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1276 . __ TH E JL E A3) E 11. [No. 453, ...
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POLITICAL FORESHADOWING^. 43ir Charles N...
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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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I F The Reform Fire Does Not Burn Bright...
Prussia , even if tliey furnish no matter for surprise , -yrill shock all those who looked for an amelioration of that system which under the disabled King grew up at the dictation of Russian influences . The Prince Regent stands plainly confessed as the defender of the past order of things against " hopes that overstep the limit of an . exact appreciation of requirements and circumstances , "—to adopt the refined language of Herr Flottwellj the Minister of the Interior , writing to the Minister of Police to
instruct him with regard to the conduct of the popular elections . " I invite , " says the Minister to his coadjutor , " your serious attention to the necessity of opposing everywhere by legal means these erroneous opinions and pretensions . " " The Government , " he says farther , " will repress all these tendencies and pretensions , and in general it neither can . nor will be disposed in anyway to permit any sort of trespass bejond the fixed limits . " The Liberals of Prussia hoav know exactly the man and Government they have to deal with . The
result of every election ought to ^ e a practical protest against the mockery of a constitutional Government which has set itself up in Berlin . The decision of the Lord Chancellor' of Ireland in the case of the O'Malley children will give universal satisfaction , so exactly does it meet the justice of the case . They are to remain in -the care of their Protestant aunt . It was impossible to take a fairer view of the circumstances under which those poor children were left by their departed pai-ents ; the whole course of their education , had been Protestant , the determination of their mother ,
expressed at the bedside of their dying father , and with his approval , that nO child of hers should ever fall into the hands of priest or nun , were incontrovertible proofs of the Protestantism of the influences under which the children had been bred and trained . Lord Campbell , supported by Justices Wiglitman , Earle , and Hill , has decided to give the Rev . Alfred Poole power to call upon the Archbishop of Canterbury to show cause why he refused to hear Mr . Poole ' s complaint against the Bishop of London ; and this decision is highly satisfactory both to the friends of Mr . Poole , who think lie has been unjustly condemned , and to his opponents , who look justly condemned , and to his opponents , who look
now to have the matter of the " confessional " brought to an issue . In the Court of Queen ' s Bench , on Thursday , a remarkable event took p lace : tliis was nothing less than the formal admission of a Mahometan to practise as an attorney . Loi ' d Campbell decided that it was only necessary for Cumroodeen to take the oath of allegiance and the attorney ' s oath , thus avoiding the oath of abjuration , which contains the words ,. " on the faith of a Christian . " This is an event of some importance , for if it be true that the law has strewn rocks ahead of this believer in the Koran , his case may be of service in helping to purge our laws and customs of some of the barbarism that clings to them with a strange vitality .
1276 . __ Th E Jl E A3) E 11. [No. 453, ...
1276 . __ TH E JL E A 3 ) E 11 . [ No . 453 , November 27 , igsg
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Political Foreshadowing^. 43ir Charles N...
POLITICAL FORESHADOWING ^ . 43 ir Charles Napier and 3 tf « . Locks M . P . —The hon . xnombers have addressed their constituents in Southwurk . After a lengthy review of the lafit session , Sir Charles spoke of the national defences . He thought our means of defence were not sufficient , nnd he haul thought so for years post , and they had now heard the Karl of Hardwicke ' s opinion to the same effect . He did not find fault with the Emperor of the French for increasing his defences and his navy , but our Government ought to take core that his ships and docks should not ho dangerous to the liberty of the people of this country .
Great exertions had been made lately in our dockyards —sailing ships had been cut down and made into eorew ships , and ho hoped they would now be useful again . Economical members would stand up and say , " How comes it that tho navy expenses ivoro increased to such a degree ? " But those who asked tho question wore endeavouring to throw dust into the eyes of the people . A groat , change had been made of late years in tho whole system of naval warfare , and the expense of the alterations which modern discoveries rendered neoeenary must be borne . Ho was Hie advocate of economy in our dockyards , but economy was not to bo obtained by pavv ing off a fleet in 1857 to reconstitute it in 1858 . He ^ ruBtcd _ that fUo present Government would never allow
the navy to be in the state it Was a short time ago . The French seeing-our sluggishness , got ahead of us * and we had now to spend money to regain the position which we never should have lost . With regard to the French alliance , ho thought it the best thing in the world , if it could be maintained , but lie feared that an alliance could not long continue between a free people a nd a despotic power , and it was necessary for us to be provided against a rainy day . They had seen an illustration of the French policy in her conduct in reference to Portugal , which he thought was most unjustifiable in a strong nation towards a weak one . Mr . Locke said , with regard to the franchise , his view was that every man who had a home should have a vote . Well , this extension being effected , it was necessary that the voter should be protected , and he thought the ballot would do that .
