The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-21 00:00:00

OPPOSITION TO THE MILITIA BILL

A meeting was held in Camberwell-ball, on
Monday Midst, toisstition against the proposed enrolment
of the militia. H. It. Eitinoron, Req., having taken
the chair,
Mr. CMAMEROVZOW proposed the first resolution
to the effect, " That this meeting cannot but regard the
proposed enrolment of the militia se both umseeessory and
mischievous, dangerously invediag the liberties of British
subjects, and bearing with great and peculiar hardship
upon the working dames of the country." He regarded
the measure u totally unn from the speeches of
Lords Derby and John Russell, an all our eminsht states-
men. This Militia Bill is an attempt to establish ,•.ilitary
compulsory service amongst us. He objected to this mea-
sure ss being opposed to morality, religion, and the cultiva-
tion of the arts of peaceful industry and progress. (Cheers.)
Even admitting the possibility of the landing of .50,000
Frenchmen—would they go back again ? (Cheers) If
Louis Napoleon came thus would be, in additioh .1 other
forces, at least 10,000 political refugees in this ,try to
take up the musket against him. (Cheers.)
R. Japery, Esq., seconded the resolution, w: ch was
unanimonsly carried.
Rev. H. RICHARDS proposed the next reeoluti..o which
referred in terms of censure to the proposal now b, fore the
house. He read letters from the members of ,the borough,
both of whom were invited to attend. The follow ng are
copies :
Rayons Manor, Market Ruen, April 15,
dear Sir—Finiling that nothing was likely to call me back
to the House of Commons before Tuesday next, I h., made
appointments for Monday nest which will render it imprac-
ticable fur me to arrivein town before ten o'clock

on that evening, and I had decided not to start
till Tuesday morning. I fear it is now impos-
sible for me so to rc-arrange as to joie your meeting.
I have made up my mind fully as to the Militie Bid, in-
deed, I never saw reason to hesitate au instant. First, it is
needless, but if en additional defensive force w, ie really
called for, the militia would ho the most objeve,nahle as
well as an inefficient force, to meet such an emir :ency.—
Ever yours, C. T. D'Eeneouser."
Park•square, Wednesday Evening.—Rev. and dear
air,—lf the meeting at Camberwell were to take lilacs any
day this week, when parliament is not sitting, I would at-
tend it with much pleasure, as I am decidedly opposed to
the Militia Bill, and will do all in my power to prevent it
pasting; but on Monday I could not, without neglect of
duty, absent myself from the House of Commons, as ques-
tions of much importance will come on.—l am, rev. sad
dear sir, your, very respectfully, W. Witttsre."
Mr. Richards then exposed the obnoxious features of the
new bill, which, while it proposes voluntary en:istment,
yet retains the compulsory ballot, and which, as a tempta-
tion to volunteers, offers a " retaining fee " of le. lid. per
month, or ono penny per day. (Laughter.) Lord John
Russell and Mr. \Vulpole kept back some unpopular
parts of the Militia Act. A militiaman, when out on ser-
vice, is liable to all the provisions of the 111w.ily Act,
whi,:h empowers the use of the lash. (Cries of " shame.")
Any militiaman not appearing at the day of exereis, will be
punished with a fine of 201., or three months' imprison-
ment. (Hear.) If he leaves post before relieved, or dis-
obeys any lawful command, he shall suffer death. (Shame.)
Will the honest working men accept the pal.ry bribe
that is offered them, to be rendered slaves in such a service
as this? (Cries of "No, no.") No, they will spurn
it with honest indignation. (Loud cheers.) It mint come
to the ballot. objected to that an account of its
pernicious moral influence. It is a serious infraction of the
liberties of English subjects. (Hoar, hear.) The law comes
in by force, puts its hand upon a young man, and compels
him to occupy a position in which, should he commit tho
most trivial offence, he is deprived of the privilege el a ury,
and is put at the mercy of a court martial. (Chicrs.) It
is a law for the rich against the poor. The wealthy e asses
are those who support the bill. He feared the con-iquencee
of a military education to the people of this country in their
attempts to gain political liberty. Tho matter could not
have come on at a better time than the present—the eve of
a general election. (Hear, hear.) It is the third time within
the last few years, and if defeated you will never hear of
it again. (Cheers.)
Rev. J. BURNWI seconded the resolution, which WAS

unanimously carried.
C. Torre, Esq., moved, and Mr. W. TOWNSEND .1. cooded
the adoption of a petition, to be forwarded to Mr. D'Eyn-
court, which was agreed to, and, after a vote of thanks to
the chairman, tho meeting terminated.

