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    Continued from page 589 . of India are very greatly embarrassed , and that in consequence of the late disturbances the whole administrative system has been so far deranged as to render it necessary that it should undergo entire revision . The government of India has not been conferred on the Queen without any species of check or control . On the contrary , there lias been interposed a body of men from whose industry , from whose experience , and from whose public spirit—I refer , of course to the Council of India—we have every reason to hope for the most beneficial results ; So far from its being true that the position of the Minister with regard to the Indian Government is the same as it was

    previous to the change , the Minister for India is in another position altogether . He has more power , he has a more direct control over the affairs of India , and there devolves \ ipon him a more immediate and direct responsibility . Of the war on the Continent , his lordship said . It will not be a war of opinion , it will not be one of those great struggles recorded at different periods in the history of human kind , founded upon deep-lying differences of political or religious principle ; it will not be one of those mighty contests in which all the sacrifices , the sufferings , and the miseries eaused by war are in some degree compensated by great ideas , in which the interests at stake and the objects to be obtained arc

    struggled for in a spirit of disinterestedness , and in which to obtain theni war is rendered necessarv . It will be a war want only , needlessly > and , I will say , wickedly made . It will be a war dictated by the ambition of a few men placed hi too high a position above the masses of mankind to feel that respect for human rights or that sympathy for human suffering , a due regard for which forms the bonds by which the human race is banded together The independence of Italy is the plea , but it is nothing more than a plea . Her Majesty ' s Ministers have endeavoured to interfere in the interests of peace , as far as it has been possible for England to interfere without compromising her own

    position in giving pledges which might be productive of future embarrassment . No effort has been spared , no means have been left untried for the preservation of peace . If in those efforts we have failed—if the negotiations of the last few weeks have only concealed on the part of other Powers a preniediated purpose of going to war—we have at least the consolation of knowing that the great misfortunes which must accrue to Europe and to the whole world will have been caused by no act of ours , but that , they will have taken place in spite of every exertion which we could make to prevent it . We have not been led away on the one hand by Italian sympathies , nor on the other have we been influenced by any jealousy of

    the power of France . "We have had no secret preference , we have pursued no underhand policy . Explanations have been freely-and frankly given , and there is nothing , so fur as the conduct of England is concerned , which we need either conceal or disavow . There is in this country one feeling only , that English intervention by arms ought only to take place wlven English objects are involved in the case of Italy ; What may happen hereafter if this war should become general and spread throughout Europe

    it is utterly impossible for me or any ono to say . There are pledges by which we are bound , there are engagements which England has to . fulfil . It is possible—though God forbid that in those general unforeseen complications ' of events to which a European war may give rise—tho time may come-when neutrality may bo no longer possible . But wo shall cling to that neutrality so long as it remains possible , and leave all the guilt , the misery , and tho sufTei-ing to wliich the war must inevitably give rino to those by . whom it has been provoked .

    Viscount PAtaiEnsTON ' . — At a dinner given to celebrate tho noble lord ' s return for Tivort ' , ho said , " I cannot help feeling some regret , on comparing a former period with the present , to think that whereas at that time there existed a strongly cemented alliance between England and Prance , now wo havo too much reason to believe that tho scene is changed , and that tho strong alliance which has boon cemented is an alliance between Franco and liussia . The difference , geritlomon , is this—that tho allianco ot England and France was . tho symbol of peace with Europe ; it was an allianco founded upon interests which could only be in common whon they wore while

    we are bound in this quarrel to be neutral , yet tintit must be understood that the first cannon Avhid France is to fire in Europe is to be the-knell of the Anglo-French alliance . Now , I remember tho course- which public opinion lias taken with regard to that alliance , and"I " remember hearing in ° ' tlm House of Commons a living statesman—Ti cabinet minister under the Government of JLord Aberd een- — speaking of that alliance in a manner Avhich would be hardly courteous in any communication- or arrangement * between one man and another . I re . collect that notice was taken of the matter in tho Commons , and that the unanimous expression of t ) i& Conservative party at the time was , the alliance

    between England and France was the natural alliance through which the civilisation of Europe was likely to flow . That was the course of the Conservative party then . Hut while we announce our policy of neutrality , we shall not be observing it if \ ve say to France— ' If you take a particular line , and fire cannon in a certain place , then our alliance ' is at an end . ' Gentlemen , I repudiate any such language , and I hope aiid believe it will not " adopted by the Government . It is a satisfaction , though ;¦ . melancholy one , that every exertion has been made

    by our Government to avert and prevent war . With regard to foreign affairs , at all times I hold it to be the cardinal policy of the Conservative imrtv not to interfere in foreign war ¦ unless there is ail absolute necessity . I hojd with the statesman who declared , ' when war ceases to be ii necessity it-becomes a crime . ' I believe that this country , guarded by its insular position , dependent on the arts of peace for its material advancement , is bound to showthat her national honour has b ^ en insulted , or her national interests liavc been imperilled , before she should embark in war . "

