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SM ffiE LEADER. |Ho> 474, April 23, 1859...
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Political forbshabowings.. ¦ . ? ' ' ~
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Me. Viixiers'and. SmR. ^ETHfeife^At Wolv...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Sm Ffie Leader. |Ho> 474, April 23, 1859...
SM ffiE LEADER . | Ho > 474 , April 23 , 1859 .
Political Forbshabowings.. ¦ . ? ' ' ~
Political forbshabowings . . ¦ . ? ' ' ~
Me. Viixiers'and. Smr. ^Ethfeife^At Wolv...
Me . Viixiers ' and . SmR . ^ ETHfeife ^ At Wolvernamptbn these gentlemen have been addressing the electors , Mr . Vaiiers said , that the great defect in the House of Commons was , that the rural interest exercised an almost overwhelming influence in Parliament , so that it took a ten years' agitation to carry an important measure , and then it was effected hy the influence of force and fear rather than reason . Glancing at the necessity for a more adequate recognition of large populations , and at the question of the necessity of the ballot , as a means of protection from coercion , he urged that reform should be at once dealt with ; but while they extended the suffrage , they should do it gradually , as had always been the
custom in this country , and not as in other countries , where they attempted to gain everything at once , and lost everything . Mr . Villiers concluded by passing a warm eulogium upon Sir Richard Bethell . Sir R . Bethell spoke of Wolverhampton as being the T > irth-p ! ace of free trade ; and referring to the dissolution of Lord Derby said , such conduct called for the condemnation of every wise , discreet , and patriotic man , to whatever party he might belong . They had dissolved Parliament at that critical moment , and left England without a Government , because the House of Commons had rejected their Reform Bill ; but , instead of appealing from that House to the country , they stated that they did not
mean to re ^ introduce that measure , on the ground of the rejection of which they chose at that important period to throw the country into the paralysis which must attend , the period of a contested election . An attempt to effect too great a change would retard all reform by awakening the fears of those who possessed property ; but he had ho doubt that in a few years political freedom would be extended to every householder in the land . After advocating a more equal distribution of representatives ,. Sir Richard said a reformed Parliament was only a means to an end , that end being the general good of the country , be the main
and he hoped some of the results would - tenance of peace , a wise and economical management of the finances of the country , and above all , that office , place , and political power would no longer "be the mere inheritance of a few political classes . He pointed out the striking defects in the present state of the law which required the amending hand , the simplifying hand , and the condensing hand , and , above all , a department . for the administration of the 2 aw , and for the steady progress of law reform required to be established . ( Applause . ) It was to promote such objects that he asked them to send htm to Parliament as their representative .
Bight Hon . James Stuart WortLey . —At a meeting of the electors of the West Riding , held at Leeds on Tuesday , the right lion , gentleman said—I am told that I am unfit to represent the West Riding because I am inconsistent ^ because I formed a member of the administration of Lord Palmerstpn . Xiord Palmerston is not at this moment among the ranks of the Conservative party . Don't be too sure of that ! If I read aright the late speeches of Lord Palmerston , he is not on the other side . What is the great question before you ? It is reform . The question is -between Birmingham reform and real reform . I thought it was unnecessary to pass such a resolution as Lord John Russell devised , and that
it would be better at once to proceed to , the consideration of the Government Bill . Was this the case ? Could it have been made a good measure ? What were the faults of it ? I thought that it put the county franchise too low . Well , what , wa 3 so easy as , in committee , to hare turned . 101 . into 121 ., or into 20 ? . ? And what was so easy , as to have turned the 10 Z . for boroughs into a 61 ? Though I am not responsible for the Government , I can undertake , I think , for their intentions not to Bhririk nor shirk trdm the question of reform ; but , now that they know the opinion of Parliament and the opinion of the country , to frame such a measure , upon the ancient principles of the constitution as shall at once preserve inviolate all the rights of the freeholders , transfer of seats from the
and make a moderate smaller boroughs to the largo counties ; at the same time so to extend the franchise as it shall not only reach the present constituency , but by some other mode to reach that class who hitherto have been kept at tho portals of the constitution , but who form , in a great measure , the marrow and strength of our country , tho worst feature in the Government Bill was the disfranchising—the transfer , I should rather say--of the votes of freeholders within boroughs from counties to boroughs . I did not hesitate to denounce that provision in my place } n Parliament 5 but this would have been wholly changed m committee it was but to strike out one short clauso . ana tnat Wotch was gone for ever . I believe the freeholders , not only in this county , but in all tho counties , to bo the moat independent class of voters that we have { cheers )} and I , therefore , shall bo found among tho
that , in any coming Reform Bill , a large distribution of seats was absolutely necessary , as well as a large extension of the suffrage . He did not entertain : these opinions as a mere political claptrap , bat he had always held them . He had always stood in the House of Commons in the proud position of an unpledged and unfettered representative , and , although that had been the case , he believed he had ever discharged his duty faithfully to his constituents and the country ^ Mr . Edwin James said , lie was glad to hear that the rumour was unfounded that their representatives were to be " nailed" to some
particular reform scheme , as that would be a kind of slavery which was a disgrace to such an influential and independent borough . The hon . gentleman then proceeded to comment upon the provisions of the Government Reform Bill , which lie urged was a miserable measure , and not worthy the consideration of several weeks , arid hence it was at once rejected . They did not want any revolution but a peaceful revolution , and in conclusion he earnestly hoped that the present agitation would lead to the passing of such a measure as would be another bulwark of the . freest nation on the globe .
