The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-21 00:00:00

LAYING THE FOUNDATIO,Y•STONE OF
SILLOTH DOCKS.

SPEECHaledition
of h
OF
the
eR
CarlisleJA JAMES SEGzaßnlAilTneAr
A. special
report of the proceedings on the occasion of laying the
foundation stone of Silloth Dock on Tuesday last, Sir J.
Graham, M.P., officiating. The shops were closed at Car-
lisle, and the day kept as a general holiday. GRAHAM.
a
In the course of a speech, delivered while standing on
the stone, the right hon. baronet said—" Gentlemen, in the
prayer which we have just heard allusion is made to the
prosperity of this great kingdom of which "we are members.
I cannot on an occasion like this dissemble from you that
great national disasters have suddenly come upon us. Many
of us here have probably, in a distant part, of the British
dominions,, sons daughters, and relatives whom we love,
and whose position there we regard with anxiety. W hen
there is a fire raging, it does not become us to ask what are
the causes of that fire. Our first duty as men is to extin-
guish it. (Hear.) lam sure I appeal to the united hearts
of every portion of the British people when I say that that
empire which our fathers won by their gallantry, by their
courage, and by their constancy, it would be unworthy in
us—we should be degenerated indeed—if that which a
century has won, by our timid misconduct we lost in an
hour. (Hear, hear.) I am satisfied, therefore, that the
determination of the British people will be unanimous, that
that empire which we have won with our best heart's blood
and with the blood of our children, we are ready to preserve
—and that,aa one man we shall rise in defence of our great
possessions in India. (Hear, hear.) The loss of that empire
would be the commencement of our dewnfall--themainte-
nance of it would prove that we have not degenerated. And
as I have before told you that concord is strength and a
certain security of success, so let all minor divisions and
.strifes be forgotten among us. Let us as a united people
make a great effort, and sustain the honour and integrity
of the British dominions." (Hear, hear.)
On the completion of the ceremonial, the shareholders
and their guests proceeded to the spacious engine shed,
which had been handsomely fitted up as a dining hall.
The chairman (Mr. P. J. Dixon), and the vice-chairman
(Mr. J. Irving), presided at either end of the room. Seve-
ral interesting, speeches were delivered.
Sir J. Giuliani, responding to a complimentary toast,
again alluded to passing events in India. He said—" I
have the deepest conviction that neither the army nor the
navy of the present day will be found to be degenerated.
(Cheers.) That army and that navy, all forced and coca-
' pulsory service being now at an end, are volunteers. They
are drawn from the great body of the people of this coun-
try. I say with pride and satisfaction that now
growing an old man, I do perceive in the great
bray of the people of this country within the
last quarter of a century, the most marked
improvement. They are more highly intelligent. They
are better instructed. Their love of liberty is not abated ;
but the love of order is universally pervading. And a
people so free, so instructed, by nature so gallant, cannot,
in my opinion, fail to send forth to the most distant parts
of the earth soldiers and sailors—freemen like themselves,
volunteers, to uphold the honour of their native land., to
sustain the renown of our flag, and to prevent that igno-
miny that such an empire as ours should perish. (Cheers.)
Ido not believe it. An empire which the Clives and Wel-
lesleys have won a Canning will not lose. As relates to
our army, there are traits in the character of the men who
have gone forth to take the command which, did des-
Poene •
ndy exist in any quarter, would forbid it to be
general. Just think of Sir Cohn Campbell. (Cheers.) I
will mention a trait with respect to him. He was not
chosen for the Commander-in-Chief in the Crimea when the
late lamented Lord Raglan died, though senior officer. a.
junior officer was appointed. Her Majesty notified to Sir
Colin Campbell that it would be to the great disadvantage
.of this country if ho did not take the place of second in
1
command ; and regardless of all routine and the precedents
of the service he went out and served under his junior
officer. (Loud cheers.) That man has now gene to take
the command-in-chief in India. He knows that country
well; he was a follower of Sir Charles Napier; he is
embued with the spirit of a soldier and Highlander, and
if he failed to do his duty that right hand would indeed
have forgot its cunning. (Cheers.) Then there is Wind-
ham of the Redan, member of the county of Norfolk, occu-
pying a position in the House of Commons which any
man might be proud of. He scatters every personal con-
sideration to the wind. While there wps pease in India
he refused a command. When war breaks out, he offers
his services, leaves parliament and Norfolk, and everything;
attractive, and goes forth to take the second place under
Sir Colin Campbell. (Cheers). I might multiply began:es,
but I bid you not for a moment to think of desp ld
ll
of the-
em satisfied that those who have gone forth partakewe
spirit which actuates the people of this country,beovercome,
that
have not degenerated, that the difficulty will
led to the
that when overcome, the causes that hasei)der
ation of the
mis-
fortune will receive most anxious consideration
will be applied
legislature. Proper remedies must
b the blessing 61
but the empire must be saved, and Y . .. :
I have no doubt that we shall prosper.'
Providence
Cheers).

WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC TELEGRAPH.—It is pro
osed to establish a submarine and overland telegrapi
tetween the %Vest India Islands and North and South
and Central America.