The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-04-18
SPEECH OF LORD PAIAIERsToN ON THE CHINA
QUESTION

regard to the foreign domestic policy Of that conn
try eminently calculated to produce the yelest
impressions both at home and abroad On the 2sth of
March, after the election in Tiyerton (which place he
has represented in Parliament for many years1 Lord
Palmerston attended banquet, and, in answer to a
toast proposing the health of "her Majesty's minis
ter, reviewed, in elaborate speech the most i'm
portan questions of the day. The crowded state of
our columns this morning will only permit us to make
such extracts from the speech likely to attract
the attention of American readers.
In reply to the accusations that he was "the fire.
brand of Europe" and "a European calamity his
lordship said:
II accused of exciting revolution everywhere and
disturbing the peaceful state of Europe Now gentle
men, what did, and what the government of which I
the organ did, encourage and support as far
could with poprety those nations eneavored
to improve their institutions cheers) and to obtain for
themselves the blessings of that parliamentary govern
ment which we in England have SO long enjoyed. /
didn't incite the people, encourage the nations seek
for internal changes which could not be reasonably
complshed but when they were possible OF accomplish
ment then said here is hand-we will lead you
and trust you may reach the goal which you hon
orably striving to obtain We had great deal to do
with the independence of Belgium, in which were
opposed by distinguished member Of the House of
Commons, who was adverse to what we about
bic lord meaning laughter But, gentlemen
this independent monarchy, unlike many experiment
tai farms which witness laughter turned out
very successful undertaking. and that people have
now king of their choice, and enjoy degree of
political liberty and happiness which few of the nations
the continent have had opportunity to share Well
then again. in Spain took part with the people against
the preender who had inscribed desposm his banner
and supported the Queen who had freedom and the con-
stitution inscribed her flag and though succeed
ed and though Spain has not carried into practice those
great principles yet still she has Parliament and where
the forms of freedom exist depend upon it, gentlemen
later the substance will follow. Cheers We
then in Portugal supported the Queen against her
usurping uncle, who had the support of many in this
country who ought not to have supported his cause and
Portugal am happy to say, is in greater degree enjoy
ing the practical application OF parliamentary govern
ment Cheers Well, then, gentlemen, all these things
being accomplished without engaging this country in war
yet those who contributed in this country to these happy
results by gentlemen called the rebrands the
great caamtes Of Europe. Hear, hear. And there
FORE when am told that my policy is turbulent and ag
gressve whey, then, gentlemen, | appeal to the past
and evidence is not wanting in regard to these
tons when applied to the future
| His lordshp, we think was unfortunate in abiding
to Spain and Portugal successful instances in which
he had INTERVIEWED for the sake of securing the
blessings Of apartia representative government such
as is in force in England. 1t will be perceived
that he makes no alluson to what part he took du-
ring the great popular uprising in Europe in l84s.
If our memory serves us, the struggle in Hungary
and in the Germanic and Italian States was in part
for the same identical blessings which his lord.
ship aided in securing for the more favored king
doms of Spain and Portugal
His ordshp next spoke Of the pending difficult
ties with China, and in the course OF his remarks
paid his respects to the United States after this fash
ion
"We are often told to look to our cousins in the Uni
ted States models OF conduct and there things
och they might Just rel look 10 ia laugh j but if
beg of the advocates of peace to address themselves with
eyes right to the United States pray what did their
mander do in this very difficulty in China in comparison
with officers civil and naval? Why, there boat
belonging to of their shisofwar fired at Well that
great insult but there might have been an
made for it that were engaged i'm these hoses with
China and it might have been said that this American
was taken for English boat 1t true the officers in
that boat waved the American flag; but the Chinese
might have said that is well known strategy OF war;
and you the American flag to deceive be-
lieved 1t English boat and therefore fired at it,
But did the American commander, like Sir Michael Sey
mour and Sir John Bowring, demand apology, and de-
mand that similar thing should not again Not
the least in the world. He inverted the usual course
which is said to be characteristic of encrgya word and
a blow he put it thus A blow and word. IChecrs
and laughter. He began to knock down the fort and
after destroying that fort he sent to the commissioner
to say insult had been offered to his flag, and he
1 hoped for apology [cheers and to the
effect that 1t would not happen again, cheers and he
gave twenty hours for this apology and explanation
to be to him but before these twenyfour hours had
expired the ship which lying this fort
/ thing other going which the officers shrewdy
imagined for renewed defence If not for renewed at
! tack. Well this American officer, without waiting and
writing to the United States to know what to dowith-
out waiting for orders from Washingtonhe did not wait
for twenty -four hours to expire but he said No,
no, Mr. Chinaman, this won't do you are throwing up
fresh batteries and putting in fresh guns and he
menced the demolition Of the fort, and took possession
Of these guns before the time had expired which he had
given the Chinese commissioner in order to make his
apology and explanation. "
| Without stopping to inquire whether the case was
! fairly stated by the Minister, we may be permitted
to observe that his lordship forgot to inform his
! Tiverton constituents that, whatever difficulties may
have existed between this country and China at the
time he speaks of, they have since been fully and
amcably settled.
We close our extracts with the Minister'S eulogium
on Sir John Bowring; and readers will be sur
prsed to learn that Notwithstanding Cir Johns belli
cose acts, he was formerly secretary Of the Peace
Society"
"Wcl gentlemen, great injustice has been done to
| Sir John Bowrng. Hear hear Sir John Bowring
was chosen by to go consul to Canton, and when
vacancy at the government of Canton occurred he
transferred to il by Lord Clarendon But what is Sir
John Bowring and what he9 1t has been said to be
the fashion place in responsible situations but