685: Chapter 333: Britain’s Diplomatic Decision_2 685: Chapter 333: Britain’s Diplomatic Decision_2 Viscount Palrston also detected the gunpowder in the other’s words, and he said soothingly with a smile.
“Of course, not everything in Bentham’s thought is bad.
For instance, the idea that a person should have the innate right to his finances, free trade, freedom of speech and publication, and many of these ideas have already been accepted by the governnt.
However, in my view, many of Bentham’s proposals still seem too radical, such as the imdiate abolition of slavery, the prohibition of corporal punishnt in the military, the separation of church and state, and the legalization of homosexuality, among others.
But overall, I still have a great deal of respect for him.
Although he was once a supporter of the Great Revolution in France and was even granted the status of a French honorary citizen.
But undoubtedly, he truly wanted to consider the world and think about the society of Britain, it was just that there were so deviations in his way of thinking.”
Earl Atstead chuckled softly, “It seems we do have so rare common ground between us.
I also admire Mr.
Bentham, but the difference is, I don’t admire Bentham’s views; I admire his character.
Bentham is naive in both speech and action, but he lives openly, his views and actions are consistent and traceable.”
Others might not understand this, but Viscount Palrston understood all too well what the old earl implied.
As a follower of the forr Pri Minister George Canning, when Viscount Palrston first entered Parliant, the job he obtained was that of a junior officer under the Navy Departnt, where he daringly devised the plan to bombard Copenhagen and annihilate the Danish navy according to Canning’s wishes.
If one ticulously analyzed Palrston’s political career, one could find that it was rife with the influence of his guide, Canning.
They both hopped between the Tory Party and Whig Party with equal ease, with Canning befriending several leaders of the Whig Party through his uncle’s introduction during his school days.
However, after graduating, he chose to join the then-dominant Tory Party.
As for Palrston, he had always presented himself as firmly monarchist, insisting on handling both dostic and foreign affairs with an iron fist.
Yet when he beca marginalized within the Tory Party, he transford into a Whig Party supporter of parliantary reform.
Moreover, both n were notorious womanizers, with three of the seven most revered ladies of Almack’s Club taking a particular liking to Palrston’s humor and wit.
Canning, on the other hand, played even bigger gas; he had once had an ambiguous personal relationship with Caroline, Queen of George IV, who hailed from Brunswick.
Both were equally adept at debate and speech, often offending people by forcing their opponents into submission with an aggressive attitude.
Even their lineages were similar.
Viscount Palrston was an authentic Irish aristocrat, and Canning’s parents were also Irish.
Because they were so alike, friends’ descriptions of Canning and Palrston were often interchangeable in many situations.
—He treated politics as child’s play, he entirely disregarded principles if those principles hindered his pursuit of power.
Viscount Palrston was well aware of the terrible impression his defection from the Tory Party had made in the hearts of the old and pure Tories.
But he always had reasons to defend himself.
“Your Excellency, if you insist on using Sir Canning as an example.
Yes, I am a free idealist, fervently believing that Great Britain’s historical mission is to spread democratic values around the world, and in necessary circumstances, I do not exclude the possibility of using force.
Just like that famous quote from Sir Canning — ‘I will create a new world to change the old with its own power dynamics.’
Unfortunately, Earl Atstead was not buying Palrston’s pitch.
“Really?
If that’s the case, it should have been you going to Liverpool, not Officer Hastings who took a bullet.
You should have been standing on the deck of a battleship at the old dock of Liverpool, pointing the cannon at those slave-trading rchants, forcing them to spit out their blood-stained money.
And if you truly are a free idealist, then you shouldn’t have had any critique of Lord Bentinck’s work in India.
Don’t they rather approve of his reforms there in India?
I’ve read the past few issues of ‘The Westminster Review;’ they were singing praises for Bentinck on there.”
Palrston responded earnestly, “Of course, Your Excellency, as I said from the start, I very much recognize the work of Lord Bentinck.
However, on so specific details, I still wish to consult your opinion, as an expert with extensive administrative experience in India.”
Earl Atstead, however, was not planning to corner Palrston on his own turf.
The old earl took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose, “I suppose you’re referring to his plans to abolish the right of the governors of Madras and Mumbai to issue laws independently?”
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