The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-21 00:00:00

THE MEETING OF LORD DERBY'S
SUPPORTERS ON THE BUDGET.

'the Weekly Mall—a London Conservative
journal—gives the following account of this
meeting last week :
As notice of amendments on the budget hate been
given by members of the Conservative party, it can now
he no breach of confidence to state what took place at
the much-talked-of meeting of Lord Derby's supporters.
There was a very full attendance of the noble earl's
political friends, and, front the beginning to the close
of the proceedings, the greatest unanimity prevailed.
Lord Derby,•*ho opened the business of the day, spoke .
foe an hour arid tWenty minutes. He commenced by •
glancing at the present posture of affairs both abroad
and at home, touched briefly, but impressively, on the
nimoured intention of the French Emperor to annex •
Savoy, and then confined his attention to the immediate
object of the meeting. " That object," said his lordship,
" is to decide on the course which the party T have the
honour to lead shall take with regard to the Budget rand
the Treaty." Time noble earl then proceeded to mention
some of the difficulties which had beset hint on previous
occasions, in consequence of his consenting to take the
helm st+htti his party was in a minority. So extreme
had been the cmhartassment of his position—and so
little forbearance, to use a mild term, had been shown
him by his opponents—that he had determined never
again to allow himself to be placed in the same sittni.-
Lien, unless the most urgent public necessity arose. He
could not but think, reluctant as he was to come to the
conclusion, that such a necessity had arisen now. At a
time when our revenue required to be . increased, at a
time when the country was heavily taxed in order that
out warliko services might be strengthened—at a time,
in short, when it was imperative that every pound
of the revenue should be carefully husbanded—the
Government, in order to win the support of an extreme
section of politicians in the House, 'had recklessly
thrown away nearly two millions of taxes, and, in so
doing, had not only been unjust to the English public,
but servile and truckling to the French Emperor. The
readiness displayed by the• Premier to humour Mr.
Cobden and favour the last " idea " of Louis Napolecin,
could not but be as objectionable in the eyes of the people
as the conduct of the noble viscount with respect to the
Conspiracy Bill. He (Lord Derby) was convinced that
the general voice was against this treaty—against it on
economic, ant national grounds. This portion
of the noble earl's address was received with manifest
approval, and seemed to echo the opinion of all present.
Having elaborately explained his views on this head, his
lordship adverted to the cry which had been raised
against him " which, should the present Ministry he de-
feated on the Budget, would doubtless be raised against
him again"—of factious opposition. lie could not but
admit that this oft-repeated charge caused him pain and
indignation. It was an unmeaning cry, having no
found:llion on any action of his during a long political
life. When he last took office it was not from any
craving of his own,—nay, it was in direct opposition
to his wishes,—but front a desire not to withhold
his services from his sovereign an? his country when the
occasion seemed to demand them. If the charge of
faction could be laid against any, it was against those
who, knowing under what circumstances he had assumed
the duties and responsibilities of office, yet mct him in
a spirit that he could not, even at that da to, call either
generous or high-minded. Still as the cry of faction was
So easily raised, and with so much difficulty disproved,
the noble earl thought it would he well that, in the
course the Conservatives took, there should be no appear-
of
collusion with the Roman Catholic, the Independent
they ()Illierho:v.fotoitild earnestly
Liberal, or any other party in the House of Commorr.
They must oppose the treaty, with the budget which
was based upon it, Ott the high but simple ground that
it was inexpedient, that it hampered the country, fet-
tered rather than relieved trade, burdened the people
with fresh taxes, and played into the bawls of a foreign
potentate. If, in taking this straightforward and
honest course, they, received support. from those who
were not usually associated with them, so much the
• better. But they must not, by promise or pledge—by the
slightest deviation from the line of independence which
as a great and increasing party chi
uo
suet —0 f
court support from any political section
Commons. These being his views,
suggest that, when the division on the amendment or
amendments which they would propose took place, there
should be no " whip," in the ordinary sense, nor anv
kind of persuasion, or coercion exercised. So far as he
could judge of
public opinion the policy of the Govern-
merit had been so -weak, • wavering, and anti-national,
that he had no doubt Olt motives of himself and the
playing wolild be unpatriotic.
he had the honour to lead would not be utisun-
party
derstood; possibility of sus-
picion by adopting the course he lied reconoviended,
Co permit Ministers to carry en uncheckei the "game
still it was best to avoid all .• • •
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i(°gTll) IhPi ter: seniatioilb°elne: etaorAi
the
eatshi
listened
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mast suet the financial
which had been so systema-
tically with
hod his speech, with anxious attention, and at
was warmly applauded by his political friends.)
In the course of ate proceedings it was stated that, in
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