The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-12 00:00:00

Or 'LORD lOhi
LIBESAL ME)( R 8 r

Mglfni°
Tll2 LIBEL.
Yenterdity, the meed4ibeeels eases need nos
dayszerok plue at Dad linnsdrslienus In Ober
bens , Pimlico. b Iht ni the mos of
the member, of parliament t:
Thee. Alcoa, A. Andrews, Sir A. Armstrong, R. B.
Armatnag, C. Anita', labs Rainbow, Right Hon. M. T.
Raines, M. T. Bus, T. Bell R. N. Bellew, Hon. H. Berke-
ley, C. 0. Berkeley, R. Bernal, Sir Thos. Birth, R. J.
ElNdts, John Bright, J. Brotherton, H. Brown, Wm.
Brown, Edward H. Sunbury, P. S. Boler, Sir E. Buxton,
J. B. Carter, lion. C. Cavendish, G. 11. Cavendish, Wm.
Chaplin, Sir Wm. Clay, James Clay, Colonel Clifford,
Richard Cobden, Sir T. Colebrook', Wm. Collins, Hon.
Wm. Cowper, R. Crowder, L. Dawn, Hon. T. V. Dawson,
Sir C. Demise, Geo. Duff, Ju. Duff, Sir J. Duke, George
Duncan, T. B. buncombe, Sir T. Dundas, Vint. Ebringtoa,
John Ellis, Hon. G. Eliot, Vied. Enfield, Sir D. L. Evans,
Wm Ewart, John Fergus, lion. 0. W. Fitawilliam,
Captain Fordyce, Matthew Forster, Hon. J. W. Forteseue,
C. Fortress, W. J. Fox, C. °each, Right Hon. T. M. Gib-1
son, 0. C. Glyn, C. Granfell, O. W. Grenfell,• Sir o.'
Grey, R. V. Grey, Lord R. Grosvenor, Si, B. Roll, J. A.
Hudnall.. R. Huns, Ale:. Hutie, W. 0. Hater, T. E.
Head Jam, E. lineage, James lie wood, Lord Marcus Hill,
C. Hindlcy, T. B. liobhouse, T. Law Hodges, R. Hollond,
Lord O. Howard, Hon. C. Howard, Sir R. Howard, Joseph
Hume, E. Hutchins, James Kenhaw, Right Hon. IL
Labouebere, J. 11. Langston, Sir C. Lemon, G. C. Lewis,
Hon. 0. Littleton, James Lock, C. Loshngton, W. A.
Maekinnon, John Hackie, the O'Oorham Mahon' R. D.
Mangles, J. G. Marshall, William Marshall, John Martin,
Colonel Matheson, Right Hon. Fox Malik, Viscount Mel-
mud, Robert Milligan, T. A. Mitchell, Geo. Moffat, Sir
W. Moleswortb, David Morris, Francis Rowan, M. J.'
O'Connell, S. C. H. Ogle, Win. Ord, Lord Alfred
Paget, Lord Charles Paget, Lord George Paget,
John Parker, F. Peel, Edward Pendarees, Robert Per-
het, Sir C. Philips, Francis Pigott, Win. Pinney, W. M.
Power, Sir R. Price, Jahn L. Ricardo, E. It. Rice, J. A
Roebuck, Colonel Remaly, Lord J. Russell, Hastings Rus-
sell, Captain &Abell, U. F. &rope, H. D. Seymour, Lord
Seymour, R. D. Shafto, Earl Shelburne, Right Honourable
R. V. Smith, M. T. Smith, John B. Smith, Sir WM. So-
merville, Henry Spearman, W. R. C. Stanfield, Sir George
Staunton, Edward Strutt, Admiral Stewart, H. W. Tan-
cad, It. J. Tennant, Colonel Thespian, Georgs Thompson,
Thos. Thornily, John Townley, Richard Townley, Captain
Townsend, G. Trail, J. S. Trshwney, Right lion. H. Tuf.
nell„ Lord H. Vane, Hon. C. P. Villiers. C. B. Wall, Sir
J. Walmaley, Colonel Watkine B. M'Gie Wilcox, Wm.
Williams, Sir H. Williamson, James Wilson, Sir Charles
Wood, Sir W. I'. Wood, W. B. Wrightson, Jenne Wyld,
Mannoduks Wyvill. Bir Alexander Cockburn was pre-
vented from attending Lord John Russell', meeting from
severe indisposition. Mr. Jackson, M.P., was engaged at
the annual meeting of the Chester and Holyhead Railway,
of which line he is a director.

