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Leader (1850-1860), 2nd October 1858, Edition 2 of 2, Page 4

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      1020 T H E Leade B : __ _ [No. ^Jj» Octo...

      1020 T H E LEADE B __ _ [ No . ^ jj » October 2 , 1858 .

      Political Foreshadowings. Mb. Johx Brigh...

      POLITICAL FORESHADOWINGS . Mb . Johx Bright . —Mr . Bright has arranged to visit Birming ham , in the last week of October , and address his constituents * in the Town-hall . It is probable that the new Reform Bill will be the principal topic of his address . The Ballot Society . —We have received from the office of the Ballot Society the text of . the bill which they wish to lay before the Legislature : It is proposed that , after the model of the plan adopted in the Victoria colony , the voter should strike out from the ballot-paper placed in his hands th . 3 names of the candidates for marked b

      whom he does not vote . The paper thus y him is to be folded and dropped into the ballot-box , and on no account is he to take it out of the ballot-room where he votes . Should he be unable to write or read , it is proposed that the duty of erasure should be performed by deputy , under rigid arrangements as to secrecy . A copy of this bill and other ballot documents were transmitted to Sir G . C . Lewis , who bad expressed a desire for enlightenment on a given point . The ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledged the receipt of the-papers , and curtly observed that ho perceived the secret voting was to be made compulsory . The Society informs us that a branch societj- has bean established , m

      North Hants . Mr . Adderlet , M . P . —At the meeting of an ^ gricultural society held at Lichfield , the Right Hon . C . B . Adderley said that it would be the duty of himself and his friends when they returned to their posts in Parliament to stand as scarecrows to frighten away that flight of birds—the voracious consumers of the national resources—which might be expected after such a splendid harvest . If they might compare the political to the agricultural field , there was one crop which he was told was quite certain to appear in the course of the next session . It was generally said that we might confidently look for it , whatever be the soil , whatever be the weather , whatever be the nature of the atmosphere , whoever be the administrative cultivators . The crop

      usually went by the name of Reform . As it was a very important crop , he hoped its treatment would fall into safe and good hands , and if it did he cared not whose hands they were . It was introduced into this country some thirty years ago by very distinguished cultivators with every possible stimulant , and its culture carried to such an extent that the whole soil had become impregnated with it , and calm as was the weather , free as the atmosphere was from convulsions of any kind , and

      although there were no stimulants of any kind they were told that they might confidently expect the recurrence of this crop . One thing lie objected to was that any old cultivators of that crop should consider that they had acquired any tenant right in it at all , or that they should be surprised that , in the passage of time , or in the succession of events , other cultivators had to deal with it . He should conceive that no party could on any possible ground establish a claim for a fixity of tenure in that crop .

      The Chartist Orator . —Sir . Ernest Jones has delivered a lecture in Manchester upon the subject of Reform . The burden of his address to the non-electors was , that they themselves must strike the blow that is to bring them the franchise . Mr . Jones expressed the utmost distrust in all politicians and political parties on this question , and said nothing short Of manhood suffrage hould be accepted . The Lord Presto ent of the Council and Mr . Puller , M . P . —At an agricultural dinner at Hertford , on Wednesday , the Marquis of Salisbury presided . In the course of the evening , Mr . Puller , member for the county , said ^ -Parliaraentary Reform might be thought a subject which it was impossible to touch upon without

      exciting party feeling , and so it would have been two or three years ago . but they had changed all that , and now , without exciting any opposition , her Majesty ' s Government appeared to be really occupied in preparing to carry out that promise which they made when they took office , and had in course of preparation a measure upon Reform . He was quite aware that the noble Lord in the chair waa too discreet to let them know the details of the forthcoming measure , but one of his Lordship ' s colleagues had just lifted the corner of the curtain . He alluded to that very able statesman , Mr . Henley , by whom they ^ were led to understand that the Government were occupied in framing a measure of Parliamentary Reform which would please all parties . The hon . gentleman then referred to the transfer of the powers of the

