Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 71, No. 438, April 1852Various
History
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 71, No. 438, April 1852
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
After a lucid statement of the circumstances under which he had been so
suddenly and unexpectedly called to the helm of public affairs, the
steps which he had taken to form a Government, and a frank avowal that
he saw himself, for the present, environed with almost insuperable
difficulties, arising principally out of the confused condition of
parties in the House of Commons, he proceeded to indicate the principles
on which he proposed to conduct the Government of the country. He
commenced with his Foreign Policy, and there was perceptible a faint
stir in the quarter where stood several ambassadors, and other members
of the diplomatic body. As if anxious that all he said on this subject
should be well understood by persons not perfectly familiar with the
English language, he here spoke with even greater deliberation and
distinctness than in any other part of his speech. He doubtless felt no
little anxiety that his views of our foreign relations should be
thoroughly appreciated by the representatives of foreign states, who
would, of course, instantly, on quitting the House, forward accounts of
what they had heard to their respective governments. One or two might
have been seen taking a pencil note of particular expressions; and this
might well be done; for he handled these critical topics with exquisite
discretion and delicacy. His tone was cordially pacific, but also
dignified and resolute. How would the Funds have fallen the next
morning, had he here committed himself! The essence of what he said may
be thus expressed--would that we had space to give, throughout, the
speaker's own choice and nervous language!--The new Government cherished
a profound anxiety to preserve the blessings of universal peace; and,
said the Earl of Derby, "there is not one of my noble friends who will
not consider that every effort should be made by the Government, with a
view of averting _the remotest chance_," (the words in italics he
uttered with marked emphasis,) "of incurring the miseries of war." Our
demeanour towards foreign governments should be on all occasions frank
and conciliatory; we should treat all nations alike, whether great or
small, with due respect and consideration, equally in acts, in words, in
conduct. Treaties should be observed with punctual fidelity, both as to
letter and spirit. Every nation's independence should be held sacred,
and on no pretence should we interfere with their internal and
individual arrangements. Whatever form of government each thought proper
to adopt, we had no right to manifest either sympathy or prejudice in
respect of one more than another, "be it the most absolute despotism,
limited monarchy, constitutional republic, or--if such a thing can be
conceived to continue in existence--absolute Red Republicanism. That
which is the choice of a nation, is that which it is the duty of the
British Government to recognise." Whenever explanations, or redress,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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