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Leader (1850-1860), 7th May 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 581, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      No . 476 , May 7 , 1859 . 1 THE LEABEB , 581

      Untitled Article

      were encompassed with gloom ; but the spectacle afforded to the people of these countries was magnificent in the contrast between the condition of a free country and those that are despotically governed j between those countries governed by opinion and those governed by the sword ; and if the struggle should come , he believed that the unlimited resources and irresistible power of free States would ultimately prevail against despotic power . Therefore it was that he had no fear of the result , so far as England was concerned . Blessed with freedom and a happy constitution , lie had little apprehension that Enguld fail in that

      Sir John Pakington , M . P . — At Droitwich election , the First Lord of the Admiralty said , he feared a sanguinary war . was on the point of breaking out ; He could not refrain from expressing his sense of the great responsibility which rested at that moment on those who conducted the press of this country . The agitation in the p * ublic funds had ; lie had no hesitation in saying , arisen , irrespectively of the real state of affairs , which was serious enough , to a very great extent , from a want of due caution in some portion of the public press in publishing prematurely , and in an exaggerated form , intelligence calculated to create the greatest alarm , and . for which unquestionably they could not have had an authority sufficiently authentic to justify the publication . He was afraid we could hardly flatter ourselves that war would be averted . Everything at this moment which

      same hduse , with his wife and children . Hd was not ashamed of having a wife and children , lie had a good many of them , He asked them to listen to him . He would give the Conservative electors an opportunity of recording their votes , and he did so because some person better fitted to represent them had not come forward . When Conservative leaders left that great county uncontested he thought some- ; body should come forward . He was in favour of universal suffrage—in his own way of looking at it . his

      He was in favour of vote by ballot ^—in own way of looking at it . In the Reform Bill of Lord Derby there was an important principle—the lodger franchiseand it was kicked out without consideration . On the question of church-rates a most conscientious measure had been introduced by Mr . Walpole , whom he remembered at the bar some time since , and he was then quite as unknown as himself . lie thought the present law of church-rates was not unjust . On the show of hands , two only were held up for Mr . Ilaig , who nevertheless demanded a poll .

      portended a great sanguinary war ; in probably all the great powers of Europe might be , or perhaps he ought to say , must be to some extent concerned . The only one power which could reasonably hope to be disengaged or disentangled from this unhappy struggle was the free land in ' . which we ourselves live . At present we were on friendly terms with all European powers . Yet the day might come when it would be very difficult for England to maintain her neutrality . Her Majesty ' s Government felt that they must be prepared for events , and had determined to render both , the military and naval services , but especially the latter , h i ghly efficient . He expected that the number of screw line-of-battle ships would shortly be double what it was when he assumed office . He had always made his appointments without considering any thing except who was the best man , and he should continue to act on that

      principle . ¦ Mb . Newdegate—This gentleman ' s speech at the hustings on his re-election was devoted to assailing the positions of Mr . Bright . He also proceeded to attack democracy , and to contend that equality and uniformity could not exist in this world , seeing that one thing would differ so much in size , shape , formy colour , and smell from another . Mr . Newdegate ' s speech will lead to the impression that the hon . gentleman is of opinion that the Christian religion is based upon highly aristocratic principles . Messrs . Hanburt , Byng , axd Haig . — At the nomination for Middlesex Mr . Hanbury expressed his desire to make everything pleasant for every body .

      He would say frankly that he was not an out-andout ballot man . He did not think that in Middlesex they required the ballot . He thought every man who desired might go- up' openly and say for whom he votes , but " he believed that intimidation was carried on to a very great extent in other parts of the country , and he did not sec any othc mode of honest men recording their votes as they wished , except by secret voting . He thought the ballot should be carried out by a permissive measure , and provision should be made for secret voting if it were required . On the question of Church-rates he had looked forward for some compromise , but he had now come to the conclusion that nothing but entire

