The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-09-13 00:00:00

SIR S. NORTHCOTE AT EXETER.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir L. Palk, Sir
J. Kennaway, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Johnson, the mem-
bers for Exeter, Mr. Henry Nurthcote, the accepted
candidate in the Conservative interest in the room of
Mr. Johnson, who retires, and several othergentlemen,
attended a large meeting held at Topsham on Monday
afternoon in connection with the Conservative Work-
ing Men's Union.
Mr. E. A Sanders president of the union, pro-
posed, and Colonel Sanders,
seconded, a resolution
expressing approval of the conduct of the city mem-
bers, pledging the electors to return Mr. Northcote in
conjunction with Mr. Mills at the next election, and
expressing confidence generally in the administration
of the affairs of the nation by the present Govern-
ment.

The vote having been acknowledged by the members
for Exeter,
The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose, amid loud
and prolonged cheering, to reply. After alluding to
local politics, the right hon. gentleman reviewed the
legislation of the past session, and in the course of his
speech, said :—" I am far from saying that there are
not reasons for anxiety and regret at the present mo-
ment. Allusion has been made to one, and we speak
of it necessarily with pain and sorrow. No one can
help feeling the deepest sympathy and the deepest
grief for the fate of the gallant men of whose loss
in Afghanistan I fear we have received tidings which
cannot be doubted. (Hear, hear.) It is a matter
which must fill every one's heart with the greatest sot,
row. (Hear, hear.) They were men who have been
sacrificed, we do not precisely know under what circum-
stances, to an outbreak of fanatical fury,- against
which, as far as the accounts enable us to judge, they
contended with a courage and determination worthy of
Englishmen and worthy of those gallant men themselves
who have rendered such service to the Empire.
(Cheers.) They contended, as I understand, to the
last in defence of the building which they occupied.
The mutineers, though far exceeding them in number,
were unable to storm the Residency, until at last they
succeeded in setting fire to the door; and even then
when they broke in, our gallant countrymen sold
their lives dearly—for I fear we must admit that their
lives have been sacrificed, It is impossible that Eng-
land can fully appreciate the very serious loss which
we have sustained by the death of one so eminent, so
worthy of our gratitude as that distinguished man,
Sir Louis Cavagnari. (Cheers.) We cannot but
deeply feel that loss, but it is premature to at present
say anything more about it. We know not what the
circumstances were. So far as we can judge it appears
to have been an unpremeditated outbreak on the part
of a certain number of mutinous regiments. So far
as we can judge the Ameer has been entirely true
to us, and the last me, sage represents him as im-
ploring our assistance. Of one thing we may be quite
sure—that assistance will not be withheld. (Cheers.)
We may be sure that Englishmen will be prompt to
go to succour those who have fallen on their behalf
and those who are holding out in consequence of
attacks directed against them, and we do not doubt
that our gallant troops are far on the way to the city
of Cabul, and that we shall soon hear of their having
restored peace to that place. (Cheers,) But we
cannot, as I said, undertake to speak as to the cir-
cumstances which have occurred, and I am sure that
you will all feel, and England will feel, that it is
but right that for the moment we should abstain
from mere conjecture or mere hasty judgment of
any one. (Hear. hear.) Well, there are other
matters upon which we cannot speak with entire
satisfaction or congratulation. It has been for some
time a matter of notoriety that the country has
been passing through a period of severe commercial
and agricultural depression. There were many things
to be considered in that matter, but the sympathy of
the Government, the sympathy of Parliament, has
been at least as warm for the commercial classes as for
those on behalf of whom they have thought fit to issue
a commission. With regard to the agricultural interest,
no doubt we have thought that advantage might be de-
rived from the issue of such a commission, and I firmly
believe that the inquiries of that body of men will
bring to our knowledge a great deal of useful
information that will prove suggestive, and that
they may be expected to bring under our con-
sideration remedies for some at least of the diffi-
culties with which the agriculturists of this king-
dom have to contend. But we must bear in mind
that the seasons have much to do with the
suffering of our agricultural classes, that the seasons
have been much against us, and that against the
seasons there is no remedy except the remedy of
patience and of preparation. We know that eur great
support against bad seasons is to carry on our opera-
tions upon such a principle, with such an amount of
capital, and in such a manner that we can afford to
lose for a year or two the advantages of prosperous
and abundant harvests. What can be done in that
way it is well worth our while to consider; what can be
done to mitigate the losses from bad seasons we may
all advantageously apply ourselves to studying; but
we may all hope that the commission which has been
issued will receive the assustance of all classes in
all parts of this country in endeavouring to probe
the real causes and the nature of the evils with
which we have been afflicted. (Hear, hear.) At the
same time let me say that I hope it will not be in the
mind either of the Commissioners or of any classes in
this country to believe the remedies are to be found by
the violation of sound principles. Do not let us seek
for temporary remedies, but let us go to the founda-
tion of our whole system of agriculture. Let us see
how it is that we can most usefully avail ourselves
of the natural advantages that we have—and those
advantages are great—and how it is that wo can
best meet the competition which is undoubtedly in-
creasing upon us from abroad. I believe there is much
to be learnt if we will only set to work in a spirit
of hopefulness and in a spirit of candour." (Hear, hear.)

Sir Stafford then referred to the business done in the
late session, which he said was not so entirely barren
as some have been disposed to represent it.