the promotion and advancement of , the ci- Ncible,Friend the Earl of Yarborough should have re
vilisatiOn of mankindi—(Loud cheers.) It is from this pponcled to this toast, but the Noble Earl ha
hive that that swarm has proceeded—the busy, active been prevented from attending by the duties he had
swarm which has covered, by the works of its construct- to perform in other parts of the country. They had
ive industry, the wilds and primeval forests of North been pleased to drink the health of those Peers who
America.—(Cheers.) - There is no land, however re- had supported the foreign policy of her-Majesty's Mie
mote, in which Englishmen are nett ntroduoing the arts niStp. He was proud to say that this vote was so given
of civilisation and the blessings of Christianity.— In favour of the policy pursued by the Government,
(Cheers.) And here, in this land, in which we are at and never did he give a vote more in accordance with
home, we may feel proud 'in thinking that we hold out his own sense of honour, of justice, and of policy. t
to all the civilised nations of: the' world an example of ha-I been often said, " Thank God, we have a House elf
internal organisation, of systematic and progressive ito-` Lords." He would say on that occasion. " Thank Gotl,
provement, of practical proof and consciousness, thatin we have a House of Conamons."—(Lbud cheers.) it
improving and repairing ancient institutions, you give would be unbecoming of him to say , much of the Hon
them strengthhand.do not overthrow 'or destroy them. of Lords., but of that minorty he could safely say thit
I say that -this country is holding out to the civilised na- they would find them on all occasions united in sup-
dons of the world an example worthy of the imitation of porting those great principles, the operations of which
the ablest statesmen, and worthy also of the admiration- ;were beginning now to he so successful. That minoritly
of the wisest philosophers.—(Cheers.) Gentle,men,l again would be always ready to defend the great principles Of
must-thank you—inadequately thank you—for the great civil and religious liberty by which every man would
and distinguished honour ;which has been conferred feel that he was now level with his nature, and alike
on ned this day; but I ' beg to assure you that, of those principles of foreign policy in which every Eng-
though my words may fall far short of my feelings, Tishman would feel that his right or his property were
and infinitely below that which is deserved by the kind- under the protection of the justice, gallantry, and ere
which I have received at your hands, the recollect- trepidity of an English Minister.h.-(Loud cheers.)
tion of this day will be impresed upon my memory to the . Mr. WV. M. JAMES said it devolved. upon him to pr -
latest hour of my existence; and that in any act of my, pow thew toast—" The Members of the House of Come
public lifeoin which I may feel hesitation or doubt, the, hnoasho supported Mr. Roebuck's motion." The
gecollectiononot only of the kindness you have exhibited Members that House who stood and took their part doto-day, but of the handsome and generous support which- -the side of of
right and truth in that memorable debate,
I have received at your hands in moments of great per- and whose names now flourished and ware remembered
sound and official difficulty—(Loud cheers)—will cocoa- in our flowing cups, who, constituting the majority whiCh
rage me and support me always in the performance of my had adopted the unmistakeable terms in which Mr. Roe-
public duty—(Cheers)—and this you may, depend on, buck always couched his resolution., had destroyed the
gentlemen, that so long as this country has the good for- hopesten which the House
,of Lords' relied, and again
tune to be represented by such men as those whom I see pledged the House of Commons and the people of Enh-
dreamt me—so long as. the people of this country are land to the maintenance of a liberal policy, and sup-
animated by those generous and patriotic feelings which' ported tliat,great policy, foreign and at lOW, by which
have led you here to-day, there can be no danger that_we might hope to obtain that peace aniipliet which Mid
any Government of Itogland will shrink from the per- distinguished this country during the last few years from
formance of its duty, nor will there ever be peril fur the other nationeee-(Rear, hear.) Satisfactory, however, pa
fortunes of our country.—(The Noble Lord resumed his the result was, he could not help feeling that the conduct
seat amid deafening and protracted cheering.) : of the debate wa a still. more satisfactory.—(Hear, hear-)
Lord JAMES STUART said that the committee of which There never was a debate more creditable to the House
he had the honour to be a member had chosen him to of Commons—there never was one, at.least, of which
propose a toast which he was convinced would be well the' Liberal party had so much occasion to be proud.