      and unconditional abolition would settle the matter , lie was glad to see from the addresses of the candidates throughout the country that , in reference to foreign affairs , they were in favour of non-intervention and strict neutrality . In conclusion , he exprossed a hope that the time was coming when the rich man would help the poor , and when the poor man would love the rich . —The'Hon . George Byng ' s speech was , as usual , very nicely spoken , and contained the average amount of . .-platitudes . IIo spokes of the war in these terms : — Should they bo asked to interfere actively in tho war on tho Continent , they should inquire whether tho parties came into court with clean hands who asked

      them to give their priceless treasure and more priceless blood to back up their cause . Their sympathy was neither with Austria nor franco . Last year their sympathy was with Sardinia , but she had got into , bad hands , and had made dangerous friends and alliances , and if Sardinia-wore assisted by France , Franco in her turn would subjugate Sardinia . Their policy should bo one of dignified non-intorferonce , but ho was not so craven-hearted as to advise peace at any pricp . On , tho contrary , ho would keep up tho navy and army , and sec that both woro in an efficient condition . Tho timo might comq whon England might bo called upon * to interfere , and ho

      hoped that their innate and well-known principles of liberty would bo respected whon nations- asked for thoir mediation . Then they should stop forward and take caro that their best men should give such advico as would rostoro peace , and cause tho equilibrium of ppwor in Europo to bo fairly , honostly , and adequately maintained . — Mb . Haig declared his conviction that the groator number of tho oloctors of Marylobono > voro Conservatives to tho backbpno , bub they woro quiet-going S conic who lived at homo , and ono half of the electors Id not exorciso tho franchise Those quiot-golng pooplo lived amongst their famines ' , as ho had done until last week . Ifor too years ho had lived in tho

      land , if the struggle should come , wo struggle . She had been tried beforehand had come scatheless from that struggle . What should be her policy ? It was said that one country should not permit another to grasp at universal dominion ; but the policy of England should be simple—to be armed , to be ready , to be resolute , and to be just ; in a word , "to keep her powder dry . " They saw two great despotic empires — France and Russia—coercing another despotic empire—Austria—to give free institutions to her subjects . When , however , war was desired , a pretext could always be found ; but that pretext would not stand the scrutinising eye of

      reason . Mr . Roebuck , M . P . —The hon . gentleman made one of his usual patriotic addresses to the electors of Sheffield on his being again returned , and on that occasion took care to keep the idea of " tear ' " before them very vividly . His colleague , Sir . Hadfield , insinuated that " inoral influence " should be England ' s arm , but such is not the idea of Mr . Roebuck . " I say that among the nations of the world , if England wishes to maintain peace , she should show herself dangerous if she is meddled with . The time lias not arrived when , being smitten on one cheek , it is wise to offer the other . If a . man smites me , I smite him ; " There -is" one thing which Mr . Roebuck wants more than a Reform Bill , just now , and that , is " a British fleet in"the British -Channel .

      tremendous and irresistible . " There is nothing that I would not do , no vote that I would not pass , to maintain a triumphant fleet for England in the Channel . " He would not hear of explanations or chances of adjustment . There must be war . He foretold it , and he will not be driven from his opinion . '' War has happened , and though the mystifications of the telegraph are now taking place > be you sure that war has happened , and that the fields of Italy will be deluged with blood . If the world abroad , " added he , " shall know that the least infringement of the dominion or territory of England will be followed by an instantaneous and terrible retribution , then , I say , England will be safe . "

      Mr . Sidxky Herbert , M . P . —On his re-election for South Wilts , the right hon . gentleman ' s speech chiefly related to the Reform Bill question , the little he said about the affairs of Europo being complin mentary to the Government for the efforts it had made to promote the peace . He remarked that great olio wanes was to be made for Lord Malmesbury ' s want of experience . Mr . Herbert defended the vote he gave on Lord John Russell ' s amendment which defeated tho Government . He snid it would have been childish for a reformer to have sanctioned tho second reading of a bill which looked like serving up carrots and greens to table ' , while the round of beef was omitted . With regard to the ballot , he said that he thought it much the same as if a lot of soldiers were to say to thoir captain before tho light began , "Let us blacken our faces so that nny of us who run away may not bo recognised . "