    TiiK . lIo . MK Skcketarv . —Mr . Sot heron Kstcourt in acknowledging his re-election for South AVilts , defended the Government hi the course they had pursued as to the dissolution . ¦ Having , spoken on reforiii and the ballot , he , like his brother ' ministers , of course , touched ¦ upon the war question , lie said , the British Government had been like u mutual friend , attempting—he . allowed' in vain—to prevent two bullying-fellows who were determined to have a scratch at each other , from fighting , Austria and France imd clearly resolved to have a turn at each other ; and probably their military forces , the result of peace , had at last got to siu-h a head that they could not keep them down "; 50 ii , ( it ) 0 . men ready

    for strife was too great a power tor the Executive of either country to keep in order . Bur although we might all agree , and he believed wo did , as to the f olly , the wickedness , and the shame of a general European war , what was our duty as Englishmen ? Our first duty was to do our best to part the combatants ; our second , to be well prepared ¦ to repel aggression . Living as we did with angry passion . all around u . s , there was only one course by which wo could hope to preserve our independence , our ertyour livesand all that we hold dear , —and

    bill as each man might in the abstract think the best , but such a bill as would be likely to pass into a law . I think it highly probable that before twelve months a bill may have been passed , or much progress made fn such a bUl , so that in all probability there would be a dissolution in the course of a year ; for ii great or considerable changes arc made in the representation of the people in Parliament , expectation would require that opportunity should be given for the newly-enfranchised class or towns and communities to exercise fhe privilege thus accorded to them . noble lordin

    L ,, RD John RpwEtt . —The ; proposing Mr . Heathcote at the nomination for Hunting ? - donshire , took the ; opportunity of making some further remarks upon the foreign policy of ministers . " I have been told , said he , and I am told , to this very day that unless Lord Derby and his Ministry remained in power , it would be impossible to . maintain the peace of Europe any longer , lain sorry to . that that question is already decided . Phc - efforts , made by the late Government for the preservation of peace may have been praiseworthy ; it may turn out , though—and I am one of those who think that it will—that they have not been well directed ; but however that- may be , we all know that they have failed We ' well know that the war lias begun -t

    and we well know , too , tliat this country has no right to take part either on one side or the other , m that war , but to maintain a strict neutrality . I heard that opinion stated by Lord . Derby himself , and I cordially agree with ' ¦¦ him ; 'but I think' that we should keep up our fleet , and , in addition , sufficient force at home to repel any insult that may be offered to us . I am glad to find , then , that the late Ministers have ordered an increase in the navy . I will say no more with regard to it than tliis , that if the independence and liberty of the people of Italy result from the quarrel , I , for one * shall heartily rejoice . The truth then is , ht forward

    that the Ministry , having broug so many bad measures affecting home matters , have utterly failed in preserving peace abroad , and the question for you to decide is whether these are the Ministers most competent tp carrv on the affairs of the country , at home and abroad . My opinion is that they most decidedly are not . " Of tho dissolution he remarked that Lord ITerby had dissolved Parliament under the plea- that he thinks . he will get a more numerous support in the coming House , of Conunons than in the-last—but ( said Lord John ) I doubt if that will be the result , and it is for you to strengthen the hands of those who are in favour of a real , and not a sham

    reform . The ATTOKXKy-GKXERAx ^— At the election for East Suffolk , the Attorney-General , after vindicating the Government Reform Bill as a real measure of enfranchisement for the working classes , said , that during the last few days war had broken out in Europe , although the Government had done all that could be affected by statesmen anxious to preserve the peace of Europe , and determined also to maintain the h onour of the English name . It had been a matter of reproach to the Ministry of the 'Crown that they permitted this war to break out in Europe , as if this country , with all its power , was equal to the task of restraining the sovereigns of despotic

