The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-11-12 00:00:00

Sardinia accepted the invitation to the bauffunt liutil
two or three days before it actually took place, and
nearly a fortnight after the usual time for returning an
answer on the subject. The representatives of the three
Great Powers who had protested against the proceedingS
in Southern Italy, and whose policy was so openly con-
demned in Lord John's latest, were conspicuous among
the absentees; and although R. de Persigny was per-
suaded to change his mind at the last moment, we may
depend upon it he did not do so without a " considera-
tion," Perhaps he made his attendance conditional on
the government of which Lord John is a member
definitely accepting his oft-repeated declaration, that
"the Empire is peace." Who knows ? Lord John is
just the man to seize an occasion for again irre-
trievably. committing himself, and placing the country in
a false position.

According to the South London eitronicle, Mr. Train
intends to apply to Parliarettit "for a bill to invest the
parish with the power of giving him permission to use
their streets,"

CIVIC HONOURS AT A DISCOUNT.

TAE municipal elections having now been con.

eluded all over the countm and the warmth
evolved wherever the civic honours at the dis-
posal of, the public happen to have been the sub-
ject of a contest having subsided, the popular
mind is in a fitter humour to weigh earthly and
dispassionately some points of in'te'rest and. import-
ance, which are apt to be overlooked during the
but which ought not to be lost sight of.
Although 'another year must elapse ere the elec-
tors are called upon again to exercise their privi-
leges, an appropriate hint offered now may be
like bread cast upon the waters, or seed thrown
into good soil. Perhaps the evident absence of
any immediate party or political object to be
gained will, we trust, secure for our remarks a
correspondingly impartial consideration from
those who may consider themselves our poli-
tical opponents. We have no desire to advocate
this or that line of party policy. We would
appeal to the indisputable facts, to plain common
sense, and to the palpable interests, not of any
section, but of the whole body of the people. To
attempt to bring about anything like unanimity,
or to dissolve the bonds and influences of party
combinations and projects, were indeed a hopeless
task. But we believe that the intelligent members
of the community have sympathies and aspirations
Which rise above, and hid supremacy over, the
Paltry considerations of mere political partisan- ;
Ship.
The history of municipal corporations of late
year ins developed the remarkable and alarming
tett that in too many cities and towns the honour
Of being connected with the Town Council is de-
creasing in the estimation of the more wealthy,
intelligent, and independent members of the com-
Inanity. Civic distinctions have been falling
below par, and in some places are at a fear-
ful discount. In certain boroughs it is not
possible to get men of high position, of unbroken
integrity, and of .good standing to accept,
.the
responsibilities of office. Seats at the Council
boards of not a few Municipalities have recently
gone a-begging without success ; and in parti-
cular instances the most unbecoming shifts have
been had recourse to, to fill up the requirements
Of the public service. That such a state of
Matters must be attended by serious evils and
ruinous consequences can scarcely be disputed.
Every body of civic rulers must exercise over the
community they govern a powerful influence for
good or evil. Not alone in its material and poli-
tical interests, but with reference to its social,
Moral, and religious welfare, must every Munici-
pality be greatly swayed and regulated by those
Who preside over and determine the corporate
Policy and course of action. It is one of our
Proudest boasts as a nation that no despotic
and tyrannical system of centralisation, such '
8-8 we see too abundantly illustrated in con-
tinental Europe, has yet dared to deprive us of
free and independent local self-government. This
boon is at once a proof and a safeguard of our
liberties as a people. If we would preserve. this
Privilege and bulwark intact and unimpaired, we
Must see to it—every elector must jealously and
anxiously see to it—and we must prove our right
to its permanent enjoyment by worthily per-
forming the duties it imposes, and by maintaining
the honourable character and official dignity of
the Town Council and its chief office bearers.
The ancient and picturesque burgh of Stirling,
once the capital of the sister kingdom, besides its
high historical associations and commanding posi-
tion as a royal fortress, possesses a considerable
Population and an important trade; and its Town
Council ought to be a worthy, dignified, and
honourable body. And yet, perhaps, no stronger
evidence could be adduced of the low estimate in
Which its civic "honours " are held, than the
'keno presented at the late meeting of electors for
the nomination of councillors. If the state of
Matters then and there revealed applied only to
that particular burgh, we might scarcely have
deemed it necessary to allude to it; but we
select it merely as an illustration of the con-
dition of affairs in too many other municipalities.
Can our readers maintain their gravity during
the perusal of the following report of what then
took place

