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! mild not believe that the Emperor of the French - would Ster upon the dangerous course of war . If however , Sere should be war , the Government of this country las not bound by any engagements to any party . , Earl Obey agreed with the foreign policy of Lord TVrbv In- reference to the navy , he observed that our « 4 tv lay in keeping > large number of sailors and officers afloat and prepared by active training for war . Lord Brougham exposed the pretext of Sardinia in comiu" - forward as the disinterested champion of Italian freedom when her real intention was her own aggrandisement He was sorry to see that Sardinia had denarted from sound policy , and hoped that the . universal reprobation which had been expressed would cause her to think twice before persisting in it . 'lhe Irench 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
European war . The Address having been put by the Lord Lhancellob , and carried nemine dissent'iente ,. their Lordships adjourned . In the House of Commons , the Address to her Maieaty was moved by Mr . Trkfusis , who , with ease and fluency , passed in review the > everal topics adverted to in tUe 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 1 S 32 ; and expressed the hope that the fortheoming debates would be freed from party asperities .
Mr . G . S . Beecrojti : seconded the motion , and addressed himself chiefly to the commercial topics in the royal Speech , congratulating the House and the country on the vast improvement in trade , the condition of the 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 revolutionj but likely to settle the question satisfactorily and permanently . the of
Lord Palmerston called attention to gravity the circumstances under which Parliament reassembled , to the threatenings of war abroad , and the momentous changes in the constitution which would be proposed at home . War , if it broke out , would probably 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 uuder 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 * sane-, tioned by no treaty , and he hoped that an end might be put , without risking either war or revolution , to so exceptional a state of things . After commenting briefly upon tome other paragraphs in the Address , and commending the measures of the Government with , regard to Mexico , the noble lord passed on to the 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 the hands of the responsible administrators , and he bespoke for it the deliberate considera- ^ tion of the Legislature .
The Chancellor of the Exchequer justified the conduct of the Government in relation to the difference between France and Portugal , and , with respect to the subject of Reform , observed that Lord Pnlmerston was quite right in supposing that a measure was prepared , but that it would not bo brought forward before the urgent business of the country was put in proper train , tho reconstruction of the nary in particular . Ho had no wish to conceal from tlio House tho opinion of the Government that tho state of afl ' airs abroad was critical ; but it was not a stato that made them believe that tho maintenance of peace was hopeless . Tho causo of this uneasy stato of things arose from tho occupation of Central Italy t > y 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 , tho expediency of measures to remove tho ausoa bf public discontent , and thoir conviction that this beneficial result could not bo obtainod "by attempting to subvort tho order of things established by tro « tyy ' . but by tho influence of those Powers being used to improve tho condition of things" in Central Italy ilsclf . Ho did not admit that a European war was ovon probable , professing tho utmost coulUlonco in tho good faith , tho wisdom , and prudence of tlio present Emperor of tho Froncli . Ho strongly urgoil tUo policy of maintaining tho alliance with Franco
, Lord J . Russbll thought tho unsatisfactory statomont of Mr . Dlsraoll was riot a Httlo alarming . Such an aggression as was now Apnrolieiulod would shako men ' s confluonce In tho treaties upon which tho peace of ^ uropo wftB founded . Ho insisted upon tho ovils which necessarily accompanied tho interference of Franco and Austria in Control Italy . Gould wo wonder , Uo asked ,
that the people of Central Italy , thus governed , by means of a foreign force , were impatient and discontented ? He was convinced that , 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 delay * ing the measure . Sir J . Pakington 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 .
