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POLITICAL FORESHADOWXNGS . At Horsham on Wednesday , Mr . SETMOtm Fitzoebald , M . P ., spoke upon the national defences . He said : — " We are possibly , I am afraid , entering upon troublous times . After long years of general and happy peace , there seems to be such an uneasy feeling abroad that men ' s minds are full of the anticipation of war . Now , I am not an alarmist . 1 am not one of those who think it possible that there should be an invasion of this country . On the contrary , I believe that the present ruler of France for a lon » time has shown an earnest desire to cultivate an intimate alliance with this country . Long may that alliance subsist and endure , and I cannot conceive it possible that it should be m any danger . Heaven knows that on this side of the water there
is no man who docs not feel that anything like hostilities with France would be the greatest national calamity which could befall us . I believe that equally among the people of France the same feeling 13 commonly entertained . Such , at all events , is ray confident opinion , and I believe that I have very good reason for entertaining it . Surely , then , upon the part of the Sovereign of France personally there can be no desire to enter into anything like a quarrel with this country . Let himfor one moment , consider what his position is as ruler of France in alliance with this country . So long as France and England are combined ; what coalition , is there possible on theface of the . earth which could give a moment ' s anxiety eithef to the one Power or the other ? It is not only that , but so
long as we are combined our commerce must increase , and we fetter the whole world iu those chains which I believe to be more firm , more enduring , and stronger than any others which you can fancy in political life . Nothing in point of fact can be better or more durable than the lettering together of nations by bonds of common interest and association . If this , then , be the position both of the people of France and the ruler of France , * , what reason can there be to anticipate anything like a rupture of the amicable relations which have so long subsisted between this country and our French neighbours ? Still less , what is there to give rise to that panic of
invasion which has been so common throughout the country of late ? At the same time I think it not only the interest , but the duty of every man present , and of every man who loves his country , to contribute to the utmost in his power to that movement ¦ which , I am happy to say , has been so general throughout the country , and the object of which is to improve and increase , by voluntary means , the defences of the country . This , at least , I may say , that no man hero can forget that that which we now feel to be a want is that which was pointed out by a man who was the greatest warrior of his age , and one of the most distinguished politicians and
statesmen of this country---namely , the late Duke of Wellington—as an imperative national necessity . Therefore , I would ask you , not as the result of a sudden panic—for that would be beneath our dignity and beneatli our position , as England is ptrohg enough to defend herself , and she need fear no man—but I would ask you when your attention at any time is called specifically to that which is known tp be a great national want—namely , the want of a complete system of national defence , whether you would not be wanting to yourselves
and the people at largo if you did not do all in your power to put the defences of the country upon a satisfactory and sound basis . I have availed myself of this opportunity of making these observations , because I consider them germane to the question of the army and navy . I am sure that you will receive the toast with that respect -which is due to it , with that tribute of admiration to which the exploits of both services entitle it , and I am euro you will not be the less satisfied , our gallant defenders should bo called abroad , to know that you have still loft . among you those ready , necessary , to shed their blood for the honour of their country . "
The lion Captain Wymdiiaji , M . P ., spoke tho reforms of laic years in the army , and said that much was still required to improve the condition of the soldier , Ho also was no alarmist , and did not join iu . auy apprehension of an invasion . Ho believed thut if uur troops , were called upon to act at nil , it would bo in nn indirect manner on the continent of Europe ; but , at tho same time , though there aright not be causo for fear , thoro was every couso for precaution . Upon that ground ho hailed with ieen satisfaction tho volunteer movemont . Ho believed that tho moral effect which that movemont would produce tipon the Continent would bo hnxnenee , It would show tho despotic Powers that a free country lUtu this had no occasion to rely alone
