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A NORTHER>T LEGEND.,

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_=====--=::=--= -m- BANQUET TO LQIiD PALMERSTON. The members of the Reform Club gave a grand entertain- ment, on Saturday evening, to Lord Palaierston, to express their confidence in his policy, and to commemorate the triumph of that noble lord in the vote of the House of Commons on Mr. Roebuck's motion. The participants in the honour of welcoming and congratulating the noble lord were necessarily limited to but a small proportion of the whole body of the members of this extensive and popular club the first 200 only of the members who had signed the invitation being privileged to obtain tickets for their own admission—that number being the extent which the grand dming-hall of the club can accommodate. The club was specially decorated and arranged for the occasion. The chair was taken by Ralph B, Osborne, Esq., M.P. The usual loyal toasts having been proposed, The Chairman said I should be wanting in that feeling of independence and candour which ought to characterize a re- presentative of this great country (hear, hear), and the chair- man of this great meeting (hear, hear), did I not on your part gladly seize the opportunity to express On your behalf our great satisfaction at being honoured with the presence of a minister, whose varied attainments and accomplishments, whose courtesy and mild bearing in private life, have won, not merely the applause of a party, but the respect and admiration of the civilised world and, gentlemen, by your leave, I will take this opportunity to see that we may look upon this, not as a meeting important only in its political bearings, but for the moral views of the subject (hear, hear), because it will show to the world that the great Liberal party of this country, differing as they may in minor shades of opinion, are not pre- pared to see the minister calumniated, or the man misrepre- sented (loud cheers). Because he has been firm in his ad- herence to a liberal course of policy (hear, hear), they will not carp at any minor or petty details they will remember that— If severe to aught, The love he bore to freedom was in fault." (Loud cheers). I, for one, rejoice that this question of foreign policy was brought before the Commons' House of Parliament (hear, hear). I do so because I think it will show to other nations that the reasoning people of this country will not con- sent to sacrifice the principles of reform and natural progress because other people may have confounded anarchy with pro- gress, and mistaken revolution for reform (cheers). We are still prepared to walk in the paths of the Constitution, and to urge those reforms which may be consonant with the times (cheers). But I also rejoice that the noble lord has been ex- posed to personal attacks and recrimination, because it has given to the world and to future ages that great intellectual effort (hear, hear) those enunciations of great truths-that lucid array of facts—and, above all, that calm and Christian-like forbearance from recrimination (applause) which will be handed to future ages as a monument of eloquence, to be studied by the philosopher and taken as a model by the statesman (cheers). Gentlemen, it is not for me to offer any laboured panegyric upon the noble lord. It has been reserved for one of the greatest and most favoured of modern writers to describe the greatest and most accomplished of modern statesmen :— Warmed by the instincts ofa knightly heart, That roused at once if insult touched the realm, He spurned each State-craft, each deceiving art, And met his foes, no vizo: to his helm. This proved his worth hereafter be our boast- Who hated Britons hated him the most." (Loud cheers j. You will at once recognise the original, (hear, hear). It remains for me, my LordPalmerston, to hand to you the names of the members of this club who subscribed to this document; and I beg to add that the signatures would have swelled to much ampler dimensions had not the time for recording them been prematurely closed (cheers). You see around you many men distinguished alike in commerce, in science, and in politics. I say to those gentlemen who urge the peaceful and calm pursuits of commerce, that in drinking this toast they are doing honour to a man who has preserved inviolable the property of British subjects, and maintained the honour of the British flag in all quarters of the globe (loud cheers). I say to those—and I see many such around me,— who are content with the calmer paths of literature and science, C, cc, that you are doing honour to the orator and the scholar (cheers). Above all I say to those—their name is Legion" who love the peaceful path of constitutional responsible Go vernment, you are doing honour to a man whose name in other climes is identified with those principles which we are assembled here to honour, and which form the character of this club (cheers). I give you, then, with all the honours,-thnt" nine times nine" which is only devoted to celebrated men,—" The health ofoxr valued guest, Lord Palmerston." The toast was most enthusiatically received, and drunk with all the honours," as indicated by the Chairman. Lord Palmerston was received with loud cheers, and every demonstration of enthusiasm. He said When I think of the honourable and flattering reception I have met with from you lilis day-^and when 1 think of the terms—so far exceeding anything which I feel conscious of deserving—in which my hon. and gallant friend has been pleased to propose this toast, I am sensible of the truth