The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-07-11 00:00:00

THZ GOVERNMENT FOREIGN POLICY.

Respecting the other questions of the day, I will
speak of the policy followed by the Government; first
as regards foreign affairs, and secondly, as to domestic
matters, and it appears to me that upon both, thorn is
much to be said of the good done. Take the foreign
policy : I think the whole of the people of England have
come to the conclusion that, except under very peculiar
circumstances indeed, non-intervention in the affairs of
foreign nations is the proper policy of this country. I do
not mean that we are not to sympathize with other
nations, struggling to obtain similar freedom and liberty
to that we enjoy; but I believe it will hi generally
found that tho interference of a stranger does not aid
the einem of liberty in such countri,-a as I have men-
tioned, and that we shall do better to confine our
efforts to the moral force England exerts by reason
of her high position, rather than interfering by force of
arms, or by making any warlike demonstration to effect
that in which really we have no immediate interest. I
do not advocate peace at any price when we are
threatened, but peace as the general policy of the
country. Warn, se you know, increase taxation, and
the effect of increased taxation is to cause distress
amongst the people, to prostrate trade, and to retard all
those operations which, during the last 10 yearn, have
made this country happier than it has been for 50 years
previously. I fully approve of all that Government
has done, first with regard to the Danish question, and
next as to the course pursued respecting the war in
America. I don't wish to speak very strongly because
the party I have always supported is now triumphant.
My sympathies have invariably been with the Northern
States, although I am willing to acknowledge the
gallantry and determination with which the Southerners
fought for what they thought to be their interest.
I oeuld not sympathize with the Southerners,
because I knew that the one great object of
their contest was the maintenance of that most
abominable system of slavery. (Hear, hear.) I rejoice
exceedingly that this country did not interfere in the
quarrel, to do which was sometimes rather pressed on
the Government, and that it has been settled without
destroying the amity that exists between England
and America, and which I trust will continue. On these
grounds I think the foreign policy of the,Government
deserves our praise.

THE GOVIIESMENT DOMESTIC POLICY.
The domestic policy pf the administration in all matters
save Reform, has been, I believe, as good as it possibly
CRS be. Vaiious measures have been passed during this
parliament, which, though not affecting greatly the
political world, ht.., an iinpsttant herring on the wel-
fsre of t'.e p ople. Am,.ngst them is the Union
Chargeability Bill that ban just been passed, and which
1. the first step to enabling the working 'nen to dispose
of his lshour as he may think best, and to the greatest
advantage. It has nearly done away with the law of
settlement whi in chsinel a nian ti the so.l, and caused
him, in many instances, to work for leas wages than he
could get elsewhere. It wilt have to be followed up.
It is acknowledged to be good as a commencement, but
the consummation is not yet arrived at. It is certainly
a measure for which the poor dear old Parliament, now
dying deserves very great credit.

BEFORE( REVIVAL&
With regard to reform I will give you my opinion.
I told you in 1859 that I would support the Bill which
was to be brought forward by Bad Russell, and that had
been shadowed forth, namely, the £6 franchise in
boroughs, end the £lO in countieawith various other pro-
visions. I did support them; I voted for every one
whenever an opportunity offered. [voted for the Bill
introduced by Mr. Locke King, and also for Mr. Bainea's
Bill, not because I believed either satisfactory if passed
separat, ly and singly, but because I wished to show the
sincerity of my avowal that I considered the extension
of the franchise necessary, proper, and right. I have
great hopes that in the forthcoming Parliament, in some
way or other, a Bill will be introluced to extmd the
franchi.e, and be carried out almost unanimously. I
d,net wish to pledge myself to one plan or another on
this question; but this I will say, and I will now put it
in the negative form, because on the last occasion I
put it in the affirmative and nothiug oime from
it. I will never vote for a Bill which will not
give a large extension of the franchise to the
working classes. I will never vote for a bill which will
place the whole power in the hands of that class, or
any chins whatever. (Hear, hear.) lam for having
each clans severally represented, each choosing its own
proportion ef the plwer—each bearing its own
share of the burdens of the oonntry—each fairly and
equally represented. (Hear, hear.) They tell us some-
times this is • very difficult thing to do. I grant it.
But why are we sent to Parliament, unless it be to 'solve
diffiaulties? This question of the franchise is a difficulty
we are called to solve, which, I believe. can be solved,
and I trust will be solved. A very excellent friend of
mine a Tory, and Chairman of the Conservative
Committee in the City of London, as I am Chair-
man of the Liberal Committee—said to me one
day that he thought the Liberal party was
very mush like Mr. Pecksniff's horse which, you
may recollect, bad very high action; but as be lifted
up his feet and put them down again in exactly the
same place, he slid not get ever a very large space of
road in a-day. Now that may be to a certain extent
true, but it appears to me that the Conservative party
is very much like Mr. Pecksniff himself, who took the
architect's drawing of Cnusslewit's house, put two
windows in it, which spoiled the whole, and then called
it his own. It seems to me the Conservative party are
doing just that. They say you have passed a number
of measures which we opposed to the very last, thinking
they were very bad, but as they have proved very good
we will adopt them, and you will please walk out and
we will take your places and use them. I say
"Thank you very much, but I would rather
not!" They are our measures, and I think we who
liked them before they were proved to be good,
are much more likely ti carry them into effect for the
benefit of the .ountry, than you who always opposed
them. They( he Con,ervaiives) acted likes person who
stole the clothes .4 another who wns bathing, and left
him to gt hose 1.1.. w he could. (Laughter.)
THE CRURCH•RATI QUESTION.

