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Italthus But is another sacred Nq« 463, ...
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POLITICAL FORESn ADO WINGS. Mr. Bright.—...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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¦ ¦ ' . ——? ¦ . ' ¦ •. Imperial Parliame...
Wd not believe that the Emperor , of the French would pnter upon the dangerous course of war . If , however , there should be war , the Government of this country Was not bound by any engagements to any party . _ ¦ ^ Earl Gkey agreed with , the foreign policy of Lord rwbv In reference to the navy , he observed thafv our f afetv ' -loy in keeping a large humber of sailors and officers afloat and prepared by active training for war . lord Brougham exposed the pretext of Sardinia in disinterested ion of Italian
rornVn" forward as the champ freedom when her real intention wrts her own aggrandisement He was sorry to see that Sardinia had de-Darted from sound policy , and hoped that the universal reprobation which had been expressed would cause her to think twice before persisting in it . The French people and their interests were averse to war . The feelin" - in Germany and Europe was the same . It was impossible that a war between Austria and Sardinia could be confined to Lombardy ; it would become a
that the people of Central y , governed , by means of a foreign force , were impatient and . discontented ? He was convinced thatj if the foreign force was withdrawn , and provision was made * as it easily could , be , by the Catholic Powers of Europe , for the personal security of the Pope , and if the people of Bologna and Romagna were allowed to frame laws for themselves , the difficulties of the Italian . question would be entirely solved . On the subject of the promised Reform Bill , he considered the declaration of Mr . Disraeli as vague , and professed his inability to discover any excuse for delaying the measure . Sir J . Pakingtox declared that the Government were perfectly sincere in their promise to introduce a measure for reforming the representative system , and would lay their bill before the House at no distant day . The address was then agreed , to , and the House adjourned . .
European war . ^ The Address having been put by the LoRi > Chancellor , and carried nemine diasentknte , their Lordships adjourned . In the House of Commons , the Address to her Majesty was moved by Mr . Tkefusis , who , with ease and fluency , passed in review the . several topics adverted to in the Royal Speech . Adverting to Parliamentary Reform , he remarked upon the happier circumstances under which that important question might be now discussed than attended the passing of the Act of 133 2 ; and expressed the hope that the forthcoming debates would be freed from party asperities .
Mr . G S . Beecrout seconded the motion , ^ nd addressed himself chiefly to the commercial topics in the royal Speech , congratulating the House and the country oh the vast improvement in trade , the condition of .. industrial classes , and the produce of the public revenue since the last session of Parliament . Referring to the promise of Reform , he intimated that the present Government would introduce a bill , neither conceived in a puddling spirit nor calculated to inaugurate a revolution , but likely to settle the question satisfactorily and permanently . attention to the iof
Lord Pauherston called gravty the circumstances under -which . Parliament reassembled , to the threatehings of war abroad , and the momentous changes in the constitution which would be proposed at home . War , if it broke out , would probabl y begin with a conflict in Italy , in which France and Sardinia would seek to eject Austria from her Italian provinces . Though believing that the possession of territories south of the Alps was injurious to Austria herself , he observed that those parts of her empire were held under the treaty of 1815 , which constituted the title-deeds for half Europe , and could not be infringed in the slightest degree by any power without incurring the
heaviest responsibilities . The occupation of the Papal States both by France and Austria was , however , sanctioned by no treaty , and ho hoped that an ' and might be put , without risking either war or revolution , to so exceptional a state of things . After commenting briefly upon some other paragraphs in the Address , and commending the measures of the Government with regard to Mexico , the . noble lord passed on to tho question of Reform . lie inferred that the Government had a bill of their own ready on the subject . This he considered the proper mode of procedure . A measure so important Should be left in tho hands of the responsible administrators , and he bespoke for it tho deliberate consideration of the Legislature .
The C"ANCelx , ok of the ExcHEQUiut justified the conduct of tho Government in relation to tho difference between France and Portugal , " and , with respect to tho Bubjcct of Reform , observed that Lord Palmerston was quite right in supposing that a measure was prepared , but that it -would not bo brought forward before the urgent business of tho country was put in proper train , tho reconstruction of the navy in particular . Ho had no wish to conceal from tho Houso tho opinion of tho Government that tho state of affairs abroad was critical ; but it was not a state that made thorn believe that the maintenance of peace was hopeless . Tho cause of this uneasy state of things arose from tho occupation of Central Italy by tho armies of foreign Powers and tho
mutual jealousies of Franco and Austria . Tho British Government had pressed not only upon those two Powers , but upon tho Courts of Turin , Berlin , and St . Petersburg , the expediency of measures to remove tho auecs of publio discontent , and their conviction that this beneficial result eould not bo obtained by attempting to subvert tho order of things established by treaty , but by the influence of those Powers being used to improve tho condition of things in Central Italy itself . Ho did not admit that a European war was oven probable , professing tho utmost confidence in tho good faith , the wisdom , and prudence of the present Emperor of tho ¦ French . Ho strongly urged tho policy of maintaining tho alliance with Franco .
