The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-05-03 00:00:00

to keep the secret locked up in their hearts? I want to
know whether their wives will stand that. (Itenesed
laughter. A N'oice " There's the rub.") No. Ido
not think the electors would submit to such tyranny, on
the one hand, nor the wives to such unpardonable
reserve on the other. (Loud laughter and cheers.) It ia
essential to the welfare of the nation, that political
functions should be exercised subject to the
opini 111 l of the country, and if you begin with
secrecy and go on in the dark you will aim a fatal blow
against the liberties of the country. (Cheers.) Suppose
your representatives voted in Parliament by way of bal-
lot, how would you know which way we voted ? (" That's
true.") If the ballot is really a good thing, if it is really ,
required for the honour and advantage of this country, if I
it be demanded by the universal voice of the peopic,
public opinion will prevail, and by the force of public
opinion it will be carried. (" Why do the gentlemen use ,
it in the club-houses?") That is another thing altogether.
Now, about the church-rates. since the last election I
have been accused of having thrown overboard the prin-
ciples I then expressed in relation to this subject. (A
VI II CE : " ilo accused your') Never mind that—it it of
no consequence. If a comprouiise could be proposed
which would maintain the fabric of the church and at
the smile time free dissenters from the necessity of pay-
ing for the performance of services to which they comci-
entionsly object, that measure I should gladly support.
(Cheers.) Mr. Walpole's bill was not likely to settle that
question in a way satisfactory to either party, and
th,refore I think the total abolition of church
-
rates would be far more preferable than the
prestmt system. (Hear, hear.) What does the
present system do? The voluntary contributions of the
present day far exceed the stuns raised for church-rates,
and I don't believe if church-rates were totally abolished
our churches would be suffered total' into decay. (Cries
of " No, no.") IME quite sure that if the Num-con-
formists were free Irons the necessity of paying for the
services of the church, which obligation is now the
cause of so much anianosity and infesting in many places
on each occasion of asking for • church-rate, many of
them would gladly subscribe of their own accord to
support the fabric of our ancient parish churches.
(Hear, hear.) Now, gentlemen, I think I have detained
you almost long enough. As you have done me the
hono ir again to return me to Parliament. I shall
endeivour to act up to those principles which I put
forth in my address in 1857. I shall he found the
supporter of any judicious measure of Reform which
is brought forward by rational, intelligent men. I do
not by any inealis approve of the Reform Bill of Lord
Derby; I consider it gave too great a preponderance to
property ; nor of the scheme of Mr. John Bright, because
it pees an unfair preponderance to numbers; but I wish
to sees scheme by which all classes can be fairly repro-
tented, and such a scheme in the course of a year, or two
years certainly, you will have to consider. (Cheers.) A
certain statesman said that the greatest innovation in this
country would be, that there was no change. Every-
thing in this country shows that we live in an age of
progress; in every branch of life, in agriculture, in
commerce—in everything, progress is the order of the
day; and I do trust that that progress will be guided
by men who have the true interest of the country at
heart, and who will not be led away by—(A VOICE :
" Place.") Yes, as my friend says, by the desire of
place (cheers); who will not introduce measures which
will sacrifice the interests of one class to the advantage of
any other. Now, there is one thing I must speak of,
and I ought to have mentioned it a little earlier. We
have heard something about a factions opposition. I
think the gentlemen who alluded to that rather forgot
• certain division which took place in February, IBsB—
was a division composed of extreme Tories and ex-
Inoue Radicals. (Hear, hear.) Well, that was much
more like • factious opposition than the union of the
Liberal party on the late division. (Cheers.) Gentle-
men, I do not think that can be called a factious oppo-
sition. (" No, no," and cheers.) Rely upon it, gentle-
men, I will do all in my power, as occasion arises, to
promote the best interests of the country ; I shall act to
the hest of my ability in the advancement of those
whohsone measures which, while they increase the
prosperity of this country, will at the same time pro.
mote your own local interests. (Loud and protracted
clieerii.g.)