of what you must have often heard that it is far more easy to find arguments with which success- fully to repel one's opponents, than it is to find words adequate to express thanks and gratitude to one's friends (cheers). It is said, indeed, that out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speakcth but, my lords and gentlemen, the heart may be too full to allow the tongue its proper utterance (The noble lord was here much affected). Gentlemen, you have met here to- day not only to testify kind and friendly feelings to one in- dividual, but you have met also, I apprehend, to record, by a public demonstration, your opinion as to great and leading principles of public policy (cheers). I am entitled to infer, that the principles of policy which have guided the Govern- ment, of which I have the honour to be a member, in their administration of the foreign relations of this country, have been such generally, speaking in general terms, as you have thought deserving of your approbation. Those principles of policy may be described in a few words. The guiding objects of the policy of the Government with regard to our foreign rela- tions have been the interests of England (loud cheers)—in- terests which have-their beginning m the well-being of this country, and which, in their progress, comprehend the well- being of every other country. In regard to this country, it ia needless for me to say, that it ought to be the first object of those who have the charge of her foreign relations to maintain unimpaired its honour, its dignity, and its rights. It is also their duty to protect our fellow-subjects in whatever foreign land they may be (vehement cheering). We are eminently a travelling, an enquiring, a commercial nation, There is no part of the great ocean, which occupies so vast a portion' of the globe, on whose bosom our ships andour merchandise are not found to float. There is no lnud, however distant or however near—however civilised or however barbarous—in which Englishmen are not found, for the purposes of recreation or of health, in the pursuit of science or of commerce, or in the noble and higher avocation of shedding through the regious of dark- ness the light of the Christian faith (cheers). I contend that these fellow-subjects of ours are entitled, wherever they may be, to think that they are under the guardianship of the watch- ful eye of this country (cheers)—and to assume that England will either protect them from wrong, or, if wrong is done, chat her power will obtain for them redress (cheers). I have said that the interests of England is not only that we should our- selves participate in these objects, but also that we rejoice in the well-being of all other nations. The days are gone by, at least in this country, when men thought, when nations imagined, that their own prosperity was to be promoted by the adversity of their neighbours (loud cheering). We glory in our own wealth—in our ov/n happiness—in our own liberty but we do not desire a monopoly of these blessings and so far as our efforts can be properly exercised, I"think it is the duty of the Government of this country to assist other nations in following her example—those who are endeavouring at least to attain the position which we occupy (cheers). I do not mean to say, as those who have endeavoured to thwart our policy unfoundedly assert We say, that we ought to go like knights errant of civilisation to force our institutions upon other countries, to excite discontent, to encourage disturbances. Such is no part of the duty of the Government of England but when we see nations endeavouring, in conjunction with their own Governments, to improve their constitutions—when we see nations sensible of the evils under which they suffer, endeavouring rationally, temperately, and calmly to improve their condition, they deserve at least our sympathy (cheers); and it other powers, with different impressions and views, should endeavour to interefere to prevent the dcvelope'ment of liberty, my conviction is that the Government of England will always be supported and backed by the people of England in throwing their weight into the scale, and endeavouring thus to redress the balance, And be persuaded, gentlemen, that this may often be done without endangering; the continUrtllCe of peace. Do not imagine that we are less sensible than any other men in the country of the value and importance of peace. Don't imagine that we think lightly of the calamities of war— of the interruptions which war opposes to all improvements, social, political, and commercial. Do not imagine that we are insensible to those great reasons which ought to deter the Government of this country from involving, without absolute necessity, the people with whose destinies they are charged in all the miseries and calamities of war. But do not let the a i people of this country imagine that every angry word which may fall from another Government is immediately to be fol- lowed by a blow (loud cheers and laughter). Do not let the people of this country believe that every demonstration of dissatisfaction, whether diplomatic or otherwise (laughter and cheers) that may come from a gentleman whose policy and views have been thwarted by the views and policy of England must inevitably lead to hostilities with this nation, Anxious as the people of this country are—ami, to their honour be it spoken, I believe no people in the world are more anxious than they are to preserve peace and avoid war with any country whatsoever—yet believe me, there is no other country which is not as disinclined—and that for the