On the 16th of February, Lord John, in a committee of the whole house, explained his intentions in reference to the local militia acts. This question excited considerable interest, as the Duke of Wellington and Sir John Burgoyne had pointed out the possibility of an invasion, and the defenceless state of the coasts and of the country generally. The coup d’état in France had also created considerable public uneasiness. The secrecy, sternness of purpose, swiftness of action, boldness, and indifference to bloodshed shown by the president of the French republic, caused most men to reflect upon the possibility of some terrible coup de main being attempted against England; the president, in his writings as Prince Charles Louis Napoleon Buonaparte, having so often asserted that he represented a defeat, the defeat of Waterloo, which France must avenge. Lord John proposed to allow the plan of “the old regular militia” to fall out of use, and to establish a new scheme for a local militia. Ireland was to be exempt from the measure. In twelve months, the number of men to be raised was 70,000, in two years 100,000, in three years 130,000, after which period Great Britain alone should furnish, if necessary, 180,000 men.
Lord Palmerston’s expulsion from the cabinet was then about to tell on the ministry, and the future history of party. His lordship opposed the ministerial measure; and, released from ministerial privacy, declared that he had urged upon Lord John in vain since the year 1846 the organization of a militia. His lordship opposed the plan of a local militia, preferring the old force, and, as an Irish peer, expressed some warmth that Ireland was excluded from the arrangement.
When the bill came forth from the committee, Lord Palmerston proposed amendments in harmony with the principles upon which he had criticised the measure on going into committee. The two noble lords were now fairly pitted against one another as rivals for parliamentary influence, and the result was the defeat and resignation of Lord John Russell. The Irish members supported Lord Palmerston in great force, and threw out the ministry. His lordship also received considerable support from the Derby-Disraeli party. From that moment it was obvious that Lord John ceased—at all events for many years, should Lord Palmerston survive—to be the leader of the House of Commons.
THE EARL OF DERBY’S ADMINISTRATION.
The majority in favour of Lord Palmerston’s measure caused the adjournment of the house. The queen sent for Lord Derby, and committed to him the reins of power.
One of the first acts of his lordship, after conferring with Mr. Disraeli and a few of his most attached adherents, was to offer a seat in his cabinet to Lord Palmerston. Mr. Disraeli had, however, in the debate upon the address, renewed his agitation of the previous year for re-adjusting taxation in favour of the landed interest, as compensation for the loss of high prices for corn, which had been secured by protection. As this was only another mode of reenacting protectionist laws, and one which was especially offensive to all the community not inheriting land, it was impossible for Lord Palmerston to accept office with Lord Derby, even if their political differences were less. Failing to strengthen his government by the accession of Lord Palmerston, Lord Derby, had recourse to Mr. Gladstone, but his repugnance to act with Disraeli personally, and his opposition to the protectionist schemes of both that minister and Lord Derby, rendered all negotiations unsuccessful. The ministry, therefore, became a pure tory and protectionist cabinet, except so far as Lord Stanley was concerned, whose opinions were supposed to be liberal, although connected with the ministry by the influence of his father.
The following ministry was ultimately formed:—
In the Cabinet. First Lord of the Treasury ... Earl of Derby. Lord Chancellor ............... Lord St. Leonards. Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Disraeli. President of the Council ...... Earl Lonsdale. Privy Seal....................... Marquis of Salisbury. Home Secretary ............... Mr. Horace Walpole. Foreign Secretary............... Earl of Malmesbury. First Lord of the Admiralty..... Duke of Northumberland. President of the Board of Control Mr. Hume. Post-Master General ............ Earl of Hardwicke. President of the Board of Trade Mr. Henley. First Commissioner of Woods/Forests Lord J. Manners
Not in the Cabinet. Commander-in-Chief of Her of Majesty’s Land Forces ...... Duke of Wellington. Master-General of the Ordnance Viscount Hardinge. Paymaster of the Forces, and Vice-President of the Board of Trade Lord Colchester. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.... Mr. Christopher. Secretary at War .................... Major Beresford Secretary of the Admiralty........... Mr. O’Brien Stafford. Attorney-General...................... Sir Frederick Thesiger. Solicitor-General .................. Sir Fitzroy Kelly. Judge Advocate-General................ Mr. Banks. Chief Poor-Law Commissioner........... Sir George Trollope.