      Sir Gicouok C . Lkwis , M . P . —On Saturday , in Ins speech to the electors of Radnor , the right hon . bart . maclo some sovero remarks upon tho Governmont . 116 observed that Lord Derby said this country would preserve an armed neutrality . Whon two foreign nations are at war , if a nontral power maintains an armed neutrality , being pronared for hostilities , it must eithor arm for purposes of offence Or dofonce . It was not probable that when Franco and Austria prepared * to go to war about Sardinian that they would attack England , and therefore it could hardly bo meant that wo should arm for purposes of defence . It must moan that wo should bo proparod to take an offensive part on one side ; ho cuuld put

      no other meaning on tho phraso . Lord Derby had , ho rejoiced to see , since somewhat retracted that opinion , but whatever tho results of subsoquent intelligence might bo , it was clear that tho belief of ministers that thoy woro in tho seci'cts of tho Fronch court did not rest on a very solid foundation . Wo must assume that thoir information was of tho most limited kind , and that thoy woro unablo to inform themselves of what was passing in Europo ; or that having that information they did not make such use of it as mon of sagacity and j udgmont ought to make . IIo had confidence that tho good sense and sterling qualltiqs of tho English pooplo would bring us safoly through tho crisis , but it would not bo owing to tho wiao advice of the temperate councils of her Majesty ' s Govorninont .

      Untitled Article

      The W Question at Lkicds . — A great meeting has been held at Leeds to . consider the question of the impending European war . The Mayor , who occupied the chair , Mr . Edward Baines , M . P . for the borough * and the other speakers , strongly protested against England taking any part in the struggle , and a memorial to . the Queen in favour of non-intervention was enthusiastically adopted . All parties combined in this demonstration , and Mr . Beecroft , the Conservative , member , was as emphatic on the side of peace as his colleague , Mr . 33 aines .- '

      Untitled Article

      "" V— ¦ . . T H B W A R .

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      Untitled Article

      FRANCE . xouis nafol-eon ' s manifesto— -tiir' war loan . On Tuesday the following communication was made by the Emperor to the Corps Legislatif : — " Austria , in causing her army to enter the territories of the King of Sardinia , our ally , declares war against us . She thus violates treaties and justice ,-and menaces our frontiers . All the great Powers have protested against this aggression . Piedmont having accepted the conditions which ought to have insured peace , one asks what can be the reason of this sudden invasion ? It is that Austria . has brought matters to this extremety , that she must either rule up to the Alps , or Italy must be free to tho shores of the Adriatic ; for in this country every corner of territory which remains independent endangers her

      power . " Hitherto moderation has been the rule of my conduct ; now energy becomes my first duty . Let France arm , and resolutely tell Europe _— - I desire not conquest , but I desire firmly to maintain my national and traditional policy ; I observe tho treaties on condition that no one shall violate them against me . I respect the territories and the rights of neutral Powers , but I boldly avow my sympathies for a people whoso history is mingled with our own , and who groan under foreign oppression . '

      " Franco has shown her hatred of nniU'chy . She has been pleased to give mo power strong enough to reduce into nonentity tho abettors of disorder , and tho incorrigible members of thoso old factions whom one incessantly sees confederating with our enemies ; but she has not for all that abdicated her task of civilization . Her natural allies have always boon tljoso who desiro tho improvement of tho human race , and when she draws tho swoivl it is not to dominate , but to liberate . Tho object of this war , then , is to restore Italy to liersrlf , not to impose upon hor a chango of mastor * , aiul wo shall then havo upon our frontiers a friendly " people , who will owo to us thoir independence . Wo do nob go into Italy to foment disordor , or ' to disturb tho power of tho Holy Father , whom we havo replaced " upon his throne , but to rpmovo from him this foreign pressure , which weighs upon tho whole Peninsula , and to help to establish there order basod upon logitimato satisfied interests . We aro going , then , to sock upon this classic ground—illustrated by so many viotorics — tho footsteps of our fathers . God grant that wo ' bo worthy of them I I am going soon to placo myself at tho head or itho army . I leave in Frnn

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 7, 1859, page 581, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2293/page/5/