THE ELECTIONS.
WINDSOR.—HER MAJESTY AND FREEDOM OF
Exaextoe.—A correspondent states, that for the find time
within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, there will be
no " court candidate " for the borough of Windsor, at
the ensuing general election. The number of voters now
attached to the royal household is about 50; tradesmen,
pensioners, and others employed on the royal domain, who
wealdbe expected to obey orders, might bring this 'lumber
op to 120; and there are 710 ,names on the register. It
will than be seen that, supposing the whip to be used in the
moat unscrupulous manner, the court voters might place a
candidate respectably on the poll, but would by no means
secure his return. This was felt by the friend. of Mr.
GreafeU, the liberal and free trade candidate, who mado
, these caleulatioaa on the clear understanding that the
Castle employis would all poll for General Reid and Mr.
Vaniattart. The friends of freedom of election w ill, how-
ever, rejoice to learn that Mr. Vansittart and General Reid
have reckoned without their host on the present occasion.
One of the last acts of her Majesty, during the recent
sours of the court at the Castle, was to issue her royal
eenunands that no officer attached to her person, however
high his position, should interfere with the free exercias of
the electoral franchise of her servants or tradesmen at the
aiming election, on pain of dismissal. Such an order needs
no comment. It has already annihilated the hopes of one,
and it only requires the presence of a second liberal in the
Gehl to ensure the rejection of both the ministerial cos-
&ideas&
AYLESBURY.—Mr. Quintin Dick retires ; and
VaraTemple West, of the Grenadier Guards, son of
Sir John West, K.C.8., is a candidate to succeed
Ilihn. Captain West is a relative of the Duke of Bucking-
ham, and is grandson to a gentleman who formerly repre-
MOW the borough of Buckingham in parliament.
B/tADFORD.—Mr. Wickham, the free trade conser-
vative candidate, met the electors and non-electors of Brad-
ford on Monday night. He had a very large audience but
experienced a very stormy reception. The show of hands
was decidedly against him, only one-fourth of the meeting
being in his favour. The friends of Colonel Thompson and
Mr. Milligan, the two present members, speak with confi-
dence of their re-election.
BATH.—Mr. Whateley, Q.C., the tory candidate,
has inured a second address, an which he ha, considerably
modified his principles. On the subject of free trade, ho
says : " I will vote against reimposing a tax upon the im-
portation of corn, or any:other vacuum which, in my judg-
ment, will raise the price of bread, for, from much personal
intercourse with the poor, I well know the blessing of a
cheap loaf. I would, however, heartily concur its any prac-
ticable measures for the relief of the agricultural or trading
interests." The liberal canvass has been most satisfactory,
and both gentlemen declare they have no reason to doubt
their return.
DovEL—Mr. Rice and Sir 0. Clerk arc progressing
well with their canvass ; and we have no doubt but that
they will continue as the representatives of Dover.—..?outts
Eastern Gazette.
DEVONrORT.—Lord Lennox has been mentioned
as likely to contest the honour of representing the borough
of Devonport and Stonehouae, in opposition to Mr. Tuffnell
and Sir John Romilly, the sitting members.—Ender
Gazette.
1 EAST SOMERSET.—Mr. W. Miles has just issued
an address to the electors, in which he states that he shall
again appear upon the hustings as a supporter of the pre-
sent government.
EXETER.—The conservatives have at last succeeded
in getting a candidate, in the person of George Stuckley
Buck, Esq., eldest son of the member for North 'keen,
and the gentleman who was proposed to be set up by tho
Devon Protection Society in opposition to Sii T. Acland,
Bart., who is a free-trader.
RERT&—The Ileryartl Mercury Wee: "We havo
Ilbs pleasure of announcing that the lion. T. Trevor, Mr.
t, and Mr. Puller have acceded to the desire ee-
ls VI. * very numerously signed requisition, which has
to them, and have announced their willing-
ness ILllicontest the county upon liberal and free trade prin-
=The three candidates on the opposite side are Mr.
, Sir H. Mau:, and Sir E. B. Lytton.
Irswleu.—The committee of gentlemen who of
late have been anxiously cupric. il in making efforts to secure
a candidate in whom all shades of the -liberal party in
Ipewich will have confidence, have at length determined
ea inviting Mr. Thomas Benjamin Itobhouse to contest the
borough, in cempany with Mr. H. E. Adair. Mr. 'toll-
house is now member for Lincoln, the other member for
the borough being the renowned Colonel Sibthorp. At pre- '
seat Mr. llobhouse bas not definitely accepted the invita-
den.—/pereich Express.
BLloo Cower v.—No candidate has been as yet
formally announced as likely to contest the representation
against the present conservative members. It is under-
stood, however, that two liberal candidates will be put in
nomination, and with every prospect of being returned.
81.100 BOROUGH.—Every successive day brings
increased drag* to the cause of Mr. Somers. Though a
decided liberal, and conseqeently obnoxious to conserva-
tive predispositions, he has so conducted himself towards
all closes of his constituents as to have secured an amount
of support which must extinguish every prospect of his ultra
montanist rival. Mr. Townley.
TAVISTOCE.—We are informed that a very nume-
rously signed repuisition has been presented to Ir. Tre-
lawny from 'f avistock, and that he has, in reply to inqui-
ries mule to him by his committee, stated that whilst he
holds himself honourably bound to abstain from offering
himself as a candidate, yet he will certainly not decline to
sit if elected. We understand that his return is certain.
TArsTort.—Mr. Labouchcrc has announced his .
intention of again being a candidate for this borough. Mr.
A. Miles has also intimated his intention to offer himself.
W ORCEPTER.—A correspondent informs us that
the " faithful city" has le ea thrown into a state of
ferment by the rumour of the intended immediate retire-
ment of Mr. Burford, the appearance yesterday of an address
from a new candidate, followed almost simultaneously by
the presence of the candidate himself, in the person of Mr.
M'Garrel, a well-known London merchant and gentleman
of property. The circumstances which call for Mr. Rid- .,.1 , '. .
ford's retirement are too well known to require de" - , -
notice the writ is expected down to-morrow or t 'it.
day. Mr. M'Oarrel is a conservative free-trader. ez '' •
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