The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-07-18 00:00:00

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THE

elmutel and Provident, be should be happy •
(A voice: 'What kind of education do you . .
He had no doubt hot that his questieuer posaessed it.
(Laughter.) His lion, opponent asked lona what he
thought of foreign affairs. He did not think; he knew
that we were at peaci, hod been at peace, and should
continue at peace RO long as Lord Palmerston Wee 5.6 the
bead of our nat,onal affeirs. On this point be quoted
from the Queen's Speech. The policy of non-intervention
In" 1 been most astilfactorily loaerted by Lord Palmers.
tot'. Gorernment, and he trusted that policy would
continne to govern our dealings with foreign nations.
He rAke of the prosperity of the country and quoted
terra what had been said by one of the county members
—A prefeased Tory, as he remarked—in fat our of Lord
Palmerston's edministration. That prosperity he
(Mr. S.) attributed to a great measure to the wise
policy of the Government, and especially to the skilful
uianagement of the finances by Mr. Gladstone. So long
as the Goveruniegit pursued such a millice, satisfied the
bar Glides& of the people, and was asi ad by those
principles he held, sad which were the aiciples of the
great boll: of the electors of this borough, so long should
he he S. faithful and smarms supporter of the Govern-
, ment ; but if the administration should cease to perform
, those Anties —fail to carry out the requirements of the
Liner al party—then he trusted that he should be per-
mitt, d, as he had hitherto done, to act as his conscience
and judgment dictated. (Hear, hear.) He trusted
rho t on Wednesday they would place him at the heal
of the poll. (Applause.) I
COLONISL Sruar oast proposed himself Al a canddate. ,
• After some remarks as to conducting the election with
courtesy, he observed that it was nine yearn since they
first elected him, and during that period he had uot
Riven a vote that he was aware (save that on the China
war, snd respecting which he hail not yet succeeded in
convincing himself that he WAS wrong,) contrary to the
general opinions of those who sent him to Parliament,
although on more than one cooasion he had not voted
with his party. (A man who seemed ternake a point
of teasing every candidate, cried out, "Leave your
party altogether.") The gallant colonel said to
him, you are very sharp. I think you must
, have been eating vinegar with a steel fork for
your breakfast. (Laughter.) He proceeded: He be-
lieved the electors wished their representatives to judge
of meatiness rather than of men. He referred to las
vote in favour of the Union Chargeability Bill, which,
he remarked, substituted union for parochial rating,
assisted in setting the labourer free, made every descrip-
tion of property contribute to the support of the poor,
and was a step towards abolishing the law of settle-
ment. He regarded the opposition to which that bene-
ficial measure was exposed with much astonis ament and
some dismay, but it was only fair to remembor that the
Bill received the support of many enlightmed Conserva-
tives. (A voice— "Tories you mean.") Coloael Stunt:
"I object to your term; I feel sure yoa are going to
plump for me to-morrow, or you would not he so trou-
blesome." He proceeded: The opposition to that Bill
proceeded chiefly from a certain number of county
members, who—he said it with much respoot-o-rtere, at
times, • trifle bigoted, and somewhat bebisiE the ,mem-
bers for the towns in point of intelligence. (Cheers and
laughter.) Of course, they would kioderatand that he
did not allude to our county Members—(cries of "oh,
oh," and laughter)—who wire will known to be models
pf perfection. Upon another question,the groposal of the
Government to expend a large sum of money on the
defences of Canada, he was not no fortunate--he was in
• minority of 40 against 200 and something. The
nusjority stigmatised them as the 40 thieves—is laugh)