best of all reasons—to g to war with England as England can be to go to war with them. This consciousness of strength—this feeling of the national power, ought never to tempt the Government or the people ot England to commit anything that is unjust or wrong, but it ought at least to bear us up in pursuing the cause of justice and honour, and induce us not lightly to give way to apprehensions founded on no real ground (loud cheers). I feel that we may be proud, and reasonably proud, of the country in which we haye the good fortune to be born (cheers). It seems to me that this British nation is destined, under Providence, to bear an honourable part in promoting and advancing the civilisation of mankind (loud cheers). It ig. from this hive that the swarm has proceeded—that living and active swarm which has covered with the works of its constructive industry the wilds or pri- meval forest of North America there is no land, however re- mote, in which Englishmen have not introduced the art of civilisation and the blessings of Christianity and here in this land, where we are at home, we feel prellll to think that we bald out to the civilised nations of the world an example of in- ternal organisation, of systematic and progressive improvement, —a practical proof and conviction that in the improvement and reform of our ancient institutions you give them strength, and do not overthrow or destroy them—nay, that this country holds out to the civilised nations of the world an example worthy of the imitation of every statesman, and worthy, also, of the ad- miration of the wisest philosopher (cheers). Gentlemen, I again thank you,—most inadequately thank you,—for the great and distinguished honour which you have conferred upon me bvjt I beg to assure you, though my words fall far short of my feelings, and infinitely below the very distinguished kindness "l have received at your hands, that the recollection of this day will be impressed on my memory to the latest hour of my existence and that, if in any act of my public life I shall feel hesitation or doubt, the recollection not only of the kindness which you have exhibited to me this day, but of the handsome and generous support which I have received (loud cheers)—the recollections, I say, of the handsome and generous support which I have received from your hands in moments of great personal and official difficulty (loud cheers)—will encourage me and support me in the discharge of my duty and this you may depend on, that so long as this country has the good for- tune to be represented by such men as I see around me, and as long as the people of this country are animated by the generous and patriotic feelings which have led you here to-day, there is no danger that any Government of England will shrillk from the performance of their duty, and there never can be fear for the fortunes of our country. (The noble lord resumed his seat amidst enthusiastic cheering.) Lord James Stuart then rose to propose the next toast, Lord John Russell and her Majesty's Ministers," and said that the committee of which he had the honour to be a mem- ber had done him the honour to put this toast into his hands and though he was aware that there were many present who could do much more justice to it, he would not decline the duty which had been imposed upon him. He was convinced that that toast would be well received—nay, lie would say enthusiastically received—by all shades of reformers assembled in that room (cheers). He was quite aware that the member;, of the lleform Club included gentlemen of every variety of reform opinions but, recollecting the benefits which had accrued to the country from the possession of office by Lord John Russell and his colleagues, he was quite sure of a hearty response to his proposition. He had been one of a deputation who waited on Lord John Russell to invite his attendance on this occasion, and though the state of his lordship's health prevented his acceptance of the invitation, he distinctly stated to the deputation that he had always approved of the adminis- tration of foreign affairs as pursued by his noble friend. lie (Lord James Staart) was convinced, too, that the whole of the cabinet concurred entirely with the policy of their noble colleague, who was that day their guest (hear, hear). He would not detain them at any length detailing the policy of the noble lord during the 33 years he has been in parliament, but he would merely remind them that he had been the means, 27 years ago, of repealing the Test and Corporation Acts which for 150 years had disgraced the statute book that lie had also been the strenuous advocate of Catholic Emancipation, though the honour of carrying that measure had fallen to the lot of another, and in later times he had been the strenuous advocate of free trade principles and although the final repeal of the corn laws was carried by that great statesman, whose loss they -ic all lamented—(hear, hear)—his success was .greatly attri- butable to the disinterested co-operation of the noble lord.g colleague, Sir George Grey, to recall their recollection to the able manner in which he had administered the affairs of his office, and in the year 18-18, had, during the political dis- turbances which prevailed in neighbouring nations, main- tained the peace of this country. The following gentlemen afterwards addressed the assem- I)ly Attorney-General, Sir G. Strickland, Lord Comoys, Mr. W. M.James, the Solicitor-General, Mr. M. O'Oonm.-ll. Baron de Iiothschill, Sergeant Murphy, and Lord Dudley Stuart.

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