Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-04-28
THE WAR DEBATE IN THE
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.


The English journals received by
the Arctic are largely occupied with
the report of the great debate which
took place in Parliament on the
night Of the 3lsi Of March upon the
address TO the Queen, in reply to
her Declaration of War. The ad-
dress was moved in the House of
Lords by Lord Clarendon. The
Tact that the address was adopted
without dissenting vote is evidence
OF the unanInity OF sentiment in the
nation upon the subject of the vigor-
ots prosecution of the war.
IL is very evident from the tone Of
The speeches Of prominent English
statesmen, that they feel the trans
cendent importance OF the struggle in
which they have engaged.
Lord Brougham said he could not
help taking that opportunity of ex-
pressing his satisfaction that one no.
BILE Earl had taken occasion to state
what he thought it was most essen
tial 10 have sta led hat this contest
~ which we were now most unhap-
pily, though most inevitably, engag-
ed. was not hkely to be an easy con-
lesi---one not unaccompanied with
/ heavy sacrifices Ia this country-and
he must add, he feared IL might not
prone cery short one. 1t was nee
essary that those things should be
stated, IN order 10 prevent any popu-
lar dclusion as To the extent of the
sacrifices which he greatly feared the
country might be called on TO make
and II was The more necessary when
lheH lordshlps remembered that the
4 Government, having most wisely and
most consistently shown the utmost
[ possible reluctance To enter into this |
struggle, had been anticipated by the |
popular voice AID the popular feel
ing, which had been much more gen
eral aud much more loud in favor of !
hostlllles than the Government, as
appeared by recent negotiations.
Neither of the speakers of the
government could give any definite
notion OF what they expected to ac
complsh by the war. farther than to
checa the encroachmen,s of Russia.
Upon this subject Lord Clarendon
said
Our object is to check and repel
the unjust aggression oi Russia, but
10 what manner that will be carried |
out, aud 10 what consequences it
may lead, must depend entirely up
on the proveibial chances of war,
upon the success that may attend /
cur arms, and upon the activity of
our allies.
Lord Clarendon and Lord Brough-
avn both took occasion 10 state that
England had every reason to be sat
lsfied with the conduct of Austria -
The former said
She has behaved in an honorable
aud straightforward manner through
out the negotiations with Russia,
and she has done, IN her own way,
aud al her own time, everything she
could Tor the preservation of peace,
aud TO maintain the integrity Of
Turkey.
The Earl of Derby, in the House
OF Lords, spoke IN behalf of the OPP
position 10 the present ministry, and
made an elaborate attack upon the
course of the government in regard
To the secret correspondence. la re-
gard to the probable duration of the
war, he said:
II venture, my lords, at this mo-
menl, when we are entering upon
grea, war, TO call your attention and
the attention of the country TO its
importance, 10 lis magnitude, and to {
its possible duration, it is not with /
view of dlscouraging that enthusiasm
which the noble earl describes to be T,
felt by the nation on this question:
II is with no wish to damp The ardor ,
and eagerness of the people of this ,
country 10 support, at whatever sacri- Z
flee TO themselves, that which they be-
heye 10 be just and sacred cause {
but | do it, well knowing the charac- I
ter and nature of my countrymen, be- ,
lIeving that their energies, their Gag {
erness, and their enthusiasm would s
rather be increased and excited than S
diminished 10y having placed before {
them plainly and distinctly the mag ,
nllude Of the struggle ana the great '
ness of the sacrifice for which they S
must be prepared. | think nothing |
could be SO unfortunate as that we S
should enter upon this great struggle :
with an idea entertained on the part 4
OF great portion OF the county =
still less with an idea entertained
and encouraged on the part OF her I
MaJesty's goyernment-thal this e
war is likely to be an affair Of lrifling i
duration.
la the House of Commons, oppo- '
sition speeches were made by Mr.. ?
Layard, Mr.. Disraeli, and Mr.. I
Bright, which were answered by /
Lord Palmerston and Lord John v
Russell. The debate goes over the
whole ground, and throws great light 4
on the origin, causes, and probable s
results Of the pending war. Il
We copy the closing paragraph Of h
The eloquent speech OF Lord Palmer a
slon. He said: a
The real question, however, which Il
we have 10 consider is, not whether o
is better or worse than Fl
is not whether il is de- O