but he thought the designation was more applicable to
themselves seising that they were guilty of what many
of them knew to be • profligate expenditure of money.
His reason for voting against the proposal was simply
this—be did not believe that Canada would be attacked
by the United States, and if it were that it would not
be in the province of fortifinetions to defend ft. (Hear,
hear.) He thought that the Government, and especially
Lord Palmerston, was entitled to credit for having ,
preserved peaceful relations between this aonntry and I
the United States. (Hear, hear.) We had never given I
a factious vote against Lord Palmerston, and did net
Intend to do so, but be belonged to a party that for a
very long period had been in the cold shade of Oppositioss.
and all their friends were getting starved (rat.
(Laughter and cheers.) Nearly all the small
appointments-99 out of 100—were given to the
followers of the Whigs—nearly all the Bishops were
made from among the Whig clergy—nearly all the
Judges were made from among the Whig lawyers. No,
he begged their pardon, the late Lori Chancellor, to Isis
credit be it said, made one very good appointment
making Mr. Moatagn Smith • judge. Still, he ebbed
against the Lord Chancellor on the motion imreferenoe
to the bankruptcy scandals, because he thought,
though he had made one admirable appoiatrnent, he
was not a proper man to bathe keeper of Her Majesty's
conscience. He believed the Conservatives had not been
in office far the last 26 years. ,(A. voice: "We can't
trust them.") "Now Mr. ;Bennett," said the colonel
"I feel sure that you won't 'interrupt me to-day unless
you mean to plump for nee lie-morrow," a sally which
elicitedloed laughter. lfrOptooeeded : He wished some
of the more advanced Conservatives, of whieh he was
one, and the Liberals, weld raise what the Americans
called a 0 platform" for the settlement of such questions
as the suffrage and church-rates. He was in favour
of such an extension of the franchise as would
not ervernp the existing constituencies, by mere
force of numbers. We considered that the question
bad been treated by both parties like a slauttle-oock.
Still, he thought the leaders of the Liberia( party had
. been tesdairly blamed. They were pledged to a Refonn
-BM and brought it in to fulfil their promise, and,
wimps. gain a little popularity, bat the country said
we don't want it, and the subject dropped. In one of;
the county papers, which was conducted with growl'
ability (Dorset County Express) proclamation had been
made of the banns of marriage betoeen himself and his
late hoe. colleague. (A laugh.) Words did not tweak I
betchr, but for form's sake, be would-deny that there I
was any compact whatever between himself Mid either
of the hon. candidates. This battle he *ought on his
own "hook," or, to use • nautical Iphram, "he was
sailing on his own bottom." Sceskieg of Church-rates,
the gallant colonel said he desired to see .101110 eom- ,
promise effected that should provide for the repair of the '
fabric of the Church, and at the mine time prove
acceptable to Dissenters. If they were abolished '
altogether he did not think the interests of the Church I
iiroWd materially suffer, but he could not vote for ma
sr measure, because he regarded Church-rat in be
the out-work of a fortification which all ConserevAlital
Were bound to defend. If they abandoned Chat oil*
work, what next might they not be called ett ten*
render? He should grieve to think that the welfare of
, our Church depended on the ezisteose of A rote which
, produced so paltry an amount—a sum which the income
of some of our merchant princes probably exceeded.
(Applause.) In conclusion, he expressed himself confi-
dent of being again elected.
Sir H. D. W 01.1% who was received with entha-
siastic applause, said, in accordance with their time-
honoured custom, he had the honour to present himself
as • candidate for their suffrages, and it was in-thit
very custom he found the strougest warrant 'for so