      East India Company to the Crown . The Marquis of Salisbury said— " It appears to mo ray hon . friend rather misunderstood Mr . Henley in promising a Reform Bill whioh should be pleasing to all parties , I say , however , with perfect confidence , that I do not doubt that great advantages will spring from tho measure which was passed last session for the government of India , and also from the © onelusion of peace with China , " T «» Glasoow Mbmberb . —On Monday night Mr . Buchanan nml Mr . Palgllsh , mombnHfor Glasgow , addressed their constituents la the City-hall . Mr . Buchanan reviewed hia votes in .. Parliament during tho Preceding session , referring to tho bill transferring the government of India to the Crown as on tho whole a Bftlutary measure , though ho Uid not share tho hopes of

      those who thought India would be more secure for tho future . While disapproving of the Conspiracy Bill , he regretted that Lord Palmers ton ' s Government had been overthrown by Mr . Milner Gibson ' s amendment , which he regarded as a trap . He thought it highly desirable that there should be an Education Bill . Instead of givin ° - money to this denomination and that denomination he thought it would be much better to educate the people neither as J ' ree .. Churchmen nor Established Churchmen , but as citizens , free from all sectarian bia * , and taking larger and more liberal views . Mr . Dalghsh said he could not agree with his colleague in regretting the result of Mr . Gibson's amendment . He believed that the Government of Lord Palmerston had become so confident of support that they thought they could do as thev pleased . He was glad of the change of ministry . their

      and " believed that the Liberals had got more of own wav under the present Government than under that of Lord Palmerston . With regard to Reform , Mr . Dalglish said , " 1 do not know what the views of the Conservative cabinet may be , but I think that if they propose anything in the least likely to meet the views of the Liberal party in the House , their own supporters will turn round upon them . 1 think , therefore , that we need not expect any good measure of Reform from the present Government . It is likely , indeed , that they will give up the seats of some of their boroughs , but it is not likely that they will throw the voters into the counties , but rather class them into groups . I think that if the men of Glasgow want Reform they must bestir themselves . They must tell the Government what they want , and what they must have . "

      Mr . Cobuett , M . P ., at Oldham . —On Wednesday evening the member for Oldham addressed his constituents . He said— "The Tories have promised that they will actually introduce a bill for the reform of Parliament Although the Tories had been the opponents of Reform , they had the virtue of being more sincere , and keeping their word better than any other party . He had often been reproached for being a Tory , and asked whether he was a Liberal . He always replied , ' No . ' He never knew the" Liberals do anything good ; they

      were always shamming . It was better that the Government should bring in- its own bill . If it were satisfactory to the country , the House of Commons would pass it ; if unsatisfactory , there were parties anxious , almost pining for office * who would turn put the Tories to bring in a better measure . " He was asked his opinion respecting the introduction of the confessional into the English Church . He replied that he had enough to think of without going deeply into that subject ; he must leave it to divines , and would only say that he would rather not be confessed himself .

      Reform Meeting at Banbury . —On Tuesday a meeting was held at the White Horse Hotel for the formation of a Liberal Electoral Association . The society adopted the Guildhall programme as its basis of action . It is understood , definitely , that Mr . Tancred , who has represented the borough in Parliament for the last thirty years , will not again offer himself to the constituency , and already three or four candidates are spoken of .

      The "Invasion" Topic. Loud Sandox And Lo...

      THE " INVASION" TOPIC . Loud Sandox and Lord Shrewsbury . —At an agricultural meeting at tho Guildhall , Lichfield , Viscount Sandon said ho thought the country was now fully awajie to the necessity of keeping our shores inviolate from the foot of the stranger focman . Being a member of tho House of Commons , he could not help thinking of money matters . Ho was afraid that now tho spirit of the nation waa rouaed , it might push them forward into too great and too general an expenditure for purposes of defence . They should keep a gallant , a great , and an overwhelming Channel fleet , which would effectually prevent any possible invasion of our coasts . They should

      keep up what might bo called tho skeleton of an army , vmich couldTbe increased at nny moment . Let thorn not keep up an enormous army , but keep up an overwhelming Channel fleet , which was really tho only safety of the country . At the same meeting the Karl of Shrewsbury said he was glad to aeo that at last there was a spirit abroad that tho main defences of tho countrythe wooden walls of Old England—should not be neglected . At the same time , he felt that they should not disregard tho salutary warning of his noble friond . Some members of Parliament appeared ready to scatter

      the public money with the greatest profusion . There was no necessity for that . Ho was happy to say that they had now an efficient Channel fleet—a small one , it was true—but ho did not think they noed have a very large one . They wanted a standing navy , which they might amplify at any time when occasion arose , so that , if need woro , every ship ' s company could bo turned Into two or throe by m ixing v olunteers , who would , ho trustod , if any danger appeared , flock Into their ships . If by any chance , in a short « nd sudden interval , a foe should land , ho doubted not that the yeomen of Ertgland wouUl give thorn such a . reception that , with a Channel fleet in their rear , very fow of tbotn would ever

      get back again . Mit . HuTT , M . P »— At a' municipal flln ^ er at Gates ' head , on Thursday , tho member for tho borough , Mr