H. G. Brtarr, Esq., was received with cheers mingled
with a few hiss.,. He assured the assenibly it was with
feelings of deep gratitude that he offered for the third
time in his life ( A Voice "And last")—be hoped not
—his most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the honour
done hint. Ho was well aware that the representation
of this numerous, free and important constituency in
Parliament, was well nigh the highest honour that
could be bestowed upon him, but he frankly confessed
that hio feelings of gratitude and satisfaction were not
altogether unalloyed because he feared that certain
expressions of his used on • particular occasion. had
been the cause of considerable misconception. If such
existed he hoped to explain himself satisfactorily ; and
if offence had been given it was unintentional, and
therefore lie hoped it was only momentary and trap-
eitoiy. He assured all that during his parliamentary
career, his sole endeavour and constant aim had been to
adhere to those principles and to that policy which in his
conscience he thought -.newt conducive to the best
interests of this country. (Cheers.) If on some few
occasions lie had felt it hia duty to act up to his con-
scientious principle.. (A Votelt "Radical") he was
convinced every English audience must admit that
unless a man did se be was not the man to be trusted
with the vindication of his own or others' opinions.
Well, it seemed but a week ago since lie had last
addressed thou, but now all appeared, if hot a united,
" happy family:" and a "a walk over," as it was called,
was far pleasanter than a county contest. When
lie last addressed them LOIN! Palmerston had appealed to
the country on the cry of offence to the British flag, and
tben the ex-preimer had a large majority and became
rather intoxicated with his success • but giving offence by
bad appointments, Mr. Milner Gibson, a Radical, intro-
ducod the motion against that Government for not
answering the insulting litieliVO of the French Emperor ;
and he (Mr. Blurt) was sure that this country vrould not
to the threats of swaggering and blustering
French colonels. (Loud cheers.) Thereupon Lord Derby
came into office, and during his twelvemonth's adininis-
tration lie hail conducted the affair, of the country
admirably. When he (Lord I)erliyi first came in there
were ten English working-men in King lioniba's
Lord Clarendon hail endeavoured to obtain theit re-
lease, but failed ; yet, in three weeks after the accession
,to power of Lord Ihirby, those men were released:
thus austaining the honour and the dignity of England.
The Ihmie Government of India had been placed on a
new and lie (Mr. ffturt) hoped a safe and durable basic ;
the great Indian r,-hellion hail been overcome ; the de•
fences of the nation hod been completed ; the army and
navy placed ins an efficient footing; awl • measure for
low reform introduced, which WWI acceptable to both i
parties. (A Voice: " Lees have the truth.") Hence I
lie thought he was justified in saying that the present
Ministry had been successful, effective, and liberal.
When a loan made two distinct prophecies
two years ago, and those prophecies charmed to Cente
up right, that man was • little proud of
himself ; and lie (Mr. ?Burt) was in that position. The
day before the lest election he met &friend—a friend in
private life—and aiOl to him : " Good morning, Ben.
mitt ; I think you are mad. Why, here you are
pirouetting all over the town to return a loan to Par-
Would to support the moot ultra•Oniservative Militate!'
that ever entered the walls of Parliament. Now, before
two months are over, there will be a change—we are
the real Liberal party." (lAitglater and derisive cheers.)
Look at the liberal measures passed in the last twelve
months by them. ilefore he was in l'arliament a fort-
night lie heard a gentleman get up to address the head
of the Guversionent. (A Vole% : " Name him.") W.ll,
Sir John Trelawney—are you any wiser? (Laughter.)
'Phu gentleman asked if (Itivernment were ready to bring
,iii a measure for the abolition of Church-ratea. In
' polite l'arliamentary language he was desired to sit
down. Another gentleman ---( A Voice: "Name
hioate King-seisked if It *as the intention to hover the franchise
Ii s csouties. They knew the result. Then is.rd Herby came '
in, and the Jews arra Mushier! ; and although Whig ministers
had kept it dangling mer bead for years, 1a.r.1 Herby had also
hrought in a Reform Hill. If asked poilitiolmak his opinion on
that lieforni 11111, he (Mr. Mutt) at once admitted that In his
..14•1"11 it as. not • satisfactory measure of Itelonn. Ile awe
1./finest in hi. cspn In the opinions ,if every Cower.
satbe minnlarr, 5,4 exeseptiihr his eseellunt colleague, Mr.
:valuer. one elause of the 11111 ithdertoek talitpar
aII lo Hoc rights of she 40,, rmeholdurs ; end he (Mr. Blurt)
must say that if he had reltialtred silent and not raised his roles
in their behalf he should not have had the courage to isuue
Users, and face Ihr meeting after the pledge he had given to
.Upport, the Interests of him supporters. When he saw Mr.
