The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-27
IMPORTANT DEBATE In THE BRIT
ISH PARLIAMENT.

The Resignation of Lord Paln,erston, and
the Reasons Which led to it-Reiations Of
the European P0uers rith Great Britian.
In the House of Lords, Feb. Sd, in reply to
a question from Sir Benjamin Hull, as to the
causes which led to the resignation of Lord
Palmerston, Lord John Russell replied at
length, giving as the reasons for that step,
the approval the retiring Minister had too
readily given to the coup detdt of the French
President, and to his disrespectful language
towards foreign nations, (related to the Kos
suth populations.
Lord John Russell proceeded to state GER
tain events OF last autumn, and said that there
had been Cabinet meeting on the 3rd Novem-
ber, at which it was agreed that the state of
Europe was very critical, and that it beloved
England to preserve the strictest neutrality
Yet, short time afterwards Lord Palmerston
received deputations with addresses, in which
the most disrespectful language was applied to
the Sovereigns offorei gn nations. But though
in this matter Lord Palmerston had not exer-
cised due caution, he Lord J. Russell) had
been willing to consider it an inadvertence,
and to take his share of the responsibility
But after that occurrence, he had expected
even increased frankness from Lord Palmer
ston, and that he would certainly not nuke
any communication to foreign Governments
without giving him Lord j. Russel) the op-
portunity of expressing his sentiments thereon.
Another case, however, soon arose, which the
noble lord thus described. He said, the next
transaction to which l shall refer-and it is
that by which the whole of this unfortunate re-
suit was produced-related to the events which
occurred in Paris on the 2nd of December
There was meeting of the Cabinet ON the 3D.,
and a question was considered with regard to
II request of the Marquis of Normandy asking
to be furnished with Instructions with respect
to the continuance Of diplomatic relations with
Paris and the Government of the President of
the French Republic, and it was the general
opinion that those relations should continue,
but with respect to anything further, that we
had nothing to do but to abstain from any in
reference in the internal affairs of that coun-
try. Hear, hear.)
Lord John Russell then goes on to show
that Lord Palmerston had expressed in an un-
demanded but official manner to foreign Am
bassador lCount Walewski) his assent to the
step taken by Louis Napoleon. On being
called on for an explanation, no satisfactory
explanation was given. The charge against
Palmerston is partly embodied in the following
extract from letter from him to Lord Nor
manly, the British Minister at Paris, dated
Dec. l6:
"As to approving or condemning the step
taken by the President in dissolvng the AS
sembly, | conceive it is for the French nation
for the British Ambassador, to pronounce judg-
ment upon that event; but, if your excellency
| wishes 10 know my own opinion on the change
which has taken place in France, it is, that
such a state OF antagonsm had arisen between
the President and the Assembly, that it was
becoming every day more clear that their CO.
existence could not be of long duration; and it
seemed to me better for the interest of France,
| and through them for the interests of the rest
| OF Europe. that the power of the President
should prevail, inasmuch as the continuance
OF his authority might afford prospect of the
maintenance OF social order in France, where.
as the divisions of opinions and parties in the
Assembly appeared 10 betoken that their VIC
tory over the President would be the starting
point of disastrous civil strife. Whether my
opinion was right or wrong, it seems to be
shared by persons interested in property in
France, as far at least the great sudden rise
In the funds and in other investments, may be
assumed TO be indications of increasing conf
derce in the improved projects of internal uan-
guilty in France"
Lord John Russell, in the course of his ex.
plantations, next entered upon continental af-
fairs, and, in reference to France; declared his
own opinion, that though it was not for us to
act as Austria and Russia had done in regard
TO the President, still he had no hesitation in
saying that, no doubt, the President had acted
from the best sources of information, and had
done what, from his knowledge Of the;question,
he thought best for France. (Murmars and
some slight laughter upon which Lord John
Russell repeated the sentence.) He proposed
to condemn the severe laguage the English
press had used against Louis Napoleon, and
reminded the House that such language by
the press of former days had goaded the First
Consul into war; but he thought this was not
probable on that account, because the Presi-
dent Of France well understands that the
press of England did not necessarily con-
vey the feelings Of the Government or of the
nation. He was opposed TO alarmist doctrines,
and did not believe that two Of the greatest
nations of The earth were going to butcher one
another. Alluding to the hospitality We had
Tor so many years shown to refugees OF every
nation, he trusted We never should forget this
obligation, but he hoped we should remember
Il without incensing other nations or increas-
ing our own ornaments. His lordship con-
eluded with eulogy on peace, and the ex-
preston of a belief that out of all the troublous
events of the day political liberty would be at
last established. 4
Lord Palmerston felt that. after what had
fallen, some observations from him were neces-