On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
foiled from further injuring their higher victims , commenced stoning , beating , and kicking the policemen . " After this , imagining that Mj . Lowe had escaped from Mr . Sheppard ' s by the back way to the Albert Inn , in Bewdley-street , the rioters smashed every window in front of the building . Mr . Merrifield , the police superintendent , and what few of his men were not yet disabled , made a bold stand against the crowd while they were committing this outrage ; but of coarse seven ot eight persons were powerless against hundreds . The crowd then defiled into the town , amusing themselves by the way -with occasionally smashing windows , insulting every well-dressed person they met , and lustily yelling ' Boycott for ever ! ' For several hours , hundreds of the populace paraded the thoroughfares , shouting and
screaming-. About twelve o ' clock , symptoms of a row were manifested by the mob collected in High-street . A- t this juncture , however , the clatter of arms and horses' hoofs announced tie arrival of a troop of fifty Hussars from Birmingham , which had been telegraphed for shortly after four o ' clock ; and the fear of cold steel had quickly a quieting . effect upon the rioters . The Mayor and magistracy , who had been sitting en permanence , made their appearance under the protection of the military . His -worship at once read the Riot Act ; orders were given to cleaT the streets ; and the soldiers and the police effected this operation in the course of two hours . " The police , it appears , are very few in number , and the special constables behaved either with cowardice , or-with a secret sympathy with the mob .
Four men were arrested , but two have since been discharged . Mr . Lowe was removed from Kidderminster between ten and eleven o ' clock at night . Mr . Green , tax-collector , Dr . Ronald , and Jlr . Stockdale , of the Swan Inn , were also seriously wounded ; and hundreds of persons were cut and bruised , the mob , at the height of their fury , attacking alike both friend and foe . It has been stated that the rioters were chiefly workmen from the carpet mills ; but this is denied by Mr . Sheppard . Several women were among the most violent of the crowd . " \ < . Boycott is said to have indirectly encouraged the disturbances .
It is impossible fully to express the indignation and sorrow which we feel at seeing a state of things , disgraceful even to the coarser and less educated days of Hogarth , revived at a time when England , as one of the few constitutional nations of the world s has a solemn duty to perform in vindicating the true nobility of the representative system—at a time , moreover , when demands are being made for the admittance of the working orders to the franchise , and when it behoves them , for their own sakes , to vindicate their right to that
power by calm dignity of conduct and a reference of all disputed matters to the arbitration of the intellect . Let us take comfort , however , In reflecting that this is almost an isolated case , and that the disturbance was made in the interest of the Tories . The party- whose hereditary principle is violence and brutal suppression of the right of free speech and free action , only fulfils its traditions in forsaking tliat field of argument which it cannot maintain , and descending to the lowest depths of street ruffianism and lawlessness .
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE . Mr . Disraeli , Mr . Du Pre , and Mr . Cavendish were reelected without opposition on Tuesday . A speech of very great length was delivered by Mr . Disraeli . He commenced by reviewing the policy pursued by the Government to which he had belonged , and showing the advantages which had accrued to the country , in the way of improved national defences , legal reform , and an alliance with the Emperor Napoleon , in consequence of tlie policy pursued by Lord Derby's Ministry ; and he . then proceeded to draw attention to a parallel to the present difficulty about Herat which had occurred in 1852 , and which was speedily settled : — " It is generally thought that if the city of Herat is in the possession of Persia
our Indian dominion is in danger . I may mention the general opinion without entering into the controversy . Now , recently , that city having been captured by Persia , war was proclaimed , or rather undertaken , against Persia , without the knowledge of Parliament . Very considerable expenses have been incurred , and though " wo are told that peace has been effected , it will always be a question whether the course pursued in respect to Persia has been just and politic . When the Government of Lord Derby was in office , tho Shim of Persia not only menaced , but besieged , attacked , and captured , the city of Herat . According ( o tho political doctrines of this day , our Indian Empire was in danger . What was the course we took ? Did we invade I'ersia anil make war without the
cognizance of Parliament ? ( Hear . ) Did wo involve this country in an immense expenditure ? Yery different was the course we pursued . We had an efficient representative at tho Court of Teheran— -Colonel Shcil . He was not a person of our own political opinions , but I am bound to say that he was an efficient man . We sent to him the most energetic but conciliatory instructions . We told him to go to the Shah of Persia , and impress Upon him that if ho persisted in tho course he > vas pursuing , we should adopt measures of earnest stringency . Wo required him to give up Herat , and to return to liis own dominions , or we should invade his country , and tako measures which would render a rcpotitiun of lib offence impossible . What did tho Shah do ? Ho retired from Herat , and conceded all wo required , without qur