After several- other nominations, Mr. Christie, watch-
taak, er, proposed Mr. James Hogg, of the 'Stirling
40iirnal. Mr. Nisbet proposed Mr. Alex. M'Donald,
no rose and stated that he declined at this time.
(Laughter.) The Provost
.(Ang/ice Mayor) inquired=
re there no other aspirants for Council honours, gen-
14orrien ? (Laughter.) The sheet is not half full yet.
(Renewed laughter and applause.) Several other per-
sons were nominated, all of whom declined. Mr.
Archibald France, smith, proposed Mr. Daniel Shirra.
(Great cheering and laughter.) A lull in the general
_.eciolusion ensued at this stage, and the names of candi-
dates were read over ; no more persons rising to nominate
4odidates, the Provost expressed his astonishment at
Public honours being at such a discount. (Laughter.)
After more nomination and declinatures, Mr. James
lisp moved that before printing and circulating the
(4,11 Mr. Shirra be asked to give his consent to stand.
rinses and applause.) Amid much interruption
`4° continued, that Mr. Shirra, if elected, might be
Vowed to sit, but it was a question if he would be an
Pour to the Council board. (Cheers and laughter.)
'tor more tumult, Mr. Christie again rose and said he
Ranted to state that he still adhered to his motion. The
Mess
said there was no way of complying with it
Lulless he would be the principal of a deputation to wait
I.ll°n Mr. Shirra. Mr. Christie expressed his wil-
44Pess. He was quite shocked at such a man as Mr.
the
being proposed. (Hisses, and cries of "order ).
!lo Provost commended the character of Mr. Shirra as
Irreproachable." Mr. Christie, Castlehill, thought Mr.
France himself should wait upon Mr. Shirra. Mr.
:France
L (who spoke amid great applause) was surprised
the two Christies, as Mr. Shirra was a man
igeir equal
ameny. (The remainder of Mr France's
POarks benaudible in the Uproar that arose.)
'7. Christie, Castlehill, proposed Mr. France, but the
b?toination was not seconded. At this stage the ap-
.arance, of Mr. Shirra, who is a waste-dealer in Castle-
t`o, and seemed to be immensely pleased with the hon-
?r done him, was the signal for tremendous cheering
and laughter, the reception given truly indicating that
• Shirra was the hero of the hour. The cheers wore
itgairt and again taken up, the satisfaction of the meet-
tlg appearing inexhaustible. At length comparative
quietness succeeding to this uproar, the Provost inti-
ated to Mr. Shirra that he had been nominated as a fit
IN worthy man to have a seat at the Council, and asked
he intended to stand as a candidate. (Laughter.) Will
'ett stand or not ?—a question by which Mr. Shirra
,?Peared immensely tickled, throwing back his head in
let's
of laughter. The Provost (with vehemence)
et's your tongue I want to move, sir, not your face.
t• Shirra being pressed, said—lt's not likely I'll get
t.l v: unless you help me yourself, Provost. (Great noise and
afusion.) The ProVost exclaimed that this was making
ii??ke of the whole affair, and renewed the question. Mr.
trra said he did notwant to be bothered with them. The
general hubbub that arose during the delivery and at the
ki,,se of this address is utterly indescribable ; bht in the
ust of it Mr. Shirra " mizzled"—at least there was
:41110re heard of him.—[Perhaps (says the Scotsman)
it; ttronger evidence could be had of the low estimate
Which civic honours are held in Stirling (and not in
telog alone, we fear,) than the fact that the very
C„ ,°r, though put at the head of the list, thus indig-
i ..1!.37 declines, in the columns of his own paper
kith regard to Mr. Hogg, we believe we have' that
ioettleman's authority for saying that he is entirely
41,°rant of having done aught to warrant any one in
thscvging to put him into such an equivocal position as
of a Town Councillor. Perhaps the mover and
(e4der of his nomination may be able to let him know
What atrocious piece of absurdity he had been lately
qty")
le remedy lies with the electors themselves.
\\re
do not believe that popular election is in
of necessarily an evil, but it is clearly exposed
to
a tremendous amount of abuse. The best
44tid
ote to that abuse, we think, is ultimately to
found in a fair and uncoloured but unreserved
e)z
Posure of the evils it may engender. Fancy for
h
Of what
--)Illent a provincial editor asking,