The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-05-11 00:00:00

THZ DOROHEST ER KLEorrox RIOTS.
To the Editor.

oan esriously assure you that I had no more
Intention of strafing " Anon's" irritability, than I bad of
eliciting the amusing assumption of superiority which so
conspicuously characterises his last letter. My intention
was simply to discuss the respective claims of Liberalism
and Toryism. I wanted my opponent to state a case on
behalf of his political faith to which I would reply, my
reply being also • caws on behalf of my own. I wanted to
hear the other dale earnestly and intelligently represented,
and to have • discussion. which, without the introduction
of irroievent discourtesy, might have • tendency to incline
some to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest a little of
, the political history of their native land. That this was
my object my letters must conclusively prove to every
impartial reader. My broad contention is that Toryism is
and always has been "the conservator of the powers and
privileges of cne de" and the foe to the progress and just
claims of the other"—• contention which I have twice
asked 'Anon' to endeavour to refute, but without even
succeeding in getting him to notice its although every ques-
tion which he has asked me I have ans ered, in order to avoid
what I sin now accused of, yin, "slurring over or evad int
part of the question at WWI.. and yet we have "Anon
actually lamenting whet he is pleased to term my
" cunning polemics.'

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" Anon" in his last letters explains the position he
originally assumed, and says " Mycoruplaint. were these:
First that you did not eulticiently condemn the proceed-
ings above referred to : secondly, that you ridiculed
instead of supporting the action of the authorities and,
thirdly. I deprecated the damagng i influence upon Con-
eervatisin of unjust criticism." " Anon" however went
beyond this. In his first letter he spoke of there being
no difficulty in conceiving a type of honed Liberalism,
about "the influence on 0 inservatiem of personal abuse,
calumny, and vilific Won," and of " those sober and con-
tented working men who are too manly and just to take
for granted all that is told them of their oppressed con-
dition." I commentici upon there remarks, es I was en-
titled to do, and for so doing was accused of indulging
" in side issues and recrimination."
The idea of there being no difficulty in conceiving a
type of honest Liberalism tickled my fancy amazingly.
After this I may not unreasonably enquire if a type of
honest Conservatism can 41..4 be conceived, or if we are
to take the conception in one ow for gran4a and sot is
the other I

And now for "Anon's" three complaints. The first and
sound have been effectually dealt with. That. I think.
even " Anon" will upon refection admit. The third. the
"damagitic influence upon Conservatism of unjust
criticism, I asked "Anon" to instance. What wu his
reply? A reference to "Mr. Childers' speedi reported in
TA. Times • short time aso." and that he was "inohnmd
to Usk. Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright had afforded
similar instances? This is illustratign with a vengeance.
I must not omit to add that Captain Greenlet is alluded to
all haring said "What can you expect from a Tory
Government!" I repeated the question, but without
setting "Anon" to notice it I again do no, and for the
third time &oh him what Toryism has ever done for
political or religious liberty.

The notion of unjust criticism damaging the Tories will
not bear analysis. Surely they could hare refuted it to
their advantage had it been indulged In. Dad this been
resorted to. the critic* would have suffered much more
than the criticised. The fact Ii the c untiy bad had
enough of Toryism. which But Beaconsfield described as
'an unhappy mom-breed ; the mule of politics that
engenders nothing." The policy of plundering and
blundering." another of his lordship's expressions, bed been
weighed in the scales of public opinion and found wanting.
The Brummagem Bismarck and his sham imperialism had
been detected by an indignant people. In the plain un-
varnished truth wee found the Tory condemnation, and
that alone was their accuser. In my vocabulary there are
no words too strong to denounce their policy. Our deal-
ings with Afghenstan have been most iniquitous. One
Viceroy, to his honour be it spoken, rather than support
them, resigned. Let it never be forgotten that It was the
late Tory Clabinet which recommended the creation of
pretexts for the violation of treatise, which against the
wish of the
_people annexed the Transvaal and deliberately
robbed the S3INII of independence, which did its utmoet to
drag into • war with Russia,sgainst which it enraged
to hold out in the hope of ultimate assistance, but
which at last left "the sick man" to the tender mercies of
the Musoovits, and afterwards deprived him of Cyprus,
which we ruled in such • fashion, that in the month of
December bet a protestation 1441141, the manner of our
admiustering justice in the island waa presented by the
laropeen Residents thereon, to the Consul* of Franca,
Austrisaungary, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
We inst. laws there, which were •diagrace to this country
—nay, to civilisation, and in referring to which Mr. Glad-
stone, might well exclaim that be felt it to be" a deep and
bitter humiliation." It was the late Tory Cabinet which
betrayed Grew*, wasted millions over theficesCenal, and
thou had to spend more moan to enable our representa-
tives to sit at the Baird of Directors. It was the late
Tory Cabinet which burdened this country with the sham
protectorate of Asia Minor. which must inevitably lead to
serious comMications, but which at present can only be
utilised ass field for the missionary labours of Ex-Colonel
Valentina Baker. It was the same Cabinet which pro-
posed the Rhodope great to relieve destitution abroad but
to disregard list home. It was the same Cabinet which
sought to further tarnish our natiosal reputation by laming
the infamous circular to the effect that slaves upon escaping
from bondage and getting upon British vessels should be
given on into slavery again. Think of this, yo freedom,
lthov:nglndßriiantoprions.
hiwchasistheanssamwsraebOele
fbiornethtewnhniicush fiaLit
Eldu war, and which at one time, when starvationwas
,
staring thousands of our fellow-countrymen in the yam
was spending SW 000 a week to depose Cetewayo and
exalt John Dunn. But enough of Chit, which is but • page
from the history of Tory misrule.
But a few more paltry millions for posterity to pay,
But a few more thousand English live. cast ruthlaelle
away
For a nation's trade half ruined, a nation's honour down,
for a scientific frontier and • Sham Imperial Crown.
In conclusion I can only say that if "Ansa" will join WOO
upon any of my statement/ of fact or of opinion I shall
he may too pleased to meet him. At Demme time I must
request him to try to be a little lees offensive in his future
communications. Let him demolish my arguments first
and then he may tackle me as he likes, but until then I
must object to the inference that I am attempting to
draw him " into a groove evidently far more congenial "
to me than plain dealing with the subject, and to the
allusion to my " unwillingness, or incapacity to recollect,
or understand" his complaint.. Hie advice 41 to "the
best and safest plan of arrumentation" I should appreciate
more if I thought it possible the old maxim digerin
seediess fires 111.11W4111 111.11t•1111 could ever have • better
application than it has at present.

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" Anon" concludes by recommending me to follow his
advice if I desired rather to secure respect for my prcdpg.
tithe from educated people, than to catch an indismiminat-
ing approval from loul tutored minds Who " Anon " may
be I have not the least conception; but that he is competent
to wooed in what he advises me to attempt I very much
qfssuom A person who writes as follows :—Thls discus-
should have dropped so far as I were concerned,"
should in my opinion be one of the last to instruct others
how to write for the better educated portion of the cont.
inanity. 71ut study of an elementary grammar and a few
exercises in false 'Welsh would be more appropriate.

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