Lord , T . IlusaicuL thought U » o unsatisfactory statement of Mr . DlsraoU was not a lltllo alarming . Such nn aggression as was now apprehended would shake men's confidence in tho troatioa upon which tho peace of Europe was founded ., Ho Insisted upon tho ovlls which noceesRrlly accompanied tho interference of Franco anil Austria In Central Italy . CouM wo wonder , ho naked ,
Italthus But Is Another Sacred Nq« 463, ...
Italthus But is another sacred Nq « 463 , February 5 , 1859 . ] THE LEAI ) EE , 165
Political Foresn Ado Wings. Mr. Bright.—...
POLITICAL FORESn ADO WINGS . Mr . Bright . —There was a Reform Conference at Manchester on Tuesday afternoon of most influential character . Mr . George Wilson was in the chair , and a resolution was submitted and unanimously adopted , which approved of the measure Mr . Bright had consented to promote , and which pledged the meeting to the support of the Refor . ! \ rinciples of which he has been the exponent ; Speeches were made in defence of these views by Mr . Robertson Gladstone , Mr . H . Ashworth , Mr . Barnes , the Mayor of Salford , and the Chairman . Mr . Bright proceeded to describe his real position in reference to the Reform question , and still further to explain and defend the changes he proposes to make , particularly
as these changes affect the redistribution of members . With regard to the question of the Parliamentary suffrage , he said :- — " I don ' t include everybody . I scarcely know any suffrage that would , but I defy anyone to say , fairly and honestly , ' Your bill is directed to exclude me , while it intends to include somebody else . ' My exclusions are of that nature that they equally affect all , and the invitations to come within the pale of the constitution are broad and general to all classes of the people . You observe there is not very much discussion at this moment on the question of the franchise . The discussion turns on the-mode in which I have endeavoured to arrange the distribution of seats after having disfranchised so many boroughs ; and I . am told with
great pertinacity in some quarters , although with great feebleness of proof , that I have been very unfair to what are called the landed interests of the country . I have proceeded upon an observance of and a regard for the ancient customs and landmarks of our system . If anybody wishes to sweep them all away and arrange something else , let him try . The great body of the thinking people of this country preferred something built up as it were on ancient foundations , rather than we should begin an entirely new editice on an entirely new theory . Observe , nobody has found fault with , my figures . Nobody has yet undertaken to show that they contain
any serious errors of any kind , from which you may be well assured that great care has been taken in the arrangement before submitting it to public , approval . " Alluding to the influence of the aristocracy , ho said :- — " If you ask who is the representative of a county in almost any part of Great Britain , you would find , with the exception of some half-dozen counties or divisions , that ho is either a great landed proprietor or the son or relative of sonic nobleman or great proprietor in the county . Traders are never admitted into agricultural counties . In the great bulk of tho agricultural counties , during the last fifteen y . eara , there has been no increase whatever in the mimbor of electors . Whatever increase
has taken place , has taken place in the manufacturing and mining counties , and so it will go on as long as coal and iron will last ; as Jong as your capital is not absorbed and squandered in wars , as long as your intellects are clear , and your hoarts are honost and earnest , so long will the commerce of this oountry endure , and so long shall we find the population of these great manufacturing counties , with all their vast interests , making infinitely greater progress than it is possible for the agricultural population of England to make . How I venture to say that my scheme is a moderate schema of Reform . I do not think
that any man who is in favour of representation at all can deliberately and conscientiously condemn the proposition that 1 have laid before tho public as unjust to any section of tho people , or likoly to load to tho weakening of any institution of this country for which tho neoplo care one single farthing . Tho Houso of Lords ought to bo very much obliged to me for discussing this question with tho public . Their own position is not a particularly enviable ouo with regard to it . You observe tiiem coining out at social science meetings at
we say , ' Here House ,- ^ even to higher interests than the interests of any aristocracy . The constitution has no more regard to the Crown or the aristocracy than it has to the people . The people are the most durable part of . the kingdom . Privileges are ephemeral , but the people are immortal . '" Sir William Codrixgton , M . P . —The hon . member addressed his constituents at Deptford on Tuesday . The gallant general commenced by stating his reasons for calling together his constituents , and after taking a rapid retrospect of political affairs during the past session , entered on the subject of Reform . The hon . gentleman expressed disapproval of the ballot , but he was not opposed to a judicious extension of the suffrage . of the
Mr . Koupell , ftl . P . —On Tuesday a meeting electors of Lambeth was held at Kennington to hear an address from the hon . member as to hi 3 past conduct in Parliament , and the course he should pursue in future . Mr . Roupell commenced by observing on the various measures of last session . On the question of Reform he said he would give every man a vote if he was a lodger ; but , looking at the question as a statesman , he should say that they should be contented with the franchise offered by Mr . Bright . And while he said this , he wished it to be understood that he was not a disciple of Mr . Bright . But he thought they should not let individual crotchets interfere with that which affected the interests of all . The franchise they should have must be a ratepaying franchise , and in which they all ' felt an interest . At the conclusion of Mr . Roupell ' s address a motion was carried of confidence and support .
