Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-04-21
DEBATE N THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON TIE
DECLARATION OF WAR.

The London Correspondent of the New York Herald
writes as follows:
As anticipated 10 my last communication, The address in
reply 10 the royal message announcing war with Russia was
unanimously adopted in both houses OF Parliament on Fri.
day night. The opportunity was thought, however, too good
10 be neglected.; and one Of The longest debates vi the session
ensued. Lord Aberdeen was the mark of which all the ora
tors Of the opposition fred away without mercy, and person
al illusions and accusations were given and takcn on both
sides. Palmerston and Bright had o private mill OF their
own in which the member for Manchester (BrighU suffered
considerably. In the Lords the Earl Of Derby, and In the
Commons Disraeli and Laynrd, were the che1 speakers. IL
would be wasting your space TO enter into a recapitulailon
of this long Eastern question, all the phases of which are ia
miiiar 10 your readers. A few points are important and
pew. Lord Clarendon distinctly denied that any stipulation
was made in the treaty recently concluded by The Western
Powers with the Porte, which gave Them q pro!ect6ralc over
The Christians OF Turkey. W enter" he said, upon the
war for q definite object. II is 10 check. and repel The un-
Just aggressions Of Russia. 1t is the battle OF civilization
against barbarism for the Independence OF Europe As re-
cards The position of The German Powers, LORD Clatcnnnn
sookc very MAINLY, and expressed what ! have repeatedly
slated in my correspondence-"Neutralty with such a war
as is about 10 be waged ON the confines oil oo'n countries, Is
impossible" He then added I'll Germany proceeds 10 nc,
| cordance with public opinion, which is rising more and more
against Russian influence, The result, It cannot De DOUBTED,
will be in favor of German independence. But that Power
vhich leans TO Russia will transfer al! the popular symp1-
lhies to The Power which does not DO SO. AND 10 the nnnds
Of that power will be committed The future destinies VI Ger
many"
Lord Derby said that the war, however lamentaole, was
in his belief, and in the belief of the country, q JUST ana a
necessary war; but he believed il never would have iasen
place-Russia would never have dared 10 put forward her
pretensions, if at the particular moment OF these particular
differences arising The Earl Of Aberdeen had not been the
minister al the head Of the government: The Emperor OF
Russia had, ia his opinion. spoken his mind plainly I'm me
secret confidential despat,hss,) to The ministry, aud was led
10 believe that Lord Aberdeen shared oil his views. To cay
the least, with the knowledge Of these documents, II was
very great political blindness-he would not say, polIacai
connivance. -, q.
make an impression. When he sat down, Lord Malmesbuty
rose and said that when he was in office the Russian gov
eminent never attempted 10 force its views as regards TUT
kew, but that directly Lord Aberdeen cam in the question
was again Immediately mooled.
Lords Grey, Brougham, Lypdhurst and GFanVHle lhen
spoke, but threw no light on the subject.
II NAV NOT be out of place here 10 mention that the rumOr
is again current in political circles and in the clubs, that Lord
Aberdeen will GO out and Lord Palmerston be Prime Minis.
In the House OF Commons Lord John Russell made a very
able speech. He recapilulated the whole question, and point
ed out the necessity OF war TO maintain the balance OF pow
er. He declared that il was impossible al The present stage
of the war TO state the basis upon which peace would be Ut
tima,ely negotiated; he trusted the German Powers Wouia
come 10 a sense of their own interests the convention DC
tween France, England and Turkey was a purely military
convention, and had nothing 10 do with the internal admin
islration OF Turkey.
Mr.. Layard attacked the government in unmeasured
terms, accusing them OF uiIthe mischief that had been done.
Bright followed, and, as already said, was severely chas-
tised op Palmerston. The honorable member tor Manches-
ter, (sad Pa'merstonO reduces everything to the question OF
pounds, shillings and Pence; and l verify believe that If this
country was threatened with an immediate invasion likely
10 end in its conquest, the honorable member would sit
down, take q piece Of paper, and would put on one side OF
the account the contributions which his government would
REQUIRE from him for the defence Of the liberty and the indie.
pendence Of The country, and he would put on The otter tte
probable contributions which the general Of the invading
army might levy upon Manchester, and II ne found that, Gl
balancing The account. il would be cheaper, he would couh.
sci submission rather than pay his share in contributing II
the defence of his country!
The question 10 be considered was, whether one Power Is
70 bestride the globe from the north 10 the south, from The
Baltic to the Mediterranean, TO dictate to Germany, to domi.
ucer in the Mediterranean, 10 have the whole OF the rest oil
Europe at It's mercy, 10 deal with il as 1t pTeases; or whether
that power shall be taught that there are limits even 10 The
ambition OF a Czal!
Palmers,on sat down amidst loud cheering.
Dis.aeli made a brilliant speech, full of VII and sarcasm.
He deemed it The duty Of all men 10 rally around the sovo'
reign when she declared she found ii necessary TO make war,
but he indicated the right Of the opposition 10 cTiticise the
policy which had rendered that war necessary. He acquit'
led the Emperor of Russia Of any dupicty. A remarkable
frankness was the Characteristic OF the secret correspond
ence. He concluding by saying, (s Lord Derby said In the
Lords) that war had been produced by one man-the man
who occupied the most important pos, in the c~ountry-and
ere long that would be The opinion OF all England.
The debate lasted nearly eight hours.
FRENCH DECLARATION IN REGARD TO NEU-
TRAILS:
The following report to the Emperor, from the Minister
of Foreign Ahljrs, appears in the Alontteur
SIRE: Al a period when maralime relations and com
mercial interests occupy go large a place In the existence of
nations, it is the duty Of any Power Obliged to wage war to
take the necessary measures Tor alternating as much as pos
sible its effects. by leaving 10 the commerce OF neutral ma.
lions every facility compatible with the state OF hostility IL
which they endeavor 10 remain strangers. But II Is not spf.
fcient that the beliSerent parties be fully determined 10 re-
specl constantly The rights vi neutrals; they art bound also
to endeavor 10 calm down IN advance the disquiGtudes which
COMMERCIAL men as always so prompt 10 conceive, by mol
allowing any doubt 10 subsist as 10 the principles which
they intend applying. "A set of regulations on the duties o
neulrals might appear q sort of Infringement on the spve
reien,y of such nations as desire to preserve neutrality
while, on the contrary, a spontaneous declaration Of the
principles 10 which a belligerent party promises TO conform
appears the most formal testimony that it can give of it's re-
spect for the rights of other nations. II is with that idea
that. after having concerted with the Governpent OF He,
Britannia Mnjesty, l have the honor of submitting 10 the up-
probation of your Majesty the following declaration. | ain,
Sire, with the greatest respect. your Majesly's very humble
and very obedient servant and faithful subject
DROUYN DE LHUYS.
(Approved OF NAPoLEoN.".
The declaration is as follows:
"pEcLAnArIoN RELATIVE TO NEUTRAls, LETTERS OF MARauE,
ETC.
PARls. March 90.
The Emperor of the French, being forced to lake up arms