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    -The lion , gentleman next appeared at Manchester , where a meeting of the Lancashire Reformers ' Union was held in the Free Trade Hall . On that oceasion , alluding to the fceform question ho said : — i have proceeded in the discussion of this question in the belief that there is throughout the whole ot -the middle and working classes of the country a positive and unchangeable conviction that the . rar-Vament , as it now exists , is not careful of the people ' s money , and that it does not adequately or truly represent the public mind . Lord Derby , who , by virtue , not of Parliamentary majorities , but of Parliamentary accidentsis for the tune Prime

    , Minister of England , stands up m the House of Lords and makes a speech some columns in length , in which lie . treats this question as he treats tlie people—with absolute contempt . We know perfectly well that there is no monopoly of loyalty in his ( Lord perby s ) order We know perfectly well that the time may come when his order and ours may come in closer conflict . If his alone were left in these islands , where would be the British nation ? Our order may be left here and left here alone , and the British nation may be as great and free as it has ever been m the past aces of bur history . If Lord Derby chooses from that eminence which he occupies , and from the floor

    of the House of Lords , to cast his taunts upon us , upon our orderj upon the people in the United Kingdom , let me tell him from this floor that there is a power greater than his power . We have had from Lord Palmers ton some expressions as to his views en this question , and I don't think they are of a nature to create much confidence in him as a Parliamentary Reform leader . I have never . h : id , as you Icnow , any kind of faith in the politics of Lord Palmerstoh . There is a considerable section of the House of Commons who are very much disposed to follow the leading of Lord John Hussell with regard to this question . I am sorry to say he has differed -from them on the question of the ballot . Judging ,

    however , from the language of his address to the City of London , I cannot but believe that if the constituencies of the kingdom were to acid to the present ballot vote in the House fifty or sixty more votes , a man of the experience and the sagacity of Lord John liussell . would at least stand out of the way , and be no obstacle to the adoption of the ballot in any bill which may receive the sanction of Parliament . Mr . Bright proceeded to say that the constituencies of the kingdom ought now so far as they were free , intelligent , . and virtuous , to speak put their opinions in language which could not be mistaken on this great and vital . question . — - —At Rochdale on Wednesday he attended a meeting held to forward the elect ion of Mr . Cobden for that place . After a highly eulogistic sketch of . that gentleman ' s political career , he added : With

    . regard to the question of reform , they know well Jiow far Mr . Cobden went , and that his programme was the same as his ( Mr . Bright ' s ) . With regard to Lord J . Russell , he brought thoquestion of reform before the house year after year , when none but himself sincerely advocated it . He ( Lord John ) had then shown a real sympathy for reform , although he was born in the ducal palace . They must therefore make au allowance for his shortcomings , if ho did not march at the speed they couUl wish . The lion , gentlemen then spoke of Mr . Cobdcn ' s visit to the United Stntes , which ho said was mainly oh his own private business ; and he concluded by saying that , although ho should give Lord John Russell ' s bill a favourable consideration , he ( Mr . Brig ht ) had not given up the thought of bringing in , at some future dnj r , his own , if ho were again returned to

    Parliament' . Mr . Kowahd Baines . —About . 2 , 000 of the electors of Leeds assembled in the Town-hall on Tuesday night , for the purpose of selecting two Liberal candidates for the borough . Mr . Buincs and Mr . Forstor having been proposed , Mr , Baincs addressed the meeting . He approved of tho measure of which * i sketch had been given by Lord John . Russell . lie ¦ appx'oved of tho extension of the county franchise to . £ 10 occupiers , and of tho extension of the borough iranohiso to £ 0 . . That was a measuro whioh at onco waa liberal and wise . It would . be a groat extension of tho franchise to those classes which huu entitled themselves to it ; would it . not bo , therefore , a great