A RUSSELL AND
OF PARLIAMENT.

It will be seen by this list that the meeting called by Lord
John Rumen was well attended by whip and radicals ; no
Peelites were present, though it seems that Sir James
Graham has given his word to act with the liberal party in
the steps to be taken in favour of free-trade.
Lord John Russell, in addressing the meeting, com-
plained of the unprecedented course taken by the Derby
administration. They appeared to wish to remain in office
to promote law and other reforms, on which there was little
difference of opinion, and might, if left alone, dissolve parlia-
ment next session, and then go to the country on their real
policy. This plan of Lord Derby's he (Lord John Russell)
was not disposed to acquiesce in, and he thought that in
any course to be taken on the subject the liberals
should at present confine themselves to the one simple ques-
tion of free trade or protection. Ile (Lord John Russell)
had consulted Sir James Graham and Mr. Cobden, who
seemed that the best course would be that Mr. Villiers
should ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday
night to explain himself, which would probably bring on a
free-trade debate. Re stated he did not intend to prosecute
his Reform Bill, as it might be desirable to reconsider it.
Mr. Villiers immediately rose. He said he eonearred
moat cordially and entirely in the suggestions thrown out
by Lord John Russell. He would not propose the resolu-
tion which he had placed upon the notice book of the
House, but would confer,* most willingly to the course of
first ascertaining the policy of the government, and then
taking such steps upon it as might be deemed necessary at a
subsequent meeting.
After some remarks from Mr. Hume, Mr. Cobden, Mr.
Bright, ands few questions from Mr. Duncombe, the meet-
ing separated with the understanding that free trade was
the only question at this moment for consideration.
In the course of the proceedings Mr. Hume suggested
to Lord John very freely the faults of his late admi-
nistration, and pointed to the reconstruction of a new
administration on a more popular basis, or, as he
called it, a broader basis. Whilst protesting that he meant
no factious proceeding, it seemed clear Lord John intends
to do his best to put the Derby crew out of the ship.
With respect to other question, Lord John Rowell inti-
mated hie lateen= of postponing the Reform Bill for
three months, with a view to some reconsideration, and
probably reconstruction, but he contemplates going on with
the Corrupt Practices Bill without delay. Sir 0. Grey will
abandon the St. Albans Bill to some one more intimately ac-
quainted with the subject. It was pretty generally understood
that no ground will be broken in the house to-night further
than the making of a statement by Lord J. Rowell, nor is any
factious opposition likely to be offered to the new govern-
ment. There was a great deal of conversation during the
conference about the reconstruction of a liberal govern-
ment on broad principles.
Lord John Russell, when speaking of reform, made the
remark that if at any futurg time • government should be
formed of which he was a member, he thought he might
bring forward an improved measure of reform—a remark
which was followed by a general expression of applause on
the part of those present. The course which it is under-
stood will be adopted is to force the Orion to an early dis-
solution ; and, if it be monetary, to limit the supplies to a
vote of money for throe months; and thus compel the
protectionists to appeal to the country on the question at
WYO.