    prop , , that was to be well prepared , not for aggression , but for defence . The Ministers had , as far as possible , taken . care our means of defence should not iw wanting , and since the period at which Lord DevDy took oflioc , the available effective navy of . thiseounlry had been exactly doubled in amount . Among oilier things , he would take that public opportunity ot saying , that if in . that county and in any others the c were any gallant spirits ready to enrol themselves in rifle corps , or similar voluntoer bodies , the kovt-ininent would bo trlnd to receive the assurance ot tneii ion

    states like France and Russia . But at least it could be said that the existing Government ,, unlike their predecessors , had not allowed this country to " drift into war , " as was the case with Russia in 1854 , While Europe was in arms England was still nt peace , and he trusted that the utmost efforts of this country might be directed to tho restoration of the peace ot Europe , while the honour of the English namo might bo maintained . England hud taken care to bo forearmed against this great calamity ; wo hud now a powerful fleet on its way to tho Mediterranean , and another powerful fleet in the British Channel , while 100 , 000 men woro on their way homo from India . With this mighty force , and with a Government attached to liberty and dutciv

    willingness to do so , and , as fur as they were - cerned and as Parliament would sanction the measure , they would be . glad to afford them countonmuc and goodwill . _ ,. , .. ,, _ . Silt Jamiw Gu . vu . ui , M . P .-At Carlisle the o . vnunister thought it noocssary to make a ki « «' apology for tho supposed change in hls J ° * sentiments . " Something , " ho observed , « « J » about change of opinion . Tho last hah , " ^> O 3 been tho period of my active life . Within that c K I have the luce o

    mined upon maintaining the peace of tho world if possiblo , he trusted that tho country would be fully securo , and ho doub . ted , not that whon ho mot them again he should have'to congratulate thorn upon having throughout the conflict maintained tho honour of our name and the stability off our institutions . ( Cheers . ) Tho learned gentleman , in conclusion , touched upon tho church-rato question , and stated that if a strong Government were maintained in power , ho did not yet despair of a satisfactory solution of tho question . Ho also expressed his hope that , although tho dissolution had impeded , it had only delayed , several measures of law reform , especially a bill for facilitating tho transfer of land , a subject of muoli importance in an agricultural county liko Suffolk .

    all lias changed around me . I seen nature changed . I have seen morasses cc inwJJ ' into dry ground . 1 . have seen desert wastos 1 " country now teeming with golden harvests . 1 «>« seen grass supplanting heather and running ' the tops of our highest hills . 1 « vcwi » l turned into day in our oilios ami dwelling * l » < aid of gas . I have seen time and distance a but ai nihihited by ' tho locomotive powor otstatu J J ™ and land , lluivo seen tho oloctrio telogia ] n voying from polo to pole tho intorcourso ol nan ' 0 spark stolon , as it wore , from lleavon . 11 " ° g ,,, « . vi , f , r mn , « m ) . ina fiill , 1 have soon liopuniu . H in

    founded on thoir ruins crumbling to { lust . { seen despotic tyrannies arise ami Hill . An « i ' » man , frail man , amid all those changes otnatu o a pqjicy , alone stand immovable , unaltered in opinions , and say lie is unchanged J * .

    Tins SoM 0 iTou-GiaNi 4 « AL . ~ At tho ro-olcoUon of Sir II . Cairns , at Belfast , the learned and lion , gout Ionian mado some interesting allusion to foreign matters , " I Jmvo seen , with rogrot ( said SSir Hugh ) , in tho organ whioh ia ' . regardod as the organ of tho opposition to the Government in England—tho Tunos- ~ nn <\ ropo ' nted more than pnoo , that though

    directly for tho common good j - an allianco between Russia and franco—such an allianco as wo have been led to believe exists between those countries—ia an allianco , I am afraid , that can only bo founded upon the principles and tho objects oi aggression upon other powers . " On tho subject ot reform tho noblo lord said—" -I am quite sure that both Parliament and tho country are of opinion that the thno is come whon a reform bill must bo passed . ( Hear , hear . ) Wo may'differ as *? what each man may like , but there is one consideration whioh thoso who propose a reform bill should boar In view—that is , that they should ondonvour to frame , not such ft

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    AQQ THE LEAPEK , [ No . 476 , May 7 , 1859 .

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    Tho " P / mv 8 nVfl Hint . Sir . John Liiwivmh' w . l bo raised to tho peerage

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 7, 1859, page 592, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2293/page/16/