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POLITICAL FOEESHADOWIKGS . Mn . 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 Refoi-. r - r-rinciple ' s- 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 , lie said : — " I don't include everybody . I scarcely know any suffrage that would , but I defy any one 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 raanv 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 he is either a great landed proprietor or the son or relative of some nobleman or great proprietor in the county . Traders are never admitted into agricultural counties . In the great bulk of the agricultural counties , during the last fifteen years , there has been ho increase whatever in the number 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 long as j'our capital is not absorbed and
squandered in wars , as long as your intellects are clear , and your hearts are honest and earnest , so long will the commorco of this country endure , and so long shall we find the population of these groat manufacturing counties , with all thoir vast interests , making infinitely greater progress than it is possible for tho agricultural population of England to make . Now I venture to say that my scheme is a moderate scheme 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 I have laid before tho public as unjust to any section of the people , or likely to loud to the weakening of any institution of this country for which the people caro ono single farthing . Tho House of Lords
ought to bo very much obliged to me for discussing this question with tho public . Thoir own position is not a particularly enviable ono with regard to it . You ob » sorvo them coming out at social science meetings at Meohanivs' Institutes—in little villages horo and there . But now , when tho whole country is discussing this question' —when every newspaper is lllled with it—not ono of thoso gentlomon presents himsolf upon any platform , moots tho public , faces tho breezes of popular opinion , an'd helps jfn tho deliberation of tho greatest question that can possibly be disousscd by a froo peopjo . We aro not proposing to limit tho powor of tho aristocracy by act of Parliament . Wo leave them ( ia they are , with all tho power , tho prescription , tho laws , tho privileges , tho cuetotne , which public opinion permits , there to enjoy ,
But we say , ' Here is- another House , sacred even to higher interests than the interests of any aristocracy t The constitution has no in ore regard to the Grown 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 . ' " Sin William Coprikgton , M . P . —The lion , member addressed his constituents at . Deptford on Tuesday . The gallant general commenced . by stating his . reas ' ons 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 . Mr ; itouPELL , M . P . —On Tuesday a meeting of the
electors of Lambeth was held at Kennington to hear an address from the hon . member as to his past conduct in Parliament , and the course lie should pursue iufuture . Mr . Roupell commenced by observing oil 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 .
Duelix . — -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 . — -Freeman s Journal . Mr . Lixdsay , M . 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-j seeing that the French haid 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 feelj" said he , " that thqre 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 , as part and parcel of our constitution , I think it a very unwise tiling for one in the position of Mr . Bright to attack the aristocracy in the manner in , which he did . As a body , they are , perhaps , as good—number for number —as any other body of the community , and when I compare them with the aristocracy of other countries , I say I am proud of England . There are good , bad , and indifferent amongst them , 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 tho institutions of America , arid spoke of the freedom , of America . Now , if he does not know , I know that there is more pure and true f ^ edom in this oountry than there is in America . Thoie can bo no pure freedom in , a country where , from tho letter-carrier up to tho Secretary of State , all change with every change of tho administration , including the very judges , with tho exoontion of the Judges of the Supremo Court . Thoro can bo really no true freedom . a country where slavery still pollutes the soil and contaminates tho air ; and , therefore , my friend Mr . Bright , by using arguments such as these , is not doing that good to tho causo of pure freedom and true reform which ho might have done . "
Pjkovixczal Movements . — At Birmingham the " demonstration" in favour of Mr . Brigbt ' s schomoof Reform which has boon so longpromisod was mndo in tho Townhall on Tuesday , but was by no means largely attended , and there was a groat want of enthusiasm . Mr . P . H . Munta moved a resolution condemnatory of tho present system of representation , and recommendatory of an extension of tho franchiso , vote by ballot , and tho redistribution of seats . This was seconded by Aldorman Baldwin , and aftor an attempt by Mr . Brooko Smith to omit mention of tho ballot , and by Mr . Mills , a Chartist , to substitute manhood for household suffrage , the resolution was agreed to by a largo ' majority ' . ' During tho discussion of thoso several propositions considerable confusion prevailed . Election Intklugbncb .- —Sir John William Ranjfldon , M . P . for Hytho , will offer himself as a candidate , in the Liberal interest , for tho W « at JUdtoff , ia th 9
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! T ^ o . 463 r £ EBRTJA 3 iY 5 , 1859 . ] THE IHADER , 165
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 5, 1859, page 165, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2280/page/5/
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