Mr . 1 . Doultos . —At a meeting of the electors-of Lambeth , tins gentleman said , he should go to the House of Commons prepared not to support tho bill of Mr . Bright , of Lord Derby , or Lord J . llussell , but to support such a bill as he should deem best for the interests of the country . He did not agree with John Bright in everything , but lie believed that , if ever they had an efficient Reform Bill , it would be rather front John Bright than , from either Lord Palmerston or Lord J . Russell . lie feared that ,. before Parliament met again , Europe would be
engaged in war . He was for non-intervention , but we shoiild be prepared to defend our own . lie could not disguise from himself that England had . a neighbour in whom her people had not implicit confidence . Looking at that . man ' s antecedents , he thought he should be wanting in his duty as an Englishman did he not support all efficient preparations for eventualities . Entering upon the subject of Mr . Williams ' s recent decision not to withdraw from the representation of the borough , he characterised that gentleman s conduct as mean and dishonourable , and expressed his determination not to succumb .
Mr . Berkeley , Mr . Laxgtox , . vxi > Ma . F . w . St-ade .- —On Monday a crowded meeting of the electors of Bristol was addressed by Messrs . Berkeley and Langton , the Liberal candidates . Mr . Berkelc } -, after contrasting the present condition of the electors with the time when they were " ground under the heel of Tory despotism , " proceeded to disparage the Conservative candidate , Mr . Slade , as being a barrister , which class , he said , were a bore in the House of Commons . Barristers have more to gain by a seat in the House than any other class of men . There are more rewards for barristers ; there is the
looming in the distance for political service position of Lord High Chancellor of England , tho Attorney-Generalship , the Solickor-Gcnemlslup , situations of judges in the East and West Indies , revising barristers , and so forth . Mr . Lnngton echoed what Mr . Berkeley had said respecting lawyers . Tho same evening the Conservative candidate for Bristol , Mr . Frederick William Slade , addressed a meeting of the electors . In the course of his speech he said that Berkeley ¦ : was a political quack , and Langion was a dull and ^ m shadow ot Berkeley . Langton never gave anything but a silent vote in his life . . candidate
Mr . G . S . BEjacROFT . — : The Conservative for Leeds , in addressing his constituents , said two points were selected upon which ^ o . opp ^ ionts ot Government made an attack on their bill . AnaB this manoouvre waa a clever one , no one would aony . but who would assort that it was a foir » . »« candij one ? It was not so intended , it was meant to bo a large-meshed not to catch ^ 11 sections niul e \ ery individual who could bo enclosed withm it . 1 < ° » a part , ho thought it , to use a very mild term , uism SSSowlntli ? extreme . He did ' not flir a moment pretend to say that he agreed with nil tjw provisions of tho Government measure . He domod t ft . t . any Government could frame a bill on tho sutyw > £ > comprehensive- as to command , in its ovory ioa mo . tlin £ nnnfn * nnnaa of all its SUODurtOrS . Ho COUHI 1105 homes 1
most determined opponents of any one who attempts to disturb the rights of that class of the community . There is one topic which occupies all our minds— the present critical state of Europe . The Ministerial explanations seem to me to indicate that the danger is still swelling and increasing , and at any moment may burst in all the fury of war over the face of Europe . Such a time its not for party faction or struggling , however honourable , at other timesstruggli ng in comparative petty ambition for place and power . It is a time for giving effectual support to the Crown . I believe , whatever party may be in power , that upon this question , they will earnestly and honestly exert themselves to maintain the dignity of the nation , but also to secure peace . And my to assist
earnest endeavours will be m giving every strength to her Majesty ' s Ministers which it is possible for a loyal Parliament to give . . In answer to a question , the right lion , gentleman said , I have always voted against the ballot , and I cannot foresee the time when I shall be willing to vote for so dishonest a plan . I believe it would be no protection to an honest man , and no benefit to anybody but an accomplished hypocrite . 1 believe it would destroy public opinion . It would destroy the responsibility of members of Parliament , and the very springs of action which give courage , nobility , and truth to our nation , and would degrade us from a class of honest men to a parcel of deceivers and hypocrites . More than this , I don't believe that five honest men would exercise the ballot if they could . ¦ ' ...