I am very sirry that the question of Church-rates and
other cognate subject., have not been aettled this
session. They are matters which cause coesiderable
imitation and ill-feeling, and I trust that in the forth-
coming Parliament they will be settled in a manner
satisfactory to those who have long fought the battle
against then. My voles have been, and will continue
to be for giving the greate.t possible extension of civil
and religions liberty.
THE PERMISSIVE BILL.
Another question has been brought before me by the
electors of thin borough at different times, and which
I have been strongly reminded of to-day by seeing such
a nice procession of the Band of Hope. With that
society I have the greatest possible sympathy, and with
all similar associations conducted on voluntarylprinciplesl
Several of my friends here have written to me at different
times regarding what is called the Permissive BilL I
cannot say that I can give my support to such a measure.
Though I honour entirely the principles of those who
support it, believing they earnestly desire to do
good to their fellow creatures, I think, by passing
such a bill, that endeavour to remove a great
evil would inflict a greater, by curtailing the individual
liberty of the people, and I believe that the main-
tenance of the liberty of the people in far more im-
portant than any good that might arise from.legishatiou
on the subject of the Permissive Bill. Consider what
happened during the Commonwealth, when the states-
men of that period comprised better men than had been
found in their ranks before, or, perhaps, since. Those
statesmen, after having done great good, and maintained
the honour of the country in every part of the world,
took it into their heads to begin to meddle with the
private affairs of the citizens. What happened?
three years they made themselves no obnoxious to the
people that they hailed with delight the most disgrace.
ful government that ever was in office—that of Charles
11. That I think ought to be • warning tons to kilo!
where the province of legislation stops, and the libertt
of the people begins. I have wished to speak on gib
matter very distinctly, that all may know what Soy 1
opinions are on the subject.
PROSPECTIVE. •
I do not know that I have mach more to say respect-
ing what has been done in the House, and if I were to
talk about what is going to be done, you might fairly
say "let us wait to see that," and I prefer to trust to
the reputation I may have gamed for keeping my word—
(and I feel certain that no one will say that I have
violated the pledges I have given)—and upon the kind
feeling which has always been manifested to me by you.
If you do me the honour to again return me as one of
the representatives of this borough, I will do as I b'
done before—l Will adhere to those principles
have enunciated—the priaeiples of civil and _
liberty, and the principle of giving to every man
greasiest amount of freedom, oonsistent with the gen
happiness of the community. These I believe to 0...
founded on right. I adopt them, first, because I
believe them to be right, and secondly because I believe
they ere the principles of the great majority of those I

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noir have the pleasure to address, and of those
I have the honour to represent in Parliament, for
all of whous I feel great regard for the good
opinion and esteem manifested towards me in every
relation of life, and especially in respect to the proud
position I now boll of being their representative, which
honour I trust will be continued tome in the Parliament
of 1865, so shortly to begin its new life. In conclusion,
the hon. member asked if any one present wished to
que,tion him. The only response was—" How's your
sr.?" yhich•Mr. Hodgson answered by saying, 'Very
much better, thank you."
On the suggestion of Mr. J. Williams, three cheers
were given for Mr. Hodgson, and the meeting dispersed.