THE MEETING AT LORD JOHN'S.
(rams • CORILISPONDENT.)
The meeting held yesterday at Lord John Russell's
residence, in Chesham-place, consisted so completely
of all shades of the liberal party in the House of
Commons, that it may fairly be taken to represent
the opinions of the liberal party in the country gene-
rally. On the foremost question that now occupies
the public attention there was not the slightest dif-
ference of opinion, and the line of policy to be pur-
sued towards the protectionist cabinet was adopted
with cordial and hearty unanimity. Previously to
the meeting Lord John Russell had, indeed, sought
counsel out of the narrow circle to which his inter-
course has been too long confined. Several commu-
nications had, during the earlier part of the week,
passed between his lordship and Sir James Graham,
on the one hand; on Wednesday evening Lord John
received Mr. Cobden at his house, on the other; and
the tone and spirit in which ho addressed the meet-
ing yesterday showed that the opinions of these two
distinguished men had been duly appreciated by the
chief of the wltig section of the great liberal party.
Lord John had, it was stated, addressed a note to
Mr. Disraeli, in his new character nf repre-
sentative of the new governmetit in the
House of Commons, as to the course ho
intended to pursue on Monday evening. The
reply in substance amounted to this, that Mr.
Disraeli did not then purpose to add anything fur-
ther to the explanations already made by the Earl
of Derby in the upper house. This Lord John
Russell deemed to bo so unsatisfactory a com-
mencement of a new administration, as to recommend
that steps be immediately taken to compel the go-,
vernmcnt to state whether or not it intended, under
any circumstances, to disturb the settlement of the
free trade question; and to this recommendation the
meeting gave a decisive assent. It was then agreed
that it was a proper tribute to the eminent part
which Mr. Villiers had throughout taken in the
question, that ho should interrogate Mr. Disraeli
011 the subject, and so lead to a general discussion,
and, if possible, extort an avowal of the policy of
the cabinet thereon. It was further resolved,
and it is gratifying to state with perfect
unanimity—that, if such avowal should not be
obtained, and should not involve a complete
abandonment of protection, and a pledge that no
interference with freedom of trade be attempted,
Mr. Villiers should at once move that limited sup-
plies only—say for three months—be voted by the
House of Commons; and thus compel the govern-
ment either to resign or to dissolve parliament.
Whether that motion will be made on Monday even-
ing depends, of course, on the turn that the
discus-
sion will then take ; but the country may rely on
this, that no avoidable delay will occur in the
motion twine made, should it be necessary. Lord
John Russell further stated that the only measure of
the late government now before parliament which he,
as a private member of the House of Commons,
should persevere in, was the Bill for the more Effec-
tual Repression and Punishment of Bribery and
Corruption at Elections. In reference to the Reform
Rill which he had introdw cd, his lordship repeated
his conviction that the time had come fur a large ex-
tension of the suffruge; but added, greatly to the
satisfaction of his audience, that ho would admit
that parts of that measure required lurthcr conside-
ration. It will thus be seen that the policy re-
commended fur adoption by Lord John Russell,
is exactly that which has been pressed on the
consideration of the liberal party by the Daily News;
and that the weak and silly cry of " fair play " to a
monopolist administration has not been adopted by
the liberal members of the House of Commons. The
Derby government will nut be trusted by them, ex-
cept on terms and conditions which will effectually
stamp dishonour on its members. Mr. Hume and
Mr. Bright addressed the meeting, remarking on the

causes which had produced the recent political
events, and urging on Lord John Russell the adop-
tion of those means of reconsolidating the liberal
party, which his lordship now shows signs of acting
on. In every respect the meeting was a satisfactory
one; and the general impression on tho members at-
tending it seemed to be that a new and better policy
was about to be inaugurated; the first step to which
is to secure for ever freedom of industry and trade to
the people of the United Kingdom. Under these
circumstances, it is deemed by no means improbable
by many liberal members that the Derby cabinet
will accept a limited vote of supply : and adopting a
bolder tone on the tubject of monopoly, appeal
thereon to the country with the least possible delay.
—Daily Ness.

THE ELECTIONS.

VISCOUNT DUNCAN AT BURY.

A contest for the vacant, or about to be vacated,
seat fur Bury, Lancashire, has commenced in earnest.
There was no chance for a protectionist, and the leaders of
the liberal party have endeavoured a long time to keep
their ranks together till a suitable candidate co•ild be ob-
tained. Mr. Richard Ashton, who at first accepted the
candidature, and Mr. R. N. I'hilips, of the Park, either of
whom would have been acceptable—and especially the latter
gentleman, who is for the ballot, and goes a step further
than Mr. Ashton—and would have been elected without a
contest, have declined to go to parliament. The committee
of electors formed to select a candidate were thus compelled
to go further, and have selected Lord Duncan. Meantime
a party, at the head of whom is Mr. It. Ashton,
bad formed another committee, making the "
Hotel their head quarters, to get up a requisition to
Mr. Frederick Peel, who they are bringing out also as a
liberal candidate. Mr. Peel, it is understood, will only
accept the invitation provided a good requisition of pledged
electors is obtained ; but in the meantime Mr. Ashton has
put out an address on his behalf.