received, nay, be hoped enthusiastically received, by all In another place the subject was discussed in a manner
shades of reformers assembled in that room.—(Hear, not worthy of' • itself,worthy of the men
hear.) then subject not
hear.) He was quite aware that the members of the by whom it was discussed. But that has not trite
Reform Club comprised people of every variety 'cf of the men in the House of Commons, who asserted the
reform sentiments; at. the earns time, recollecting the honour of Englishmen,
and gave utterance to the feel-
benefits which had aecrued to this country from the pose ings of Englislinien. They spoke warmly—they spoke
session of office by Lord John Russell and his colleagues with their cheeks blushing with shame at what he heai-
-(Hear, hear)—he,(Lord James Stuart) confessed he . tated not to call the craven resolution of the House ;of
could have no want of confidence in offering this toast to Lords—(Cheers)—and their heart bleeding with indig-
the company. He had had the honour of being one of a nation at what he would not call an intrigue and +-
deputation which waited on Lord John Remelt to invite spitacy, but that singular political combination which
his Lordship to be present on that evening. It certainly wore all' the effects,of a polittcal intrigue against a sin-
was a disappointment that Lord John Russell could not gle_ Minister, who was singled out.—(Cheers.) They
attend, but - the Noble Lord said that the state of his spoke; 'too, with an air of ferhour and of personal ate
health alone prevented him from accepting the invitation, tachment which was felt for the Noble Lord, who had,!in
and he added also that he highly approved of this de- his (Hr. James's) opinion, so wiselyo•so honourably, :so
rconstration.—(Cheers.) Indeed, he (Lord J. Stuart)well,and
,
should have been disappointed had any other senti- sorted the honour of his country—who had, in times' of
ment•been expressed by the Noble Lord e and his con- unexampled difficulty, maintained that honour and hs-
viction -was that the whole of the Cabinet entirely sorted those rights with the preservation of the peach—
incurred with their Noble Colleague whom they bad whose diplomacy had been nothing hut straightforwa d-
now the honour to meet.—(Hear, hear.) He (Lord ness of conduct and frankness of language, and whhse
J. Stuart) should not enter into any comments on the only filth was that ho WaS always in the right, and ao
policy pursue ts h eta.
dby that Noble. Lord (Lord John Russell) much in the right as to irritate his opponen . (C e )
e
either during his possession of power or in the cotirse But while they spoke thus warmly, and with those fael-
putnued while Member of the House of Commons during ings, they could not forget that in another place other
the last thirty-eight years ; he should only advert to. persona took the chadecter of counsel in "a prosecution—
certain frets in his political life which marked bins as 'easzer to obtitin a verdict in their favcur by what means
one of the most eminent statesmen which the country .they could. Much was else owed to the public support,
had given birth to, as a friend to civil and religious which, on that occasion,
united majority of the
liberty. He (Lord J. Stuart) would allude to the effec- House of CoMinons.There
• was, it was true, an enthu-
s also
tive means by which, in 1827, his Lordship repealed that siesm' foe the individual, bat there wa afeeling of
; hthey had had on many
disgrace he (Lord J. Stuart) conceived to have been the common sense ' union, whole e , , „ .Y.
t —if-liar.) lie truitea
disgrace and shame of the .country—the Test and Cor- occasions to regret the absence o , .
and a warning. They had
poration Acts—which had been on the statute-books that this would- be a lesson g•
for upwards of a hundred and fifty years, and which now evidence that the measures of reform which !the
so unjustly excluded Dissenters, on account of their country desired were to be obstructed, and when the
religion from their rights as citizens of England. It struggle coma they should have t lo k on those Who
would also be recollected how ably the Noble Lerd and took part in that debate for ' theo same energy and the
those with him carried en i through an arduous. oppold- same Zeal, and they should look to the great Libaral
tion, the determination to repeal those Acts affecting the party of the House of Commons for this—that they
Roman Catholice, thouith it was not fated that' the would not allow mere inaividual crotchets or an over-
Noble Lord and his °ellenshould be the parties hI • fondness fur their own political opinions; to
gues
remove such Acts from the statute-book.--(Hear, hear.) breed dissension and open divisions in those ranks which
It was quite true that the corn-laws had been re ealed must he keot close and serried, if they meant to keep
by that statesman whose departure It - n• gained—if they meant to win what
they all so much re- what they had gemthey
gretted • yet, at the same time, the assistance had • (tt pplause.)
of Lord yet to gam.— = ;
John Russell was not unavailing hwouldThe toast having been duly honoured,
, and e :also •
bring. to the recollection of the company the great ohli- The StioiciioneGeohonete said he prided himself: on
gations' 1114 were-under to the Noble Lord at the 'laid being called upon to respond. to the toast just drank, end
of the Government for the manner in which, by his ef- he said most cordially, with the Noble Lord (Carnoys),
forts, the country avoided thole difficulties which beset, " Thank God we have a House of Commons,' for it was
in 1848, the neighbouring nations.—(Hear.) The to the House of Commons—at least to the majority of