shire is to be blotted out of the political map , and probably you would have departments , as in France , taking their names from the nearest rivers . There would be the departments of the Upper and Lower Thames . Are you prepared to have votes in the department of the Upper Thames , and not to be electors of Buckinghamshire ? ( Cries of ' Yes / ' and ' No / ' ) There is an elector so false to the glory of Buckinghamshire , and to the glory of his own position ( cheers , and cries of ' Nonsense / ' ) that he is prepared to set the Thames on fire . ( Laughter , and an ironical cry of ' That ' s subliTrte ! *) No , it is not sublime ; it is funny . I have heard of a step from the sublime to the ridiculous ; but my friend takes a step from the ridiculous to the sublime . " ( Cheers
and laughter . ) Mr . Disraeli continued to argue against expunging Buckinghamshi re from the political map , when the democratical Voice asked , "Why not ?" Because , answered Mr . Disraeli , the traditions of a people form part of their national life ; and because a man cannot view , without feeling proud of his county , " the turfen road along -which Ilampden went with his Petition of Rights , the temple at Stowe dedicated to the eloquence of Chatham , or tlie oak at Beaconsfield under which Burke meditated his reflections on the French revolution . " The Voice persisted , saying , "I would disfranchise Buckinghamshire altogether . " Mr . Disraeli said he did not think the sneaker was one of the electors
of Buckinghamshire . " Yes , I am , " said tho Voice . " Then you ought not to be , " retorted Mr . Disraeli . He then went on to argue against the ballot , contending that property ouglit to have an influence in the election of members of Parliament , and that the lord-lieutenant of a county should have more power in such matters than " some man , perhaps in his service , receiving weekly wages , but exercising the franchise . " He also pointed to the state of things in France , as an instance of the failure of the ballot and of democracy ; but at the same time eulogized tlie Imperial Government as the only one suited to the French . With a warning to England , he concluded . ¦ .- :
SUFFOLK ( EAST ) . m Lord Henniker and Sir Titzroy Kelly were re-elected without opposition . Both spoke in favour of Parliamentary reform . The latter said : — " lie would , sooner or later , bring forward a measure in the House of Commons under which every man in the three kingdoms should be put in possession of the elective franchise who possessed either property enough , or intellect or education enough , to exercise that franchise with independence and intelligence . ( Applause . ) Then would be the time to extend the franchise downwards . But let them not think that he would oppose the extension of the
franchise still further among the householders in this county . However , he would not begin with tho householders , as he considered that a most fallacious test . He much questioned whether his honourable friend Lord Uonnikcr would possess the franchise had ho not largo property in the county , because his Lordship , wlien in London , might live in lodgings , or in a furnished liouse , or in chambers . They might have a Newton , or a Shakspcare unpossessed of the elective franchise because lie might not happen to live in a 107 . house within any borough . " ( Cheers . ) He likewise spoke in favour of reduced expenditure , and of the cessation of tho incometax in 18 G 0 . *• *• *^ A ¦ & ^ U *|_ | J \ J Tmf .
incurring those great expenses which have now been incurred in respect to the Persian expedition , and without our entering into a course which I doubt whether the spirit of the constitution would justify . " Having glanced over other acts of the Derby Government , he next took credit for his party with , regard to their forbearance in opposition during tlie war . He then referred to the attempt made by Lord Palmerston , immediately after assuming the Premiership , to conclude " an ignominious peace , " and vindicated the course he and his party took in Parliament in consequence of that attempt . The motion brought forward by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton , on the subject of the Vienna negotiations , during the session of 1855 , was framed at the request of himself
( Mr . Disraeli ); and it would have ended in the defeat of the Government , had not Lord John Russell voluntarily made himself their scapegoat . It was true , Lord Palmerston offered to stand or fall by Lord John Russell ; but Lord John determined to take the blame on his own shoulders . He ( Mr . Disraeli ) must say he thought the unpopularity since incurred by Lord John was quite undeserved , for , although the contemplated terms were unsatisfactory and ignominious , the responsibility should bave rested on the Cabinet collectively , andon the Prime Minister especially , and not on . an agent . He congratulated the country on the abolition of the war nuiepence on the income-tax ; and added that , if it was desired to get rid of the whole tax in 18 G 0 ,
there must be a reduction of expenditure . " It is a fact that the public expenditure has increased to an enormous amount during the last few years . The expenditure at the present moment ¦ ¦ sho ws ' , I believe , an increase of 6 , 000 , 000 ? above the expenditure of 1852-3 , when the Government of Lord Derby -was in office . When , therefore , we talk of reductions , it , is , after all , of reductions to the scale of a period when the estimates were very much increased , and when the public establishments of the country were in a very efficient state . Without dwelling too much upon this point , 1 may say I consider the general policy of the country * as I have described it to be , one which entails considerable expense . It is a policy which I am told is very popular ;
