130 
LIVINGSTONE FESTIVAL. 
[Feb. 13 , 1858 . 
this last week to receive from America a Journal containing the 
report of a discussion which has lately taken place in the Senate of 
that great Republic, in which it was asserted that there were evident 
symptoms of a change of feeling upon this subject in England. And 
I was even more surprised to see the reply made to that assertion 
by another member of the same body, which was to the effect that 
he did not believe there was any change on the part of the people 
of this country, although he feared there was a change of policy on 
the part of its Government. Now, Gentlemen, there is nothing I am 
more anxious to say on this occasion than to give an emphatic denial 
to both assertions. (Cheers.) There is no change in the feeling of the 
people — as little is there any change in the policy of the Government. 
I need hardly say that as regards slavery in America the Govern- 
ment of this country neither has, nor can have, any policy at all. 
There can be no doubt that any public or official interference on our 
part upon that subject would only tend to add to the many powerful 
motives already arrayed on the side of slavery, the just suscepti- 
bilities of national independence. But as regards the policy of the 
Government with reference to the Slave-trade, and generally 
towards the African race, it is the same as it has ever been since 
this country was awakened to her duty. I think 1 could appeal to 
the keenest opponent of Lord Palmerston whether, during his long 
and distinguished public career, there has been any subject on which 
he has shown more constantly his characteristic energy and tenacity 
of purpose. (Cheers.) I can sincerely say that the great motive 
which has induced him and my noble friend Lord Clarendon, and 
the other Members of the Government, to support the enterprise of 
Dr. Livingstone, has been the hope that it Taay tend to promote 
the civilization and improvement of the people of Africa. (Loud 
applause.) 
Before I sit down, Gentlemen, I trust I may be allowed to refer 
for a moment to a matter which has been touched upon by our 
Chairman. I am proud of Dr. Livingstone not only as a Scotchman, 
but as a native of that part of the country with which I am more 
particularly connected. Dr. Livingstone has himself informed me 
that at a very recent period his family came from the little Island 
of Ulva, on the coast of Argyllshire, an island belonging to what 
Sir Walter Scott has called 
“ the group of islets gay 
That guard famed Staffa round.” 
And I deem it, Gentlemen, a circumstance not altogether unworthy 
of remark, that Ulva stands in very close proximity to another island 
