The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-03-08 00:00:00

THE NEW HOME SECRETARY.

The Hight Hon. Sotheron Esteourt has leaned the
following address to the electors of North Wilts :
" have consented to fill • vacancy in
the ranks of the ministry, which has been caused by the
unexpected retirement froni °Mono! a gentleman of high
political character, towards whom I have long enter.
tallied feelinp of groat personal attachment; and I coin,
before you, as the law directe, to seek once more at
your hands • re-election to the honourable position of
one of your repreeentativea, which I have held for some
years. 1 should wish these two questions to be pot to
himself by every elector :—Has my public conduct due.
hg the last year corresponded with your just expecta-
tions! Has the Government with which lam asso-
ciated earned the good opinion of the country! Let the
answer be sinoere. Look at our affairs at home and
abroad. Do we see sMits of discontent! Are tl.e great
interests of the kingdom, which snake up the common
weal, in • state of languor or of oomplaint IM the
people show any token of distrust in the integrity, the
vigilance, or the ability of their rulens? Look abroad :
Was there ever a period in our memory when Great
Britain held • more enviable position amongst the
nations of the world, ius arbiter of the peace of Europe!
(her blessings as a nation we gratefully acknowledge to
be derived from the Almighty hand, which alone governs
all things ; but there is a share in 1111111411 sucomis which
He permits to depend on the weal or the folly of
inan, and 1 venter. to say that the present .111,111113 p
tration haa proved itself to be a trustworthy guide
of the destinies of this great empire. At this
moment the Governinent is engaged in presenting to
paliament, in sotionlanoe with an engagement limbo by
two former ministers, and recommended by the crown
on two mol oecesione, • scheme for improving our
representative system. You will hanlly have had time
to realise the provisions of the bill, but I wish at mice
to tell you that I give to it my hearty adhesion. This
measure will not please those who divide their fellow-
men into districts of equal size and numbers, on an
arithmetical system ; nor those who wish to *mistrustt
an entirely new constitution, under which the existing
aystrin is to be buried ;slur will it please thom who de-
sires wholesale disfranehiseinent, in order that the seats
thus confiscated may be bestowed according to their own
views or interest+. But the Bill effects whet the I lovern•
ment undertook. 'treadles the anomalies of the act of
INN ; it supplies the mat pressing wants for a share
in the representative body ; it equalises the condition of
the town and county voter, requiring each to record his
vote where the land and house, which gives the vote, id
situated. It preservea the broad line of property quali•
ligation, but it extends the suffrage to thousands who
do not occupy • ten•pound house by new classes of fran-
chise, derived from personal property, professional posi•
then, or good service to the state ; and it brings • share
of the suffrage within the reach of the inmate of even a
cottage, provided he has given proof of selfromitrol, tem•
',crewel, and thrift, by laying up a fund in the savings-
bank. The Bill ensurea to the voter • more easy
method of polling, bringing a pulling•plime slimed to
every latish, and it even provides him with • means
of recording his vote by paper if he should desire it, and
so spares 111131 loss of time 111111 the turmoil of electioneer-
ing excitement. I &11l muck mistaken U the measure
does not bear the character of • wellmunsidertel, tem.
perste, mid amiprehensive Han of reform. For iiiy•
self, gentlemen. I rejoice to be permitted to take 4 part
In such an enterprise 44 Lord TEirby and his colleagues
have been carrying on for the last twelve months. I
care fur olfloe, and for a seat in parliament, which Is the
stepping stone of HIM., only as it afford. a moans of
!daring in the responsibilities of the public service. I
ask you now to reelect ins to the position of one of
your representativeo. not to gratify my own vanity or
fancies ; but that I may enter on • post of anxious
thought and constant labour, and inay spend ONAI,
doniestic comfort, and health, in the same way 44 better
men have done before me, in what we believe to he the
nerviest of our country-1 sin, gentlemen, your faithful
and obedient servant,
"T. 80,111111011 ENTCOURT.
"Tul, Eaton-place, March 1, 18IS9,"