doing. After some remarks upon conducting the elm-
hog with courtesy to all, be said their senior member
asked bim what he found unsatisfactory in thelborough ?
When he came to the town he found it Cs the position
of a young couple, who, at their ottliset in fife, found ,
their house taken possession of by their two mothers-In- I
law—(laughter)--and it was generally found, under,
such circumstances, that nothing was no well calculated 1
to stir up the young couple be resistance as the appear-
ance of what was called a " welcome little stranger."
(Loud laughter.) He wished to say nothing to ridicule
his hon. opponents, but he recognised his metaphor in '
their two late members, and begged to offer himself in
the interesting character of the stranger. (Applause.) ,
That was the epithet their senior member had affixed ,
to him, and he adopted it because he found there ANA
in the borough sufficient free and independent electors
to place him very respectably on the poll. With regard
to the alleged "tacit eompact" both his hon. opponents '
had denied that one existed. Their senior member was
wrong in stating that he imported there was one; he
only quoted from the Sherborste Avarua/ which-appeared
to be in Mr. Sheridan's confidence. He had several
times asked respecting the truth of it. If there were
not such an arrangement, why did not each of his
hon. opponents come forward with another of similar
political opinions? They ought to do so, and fight it
out to decide what principles the town should represent,
(Applause.) At the present time their views were
neutralised, and their principles nullified, by gentlemen
who preferred the security of collusion to the
assertion of political principle, and who in the
whirlwind of politics and the strife of opinions
were jointly acting upon the comfortable adage,
" Heads I win, tails you loose." (Cheers.) The
hon. gentleman characterised is • remarkable piece of
self -oomplaceney, Mr. Sheridan's reference to his
coming ferward as a candidate in 1852, and quoted his
address on that Oee•SiOTI, wherein he stated that he
came forward as the representative of Mr. Brown.
With regard to public affairs he would not detain
them so long as Mr. Sheridan had clone, as he bast ,
addresssed them on several occasions, whereas Mr.
Sheridan had been bottled up for sir years. (Hem,
hear, and laughter.) He yielded to neither of his
bon. opponents in admiration of Lord Palmerston—
he admired him for his great talents, his attachment
to the Conttitution, and looked upon him as their sheet
lumber while in power against the democratic element
behind him; but what he admired more than any-
thing else in the veteran Premier was the
manner in which he bad kept together his very
motely team for the last six years. But in whom after
Lord Palmerston could the public have oonildenoe? (A
voice: "Mr. Gladstone.") He was the last man in
whom he should have confidence; Bo caPPenredne
know whether he was doing right or wrong; be.
took any step without seeking to retraos it, and as a
rule neutralised his speech by his vote. The Whigs at
the present time were like a corporation of political
dummies, done up in self-seeking and red tape, and who
'unrolled at election times to display the eior of
.. ancestors end their utter inutility. For
among them was Earl Russell. (Interruption on
Sheridan's wide of the bustinp, and cries of "Turn
out.") The noble earl, be believed, would have'
destroyed, if erosible, the influence of Engler
Thmkeray said he knew a man who made 7
popular by offending everybody he met, and
made a frank apology. Earl Russell offended everybody,
but forgot to apologise till compelled. He lured on
Denmark to ruin, excited Poland to smokes resiatanoe,
and canoed her conquerors to exercise • severity they
never intended, and he had left the unhappy prisoners in
- to perish in dungeons. England should
- -o4 never except her interest required it.
..oes speak • period should represent
ironsides. ' In whom else of