Mr . Nicwdegate , M . P ., and 11 k . Sfooxer , M . P . — At the anniversary meeting of the Rugby and Dunchurch Conservative Association , Mr . Newdegate said that it was with deep regret that he saw a great principle of the constitution infringed for the sake of admitting to the House of Commons a man of great wealth , and for aught he knew of great attainments , but a man who could not profess the true faith of a Christian . Of Mr . Bright , the subjects he mooted were well calculated to affect the minds of ignorant persons when he inveighed against the institutions of this great country . He ( Mr . Xewdegate ) lamented that a man gifted with so much talent should have used his great powers in such a manner as to prove how bigoted and narrow-minded a
politician he was . He denied that Mr . Bright was a true friend of the working classes , as he would have them-to believe , instancing in proof of his assertion the conduct of that gentleman in reference to the Ten Hours Bill—i-w-hen he opposed every measure for moderating the severity of manufacturing labour . Mr . Newdegate said he did not desire to see all the small boroughs abolished without a substitute , for there were men of the highest service to the Government who would not be returned by large constituencies . No greater misfortune could occur than a measure of reform which should not give the representation to the educated classes . ' Unless some means are adopted for securing
the representation of such persons no reform bill would be perfect . The hon . gentleman concluded by saying be would still adhere to the Protestant principles he had always advocated . Mr . Spooner said : —The people of England were not inclined to do away with the aristocracy . Mr . Bright might be an exceedingly clever man , but he ( Mr . Spooner ) thought he would lind the job he hud undertaken somewhat too heavy . Our constitution was not a thing of yesterday ; and he was of opinion that if these quack remedies for its defect ^ or presumed defects , were permitted , Mr . Bright would end by making the patient a great deal worse than he was before .
The Right Hos . E . P . Bouvkrie , M . P . —Last week this gentleman addressed a meeting of bis constituents at Kilmarnock . He said that one important and main part of any future Reform Bill must be an extension of the franchise . No bill without including that would deserve the name of Reform . The true theory of governing was to give the greatest amount possible of political liberty that was consistent witli good order and just laws in society , arid the franchise should only be restricted wlieu itd extension would interfere therewith . There was another point connected with the subject of Reform upon which he was not quitoof the same opinion as was often , entertained— he referred to what was called equal electoral districts . It was a favourite notion that
war with us as we with them . While none of us ^ Zu grudge what was necessary to keep up the def ™ d the country , still there must be a limit- and ™ ° not be always increasing our forces . ' "e must Mr . Labouchehe , M . P ., and Mr . Mhls Mp The members for the borough of Taunton mettheKT stituents last week . Mr . Labouchere observed th 7 " had been announced by her Majesty ' s Government ?! ' ? a new Reform Bill would be introduced in theS sion of Parliament . Now be considered it would beh ' duty to consider that measure , not solely as rctrar . lJ ? the constituency he had the honour to represent , but reference to its bearing upon the great interests of Z community . Of the nature and details of that bill I was profoundly , ignorant . But he conceived that I measure which would affect the future generations of
England should be regarded not as to whether this or that set of men should occupy the bench of office . And he should look upon it with every feeling of deference to the well-being of the country , and not as a question which pertains to a mere political partisan . lie had no wish whatever to see the constituencies of England put up as it were , to auction , to be obtained by the highest or most unscrupulous , bidder . If the measure should appear to him calculated to improve , purify , strengthen , and to enlarge our representative system , that bill should have his support . —Mr . Mills said , things had come to such a pass in legislation , that there was never one bill announced for a certain object than they were sure to have another . Last session they had two India bills
he was not sure they had not three . Next session they were promised two Reform Bills , and there might be three . One thing iu which reforin was needed , was the " Parliamentary " Christmas-box system , which to his surprise and astonishment he had heard was one of the time-honoured institutions among the voters of TauntoD . MEETING in- Smithfield . —On Monday a meeting ta consider the Reform question was held in the open air , but the numbers clustered together amongst the cattlepens in a remote corner of Smithfield did not exceed three hundred—a large number l > ei ' ug spectators whd attended through curiosity , and a still larger number being mere boys who drew near ibr diversion . Even in a meeting so collected and constituted , Mr . Bright ' s views were treated with consideration , and hostile
