The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-01-25 00:00:00

To Use editor.

Dorche.ter, 24th January, 1876.
Sir, --On Saturday last I attended the meeting of
Mr. Fowler and his supporters (hell at the Town-hall
in the afternoon), for the purpose of hearing what
that gentleman bad to say on different subjects
though myself not one of his own party: In the
course of the proceedings some senseless individual
began to make a disturbance, and thereupon was
properly enough ejected by Mr. Fowler's friends, by
whom the ball was hired for the occasion 14 enabling
Mr. Fowler to address the electors. When the
disturbance was quelled, I was sorry to hear Mr.
Fowler make a most unjustifiable attack on Captain
Digby's professional agents, who, so far as I know
them, are gentlemen, and, what is still more to the
purpose, men of common sow. Mr. Fowler is not
expected to retain lawyers. This is a land of liberty,
and those are happy who, like Mr. Fussier, can do
without them. Still, it was absurd era unwarrantable
for him to say, as ho 41. that "every disturbance of
this kind was. he found, got up by some hired lawyer
or his clerk.

A DItiBYITF.

To Mc Editor.
Hir.—T enclose a copy of a letter which I addressed
to Mr. Fowler, and sent by last evening's post, but,
unfortunately, he was so much occupied in his speech, I
in dealing with what I presume he considered the
more direct interests of the majority of his supporter's,
that he omitted all allusion to a subject SO important !
in my estimation. No doubt he thought, am one
elector told me afterwards he did, that "it was not j
the question of the day, or the object for which be
was sumswtol in his candidature; or, as another
said, " Ritualism woold be put down by public i
miinion." Now, Sir, I think anything affecting the
Protestant censtitution of the nation is at present the
all-important question of the day, awl, whether we I
look at the bright side of the picture to see Elighind
of the past a prospenms awl increming nation, in !
wealth awl happiness, and occupying a first-rate
position in the councils of the world ; or at the nations
which have been given up for centuries to the degrad-
ing and demoralizing influences of l',,pery, we cannot
ht be struck with the fact that Prote.tantism, as the
Religion of the Bible, " exalteth a nation,- whilst the '
reverse obtains where it has been displaced by
erroneous doctrines, and by superstitious practices,
awl services. Now, sir, no one can he name liberally
and charitably disposed than I ani towards honest and
consistent Roman Catholics, and with them I am not
going to find fault; but what I do object to is the
wolf-in-sheep's-clothing system which is now going on
amongst the so-called Ritualists -but not of the Church
of England—the eatingthe bread of the Church by men
who are doing all in their power to unprotestantize her,
awl are turning by their parodies of our beautiful and
scriptural services, many of our churches into mere
mass-housea. Any attempt to remedy this state
of affairs mist then be the duty of every Protestant
elector, or representative of the people, and although
not ,iirecey hearing upon Agriculture, yet I presume
the farmers of Donsetshire, and England generally, are
maul ally so honest and straightforward as to regard
with disgust anything like sham, or imposition, or sail-
ing under false colours, at least such is my experience
of them. This then is one of the all-important ,pwstions
of the day, to my mind the most important, for if things
go on as they are now for a little while, the liberty and
independence of Englishmen will he a thing of the past,
and a tyranny far worse than is even exerted over a
tenant by a landlord, will soon be experienced in the
enslavery of mind as well as body by the influence of a
so-called priest and confessor. A worse thing than
Rack Rents, or " circular " screws will be felt, and
man will no longer be master of his own household,
much less his farm, or country house.
To the remark that public opinion will put a stop to
such things, I need onlyrefer to the rapid strides which
these practices have made within the last few years, to
the Wanting, of the Ritualists and the indifference of
the mass of the people, particularly the high classes
of society, and more especially to the often open favour
shown by those high in office in the church towards
these men, and the very rare dircouragementa which
they experience.
These things need no answer. I might add much
more, but I trust I have sail enough to usavince the
electors of Dorset that Illy letter is not without reason
and that my question is not an unimportant one. I
have been told since the meeting that Mr. Fowler is
not favourable to Ritualism, but I hope lie will in his
future addresses speak, and an manfully and
courageously, 'in this point, as he has on other subjects.
Ti prove that T an. not singular in my opinion on this
matter, I will just add an extract from the Rock of Jan.
14th. " Pending Elections Wetnist the Prokstants
of Doniewhire and Shropshire will take care to ascer-
tain candidates' sentiments, as to the inspection of
' convents, and other Protestant measures. Never was
there a more favourable opportunity for pressing these
questions home." I trust, therefore, it will not appear
to your readers that I have been out of place in bring-
• ing this subject before their notice. I regret also that
Captain Digby has not stated his views on the question.
' Doubtless it will be brought to the attention of both
candidates by others possessing more influence than
i myself. If not, I shall tremble for the Protestant
. independence of the ciunty of Dorset.
JOHN Ewzss.
Cecile Abbas, January 22nd, 1876.

Come Abbas, January 21st, IST6.
Dcar Sir—Approving generally of the principle that we
require a more equitable distribution of sands in the
House of Commons, so as to more fairly represent all
classes of the community. I am favourably disposed
towards your candidature in the interests of the agricul-
turists of this important county, although not personally
interested therein: but there is one point of supreme im-
portance to me as a Protestant Churchman, which I do
not see that either you or the other candidate have
alluded to in your speeches. I therefore desire to call
your attention to the matter, and to ask you to give us
your views on the subject in your address to the electors
to-morrow at Dorchester. I hope to be there, and shall
be glad to hear a plain and direct answer to the following:
—Are you prepared to do vonr utmost to maintain the
principles of the Protestant Reformed Church of England?
I more especially here 'dilute to the fearful increase of so
called Ritualism, as inculcated both by erroneous teaching
in the pulpit and superstitious practices in conducting
the service generally. Relieving, as I do, that Heaven's
curse will descend upon us as • nation if we depart from
the Protestant faith, taught in the scriptures (and in
defence of which our grand old Reformers died so nobly),
and drift back into Popery. Regarding the teaching ar.d
practices to which I have. referred as tending fast in that
direction. I think the tun) has conic when cveal true
Protestant should make !.1,01 4 vital question with candi-
dates. fa,r the representation J the country. Will you do
all in your power to maintain the Protestant institutions
of the country lam but a very hutuble, and, possibly,
uninnuential elector, but it is laid on my conscience to
ask you these questions. If you can do so affirmatively I
believe yon will have a gaud inany votes you would not
have otherwise.
Believe use, dear sir,
Yours faithfully,
JOHN EWE'.
Robert Fowler, Esq.
I might have asked these questions personally, but
thought it beet to give you notice, and I am a very im-
perfect speaker.