The southern press., 1852-03-16

EEeLANp.

ing summary of the evenings session.
In the House Of Lords last night the Earl Of
Derby rose to explain the motives which had in
duced him to accept Office, and after paying .
graceful tribute of admiration to the public and
private virtues displayed by the Marquis Of
Lansdowne during his long political career, pro
ceeded to say that though the resignation of the
late administration had taken him completely
by surprise, he had determined not TO shrink
again from the responsibility Of forming gov
ernment.
With respect to our foreign policy, the course
he meant To pursue was that which he was con
WINGED was best calculated to secure the bes-
sings OF peace, and this could be best effected
by observing toward foreign powers calm and
temperate policy, by adhering to the letter to
the obligations imposed on us by treaties, and
by respecting in the case of all nations, great or
small, the right to manage their own affairs. On
this head he entirely concurred with the oPin.
ions expressed on a recent occasion by Lord
Granville that nations should act toward one
another with dignity and forbearance, and that
no State, any more than any private individual,
should be ashamed to make reparation for inju
ries. With regard to our power of repeing
aggression, he believed that the navy was never
in more perfect state, and that the efficiency Of
our military force, considering its number and
the arduous duties it had to perform, was matter
for admiration
II the country were ireatened with invasion,
the people of England, Ireland, and Scotland
would rise as one man; but though he felt no
alarm on that subject, he thought that the pre-
sent moment, while we still enjoyed the bless
ings of peace was favorable for SO organizing
the undisciplined valor of the country that they
might resist to the greatest advantage the trained
armies of an invader The noble lord then
passed on, after warning the exiles assembled
in this country that the government would not
tolerate any attempt on their part against for
eign powers, to the commercial policy which 1t
was his intention to pursue, and expressed his
approval of the principle of the American tariff,
rather than of the free trade system adopted by
the late Sir Robert Peel But though this was
his opinion, he thought the question could only
be satisfactorily solved by reference to the
clearly expressed opinion of the intelligent por-
ton of the community.
Being, therefore, in minority, certainly in
one, and perhaps in both Houses, on the policy
of free trade, and not wishing to interrupt for
any length of time the deliberations of the legis-
ature at this critical period, he should throw
himself on the forbearance of his opponents and
the indulgence Of bis friends, and, contentiHg
himself with humber labors, such as measures
of legal and educational reform, he should re-
frain from entering for the present on the ques-
ton of duty on corn, unless driven to depart
from the course he had prescribed for himself
by factious opposition. lie would also seize
tllat'opporunity to state that it was not his in
tention to adopt and carry ont the measure OF
franchise reform proposed by Lord John Russell,
which he characterized as an Indefinite Plan for
md nothnO nm I'd
which began by exciting the country, and finisat
by dissatisfying it.
He had heard indeed that this scheme Of fran
chise reform was to be combined with one for
enormously improving the education of the
country, though he could not quite see the con
nexion between the two subjects and for this
reason he begged distinctly 10 state that by edu-
cation he did not mean the mere requirement Of
Temporal knowledge, or the Development Of
the intellectual faculties, but that education
which was built on the basis Of all knowledge
the study of the Scriptures For the promo
zion of such education, be relied with conf
dence on the enlightened exertions of the par
ochial clergy Of the established church.
To uphold that church in its integrity was mol
only the interest, bat the duty of government,
which, while il tolerated the religious faith OF
other persuasions, was bound TO extend the in
fuence Of the church of England, and 10 lend
il every assistance 10 diffusing through the land
The knowledge Of divine truth The noble lord
then concluded his speech by declaring that he
had undertaken the task Of governing the coun-
try trusting 10 the blessing aud guidance OF
Providence, and that he should have attained
the highest object Of his ambition, il he ad-
vanced in the slightest degree the objects Of
peace on earth, and good will among men,"
and If he contributed TO the safety, honor, and
welfare of our sovereign and her dominions"
Earl Grey would not attempt TO enter ai
length on the various topics discussed by Lord
Derby, but he could not help entering his pro
test against the differences drawn by the noble
earl from comparison between the American
tariff and our system Of free trade. lie must
also express bis constsrnalion at hearing that
tx upon the food Of The country was contem.
plated by the government
After some observations from Lord Derby
who explained that he had distinctly said that
the question could only be solved by the intelli-
gent portion Of the community, and that Il was
not the intention Of the government 10 make
any proposition on the subject at present
Earl Grey expressed himself greatly relieved
but implored the noble earl not TO keep the
country any long time in suspense on matter
concerning which il had every right TO have
early information.
Eul Fitzwilliam regretted that Lord GREY, in.
stead Of taking a comprehensive view Of Lord
Derby's speech, had selected one particular top.
ic, spd that the most exciting for discussion and
combat He differed altogether from Lord
Grey in the view he had taken respecting the
effect Of moderate duty In raising the price Of
corn in general, and declared that he bad heard
almost the whole Of Lord Defby's speech with
considerable satisfaction. He was especially
glad to find that the noble earl was prepared 10
resist the invasion Of constitutional rights for II
such rights were continually attacked he believed
a large portion Of the community would come
to the opinion that Il would be better 10 live
under mild and tranquil despoti.m.
The Marquis Clanricarde defended Lord Grey,
and pressed Lord Derby for an early statement
M 10 his protectionist measures.
The Earl OF Aberdeen was anxious 10 take
the very first opportunity which presented itself
to declare, ~ the intimate colleague Of the late
Sir Robert Peel his determination TO adhere to
the free oade policy Of that lamented states