The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-24 00:00:00

TO TIM IDITOII OP THE DAILY NEWS.

Eta,—Lord Palmerston, in his late oration upon
the Militia Bill, observed that he trusted too much in the
patriotism of Englishmen to fancy that they would not
unanimously rise r a man in defence of their country. No
one ever attempted to deny this ; but rising in defence of
one's country and spending one's time drilling for the
militia are two totally different thintiasTehed exponents of the
militia have never fur a moment su that Englishmen
arc chests, ficotchmen cowards, or rishmen traitors ; but
what they have doubted, end what will take a great deal
more than Lord Palmerston's powers of discourse to con-
tradict, is that neither Englishmen, Irishmen, nor
Seotehmen, taken as a mass, have leisure time ,I
to throw away in going through the manual and
platoono exercise. One man wants to go to the West India
another to the city, but no,—the militia is to be '
called out, and he must male post haste to the drill
ground, for the purpose of being made to ghee right or left,
and get pulled up by some wise-sere Weed because the
ball of his right foot is not against the bmi et his left toe.
How can it be expected that every see test devote months
to doing nothing at the grand remeassades aline shilling
ocr diem ? Our able mechanics mad anima earn their
five shillings a day, aid mg led Met IS Imp a wife and
children respectably, bet dry mast, if the militia bill
per, put their hands is their pockets on one shilling,
and fatten on three obeseaad " Ood Save the Queen.'
And all this is to take place at a time when thousands of
good men are ready to take that same shillings day,—when
plenty of good English sinew and " pluck " would be glad
of a red coat and regular pay. If we want a defensive body,
let us have them ; let them be for a defensive body ,• and in
case of invasion, let us have an army which is at all times'
ready to take the field, without being escorted to the rail-
way terminus by weeping wives, and leaving large families
destitute. War to the soldier is the same as work to the
mechanic; it is his profession,—his aim and intention;
fighting is to him a duty of life ; he leaves behind him no
ties ; in fact, it is death or promotion. With a militia it is
quite a different affair.
Tte government appear afraid to propose an increase to
the standing army. Is it on the score of expense ? Because
a militia would mat the people alert* sum. If only called
out for one month la the year, militia duty would entail an
expense of 61. to the assohanis; and that Yard a light tax.
Is it on the some et sttoismay that so,lllllmist prefer
militia ? Let the Doke of Wifteghta wawa that
in the Housed Leeds is a swam sathaelmy M treispt
=tars of the liilhla Die - -

As t• the immeneed time ea the wilhostek what nes is
it ? The Nes to hi Imeniseed by fear dommisd men, and
the seem b iono thousand. This wee Issearal of the
late sesomisat The
and naturally It was a
real iseireair NW sadamd sledwesive fina. ar from It.
Sepposisi s ventmeat. sailed A. h la Ise raked at the pro-
seat Meat hem SOO to RS sees, then when A is ordered
shwa& we shall ezehange ear 800 for the 800 of the regi-
Malt relieved. In the sloe manner the 1,000 men raised
der the artillery will giw Isa men per company • but half
ttiMamiseisee abroad, which will therefore reduce the
v avinetue by half. it is these sham measure. that
MIMS IBM to distrust government for the defence of the
emnetry Part of our Tagus fleet was brourit home ; yes,
to Cork ! But Cork is about as near to Lisbon as it ato
Portsmouth, and with westerly winds far nearer. Why
can't we have it in the British Channel, and not in the
Atlantic ?

Will the present government propose something more
satisfaetory ? Will it confide in the suggestioas of the
Duke of Wellington with respect to the regular army, and
that of Sir Charles Napier with the volunteer rifle corm ?
Let them velnatotre he Wand down with the strictness of
Malin haw A. leas me posh are allowed to enlist
isle wadi heads with ear eyes open, and of a free good
will, they will not emplein. This will be the het IS to
whether the nation will rise en swum. If es, eta volun-
teer fore* will be law sad men unanimous ran a forced
militia; whilst it Ina have the Meese _et sway
with all heustbursiegs sad ilhereetent. mot
're no
militia bill.—Yours, A. Z.