Lord Duncan had his first meeting with the electors on
Wednesday evening, at the large room of the Red Lion.
Mr. JOHN GILUNIiT, of Outwood Lodge, presided, sod
there wits a large muster of •ery re.pectsble sod influential
electors. The population of Bury is 83,000 inhabitants,
but the number of electors falls short of 1,000. The room
was exceedingly crowded.

Lord DUNCAN, on rising to addre.• the meeting, was re-
ceived with vociferous cheering. lie said—ln the course of a
somewhat lengthy speech, 1 had nu later than yesterday
the honour of receiving a deputation, at which my hon.
friend, 'who is now so ably filling the chair, attended. Ile
said to me that at that moment no liberal candidate had
started for the borough of Bury. Ile stated also, and I
believe truly, that there were a few out-and-oaten
in the town,. and that he believed my opinions
were in unison with your!. Fortified by his in-
vitation, fortified beforehand by the knowledge that to a
very great extent my principles were in unison with yours,
I have ventures to come forward, not on the solicitation of
any individual, but with the anxiety on my part of giving
you, if you approve of my principle', a fitting person to
represent you in parliament. (Cheers.) No cue can feel
deeper regret than myself the absence of your present repre-
sentative, or the cause of that absence. During the long
period in which I have had the honour of a seat in parlia-
ment, I have generally sat side by aide with him, in the
old times during which he was able to attend to his
duties; and, I believe, gentlemen, that he most deservedly
enjoyed your confidence. (Hear, hear.) Conscious, as I
am, that my principles, upon almost all subjects, were in
unison with his—conscious, as I am, that if you look back
to our votee, you will almost always find his name and
mine associated on every division ;—I say, conscious of that,
I conceive I have some right to come forward and solicit
year suffrages. (Applause.) I sin happy to inform you
that in the year 18-Itt, the very year a-ter I was elected to a
seat in parhament, I had the honour to support Mr. Vil-
liers, at that time member for Wolverhampton, in one of
the filet free -trade motions he made in the House of Com-
mons. Free trade was not quite so popular then
as it has been since, and although Mr. Villiers's mo-
tion was drawn up in the most mild and mode-
rate manner-1 am not particularly fund of mild
and moderate motions—but atilt this motion, though it was
drawn up in the most mild and moderate terms, and merely
asked for a committee to consider the act relative to the im-
portation of corn, when we divided on the motion I was
one of 95 who voted in its favour, and we were opposed by
300, leaving a majority against um of 2055. lam proud to
say, gentlemen, that, to the best of my recollection, I do
not think, upon any subsequent occasion was there any mo-
tion brought forward in favour of free trade which had not
my cordial and hearty support. (Cheers.) Now, I have been
asked what free trade has done for this country. I think, gen-
tlemen, that any person standing, as I now do, in the county
of Lancashire, if he will only make use of his eyes, will
very readily answer that question. Now, let us fleet con-
sider this—that in this very last year there has been an ex-
cess of our income over our expenditure of no less than
2,756,0001. I trust, gentlemen, we shall not see that excess
frittered away upon what are termed " national defences -"
I trust we shall see that money legitimately used in elle.
elating the burdens of the people. (Hear, hear.) I cannot
forget that during the last few years the effects of free trade
have been to relieve us from the stamp duties, from
the brick duties, from duties ou sugar, on timber,
on coffee, and last, not least, that it was owing
to the surplus of our revenue, derived from the
customs, and mainly owing to free-trade, that I was en-
abled in the lust session of parliament to carry the repeal
of that odious window duty. (Hear, hear.) Now, what I
wish the people to understand, although, I believe, they
understand it fully as well as I do, is this, that the ensues
have been benefited by free-trade. Let me ask yeu •
Sucstion,—in there any gentleman here who thinks that he
is charged too little her his bread ? If there is any such
gentleman I wish he would hold up his hand, for be is a
great curiosity, and I should very much like to see him.
(Cheers and laughter.) I have searched far and wide for
such a gentleman, even in the agricultural districts, but I
yet have found one who told me that his bread and
many other articles, such as tea and coffee, which have
also been relieved of duties mainly owing to free trade—l
never found any gentleman to tell me that they were too
cheap. Let us ask the wives of any of these gentlemen
what they think of their bills—whether they find their
weekly bills augment or diminish under the working of
