Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-13
THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY

THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY
The following is sketch Of the debate and d.
vision in the House of Commons which resulted in
the resignation of Lord JOHN RUSSELL His part
ing fling at Lord PALMERsToN shows that the
Premier fell in full possession of his faculties
On the question that the report of the Committee ON
the Local Militia Act be received Lord JOHN RUSSELL re-
capituated the leading provisions of the proposed me
sure, the principal point being that it intended
to permit substitutes to be found under certain resric-
tons All parties in the House appeared to be convinced
of the necessities which existed for some such
and all he now asked that they would allow him to
introduce his BILL in order that its details might be fairly
and fully considered.
Lord PALMERsToN said it was exceedingly necessary
that whatever introduced should be based
upon right principle and the amendments which he in
tended to upon the Ministerial bill would make il
less Objectionable in this respect The chief amendment
he proposed to intended to make the title Of
the bill harmonize with its provisions According to the
title, the bill was intended to provide for the levyng Of
local militia but the body which be raised accord
ing to its provisions would not be local. but general it
would not be confined to England Ireland Scotland
merely but was to be sent to any part of the United
Kingdom where it might be required in this respect he
quite agreed with the Government but he
sdered it to be improperly framed He thought however,
that the bill did go far enough he thought it should
have been founded upon the old regular militia act and
should have provided for the enrolment of efficient
and permanent military force better fitted to protect
the country from any attempt which might be made upon
it. Cheers The noble Lord concluded by moving the
omission OF the word "loca from the title Of the BILL
Mr. nj. GIBSON commended that had been made
out for theappcaton Of the surplus increase Of
the ornaments Of the country instead of using it for the
reduction OF those taxes which rest upon the humber
classes Considering the immense which had been
voted by the House from time to time, he could not be-
eye that the country was in deenceless state
presented and he believed the bill had been got up for
political purposes. If, however, militia necessary
he should infinitely prefer the proposition Of the Prime
Minister to the amendment of Lord Palmerston.
Lord j. RUSSELL said he could understand the position
which was taken by Mr.. Hume and Mr. Gibson but he
really could not understand the opposition which had
been made by the noble lord, Pamerston That noble
lord came forward, and, in what he say most
unusual manner, said to the Minister of the Crown you
shall not propose your plan to the House, but you shall
take s BIZ Of my adoption Hear, hear There was
could not agree to it. [Cheers.]
Mr.. D'IsRAELI argued that il motion was intended
by the Government, founded upon principle which
independent member believed erroneous it was un-
doubtedy competent and constitutional for that member
to move amendment to it.
Sir G. GREY said that Mr.. DIsrael had misunderstood
Lord John Russell. What he had objected to was that
Lord Pamerston instead of showing the bill already pre-
pared to be brought asked that another bill should be
introduced instead the details Of which not known
Mr.. DECIDES supported the amendment, and Mr. Hume
the Ministry Mr. s. Herbert thought it would be better
for the word local to be omitted order that the whole
question might be open to consideration After remarks
from Col. Thompson, Mr.. Fox Maule and Mr. Chateris,
the House divided when the numbers were for Palmer
stons amendment 136, against it 125 Majority against
Government H. The result received with loud cheers
from the majority. q
Lord JOHN RUSSELL then intimated his intention to
abandon the measure.
Lord PALMERsToN expressed his surprise that the Gov
eminent should think right thus abandon their proof
functions and shrink from their duty to the country
[Cheers.
Lord j. RUSSELL replied that the House having thus
pressed their want of confidence in the ministerial BILL it
was not his duty to press it any further Loud cheers
lie moved that Lord Pamerston and Mr. Berna do bring
In bill ON the subject Cheers and loud laughter
Sir b. HALL called upon the noble lord to say plainly
that he would longer continue to preside the Gov
eminent of the country.
Lord j. RUSSELL stated that he thought he had made
his meaning sufficiently clear and again intimated that
continue in Office.
The other business hurriedly disposed Of and the
House abruptly adjourned twenty five minutes past
nine.
The above debate took place on the evening of
Friday, the 10th ultimo On the preceding night
an attack had been made on the Ministry, through
Lord CLARENDON the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
Tor having employed in some service conductor of
public press who is represented as of bad cha
racter, not entitled to confidence. Lord JOHN Rus
SELL defended Lord Clarendon against the charge
brought against him by Lord Mas, as did Lord
PALMERsToN, with some warmth. The motion,
which was for a vote of censure, was negatived bya
vote of 1877 to 229 This decisive vote apparently
threw the friends of the Ministers off their guard
against any attempt to embarrass them on the sue
ceeding evening