Sir Charles Napier . —At a meeting of his friends in South wark this week , the gallant Admiral said he had no fear of the result of the election , for he was sure the electors of' South wark would not act so inconsistently as to turn out a man they had two years ago returned by a majority of 1 , 480 , and who had always done his duty , He was in Parliament when the China war was discussed , and supported Lord Palmerston in carrying on a war which had opened up to our commerce the great empire of China , arid had since resulted hi opening up to usj also the empire of Japan . He had opposed the bill brought in in consequence of the attempt of Orsini . Englishmen had no right to interfere with
the Government of France , but their Emperor was not justified in dictating what laws Ave should pass . As he disapproved of the Conspiracy Bill , he voted against it , though its effect was to turn Lord Palmerston , who was his personal friend , out of office . He could safely say he had never given a factious vote against Lord Derby ' s Government . Upon the reform question lie was in . favour of triennial Parliaments , but did not believe that annual Parliaments would be advantageous . He was favourable to the widest extension of the franchise in boroughs , and would give to every man who had a house over his head and paid rent the right to vote . He was for maintaining the defences and upholding
the honour of the country ; but he complained that under that pretence large sums were annually wasted . With an effective fleet England might always defy the world in arms . .,.-- _ ,.. Mb . Cox . —This honourable gentleman , in the course of a speech to the electors of Finsbury , informed them that at the last election he plumped for Duncombe , he did not vote for hunself , because he was then an untried man ; but he now felt that he was the right man in . the right place , and should der cidedly vote for Duncombe and Cox . " Mr . Cox also pointed out that he had performed the largest amount of sittings of any member of the House during the session . . For four years Sir S . Peto represented
Norwich , and during that time ho voted 139 tunes in 866 divisions . He ( Mr . Cox ) during three years , voted 340 times in 888 divisions . If the people of Norwich were satisfied with Sir . S . Peto ' s votes , ho ought to , go back to Nqrwich , Sin SamUei , Pj 3 to . —Addressing the electors of Mnsbury tho baronet said , that as to the lato Reform Reform Bill , if ho had had a seat in the House , ho would havo given his support to tho amendment of Lord John Russell . The . £ 10 franchise in counties was the lowest he could admit . He could not desire to see a lower county franchise . Ho would not consent to see tho upper and middle classes trodden down by the unintelligent mol > . He knew his sentiments were too Conservative for some people , but
lie begged them not to override tho privileges of Englishmen , and neither allow him or his firionds to speak . They wanted other things besides a Roforin bill—economy of expenditure , and good government in ovory department of tho State . With regard to foreign affairs , he thought the position of the country at the present time should bo non-intervention . Thqir duty was , lie thought , to keep the nation at peace . lie know that some of his Church friends made a point of this fact , that ho did not support church-rates ; but he was not so rabid a Dissenter as not to help to build a church . Ho was dosirous to soo the Church prosper . Sir B , Hall and Mr . Ejjwin Jajiiss . —Those prontlbomen addressed tho electors of Marylobono on Wednesday . Sir B . Hall said , hie conviction was
soo why I man who owned two 10 / » borough , and only occupied one , should Jn ve tj Q votes ? while , if ho owned o'hundrod houses 1 itnouo its limits , he should only have one vote , Jm , " 1 0 same tlmo , ho found thab the fxouholdors ot h 010 ugnj possessed tho double voto , and ho was 11111 y lll itf w * doprivo them of thoir vested rights , . As W « JJ the borough franchise , it was Ins foo »» g that tne greater number of Intelligent ami respootttblo t » jn they could admit to a share of it tho I' ° "J ' Vty occupation franohiso was to some osioni ft iff ' J qualification } and a property qunllOont on , * J » ° ° any value , must bo limited to ' \ ^^"'^ iV 5 HodUnot object to soino roduotlon , ud ho ' J ovory reason to think that somo auoh aonccssioi vould havo boqn mado by the Government .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), April 23, 1859, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_23041859/page/8/
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