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—An accident, which
resulted fatally, occurred on Monday on the Brighton, Chi-
chester, and Portsmouth Railway. An old man named
Peon, an sgrieultoral labourer, while trespassing on the
line, was struck by the 2.10 train from Brighton to Ports-
mouth, and instardaneously killed. The man, it appeared,
was extremely deaf, and it is supposed did not hear the
steam whistle which was sounded Mr some time previous to
the recurrence of the accident. The coroner'. jury returned
a verdict of "Accidental death."

.832.

THE ELECTIONS.

COLERAINE ELECTION.
(ST IBLICTRIO TiLIBOILAPH.)

Lord Naas was returned yesterday for Coleraine
without contest as Mr. Wilson Kennedy did not de-
mand a poll.

RE-ELECTION OF VISCOUNT NEWPORT.
A vacancy having taken place in the representation of
the southern division of Shropshire by the appointment of
Viscount Newport to the situation of vice-chamberlain in
her Majesty's llousehold,aneloction was held in consequence
yesterday at Church Stratton, by the High Sheriff, Robert
Horton, Esq. Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., proposed the Hight
lion. Viscount Newport. John Rock, Esq., seconded
the nomination. No other candidate having appeared, the
High Sheriff declared that the Right Hon. Orland George
Charles Bridgman, commonly called Viscount Newport, had
been duly elected. (Cheers.) Viscount Newport then ad-
dressed the elecsors, and the proceedings terminated with a
vote of thanks to the High Sheriff, which was responded to
by beauty cheers for the Sheriff and Viscount Newport.
'I he most cordial unanimity appears to pr-vail amongst the
electors of all chimes in fmour of protectien to the agricul-
tural interests.

LEEDS.—MEETING OF LIBERAL ELECTORS.
On Monday evening, a meeting of liberal electors
was held in the Leeds Mt.t.ic Hall, fur the purpow of host-
ing addresses from the Right (tun. M. T. Baines,
and Sir George Goodman, the two eandidatts nominated
at a previous meeting of the liberal party. Mr. Alderman
J. I) Lrecoca presided, and the spacious hail was crowded
to sutTheation in every part. The two hon. gentlemen were
received with the greatest possible amount of enthusiasm,
soil were most vociferously cheered throughout their
addresses,

The Right lion. M. T. BANES was fleet introduced to
the meeting, and in the course of a very long and eloquent
address referred to his own personal history, and to the
political opinions he holds and advocates. lie detailed to
the meeting the eircumstaneis which hail first led him into
parliament as the representative of (lull; the offer he
afterwards received from Sir George Grey of the lucrative
office of Under-Secretary of State for the HOMO Depart-
ment, and which he declined rather than relinquish the
representation of Hull, feeling it would be ungrateful to
his constiouents to throw overboard their generous confi-
dence fur any personal aggrandisement. He next to leered
to the offer by Lord John Russell, of the appointment of
President of tho Poor Law Board, and his acceptance
thereof, and having explained hie proceedings in that office,
he then came to on explanation of his political opinions, be-
ginning with the great question of free trade. He d.•clared
himself from principle a thorough free trader, and said he
should offer the most determined resistance to any attempt
which might be made to reverse, or to mod‘fy—for that was
the last phrase—the liberal commercial policy of Sir H. l'eel,
either by imposing a tax on the importation of foreign corn,
or by shifting thelburtheit of taxation from the shoulders of
the agricultural classes to those of the commercial and
manufacturing classes. On the question of a reform in the
representation of the people, he declared himself as
thoroughly convinced that a considerable improvement
might be advantageously made, and that the effect of such a
change, while it would give increased liberty to the people,
would conserve the best interests of the country. He thought
the suffrage might be safely and advantageously extended,
and could see no reason why those who had voted his hon.
friend Sir George Goodman into the town council of Leeds
should not have the privilege of voting him into the House
or Commons. (Loud cheers.) He was decidedly in favour,
then, of an extension of the parliamentary suffrage to all
who now exercised the municipal suffrage. On the subject
of the ha!lot, he felt that at present the suffrage being a
trust, those who had not the franchise had a right to know
how those who had exercised the trust reposed in them ; he
had, there'orc, on this ground been opposed to the ballot;
but if in future he could see his way to it, he should be
happy to vote for it. He next alluded to the duration of
parliaments, his opinion being that as five years parlia-
ments would in effect be triennial parliaments, he should
support such an alteration ; and he woo also in favour of
the abolition of the property qualification for members of
parliament. After commenting upon these points at great
length, he concluded by stating that having explained his
views on these various points, he should leave himself in
the hands of the liberal constituency of Leeds, not exactly
offering himself as u candidate, but tlmugh ho had intended
retiring from parliament at the close of the present session,
if he could be of any see to the electors of his
native town, he felt bound to waive all personal considera-
tion, and place himself in their hands. The right hon.
gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud, repeated, and ge-
neral cheering.
Sir GILL Goonstax then addressed the electors at great
length, declaring his opinion in favour of free trade, an ex-
tension of the suffrage, the ballot, and the extension of civil
and religious liberty generally. The worthy kr.ight was
tremendously cheered throughout his address.
Several questions were put by electors present to Mr.
Baines, principally in reference to the separation of the
church from the state. The right hon. gentleman avowed
himself, in answer to these questions, a church reformer,
but against a separation.
On the motion of I)ANNTON LUPTON, Esq., seconded by
Mr. Alderman HOPPZII, a resolution pledging the meeting
to support Mr. Baines and Sir George Goodman as candi-
dates at the next election was carried unanimously and with
loud cheering.
After the meeting a large number of signatures was
attached to the requisition to the two lion. gentlemen to
announce themselves as candidates at the next election.
The liberal party of all shades are thoroughly united, and
it is felt to be quite certain that the Right Hon. M. T.
Baines and Sir George Goodman will b, elected represen-
tatives of Leeds, whoever are their opponents.