      Hutt , said— " Her Majesty ' s visit to Cherbourg ha * called a . great deal " of attention in this country to th * formidable steam-navy which has been created in Franc at a time of profound peace , and at a crisis when the state of its finances seemed little to favour such an e penditurc . Such preparations and pretensions hav « filled some persons amongst us with dismay . They se in these'things a design , not merely on our security but on our existence as a nation ; and they accordingly ji for immense and immoderate measures of defence . But there is another party which seems seriously to reo-ard any attempt among Frenchmen to create a navy as something ridiculous . And these gentlemen are backed by the peace party , who look upon all war as impossible .

      and all invasion of our shores as an absurdity . There is , depend upon it , much blindness and folly in all of these exaggerations . Between two powerful nations daily brought in contact on various points of rival in- ' terests , there must always be the possibility of war , and it would be the height of folly in us to act as if we had any patent of superiority in war over other nations except in those prudent preparations and in that science and discipline oil which all warlike superiority must ultimately depend . At the same time , I do not believe in the ambitious projects attributed to the Emperor of the French . I am convinced that when he said L ' empire e ' est la paix , ' he announced the settled policy of his firm and sagacious mind . "

      General Cartwright and Mr . Knigi-itley , M . P . —At the celebration of the Northamptonshire Agricultural Association , in Towcester , General Cartwright took occasion to pass a high eulogium on our brave soldiers in India , and to express a hope that the % vooden walls of Old England should ever be kept in a state of efficiency . Mr . Knightley said the gallant general expressed a hope that the Government of the day would , carefully provide for the defences of the country . In that sentiment he cordially concurred . The Karl of Shrewsbury had recently said the House of Commons buttoned up their pockets when the subject was brought forward . This he thought was not 4 a fair charge . Since he had been in the House , no vote proposed by nny Government for promoting the national defences had been treated in a niggard spirit .

      Lord Stanley On India. A Grand Entertain...

      LORD STANLEY ON INDIA . A grand entertainment was given at Fishmongers ' Hall , on Wednesday , to Lord Stanley and the members of the Indian Council , In the course of the evening , his Lordship said— " I do not wish to revive , or oven to allude to past controversies ; but this I may be permitted tasay—that throughout those Parliamentary discussions which ended in " the transfer of the Indian government from the East India Company to the executive of this country , that change was uniformly represented bj- me , and by those colleagues with whom I acted , as not being in the nature of a penal proceeding , —as not involving any sentence of condemnation against the administration of that great company whose century of empire has come to an end . We regarded it— : uul I think rightly—as a change which was a natural , and even a necessary result of the lapse of time and the progress of events . I . believe that that change will be productive of benefit to India . I hope it may lead to tho larger introduction into that country of European energy , enterprise , and thought . I believe—and rejoice to believe—that as the insurrection of the last fifteen montlis is gradually dying out , so also the exasperation of feeling which prevailed in this country against the natives ot India—and which , under all tho circumstances , one can hardly regard with astonishment , though it may bo a matter , of regret—is in course of gradual extinction wun tho cause to which it owed its origin , and will at no distant period—if it has not already done so—givo pinco to a better and habitual frame of mind . I think , However , we should remember that it is not only from nj will or ill feelings on our part , but also from «»" J " ^ J and misdirected ' efforts fordoing good , that our mniienw and government in India have been exposed to <"' K < £ We must look npon the natives of India also as inen . tviia whom * and not against whom , wo have to work—as mon with feelings of their own—as men who , although po « tically subject to ua , have a sense of their own " ««» « " « a respect for their own independence , and as ineii « will be apt to bo all tho more tenacious of thoir unm lectual independence nnd national customs because poP bounds our feeling of national superiority - unless « romember cnrofully , and oven jealously , to rtS l ' feelings , and oven tho prejudices of those with w i-J J " have to deal-above all , if wo attempt to Intro , mco t o force and influence of Government into that wnien ouj , to bo matter of prlvato conviction between man an own conscience , or if wo ara oven Huspogte < l , ¦ u plausible grounds , of attempting or intending ir , o > uoavours at improvement will bo thrown back n o » face as insults , and wo shall end by doing im > io I >>< than good . In . selecting those who nro , to mwWJ ¦ »• . the administration pf Indian nflUlra . wo JooUcl tioi ^ Parliamentary connexions , not to ngrfomo . it in i . fc politics , not to personal frlonclHhlps , but sold : ti « J ' rativo ' efficiency ami to acquaintance wilU tl' ^ 111 M

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 2, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_02101858/page/4/