tosupport. f
require r"

Ef'RES

regard to Chnreh•fittite said tall nate bad
failed nothing would settle the matter bet their total '
abolition. (Cheers.) He had inquired of a clergJl
what the amount of Church-rates inflected in- thr
wll.lth4 liW been.tola that tfle total amount mis
He now wanted to blow whether that
bone of contention should be allowed to interfere wit
the cause of reiinfon, ( Apia/4cl! He was milieus
lor as exieltioh of the franchile, Si fot at least at to
'idinit of the intellire apd propeitY not Wow' rupee.
swnied• (Appletun iaiagsoncladele amidst hives and •
cheers, by remarking that lie was onxio" to tell the I
electors one thing-414A if they •would return him and I
his friend they would do everything to merit their con•
fidenee and esteem.
CAPTAIN GRIDLKY, who was even more warmly 111-
calved than his colleague, addressed the electors in •.1
speech of great eloquence and length. tie said elthougn
he was the last .of the four oandidsites who had
addressed them, he f-It confident that when he neat
stood upon these huatin,ts it would be to thank them
for having placed bin' and his friend, Mr. Edwards, at
the top of the podL (Loud applause, hisses, groans,
and a voice, "You will fiud yourselves at the hotim4
of it.") They were met to return two representatives to
Parliament, and it was no less it great privilege Moe a
great duty. It was their duty eelect those mem udiom
they bdlievild to be ad#oeites of progressive
and enlightened legislation, who would benefit the
country at large, and this boreso also. (Cheers.) Her)
noble opponent and hon. calla 'rue would forgive hiiir
for saying that they had met with a very easy chtdee, if
they selected himself and Mr. Edwards. (Cheers and
a coins, "W. shall piece you avert you were placed at
Beverley.) 'They had no pneertain'issue to decide, it
was it question between the standiaill end retrograde
Conservative polioy, and the steady onward progression
of Liberal principles. It was like the difference between
the stagnant, freed-coverad, health-depressing pool, and
the crystal flowing stream that spread and replenished
health and Weasel everythingit passed through. (Ap-
plause.) He had no doubt his hou. friend would differ
from him as to the description of Conservatism whioh he
had given them. He had heard this morning a great
deal about Conservatism, and he thought it would be
well that some of the electors ahould be told what it
was. He would tell them a description which had been
given of Conservatism by a man eminent in literature,
and the leader of a great political party. [The gallant
gentleman was then about to read the extract
when he was interrupted by shouts of "Name,
name; author, author." After some time silence
was obtained, and Captain Gridley then read the
extract.] The document was as follows: " Conserva-
tism" he gays, "discards prescription shrinks from
principle, disavows progress, having rejected all respect
for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and
makes no preparation for the future." (Applause.)
And now he would satisfy the curiosity of his friends.
The writer of those words MA no less a person than
the Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, the leader of the
Conservative party. (Enthusiastic applaase.) He had I
been told on his canvass by the supporters of. his ,
opponents that they had disavowed the mune of Con-
servatives, and claimed the title of Liberal. Con-
servatives. ICheers and laughter.) Now it might be
as well if they Gould understand, though it was difficult
to describe it, what this hybrid was that was known by ,
the nano of Liberal Conservetive. He was amusing
himself the other day by reading the fable of the three
travellers and the chamellon. The three travellers who
bad seen the chapielion could not agree what was its
colour. He had no doubt that the electors knew that
the 61111,1440 n had the peculiar faculty of changing its
rolistir iibt.dever it liked. (Cheers and interruption.)
The lilies' he read were these :

"I marked it well, 'twas black as jet,
You stare, but sirs I have got it yet,
And can produce it." "Pray air do,
I'll lay my life the thing is blue."
" And I'll be sworn that when you've seen
The creature you'll pronounce it green."

(Laughter.) The encLat_rthe fable was that when the
animal was produced it was white. (Laughter.) Let
them in sober earnestness consider these hide and seek
principles, for he maintained that a Liberal Conservative
was like one of those seders on the stage, in parti-
coloured costume, red on one aide, and blue on the
other. (I,oud applause.) Upon the hustings be was
• Liberal, but in the House of Commons he was a
Oonservative. Contrast that with the manly open
straight forward principles of the Liberal party. He
was astonished he might say, at what fell from the
noble lord when he took credit to himself and party for
the peace and prosperity of the conntry at largo. As
he had kindly anticdpated khn be Maptaiii
Gridley) said that the pekoe and pros-
perity of the country had been gained in spite of
.Tories, spite of Coneervatlteli, and spite of Liberal
Conservativea too, (Applause.) He must gay that,the
noble lerd put lites very mush in mind of an anecdote
respecting a French criminal who havieg Jourdered his
father and mother begged of the judge not to hang him
because he WU In orphan. (Leighter and bbee're.) In
spite of the opposition of Couservativise fit Spite of the
opposition of their kith sod kiu, Laical Orip,ciple• bad
given thorn civil, religious., add iscnrireerciel freedom,
and especially did he no iddrees himself
to the industriel &armee. Whitt far them had a
Tory or Conservative Government ever done?
Had, they netverieee4 its ((tenting them the very votes
Which they MSW solicited. Had they not resisted the
repeal Of the corn, limp which had cheapened their
breedt FRO 'e et tAbral principles given them all the
'Chain necessaries of life? Had not the present Cbusertp.
wept dowe mueli for the labouring classes in promoting
heir education? (Enthusiastic applause and n prom.. ) Had
they net enoouraged them in thrift and -elf-dependence
by giving them government savings' banks and annuities.
(Applause.) When he spoke of the benefits which
the working olasSes of this country had received, •
name rose to his lips of one now at rest, but one to
whom the people were more indebted than to any other
lltati living or dead for the chiefeet blessing they
poesessed—Richard Cobden. (Applause.) He had
gone from amongst them, but had left an example of
his patient self-denying nature, he had left his patriotic
said independent principles, and it was the beet legacy
he could have bequeathed his country. (Cheers.)
After come other observations be said that it was
recorded that the electors had once a representative
,Who served them long and faithfully. [A Voice :
•' They bald him, the same as they will sell you.") Re
was a man who not only attended msidnottsly to his
,political duty, but earnestly devoted himself to the
'third of their individual interest, and the interest of
. .