free trade. Don t let us forget that since the year total ten
millions of quarters of grain have been imported into this
country. Have any of you had too much to eat during
that time ? I have not yet had the pleasure of
seeing an individual who is suffering under a plethora
from eating too much bread. (Cheers and laughter.)
But let me tell you that if you had not free trade you
would not have had these ten millions of quarters imported,
and not only would you have been deprived of them, bat
the inhabitants of the manufacturing districts would have
been deprived of that labour through which the payments
have been made for these ten millions of quarters of corn
which have been received. Observe that it acs both ways;
we cannot buy corn for nothing. We pay for it with the
only thing we have to pay fur it, namely, our manufac-
tures ; and, when our manufactures are flourishing, I
think the working men of England know pretty
well that wages are generally in the ascendant.
(Hear, hear.) Now let us consider for a moment how
has this free trade acted in the agricultural districts.
We hear a great deal about the sufferings in the agricul-
tural districts. Gentlemen, I am an agriculturist myself,
and I am, therefore, behind the scenes. I am aware of
this important fact, that since the passing of the free trade
measures the burdens in the counties of England—the bur-
den of the county sees and the poor rate, which in ISIS
was 3,500,0001., has din:dwelled to 2,200,0001., relieving us
of about one million of taxation. After some remarks
upon parliamentary reform, the noble lord went en
to say, I have heard a great deal about the con-
stitution of England, and the beauty of our consti-
tution, and how everybody in England is represented by
somebody or other. Now, do you know, in looking
into the matter I have often had some little doubt
whether the people of England are so perfectly represented
as it is said they are. lam positive if they were weshould
not hear a single word about the ravened of our free trade
system. I cannot think, if gentlemen who are so fond of
progress as I see they are in this district were adequately
represented in parliament, we should hear so much of this
back-going—this working to the back. By-thesbye, I will
state with regard to universal suffrage, I never heard it
properly explained. I tell you at once, openly and frankly,
if I am told that it is mi ant that everybody should have
a vote, the question I should imme !lately ask is
this : Are ladies to have a vote ? The answer would
be certainly and decidedly not. The next question I
would ask is, are these gentlemen in the excise and customs
and the dockyards all to have votes ? My answer would be
"no " decidedly. Then, I ask, if gentlemen in the prisons
should haven votes ? Decidedly nut. Why, then, there
must be • line drawn somewhere. Now, I tell you freely,
I wish to see that line drawn so as to admit the working
men of this country to an adequate share in the repreeenta-
non of the country. (Hear, hear.) I don't wish to per
them come here, as they often do come (and very good ni-
-1 vice they occasionally do) as non-electors. I have confi-
dence in the working men of this country. I am
not going to flatter you, I am not in the habit
of flattering people, hut I say it openly end
candidly, I have mixed much with men in manufacturing
districts—l live in a manufacturing district myself when I
am at home, and I can say of the working classes in those
districts that I wish the intelligence in the agricultural dis-
tricts was equal to the intelligence in the towns. I sin not
afraid of my countrymen; I know we must mend or fall by
the opinion of our countrymen ; and all I wish is that they
should have an opportunity of expreeeing their opinion in a
constitutional and independent manner. With respect to
the ballot, I have voted for the ballot many times—(great
cheering) —and if you send me to parliament as your reprown-
tative, I trust I shall have the honour of voting for it again.
(Hear, hear.) I need not say much more about the ballot.
All I say is this : when I give a man • vote, I mean hint
ts vote according to his conscience ; and if the ballot will
enable him to vote secording to his conscience, I say let him
have the ballot. I want a man's true opinion. I don't
want him to vote this way nr that way, but I want him to
vote, as I should site myself, according to his conscience.
I need not talk niuch about the ballot here, because I see
many gentlemen here who I am sure will always vote Re-
writing to their conscience. We know that, because we do not
' very I: WW favour shown towards the neinufacturis.g
districts ev ehten they talk about extension of the suffrage.
I can see they vote very well, and therefore there is on oc-
casion to say much about the ballot to them. With respect
to shortening the duration of parliaments„ I haw.: already
voted to hrait them to five years. I candidly tell you my