The true Democrat., 1857-03-31
Amusing Speech.


 guished persons. This Sir Robert is eldest son of the late Sir Robert Peel, and was mem Der of the embassy which represented the queen of England at the coronation ot the Emporer of Russia
 But (says the Phiadel phia Bulletin) as there is nothing without different sides, and possibly no act without some indication of something not utterly bad so even in this speech of Peel's, we may trace sundry characteristics which may yet bring forth good fruit in better cause. A contempt for men who do not please him as men, ahd very manifest disregard of mere rank in itself, is healthful sign in any man, especially in an Englishman like Peel. Pluck is an admirable thing, even in a bad cause, and personal independence of shackles and habi- tual conventionalisms such as bind the great majority of nation, is a healthy thing even if manifested in most malapropos manner.-- Young Peel's laughing and Imaginable apology for his attacks on Count de Morney and other characters, however strong he may have been in proclaiming his judgment, shows at least that he is consistent in his estimates of his aristo- cratic friends, and not particularly alarmed as to the consequences"
 In the House of Commons, on the night of the 12th of February, Mir. Stafford asked Sir Robert "whether the report of speech of his made January 7th at Saltby, near Birmingham, which appeared in the Times newspaper, was correct; especially those passages which refer red to the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, NJ. de Morney, and Prince de Ligne?''
 "Sr R. PEEL said: My honorable friend has asked me a question, and hope the House will allow me to say few words in explana- tion. tiear hear. It is said that 1t has been " arranged'-and the word is heavy one--t6 put question to me whether speech reported to have been delivered by me at Saltby, and reported in the Times of the Eth ultimo, is cor rect? Now, do not think, perhaps. that this is quite the tribunal in which 1 ought to be called to account for expressions used in ano ther place and totally unconnected with the business of this House. Hear, hear At the same time am quite ready to accept the chal lenge of the honorable gentleman, and 1 am quite prepared to give him every facility in obtaining the most accurate information on this most important subject. A laugh.l
 The honorable gentleman asks me whether delivered the speech at Satby which ap- peared in the Times. 1 beg to say that did deliver that speech as the guest of the honor able member from Aderley laughter ]-for North Stafordshire. He invited me to attend that meeting on the occasion of joliicatlon, laughter, and 1 addressed that meeting. 1 admit that am not in the habit of reading re. ports of speeches of mine after they are deli vered. 1 generally rest satisfied with the fa vorable impression that produce at the tune. Laughter. It is, therefore, rather difficult for me at this distance of time to pledge my self to the exact accuracy of every word that appears in that report. Hear l believe spoke for nearly two hours and a half without notes, so that it is rather difficult for me to say whether that report is precisely correct. Hear, hear But this am prepared to say, that such is the ability, the acknowledged ability and impartiality with which the leading journal re- ports the proceedings of public meetings, that am quite prepared to accept the entire respon- slbillty of every single sentence except parti- cular phrase, which do not think 1 used, but which, if had used I should have been equally prepared to accept the entire responsibility of.
 But l am sure that the House, as a great deal
 
 ten minutes for few remarks on it. Hear shall be very glad, indeed to offer some ex- planation, as my phrases have been tortured a good deal from their true meaning, and mean ing has been given to them that never intend ed to convey. l did address the meeting at Saltby, and, as a great deal of comment has been made on my words, it will perhaps be right, as 1 occupy a public situation, to put them in a true and proper light. Hear. l am very sorry and do regret that any ncon- vcnience should have arisen from any cxprcs- siOns that may have fallen from me, and which have been misinterpreted on that occasion. It Is very far from my wish, and think may say from my naturc,. and 1 am known to many members of this House, 10 cause unnecessary pain to any one. General cheering. But these sentences have been greatly twisted, and, first, with reference to the Count de Morny, the Grand Duke Constantine, and the Prince de Ligne. Hear
 As regard the Count de Morny, I absolutely repudate having said any thing about him which might not be said by any gentleman with reference to his friends or acquaintances.- Much laughter. l said that he was le plus grand speculatem- de fEmope Cheers and laughter Now, did not intend to imply any thing detrimental to his honorable charac- ter. continued laughter; and immediately or my arrival in town, when heard that these expressions had been noticed, 1 wrote to Count de Moruy to say that certainly envy and malice had done their best to twist these expressions of mine into something odious to him, but that repudiated saying a single word against his cha racter or the position he occupied. Now, 1 conld not say more. Cheers.
 As regards the Grand Duke Constantine, that is another natter l certainly said that the Grand Duke Constantine did not quite i'm press me with the feeling of frank and open hearted sailor" A laugh. 1 said that; but the words were not minr; they were used by the gallant Admiral sitting there, pointing to Sir Charles Napier amid much laughter never said one word against the Grand Duke Constantine, or any other member of the royal family of that country. On the contrary when l said that he did not give me the impression of being " frank and open-hearted sailor" 1 meant that he gave me the impression of being a man of great powers of mind. Roars of laughter. What intended to convey was, that he was not merely simple sailor, [conti- nucd laughter, but man of greater grasp of mind. Great laughter, in which Sir C. Napier heartily joined
 As regards the Prince de Lisne, I accept the responsibility of every phrase that 1 used. l certainly did say-aud 1 should be sorry to cause unnecessary pain to any one-but l was talking in a familiar way, and Id use the ex- pression that he was "as stiff and starched as the flill of Queen Elizabeth" A laugh
 cannot accept the responsibility of every word In the report. l see my honorable friend opposite (Mr. Adderley) who was present, aud appeal to him to say whether a single word fell from my lips that might not have found au echo and expression from the most straight laced gentleman in this House. Laughter All l can say is, that if in the opinion of the honorable gentlemen who may have considered this question; if in the attempt, the innocent attempt, l made to paint few light and airy sketches of character Laughter to, as Pope said, :" hold the mirror up to nature," [continu ed laughter to "catch the manners living as they rise," [much aughter;] if have erred in the good opinion of those whose good opinion l both honor and value, and whose judgment has weight, l beg to say, on this public occa-