Dublin . —A requisition convening a meeting of the citizens who are favourable to Reform , the . abolition of the corrupt freeman franchise , and the substitution of a more extended rating suffrage , is in course of signature . A large number of influential names have been already appended . —Freemaii ' s Journal . Mr . Lixdsay , 31 . P . —This gentleman has addressed his constituents at Shields . He spoke in opposition , to the shipowners' movement , for a renewal of the protection policy , and refuted their figures with other figures far more to the point . On the invasion of England question , he disclaimed being an alarmist , but at the same time strongly urged an . increase of the navy , seeing that the French bad the power to blockade all
our ports if they thought proper , and we did not know what might happen . Having spoken at some length on the subjects of harbours of _ refuge and the manning of the navy , Mr . Lindsay observed that , he was one of those who feel that there is a very large section of the people who have no voice in the representation , and who ought to be represented . "I also feel , " saidhe , " that there is a great deal of inconsistency in such places as Totness , with three hundred electors , sending two members to Parliament , and Shields , with its thirty thousand inhabitants , expecting me to do all the work for them . But though desirous to see a reform , I cannot agree with many things which have fallen from Mr . Bright .
Like him , I am one of the people ; but I think some of his remarks against another class , to which I don ' t and never shall belong , were totally unnecessary and altogether uncalled for . I am not come here to defend the aristocracy of England , but I will say this of them , aa part and parcel of our constitution , I think it a very unwise thing for one in the position of Mr . Bright to attack the aristocracy in the manner in which he did . Aa a body , they are , perhaps , as good ^ -number for number - > —as any other body of the community , and when I compare them with the aristooracy of other countries , I say I am proud of England . There are good , bad , and indifferent amongst thorn , but , as a whole , they are liberal-minded gentlemen , and they are a necessary part
of a constitution which I admire . Mr . Bright referred to the institutions of America , and spoke of the freedom pf America . Now , if he does not know , I know that there is more pure and true freedom in this country than there is in America . Theio can be no puro freedom in a country whoro , from the letter-carrier up to the Secretary of Stato , nil change with every change of tho administration , including tho very judges , with the exception of tho Judges of tho Supreme Court . There can bo really no true freedom in a country where slavery still pollutes the soil and contaminates the air ; and , therefore , my friend Mr . Bright , by using arguments such as these , is not doing that good to tho cattse of pure freedom and true reform which ho might have done . "
Provincial Movements . — At Birmingham tho demonstration" in favour of Mr . Bright ' s schonio of Reform which has been so long promised was made jn the Townball on Tuesday , but was by no moans largely attended , and there was a groat want of enthusiasm , Mr , P . H . MuntiB moved a resolution condemnatory of tho present system of representation , and recommendatory of an extension of tho francbiso , vote by ballot , and tho redistribution of scats . This was seconded by Alderman Baldwin , and after nn attempt by Mr . Brooke Smith to omit mention of the ballot , and by Mr . Mills , a Chartist , to substitute manhood for household suflYago , tho resolution was ngre «< l to by a largo mnjo ' rjty . . Daring tho discussion of tlio & o govoral propositions considerable confusion prevailed . Elkoxion Intkuucoibnck . — - Sir John William Rawsden , M . P . for HytUo , will offer himself as a oandidate , in tho Liberal Interest , for tbo West Riding , in tho
Mechanics Institutes—in little villages hove and there . But now , when tho whole country is discussing this question—when every newspaper is filled with it—not ono of thoso gontlomon presents himeolf upon any platform , moots tho publio , faces tho breezes of popular opinion , and helps Sri the deliberation of tho greatest question that can possibly bo discussed by a froo pooplo . Wo aro not proposing to limit tho power of tho aristooracy by act of Parliament . Wo leave them as they aro , with all tho power , tho prescription , the laws , tlio privileges , the customs , which public opinion porralto them to enjoy .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 5, 1859, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_05021859/page/5/
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