remarks were more than counterbalanced by the declaration of the mover of the first resolution , that lie believed Mr . Bright was anxious to introduce a satisfactory measure of Reforin . Puovincial Uei-ok . m MovKMKXTs . —An association has been formed in Edinburgh on the basis of the London Parliamentary Reform Association . The meeting was attended by all the leading lit formers of Edinburgh , and a large sum was subscribed for active operations . It was agreed to hold a public meeting , and to invite the presence of Mr . Bright . —A Manhood Suffrage Association has been formed at Manchester , having
Alderman Heywood for its president . — A public -meeting was held at OJilbam on Thursday . Manhood suffrage and tho other " points" were adopted , and another resolution was also passed agreeing to support any measure that might be proposed which would enfranchise the majority of the people . —Leeds is also likely to maw a demonstration . —At Grantham a meeting has been held to discuss the prospects of the movement , and t o consider the desirability of a demonstration on thei subject—At King ' s Lynn , the Tory party of > o . « , « J about to meet , with the view of asserting the claims o the « landed interest " iu regard to tho coming inciwuo
there should be electoral equality in this country , that tho number of representatives should be determined by the amount of tho population . Ho was not in favour of that proposal . There were many small place . * that might justly bo disfranchised and their members given to larger constituencies . That would bo a good thing ; and so far as he wanted a change in the electoral districts . But he > vas ngainst settling tho matter entirely by population , lie did not know that it would be for tho advantage of the kingdom if London , with its population equal to that of Scotland , rotumed as many members ns tho latter did , nor did he think that it would be advantageous to tho Kilmarnock Burghs if Glasgow , with hor -100 , 000 inhabitants , wero permitted to represent her peculiar habits and pursuits and feelings by ten times as many us themselves . —Tho right hon . gentleman addressed another meeting at Rutherglen on Monday .
or measures to be submitted to Parliament . MlNISTISBIAr . APTOINT » IKNXS .-Th 0 ^ IW « « fe ^« - tlscr states that mportnnt changes iu t he . * " * " « J ] J ™ ment are in contemplation . Lord Naus »» « wt « ' 7 J go to India as Governor of Madras , in l'J " [ J ^ J Harris . The Evening Post reports that Mr . faojwjtt Fitzgorald is to bo Lord Nans ' * . successor iu "w i ™ Secretaryship . The Morning Fod ™ " ° " f . J 'X of Lord Napjcr from the mission at WnrtnnsUJ ™ cause assigned being his Lord s hip ' * tendency-to f « claims for the United b a
tho Munnfo doctrine , which Government exclusive iit / luonco on llio A ' ° » continent . That Lord Napier is about to remo ^ i ^ Washington to represent tho Quoqn at wm ° Court is , no doubt , true ; but the Derby ^ J " tt ( C have no reason whatever to bo dwiUinllcd > t _ views of his Lora « hip . ~ Tlioiv «^ ^^ ^ c ' ^ derstood that Lord Napier goes to JJurlln iw tho »« " ^ of Lord Bluomilolu , who retires on a ponaiou . * figment of Ministerial disapprobation re * lvcs iw the merited promotion of a Kenluud nud noconu ^ u
Alluding to our relations with Franco ho said , from time to time wo h « d heard rumours of an invusion , nnd these alarms had a most injurious effect . "Wo could not sympathise with the doupot who restrained and destroyed everything llko political liberty . But how was it that this man retained the power to which he hud risen ? how could a people like tho French , with . Intelligence , with tho highest position among tho nations of the world in arts and ' unns , with everything among them that could adorn civilisation , submit to tho iron despotism of one man ? Ho thought th « i solution lay in the fact that the majority of tho French nation , regarding ( he enjoyment of political liberty as incompatible with peace and good order , and scourjty to life and property , wero willing to aacrlflco the privilege Iu order to seeuro these Important obtocts , Tho I ' rgngh nutJon , dreading taxation and tho ovji } of conscription , were as much indisposed to go to
public servant . ,. , i 10 id ou U « xv « u 8 WYo » LONUON . —Ata conyocat » iwr 8 Wednesday , the question of X » arlliwnt » u » ry «« ' ^ „ , „ , raised . A resolution was proposed lIomn"t "" H oyi ! a by university the flame representation ns >* " ^ H to Oxford and Cambridge , and appointing n toin ^ confer with tho Govormnoiit on tho miiijofi * lutiou was adopted . e . B ] ootors o ( Mb . Akk oyp , M . P . —A mooting of the ° « .,, , WuddorsUqld w « a held on Wodiio" »•/• „ ' , / m j | j not referring to reform , «« rood that tho 1 ««> «> > ' ' » ,, thcy give the working cIumoa thut aharo « f | m «/ « „ , v 0 « had a right to expect . No * t 8 W » l < m lhc j , J' ltv ,, vtho number of Kefvrm 1 JI 1 I * . l lv * U Julm J * ' ^
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27111858/page/4/
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