it is a policy of perpetual meddling in every part of the world ( hear , hear ) , occasioning disturbances which cause expense , and consequently lead to increased estimates . I am told that this is a very spirited policy ( lyughter ) , that there is nothing like making the iufluence of England felt , and that there is nothing of which an Englishman should be more proud than to feel that he is like a Roman citizen in every part of the world . ( Laughter and cheers . ) But I must say I generally find that this spirit , which I have described as ' turbulent and aggressive , ' is always exhibited to weak and not , to powerful states . " ( Hear . ' ) This policy must be abandoned if the country would have a more economical administration ; and the country itself
must abandon its love of such exciting food . If the report were true that the Emperor of China had disapproved of the conduct of Commissioner Yeh , that showed how easily tlie question might have been settled by an appeal to the central Government . The dissolution of Parliament in connexion with this China question , he repeated , was a pretext . After he had expressed satisfaction with the proposal to dissolve , the is . sue was entirely changed , as Lord Palmerston consented virtually to supersede Sir John Bowring , and thus conceded the chief point at issue . With respect to Parliamentary reform , Mr . Disraeli said lie was not an advocate of what is called U bit by bit roform , " because he found it always ended in a job ; nor was lie a
supersti-^ MANCHESTER . To tlie disgrace of the majority of the electors , the previous members . Mr . Bright and Mr . Miluer Gibsonmen who , whatever their mistakes on some points , were mi honour to Manchester and to Parliament—have been rejected by large majorities . Sir John Potter and Mr . J . A . Turner headed tlie poll from tlie / irst , and throughout the day kept on still further distancing their opponents , till at tlie closo of tlie poll the numbers stoodl ' ottor , 8 ! JG 8 ; Turner , 7854 ; Gibson , 5588 ; Kright , . 0158 . The town was vevy crowded , and a great deal of excitement prevailed , but there were no disturbances . Brief addresses were made by Sir John Potter , Mr . J . A . Turner , Mr . Milner Gibson , and Mr . Vaughan—the last-named on bohalf of his brother-in-law , Mr . Bright .
tious worshipper of the Reform Bill of 1832 . The Whiga had put an end to the Tory close boroughs , but they quite forgot the Whig close boroughs . In the cour . se of " a great industrial controversy , now happily settled , " the counties had declared in favour of Conservative principles ; no tlie counties were to be tampered with , in order to make them more in accordance with Whig principles . " As to comprehensive measures , " Mr . Disraeli said , " I believe there id no doubt tliut all the details of tho bill of 1 H 32 were framed in opposition to the party with which 1 sympathize , and great injustice was done by those details us they affected the Tory or Conservative party , in respect to the disposition of political power . I think it very probable that , if a large reform bill -were brought forward by tho Tories , much of that evil might bu remedied ; but it would be the greatest disadvantage to
DltOITWICII . Sir John Pakiiigton , in returning thanks on Friday week for hia unopposed return , made some rather hazy declarations on tho mibjeet of Reform . He said : — "It is perfectly idle to talk in Britinli institutions of anything like finality . ( Jlcur , hear . ) 1 hold that Conservative opinions are compatible- with the improvement and progress of those institutions . If I thought otherwise , I for one should not profess Conservative opinions . In theso days of the steam-engine and of the telegraph , to contend that British statesmen alone ought to stand Btill appears to me to be absurd . ( Hear , hear . ) Tho line
tho country to have the two grc ^ t parties competing for power'by outbidding each other on that , of all subject . ! , in reference to which the general and permanent interests of the country nbould be considered . ( Hear , hear . ) Because , whatever schemes might be devisod by any part ^ j to establish ami co ntinue their power , tho ]> ro-Kcieuec of man is limited , and is frequently falsified by the course of events . Imprudent measures are often passed for the purpose of effecting a particular object , and afterwards tho result expected is never realized . ( Hear , hear . ") Therefore , as far as I am concerned , remembering tho great partiality and injustice of tho Hcheiui ! of 18 . 'J 2 , I should look to any Kreat change in the representation with no prejudice , because 1 believe that much of that injustice and partiality might be rein « died . " Electoral districts would introduce , n fatal
by which tho two great political parties in the country Ho . em to me to be oeparnted is , that in the one party I seo , or think I . see , n tendency to unnecessary democratic innovation ; while in the other I perceive n lovo of the monarchy , a lovo of the church , and of that principle ol local self-government which I think ought to be adhered to and extended in England . To no detailed arrangement which shall carry out tho . su three greuL general principles shall I , for ono , offer ; iny nerious objection ( Hear , hear , ") When I . speak of nn extension of the franchise , ? itiust frankly tell you I nover approved ol t \\ a . ^ chftiigQ In the oull'iayo which wua effected by tht
change into England : —" Consider tho condition of tho country , divided and cut up into different electoral district * , liomembcr , there is no loiigur to be u county of ISuuMliyliatti . ( A Voice . ; ' Quite r ' ujhV ) Jiuok . inir . hum-
Untitled Article
Aprel 4 , 1857 . ] THE LEADEB ^ 821
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), April 4, 1857, page 321, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2187/page/9/
-