the borough, Sir William Freeetnn was deed, but his
memory was green amongst them. (Applause.) In a
moment of forgetfuleew and ingratitude he was
departed arid rejeored, but a great deal of Seri•Ow had
been experienced since that time, and the people now
eke .
mean
as

I tone]

le pipl

wished

AND AGRICULTURAL G.

, TT-TT
rAZETTE, TUESDAY, JIIVI

!figit•kinekg howt much tsrmtion had been reduced and
Om working classes benefitted, and hoping the present
' financial reformer would have strength and power to
continue his beneficial measures. E. then touched on
the question of Reform, statiog the 'Views of the hon.
candidate as given in his late speech, and epoke of the
apathy of the people havpievpirevented teform being
carried dariag She late Prtli ent, and, in conclusion,
propoeed Thomas Alexanderii itchell, Esq., who for
nearly) quarter of • century had represented them in
Parliament. (Protracted cheers.)
W. HoUSSELL, Esq., had never previously addressed
hisap uibniaicrlequinettiyag oonthseo itasm
Mitchell had for five parliaments honestly, honourably,
pokritanniptoLidn oocasiuponohnimand.jsiferlt
and fairly represented them, and now, in seoonding his
, nomination, and asking them to elect him, as he was
sore they would, he was only asking them to put the
right man in the right place. (Cheers, and hear,
hear.) He referred to the great liberality of
the hon. gentleman, and his constant endeavours
to promote ivory object whioh could advance
their local interests. He then thanked Mr. Gundry
most cordially for the 'kind mention of his
father and the audience for the enthusiasm with which
they d received that gentlenem's remarks, and con.
olud4 s
by seconding the nomination of Mr. Mitchell.
(Lou cheers.)
J. P. STNPEIRNSAEsq., then proposed K. D. Hodgson,
Req., who had for eight years been their representative.
Although opmonte points perhaps he did not agree with
him, yet as he Strenuously advocated the principles of
civil and religions liberty with social progress, he felt
much Plutons, in proposing him, more particularly as
. Betted shown shear' the deepest interest in the pros-
parity of the town and the welfare of its inhabitants,
well as the country at large. (Protracted cheers.)
:c
) . aptain SWAIN very briefly seconded the nomination
K. D. 'Hodgson, Esq.
The Maroa then asked three times if any other
elleator had a candidate to propose and as no one replied
be declared that Thomas Alexander Mitchell, Esq., and
idirkman Daniel Hodgson, Esq. were duly elected
members for the borough of BridPort.
•.' T. A. 'MITCHELL, Esq., MP., returned his sincere
thanks for this unexampled proof of the electors' con-
fidence. For forty years there hod been no election in
Bridport, without a contest and he looked on this result
nsit so much as a proof of their esteem for him in-
dividually as for the principles of that Government to
hioh he had contributed his humble support. In con.
firmation of his pledge he had during the past few days
culled on every elector and explained his views on every
important subject of the day, it *as not therefore
necessary for him to go into a look detail of his prin-
oiples, they had been so ably and, fully given by his
kind and excellent friend MlrliGundry, that it was now
needless. He also expressedlis,s regret at the absence of
Mr. Hounsell. Having for twonty fouryents rePreeented
them he had always upported thou measitree which he
considered would be foathe good of the country at large
and posh would be his Mindy to his last days, he advo-
sated oonstant'and emitted:progress. Connected as he
was with a large businets4, had found out the
edrantage of never being in too great a hurty, he wished
the 'representation of the people to increase with their
enlightenment ; he had ever been a ealons Freetrader and
hieviews had been successfully carried out by recent
legialation. The French Treaty was the consummation