upon its Government to defend it , but that , if occasion required , the population were ready to come forward en rnasse to resist aggression . If the volunteer movement , now commenced , were carried out judiciously , it would be a great blessing . The only evil that could result from it was that it might induce the people to look lightly upon the regular army . In his opinion the volunteers ought to be regarded as the adjunct of the army , and not as intended in any way to take the place of the army . It was necessary , also , that the volunteers should be enrolled in battalions and taught something beyond shooting . A man might be a very good shot , but unless he knew what military men called " his right hand from his
left" he would be of very little use to a general . Mr . S . Cave , M . P ., said he took a different view of the duty of a member of Parliament from that which was generally taken . Of late years constituencies were rarely satisfied unless their representatives were perpetually getting up and speaking in the House of Commons . His own opinion was that a large majority of the hon . members who adopted that practice had much better sit still and hold their tongues , because by unnecessarily occupying the attention of the House they did a great wrong to the country , by taking up time which would be much better occupied in other ways . He had had but a short experience in the House of Combe
mons , but during tha-t time he had learned to really positively afraid of the voice of one or two hon . members . Sidney Smith once said , " life has been disagreeably abridged since the Flood , and it is very difficult to master more than two subjects . " Nevertheless , there were some hon . members who spoke upon every subject brought before the House , and very recently one hon . member told his constituents * in the pride of his heart , that hardly a debate had taken place last session , upon any subject whatever , in which he had hot taken a part . The course pursued by the hon . member might have been very satisfactory to his constituents , but could not have failed to be extremely unsatisfactory to the House itself . .
At BJackburn a few days ago , Mr . Hoknbt , M . P ., made a speech upon the reform question , in the course of which he said : —" Looking over the speech which Mr . Bright delivered at Liverpool , When he stated that the working classes were not represented in the House of Commons , it immej diately struck me that I could say that , so far as the borough of Blackburn was concerned , the working classes were represented in the of House Commons by the members who represented the borough . And the reason I have for that statement is , that I believe any measure which would be injurious to the working classes would be injurious to our own interests , and consequently would be opposed by us . The
hon . member for Birmingham is a very able and a very talented man , and he may make a statement of the same sort , although he was not thinking of it when he said the working classes were not represented in the House of Commons , for I do him the credit of believing that he is a very firm supporter of the working classes in the House of Commons . With regard to the Reform Bill which will be proposed next session , which will be the great subject of discussion , and may upset another Government , and possibiy throw away another year in doing no more than the last session did , the question is one which neither I nor my colleague can expect to havp - settled according to
our individual notions . We shall neither of U 3 oppose any measure which will be of decided benefit to the country , and , therefore , it is not to be supposed that the opponents of a particular ltcform Bill are afraid of lieform or opposed to liefornv The question with . both myself and my colleague is , whether those great changes which a . Reform Bill proposes , are changes -which will bo a substantial advantage to the country . I only hope we may come to a quick and final settlement of the . question ; a settlement which may last
for such another term aa the settlement of 1832 has lasted , for to have such a question hanging overhead caused great injury to the country , and very little benefit was derived from the discussion . I , mysolf , fuar no Reform Bill . I care not whether tho franchise is made lower than at present . I have a strong conviction that the soundness and the feeling of tho public , which has greatly improved of late years , will induce them to select as their representatives those who aro capable of being so . I can assure you I fear nothing from a reduction of tho franchise . "
A number of speeches have been mado this week at meetings on the volunteer movemont , which foreshadow , pretty clearly , the gonoral public opinion as to the policy of the Emperor of tho French , and the
necosaity of being prepared to check his ambitious views In time . In St . Pancras the liov . Canon JDalio said that ho sincerely desired that friendly relations might exist between France and England . He recollected the time , indeed , when the two countries rogarded themselves ne natural enemies , but he
