The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-09 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION

On Monday evening, a special meeting of ,
this association was held in the Commissioners
Rooms, Corn Exchange, when Mr. J. B.
Shepherd, solicitor (presideat of the association).
delivered the inaugural address. He stated that
the service rendered by the Central Association
uf Worcestershire I-al Lea Esa felt and less
appreciated than they deserved. But they had
bad little personal or immediate relationship to
that association, and he regretted such a state
of things, as it was distinctly unfavourable to
the ends their asaociation had in view. Those
who had laboured for some time in the cause
bad been inadequately appreciated and but
feebly supported, and.one of the subjets of each
an association as the present would be to place
the Central Association in a close and more
intimate communion with the whole Liberal '
party thoughout the divisiou—lhere, hear) !
that they might know more of the Liberal party
it its great bulk and strength. The business of
Central Associatiou, as well as the business ot
local usiociatiemi, was two-fold. They had first
to assist the Est Worcestershire Liberal
Association in looking after the local re-
gister, and next to discuss Ties ions
of the day permitting of Liberal treatment.
An association of this kind was novelty, for
they had no precedent to guide them, but they :
took as their guide Liberal principles, and
sound Caalln4ll sent,. In the spirit of a man
talking to his friends, the speaker went on to
discuss the great questious of the day. Speaking
of the "Conservative re-action," Itu detailed at
great length the adoption by that party of the
Liberal code, for their programme of carrying
out !immures introduced by the Liberal part).
And so the two great classes were growing
together. He did not hold with the inhabitants
of this country being like the strata beneath the
surface of the globe separated by well-defined
marks and distinctions, but like the best brand
of iron into which different ores were we!ded
into one mass—(hear, hear). Speaking of the
privileges of the House of Lords, lie said they
ought not to thwart measures that were for the
interest of the country because they were Con-
servative or Liberal measures; their duty was
to use their valuable services in tempering party
feeling and euthusiasoi, and in passing mea-
sures of utility to their country irrespective of
party feeling. This, he said would establish,
their title to a nation's gratitude, and be the
guarantee of the permanence of their order.
Iu touching upon the Church of England, he
read the resolution brought before the house
of Convocation last week, and stated that the
privileges of the Established Church, like all
other privileges, must be expected to be looked
into, and they, like the constitutional preroga-
tives of her Majesty of the privileges of the
House of Commons, must he exercised for the
benefit of all Christain people in the laud. He
would desire that all sects of thought, right-
fully entitled to minister in the Established
Church, might have formularies according to
• heir own convictions. Advauced Liberals
recommended disestabliehment for the Courch,
nut he was against this until every other method
had failed. He next touched upon Universities,
endowed, and primary schools. He wished the
Church, to be made really universities. Let The
place not exclusively reserved for the English
Church be thrown open to all domminatious.
With regard to primary schools, he was in
favour of the Bible being taught, that is such
portions as were fit to be taught to children;
but eo;iim e forms and interpretatioas of the
Scripture should not be taught by anybody.
He th en spoke of the extension of the country
trim:his°, stating it to be a hardship that the
agricultural labourers and tenant farmer were
not bettor represented iu the House; and passed
on the consideration of the re•adjuatinent of the
franchise, recommending a re-distribution of
seats. He spoke a few words is regard to the
disputes in the agricultural and in the mining
interests. The subjets touched upon were
explained at great length, and the arguments
brought forward showed sound logical reason.
ing, based on a careful! collection of facts. In
conclusion, he said he knew of no study more
worthy to occupy the time of a citizen th in
the good government of his country, and he
knew no Government more calculated to
. _

promote the welfare of this-co-a-Z.7am ";
Government established on pure Liberal painci-
pies. He asked them to combine together to
estabash amongst themselves a strong convic-
tion of Liberal principles.
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the
president for his excellent address, which bad
been listened to with great into:l3st throughout.