of the great free trade scheme which had been com-
menced in 1841, and had proved of the utmost impor-
tance to this country, it had doubled our trade with
France, and had caused our neighbours the French who
were ever ardent protectionists to be Free-Traders like
ourselves, and as the French led the fashions through
Europe as regards dress, so had they led the fashion
with Free Trade which had extended en far even as
Russia, a country with which he was intimately con.
meted by trade. Ile believed that treaty would
emintain a lasting peace between this country and
France, and one of the greatest calamities which could
betel this country would be to be led into a war with
either France or Americo. Happily daring that great
struggle between our musing on the other side of the
Atlantic, our Prime Minister had not expressed his
opinions on one side or the other, and had thus kept us
out of mischief. With regard to the'financial measures
of the Government they had been fully discussed
already, as to the other internal measures of the nation
the GoVernment politty had Met his lordial approval ;he
entirely concurred in haring a gradual extension of the
Franchise. The people Were no* apathetie on this
matter, but probably two sir three had harvests would°
remove diet apathy, it a measure was ntit Previously
Owned. The Coniervatives had certainly said sodiething
of Reforni, but they generally iijitiosed good measures
to the last, and then when they Could no longer contend
against them, would• take the credit of them
to tbbniselreir. However, as he was now
unanimously returned he onght:to be on all occasions,
impartial, and represent to the dust of his ability the
interests of all parties in the tettit„ and concluded by
thanking the electors for the tonouraeonferred on him.
(Loud cheerio) "-,, *- • .
K. D. HODGSON', Itsq., X P., said in some ntries of
Europe when a man had been married for tsventy-five
years he called his friend' together, and gave them a
rich feast for what he called hi silver wedding, Mr.
Mitchell had arrived at that happy state having been
for a quarter of a century wedded to Bridport as its
representative in the House of Commons. His con-
nection with them had been of a far more recent date
and instead of a union of twenty-five years he had to
appear with more of the blushing bashfulness of the
bride, he knew that nothing was more unpleasant or
disagreeable than the separation of man and wife, and
therefore there was a joyousness in his meeting his
constituency as it was always pleasing to a husband to
And his household going on well and glad to see him
again on his return. (Loud laughter.) He understood
that for nearly thirty,five years they had not witnessed
such a scene as the present—an uncontested election
they may therefore consider that their conduct had mei
with the approbation of the electors generallyi He did
not wish to nay anything with respect to_the. old Par.
liament which hair just expired; he would express his
hopes that the new Parliament would carry on those
measures of social end religious progress which he had
ever strenuously advocated, he trusted it would settle
the question of Reform, nothing had yet been 'aid as to
what measures would be introduced but he.hhped that
long-talked of question would now be satisfactorily
settled, He again pledged himself as he had the other
night, that he wclald not vote for any measure of
ItefOrin which did not extend the Ftanehise, nor
would he vote for any measure which would
give the Whole power to any one class or which
he' considered would give a greater power to one
clue than to another. He was aware they had
.many diffiotlities to mettle but they were sent to Parlia-
ment to settle difficulties, and whatever dillimains.
-ight arise his sole study should be the benefit of his
Sicked
With

4iibultiug+

and chee.