    ¦ advantage to our glorious constitution that its palo should be so extended that tlioso who wore how outside of its privileges , and therefore , in poriods of discontent and agitation , assailants of the constitution , should bo brought insido and become dofvndors ol tho constitution ? It was with awe and with solemnity that ho looked to tho gathering of tho thunderclouds which seemed bo likely to burst in terror and destruction upon tho Continent . In that caso ho must declare to tliom that ho was most dcllberatoly mid resolutely of opinion that it was the duty of this country to maintain neutrality and penco . It was tho first duty of tho Ministers of England to maintain it in a stato of such efficiency that England might bo" able to look on soronoly oven nvuinst a world in arms . Tliero was another toiiie upon

    which , for a Special reason , he \ yished to say a word . It was solely upon the abolition of church-rates . He was favourable to their entire abolition There was one . word which was the key to his opinions upon most of the subjects which could be brought before them . That one word was " Freedom : " Did they ask what were his principles of legislation concerning trade and industry ? He answered " Freedom . " What was his rule in regard to conscience ? He answered " Freedom . " What was his principle in regard to the press and public opinion ? He answered , " Freedom . " What was his opinion in regard to religion and education ? He answered , " Freedom . " What was his principle on the opinion he entertained with regard to the mode of voting ? He answered , " Freedom . "

    Alderman Salomons , M . P . —At Greenwich ,, tins gentleman- has been addressing his constituents . He said he had voted in favour of Lord John Russell ' s resolution . He believed the vote he had given would meet with their approval . His opinion was that it was rather hard , because the House of Commons refused to take a bad article prepared by the national workmen , that they should all be kicked out . If again returned as their member , which he had no doubt he should be , he would take care that in any Reform Bill which might be proposed the rights of county voters should not be interfered with and taken away ; that a large extension of the suffrage to boroughs should be made ; and , above all , hts of

    for that borough , that the rig men employed by the Government , whom the Government had proposed to disfranchise , should not be destroyed . Mr . Edwin James , M . P ., axd Sir B . IJat . i > , M . P . -On Monday a dinner was given to Mr . James by his Marylebone supporters , on which occasion he defended the course he had taken in the late debate , and added , Ministers have thought proper to take upon themselves the serious responsibility of dissolving Parliament , because Lord . Derby had alleged in the House of Lords that an ignorant and factious majority in the House of Commons had voted for the resolution and against the bill . It was . . prerogative of the Crown , certainly , to dissolve

    Parliament , but it must be exercised en the responsibility of the Minister , and Lord Derby has chosen to take upon himself that which I believe to be a most serious responsibility—the dissolution of Parliament —thereby paralysing trade , putting , a stop to commerce , and causing the people to ask of one another , upon what principle does this dissolution take place , for there is no defined principle upon which the Government appeals to the country ; and in the address which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has issued to his constituents of Buckinghamshire , which I suppose is a sort of Government programme , not one word is mentioned about a reform of ' the representation of the people . The Govern

    incut have , therefore , taken upon themselves , at the present conjunction of circumstances to dissolve Parliament , without giving to the country any definite principles upon which they intend to act ; and I trust that the . Government—though they may recklessly , like gamesters , throw away the cards of the old Parliament and call for fresh ones iii a new Parliament , with which to play a , desperate game — will be told that the people ' s love for a substantial and comprehensive system of reform is as great as ever . — Sir Benianiin Hall said—With reference to a dissot

    lution , I think the Government have a righto alviso tho Queen to do so ; but they must take the responsibility . But I think , at this time , when we hear of war , when we hoar of the Austrian troops crossing the Ticino and entering Sardinia , it is not tho time when Great Britain should be without a Parliament , and without a responsible Government ; because at this timo we , havo no Government . We are told by tho highest authorities in the House of Lords and Houso of Commons that there cannot bo war so long as tho J 5 . irl of Malmosbury remains at tho War Office ( but I don ' t quite agree in that proposition , nor do I believe in the inviolability of the noble earl .

    M « . Montagu Chambers . —At Greenwich a mooting has boon hold for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Mr . Montagu Chambers for his former services , and for tho adoption of measures to return him at tho ensuing election . Mr . Chambers referred to the present position of political parties and tho question of Reform , Ho was still an advocate of a largo extension of tliesufl ' rngo and tho vote by ballot , and ho considered that tho proposnl to deprive tho dockyard , artisans of political rights was in ovory respeot atrocious . Ho could only say that should it over occur that ho was ro-elected as their representative , that day would bo the most triumphant duy of his life . A resolution was thon adopted , requesting Mr . Clmmbors to become a candidate , and x > ledging the electors to support him at tho poll . Mn . Apslbv Pioixatt . —This gontlenmn attended a meeting of working men at the Borniondsoy

    Ragged School , on Tuesday , to explain his political views-. He said—He was confident that no Reform Bill would give satisfaction to the country that did not grant to the honest working-man an extension of the suffrage and the protection of the ballot . There was another reform which must be had , the sweeping away of the small rotten boroughs , which were bought and sold like sheep . He considered that there should bo a lodging suffrage of 2 s . 6 d . per week . He had always been the friend of the working-man , and understood their wants , and . wastherefore , a fit and proper person to take charge of their interests in the House of Commons .