hoped the time was come when they might regard themselves as natural allies . The people of . this country did not want to attack any other nation All they wanted was to preserve their own , and " with God ' s assistance they would be able to accomplish that object . They had recently seen it stated that great nations should not fear but appreciate each other . Well , by this movement they showed that they did notfear . but that they appreciated their neighbours , and when the British people became , as he hoped it would , the British army under the influence of the present movement , they could roll back any army that might assail them , and not leave a man to tell the tale except those who might be spared by the victors . That being their position , the arming of the people was the most effectual means of main "
taming peace . He trusted that the movement would be no class movement , but that the mechanics and artizans , who had a great stake in tho peace and prosperity of the country , should be called forth in its defence . He did not believe that the Emperor Napoleon desired to invade this country ; but he was at the head of a powerful army , and he might not always be able to restrain their wishes and warlike propensities . They ought , therefore , to guard against being taken unprepared . He would also recommend them not to be over - confident . The time was when it " was the general belief in England that every Englishman could beat two Frenchmen . But he believed the French were the best soldiers on the Continent- —he did not say they were the best off the Continent—and as he was
armed thrice who had his quarrel just , there was no boasting in saying that an Englishman at home was equal to a Frenchman abroad . -Their great national poet said : — ¦ " iJeware Of entrance to a quarrel ; but , < being in , Bear it , that tlie opposer may beware of thee . " That was the feeling that ought to animate tlie people of England at that moment . On still higher authority he would say to them , " Be of good courage : play the man for the cities of your God , and the Lord do what seemeth him good . "
At the same meeting Mr . E . J . vmes , M . P ., said : — "A country like England ought to be at least prepared to meet any attempt that might be made against her . The } ' heard of great naval armaments in France , of depots of coal for her steamers in her arsenals . Was not this calculated to make England feel uneasy , and to make them ask if all this was meant for England ? As a military nation , they were ready to acknowledge the high position of France ; but the commerce of France was not so
extensive as to require the protection of such a navy as she possessed and was preparing . For whom , then , were these mighty armaments intended ? He did not say they were intended against us , because he did not believe that the Emperor Napoleon dreamed of making war upon us at that moment . He believed that the Emperor Napoleon was too sagacious for that , but they could not tell what might take place when the question of war depended on the fiat of one man . Under such circumstances it was the duty of England to be prepared
for any eventuality . He hoped the present movement would be entered upon seriously and solemnly , and not for the purpose of mere display . He , therefore , hoped that the working class , whose patriotism and love of country were as sincere as those of any other class , would be enabled to take part in it . He hoped it was not got up in order that a Lord Mayor as such should be the colonel , and an alderman as such the captain of tho corps . They were much better employed in presiding at dinners at tlie Mansion-house than in playing at soldiers . He supported the movement , because it tended to spread a feeling of loyalty amongst the people , llu did not believe that chlvalrv was dead amongst the peopio tuKo
of England , but that they were still prepared to urms , not for the purpose of carrying the horrors oj war into other countries , but to prevent them , ana to show ilieir love of country and their devotion to tho Crown . " , At another meeting Alderman Itosu oxpressca his opinion that the country was in iniminoiit pern . We were no longer superior to Franco upon tlie 1 sea . He was ready to provo what ho said . Ho <" ""• mean to revile tho Emperor Napoleon , " W " : merely carrying out the movomontB which had ueeu projected by the Orloanists , and if tlio Ultrnniontono nartv rulod in France thev would l > o blttoror 0110 m cs
still . Even tho French Republic had PuM'W * programmes laying down tho necessity lor «> umii » 8 thirty flrst-rato mon-of-war . Wlmt Und L ° uis «» - poleon done ? In ono yenr ho built two , In « "W ° / throe , inanothor eight , and next year mno IIno-m battle ships , with twenty-four steam transports , each capable of carrying 2 , 000 mon with horses aim twelve hundred tons of cargo . ElgUt years agw Sir H . Douglas had informed our Government 01 what was going on , and they committed tho u » l «» donablo crime of neglecting the warning . *> "& * " * an accident tho Jnet Napoleon would havo Uinuoa i »
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iQfi 0 THE L E A PER . f No . 508 , Dec . 17 , 1859 .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 17, 1859, page 1360, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2325/page/4/
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