The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-05-19 00:00:00

DUDLEY LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

On Thursday a meAing of the members of the
above aw:oeiation wrvi held in the Presbyterian
School Boom, Wolverhamplon Street, Dudley; Mr.
Chur:es CoehTane, the president, occupiLd the
chair.

The Chairman proposed a resolution in favour of
prolonging the present session of Parliament until
the important measures mentioned in the Queen's
Speech had been disposed of This was seconded
by Mr. Brooks, and carried unanimously.
Mr. John Addison moved a resolution in favour
of the county franchise, and a redistribution of
seats. Mr. Coley seconded the resolution, and it
was carried unanimowly.
Mr. Cochrane then moved the following reso-
lution: "That inasmuch as the legalising of
marriage with a deceased wife's sister is opposed
mainly by a large number of bishops and clergy
and other members of the Church of England on
the ground that such marriages are lontrary to
canon law, this association protests against at-
tempt: to make ecclesiastical law binding on the
whol- community, as being contrary to the
principles of religious liberty aid an unjustifiable
interference witn individual rights." This resolu-
tion was also carried unanimously.
The Chairman then strongly urged the associa-
tion to be up and doing in all matters that were
likely to assist the Government. Local action was
of great importanee in the present crisis. No
Government could be defeated without loss of
prestige, and Liberal associations could do much to
stimulate a healthy feeling among members of the
House of Commons. There was the question of
local governing bodies having to erect two chapels
in cemeteries, and it was time that the division
between consecrated and unconsecrated portions of
ground should be done away with. (Hear, hear.)
The revival of the blasphemy law, too, required
attention, fk r harshness in such matters was likely
to lead to results opposite to what were intended.
He had not seen the alleged blasphemies, and so
wuuld not pass judgment on them, but who put
the law in force ought to rensember that the
Prayer Book of the Church of England contained
many apparent contradictions, and utterly con-
demned those who did not entirely agree with its
doctrines. Mr. Cochrane then alluded to the
spread of Ritualism as an eviience that there was
need of Liberal action throughout the country. All
these things pointed to the fact that Liberal As-Ocia-
tions ought to be up and doing, and so bring
Liberal members to a sense of the necessity for sup
porting the Liberal Government.
_Alderman Thompson echoed the chairman's
remarks upon the nece-sity for prompt action on
the part ot Liberal Associations to prevent defeats
of the Government. The Government appeared
to be deserted by some of the party, and that was a
perilous state of things. Such of the party as had
neglected their duty should be called to account.
He was, however, glad to see that Mr. Sheridan
and the cowry members, Messrs. G!adstone and
Hastings. continued to support the Government.
(Applause.)
Mr.Tochrane then moved, "That no profession
of opinion of whatever kind concerning religion
should be suffered to dept ive any citizen of his civil
rights, including that of representing his fellow—
c;tizens in Parliament duly elected," This was
seconded, and carried unanimously. It Was agreed
to send copies of the •-esolution te the Premier and
the members for the borough and county.
Mr. Billing thought the Dudley Liberal Asso,da-
din had been remiss in not taking up national
questions oftener than it did.
The President offered to support any mo -ement
fot taking up such matters promptly. (A2plause).