The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-01 00:00:00

THE STOUBBRIDGE OJ3SERVER_

deal of "Imperial policy" and of a "great empire."
These are phrases which catch the ignorant and
unwary. (Hear, hear.) Since this Government
came into office your great empire upon the
map has grown much greater. They have
annexed the islands of Fiji (laughter): they have
annexed also the country of the Transvaal in
South Africa, which is said to be as large as
France. They have practically annexed the land of
the Zulus, also in South Africa, and they have practi-
cally annexed—for it is now uttetly disorganized and
they seem to be left alone to repair, if it is possible, the
mischief they have made—they have practically
annexed Afghanistan, They have added also to your
dominions the island of Cyprus, in the Mediterranean
laughter),—and they have incurred enormous,
incalculable responsibilities in Ezypt and in Asia
Minor. All these add to the burdens, not to the
empire—just listen to this,—they add to the burdens,
not to the empire in Canada or Australia—all these
colonies have nothing to do as a He with these things
—tboy add to the burdens, not of the empire, but of -
the 34,900,000 of people who inhabit Great Britain and
Ireland. We make the burden and we pay the charge.
This policy may lend a seeming glory to the Crown, and
may give scope for patronage and promotion and pay and
pensions to a limited and a favoured class, but to you,
the people, it brings expenditure of blood and treasure,
increased debt and taxes, and added risks of war in
every quarter of the globe. Look on our position for
one moment. You have to meet the competition of
other countries; your own race on the American
continent are your foremost rivals. Nobody denies
that, I believe. There are 50,000,000 now, and happily
for them they have not yet bred a Beaconsfield or a
Salisbury (laughter and cheers) to misdirect their
policy and to waste their resources. (Loud cheers.)
If at some distant period, it may be centuries remote,
an Englishman—one of that great English nation
which is now so rapidly peopling the American con-
tinent—if such an Englishman should visit and
explore the sources of his race and the decayed and
rained home of his fathers, he may exclaim, "How
are the mighty fallen! whence comes this great ruin ?''
and the answer will be that in the councils of the
England of the past—l pray that it might not be said
in the days of a virtuous Queen—wisdom and justice
were scorned, and ignorance and passion andvainglory
directed her policy and wielded her power, (Loud and
prolonged cheers.)

An "overflow" meeting wax held in the Agricultural Hall,
at which a resolution was passed similar to the one at the
above meeting. Mr. W. S. Caine, of Liverpool, presided,
and the Marquis of Hartington came upon the platfvrm
during the proceedings and made a short tpaech.

Several thoissands of people also assembled in the open air
under a balcony, from which addresses were delivered by
several gentlemen. In response to persistent cries for
"Bright " and "Hartlngton," those gentlemen subsequently
appeared, one after the other, on the balcony, and, after
having been received with loud and prolonged cheering, also
briefly addressed the assembly.

Mr. Bright, on coming forward, said : It is quite
Impossible for anyone with ordinary human powers to
address with any advantage this vast, this wonderful
audience, and I am sorry that I cannot speak to every-
one of you—(hear. bear)—or shake everyone of you by
the hand—(loud cheers)—and ash you, as opportunity
offers, wheresoever you be to give your assistance to
what you deem to be honourable and true and wise in
the government of your country. (Cheers.) I any
that speaking with advantage is not possible here, but
you speak to me in your tens of thousands (cries of
• We will," aud cheers), and your countenances
speak to me of the interest you feel in the great
time at which our country has now arrived, when we
are about before long to determine whether men who,
we think, have misdirected all your powers shall re.
main to administer the forces of this great Empire, or
whether you will call to the helm wiser, more experi-
enced, worthier, and more truthful men. (Cheers.)
You will excuse me from attempting to go into any
questions which we have been discussing inside. I
can only offer you my heartfelt thanks in the name
of every Liberal elector for your appearance here
to-day, for your conduct under these circumstances,
for the grand manifestation you have made of your
great and growing interests in public affairs. There
has been nothing like this within my memory
(loud cheers), and I kno* not that I have ever
before seen a multitude like this assembled to take
an interest in public questions and to express their
sympathy with the great movement of the Liberal
party throughout the kingdom. (Cheers.) Don't be
afraid of your opponents. (Cries "We are not," and
loud cheers.) Your cause is one which, I hope, even
sensible men among them may yet come to regard as
just—(cheers)—and, at any rate, your children after
you will not have to be ashamed of their fathers.
(ilea; hear.) They will say, "My father fought in
the ranks of the Liberal party, and whatsoever there
is of freedom and of greatness in this kingdom comes
from the free principles of that party." (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I thank you from my heart for permitting
me to see you, and I bid yol, with feelings that I can.
not express, farewell— (loud cries of "No, no ")—and
hope that you may find your principles will speedily
triumph. (Loud cheers.)

Slttiated amongst a cluster of orange and guava trees,
and has a i2eat headstone, which was sent out from
Devonport. Prom the tomb we neiat went to visit
the Bounty's gun, which one of our lieutenants, the
paymaster, and I rolled right over, to the great
amusement of the islanders, none of whom had ever
seen it moved before. After a short stay at Simon
Young's house, where we were supplied with quan-
tities of fruit, we returned on board, the vessel re-
maining off the island all night. We again landed
on the following day, and under the guidance of
Miss Young obtained some splendid specimens of
ferns, afterwards dining •at the chief magistrate's
' house. I ought to mention that on the evening of our
arrival was a grand feetival, for then wits opened the
organ which we had brought from San Franclsco
for them as a present from the Queen, It is an
American organ, with fifteen stops and swell, and
very handsomely carved. On a silver shield in front
is the inscription, "A present from the Queen to her
loyal and dutiful subjects, the Pitcairn Islanders, in
token of he estimation of their domestic virtues." The
first tune played on the organ was "God Save the
Queen," the whole population of men women,
and children joining in singing' it, ail) Antightful
present of her Majesty occasioning the Most in-
tense delight - and satisfaction. During the second
day the islanders came on board and visited every
part of the ship, the last of the party leaving for the
shore just before dusk, when bl'Coy and Miss Young
both made appropriate little speeches. As the last
boat pulled off from the ship they gavp three hearty
cheers for the Queen, followed by three for the Opal,
to which officers and men responded with three cheers
for the Pitcairn Islanders. They then pulled away,sing-
ing as they went one of Moody and Sankey's hymns,
"Pull for the shore, sailor," followed by 'God Save the
Queen ! " We then weighed and quitted Pitcairn Island.
It may be said of the islanders that they are virtuous,
industrious' and well.educated ; that apparently they
live in itiost perfect harmony, the 'whole population
appearing as a happy family, all Working for the com-
mon good; that they are truly a religious race, and
although they have, as it were, been. made pets' of
by England on that account, to their credit be it said
that their religion is devoid of hypocrisy. I should
mention that some excellent photographs were taken
by Captain Robinson diming the time we remained at
the island.