    Mr . Watkiht and Mr . Yocxg , M . P . —On Mondaynight tlie liberal candidates addressed their supporters at Great Yarmouth .. Mr . "Watkin contended , with reference to the assertion that the Reform Bill of the Government might have been modified in committee as to its details , that the Liberal party quarrelled not with its details , but with its mainr I > rinciplcs—the disfranchisement of county freeholders resident in boroughs , the noii-reduction of the borough franchise , and the retention of nomination boroughs . —Mr . Young , M . P ., said , in tho late division he ' had voted witli the majority , and he was ready to stake his election upon the issue . territorial influence the

    Taking into account tlie Bill of the Government would have created and maintained , he believed , if it had passed , the people would have been worse represented than at present . Adverting to the ballot , Mr . Young said he had always been of opinion that elections should be conducted on that principle , having witnessed its successful , quiet , ' and peaceable applicatiou in Australia , where intimidation and bribery were unknown , because every man was independent . In the course of the ¦ proceedings'it was stated that Mr . M'Cullagh had abandoned all idea of offering himself as a candidate for the borough .

    Sir CfrARLES Na-pier , M . P . —The gallant-Admiral addressed his supporters at St . George ' s-hall , Southwai-k . He said he . was in favour of household suffrage , because every man who had a house ought to have a vote ; also that because a man could not pay his rates aiid- taxes he should not lose that vote . In : respect to tlie ballot , he was sorry to say that there was not such attention given to it on the prevous night in the House as he should have wished ; but it was gaining ground . He should certainly support the ballot ; he should , also vote for the abolition of church-rates . .

    Sir S . M , Peto . —On Thursday night a meeting of the supporters of this gentleman was held at Freemasons' Hall . Sir Samuel declared himself to be an ardent and sincere reformer , and had he been m the House of Commons on tlie Reform debate lie would have voted for Lord John Russell . He hatl been , asked whether he would vote for manhood suffrage , but he felt there must be a gauge , because we must have something- indicating intelligence . He condemned the Reform Association who hud thus

    questioned him and told him he was found wanting , and thought no self-constituted body ought to have the power to dictate to the candidate or voter . Beingasked whether he would vote for opening the British Museum and Crystal Palace on Sundays , Sir S . Peto replied that he should feel it his duty at nil times to do everything in his power which would prevent the desecration of the Sabbath ; and , in answer to another elector , said the moment he found his busitess affairs interfere with his parliamentary duties , that moment ho would return the trust into

    their hands . Mr . T . S , Punco . vue , M . P . —A meeting of Mr . Duneombe ' s ' friends was held at tljo Music Hull , Store-street , on Thursday night , at which " the lion , gentleman said , ho was proud to say that lie was the only metropolitan member who had sat continuously from tho first reform parliament to tlicprcsent time . Less than a month since ho mot them to consider tho so-called Reform Bill , whioh was denounced as a sham and an imposture ; ami that

    opinion hud boon re-echoed throughout ihe breadth and length of . the , land . Ho denied that hu was generally so unwell or so ill—for it was put h «> tl » ways— ' « s to bo utterly incapacitated fur service , and denounced' the assertion as an urtilice of a dirty ; and insidious desire to send him to tlio wall . Uo hoped they would never allow this . C'lour , noiu ., ) When ho did become Incapacitated ho should roturu them thoir 8 enarous trust ; and if « t nny time > he should betray that trust he wouM , <> " «" ' } ? * ^ dentation being nmdu to him , roh . ltfii with »«

    houri In 1 l o ¦ no v parliament l . u would endeavour 1 "' obtain ft Government really representing the people . • .. Mil Ca \ iW I ' . —Tliu lion , gentleman , at a meeting of Xsbury electors , on Thursday night , said , " lia was in favour of tho ballot , of a lot « or extension ot the , ButthiHO , of tho formation of electoral districts with a proper apportionment of doctors to oaoli , and of all those reforms that wore conducive to tho

    Untitled Article

    No . 473 , Aprh . 16 . 1859 . 1 THE LEADER . 48 g

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 16, 1859, page 489, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2290/page/9/