Waipoic and Mr. lienky maltreating au extension of the
borough franchise so as ',lnclude within It pale the treeing
intelligeinx .4 imolai/ of the a Iwking.choules. he ti uight he
you'd not be C. 41.1111TV111 s ring In the course he took. tie
Iwlteted the inessuire shadowed forth I/ the gentleman Just
waned sag bowed upelt the principli, that property %honkl he
reprevented ii Mu windien, end property and numbere iii the
boroughs. ily the repreeelltatlon Id property in the counties
the agriculttural Interod ass represented, and abets wiying that
numbers ,iught to Ire extended lir borough. be .11.1 not mean
universal Mdtrage for that would 'sloop the ruiddle.clawses—is
measure he 111,1. r hoped to support II hi. tote In Perliainent—
but the eatension ti stitch groaltig eduattlon was entitled.
lie had bran nailed a {Wheal and a Itright.ite. Ind he look
like a lirlght•lte ? (Laughter.) lie sash, favour of progress
S rhlinuuiire,i. I I using 4.11 11 measur. he Is oithl now tuni to
meth lie s against Lord J. Russell beamse he saw the
Propoellon ea. a porky Move and a 11.slirc, and because he
*imbed hi draw the teeth slid putt au end to the agitating pros
peitslikw of the member for Ihrmlngham. As to the 'mime'.
bud topic 14 pawr or star, there never sass a conjuncture when
neutrality as.' more the duty of this cumitr, . England should
stand aloof till she saw on which shic the equlllbratusi of
Europe was ft/calcium!. (Cheers.) Hence it vas the para.
t duty of Government ti place our defences in the most
perfect state ; and patriotism and loyalty would maintain, men
at • little re expense, the name and honour of old England
forenosd among all (11a.nd cheers.) He again
thanki ! them fir the too ~,,, r dote him and liored bY
1.4 t., principle. that on a future ,wdssion—perhaps
nest year—be should be ahle situiiipuuhneritie rye Sr faltering
voice hi ask a renewal of the conthienoe he would now endea-
vour to.deservc. (tavvit elseering.)

11. K. , was greeted with repeated cheers.
He saiti it was again hie ;dossing duty to thank them for
having elected him for the fifth time to represent them in
Pvr'lament. Mr. Portman said that he (Mr. Iticymer,) and Mr.
Blurt spoke against a Reform Bill, • particular clause of which
they objected to, but he (the lion. Mr. Portman) voted for it
and was therefore the best man. But could not members who
voted for the lint reading of 1. 11111, believing it millsined
good, and would be amended in Committee, vote against It
on the third raiding, on Boding bow it bad been amended?
An end would he put to legislation, if the course of Lord John
Russell on the Reform Bill were followed in each cue of a bill
bearing an objectionable elause that might be amended In coin-
mitts*. The present system of franchise acted unfairly in mine
districts. though not in trot. In Rumen a purely agricultural
nullity. ''eel its member. nos returned liy the 40, frerholden.
of Brigliton—sn overgrown wateringdilace returning two mem-
ters for it. own 66.1.011411. lie was WlXllttlit to maintain small
boroughs is hick were not inimination borouzlis, because
ihicugh them thoroughly 'Weis:talent and clever men
e itered Parliament. He did not think the Govern-
ment Reform 11111 a very had one. an it contained 411,110 good
principles, but though he had never said a word against the
working.claues, he 0.43111 11.4 flatter hy saylog they were
the only virtuous men and sole depositoriu of polltiml power.
because he thought there mu very great danger in extending
the franchise to those to whom aired taxation could not be
extended. If Mr. Bright or Lori John brought in their
Reform Bill, he (Mr. ffeynier) thought Durehester could not
escape, and might be deprived if both its members. He
voted for Mr. Walpole'. Church-rates Bill, and did not think
the question in eof religious freedom. He thought if • man
NM he was • dinsenter, it should be sufficient to exonerate hint
Jr the impost, but be (Mr. Seymer) could not exempt all
who had conscientious obJectioen to church-rates, as proisaed
10 Mr. Wahmle. Ile had made up his mind about the Rallot,
and meant never to vote for it. As to the war, Englishmen
could have no sympathy with either Austria or Urdinia,
supported by France ; Auntria strove to introduce all the
Papal doings of the middle ages, and he did not think the man
who put down liberty in his own country was very sincere in
duiring to establish liberty and independence in Italy.
Wu must have an armed neutrality to defend our