Asa BuaGits.—Sir James Campbell has been
asked to stand for these burgh, on the conservative interest
but has declined.

BEDFORD.—A meeting of the liberal party was
summoned at the Red Lion yesterday morning, and the
new candidate introduced to them wuMr.Chisholm Anstey.
Mr. Anstey made a long address. He is regarded as the
" peoples candidate."
HEREFORD (CITY).—The Parliamentary and Fi-
nancial Reform Association have expressed themselves die-
satisfied with Sir Robert Price. At a meeting on Thurs-
day evening, resolutions were passed to the effect that un-
less the hon. baronet pledged himself to support hereafter
the radical party, another candidate would be brought for-
ward to oppose his re-election. The conservatives have not
announced a candidate, but it is probable that if a split
should arise among their opponents they will bring forward
Mr. Evans, of Sutton-court, and by a union with the mode-
rate whigs return that gentleman with Sir It. Price.
HADDINOTON HERGUS.—WO are glad to learn
(says the Caledonian Mercury) that Sir 11. Ferguson Davis
is now restored to his usual mate of health, and that he will
again come forward on the dissolution of the present parlia-
ment u the free trade and liberal candidate ;for the repre-
sentaton of the district of burghs. We learn that no can-
didate being brought forward in opposition to him, and we
learn from reports from the different burghr, that even
should such an event take place, his majority in the burghs
is such as to insure his return without the slightest doubt.
Irswwft.—Mr. Henry Vincent has no intention
of contesting the coming election at Ipswich. We may
safely announce that Hugh Edward Adair, Esq., the pre-
sent member, will make an appeal to the liberal electors,
hut the question comes, who is to fight the battle with him ?
It is surely high time for the liberals to seek out some tho-
roughly able and consistent free trader to accompany him.
—fpnescA Eryress.
INVERNESS HORGIIS.—In the Inverness burghs
Mr. R. H. Kennedr still prosecutes his canvass and has
visited Nairn and tones. He has not yet definitively an-
nounced his intention to risk a contest, and the Newcastle
people seem still to expect him there.—lnverness Courier.
LAYBETII.—It 13 rumoured that the following can-
didates are likely to offer themselves--viz., Mr. Williams
and Mr. D'Eynecnirt (the sitting members), Mr. J. H.
Palmer, and Mr. William Hawes.
MAIDSTONE.—Much to the surprise, and somewhat
to the consternation of the Maidstone tory protectionists,
the free traders on Tuesday morning commenced simul-
taneously canvassing the borough in the different wards, for
signatures
net. ;.r.ireclenie`i,ont. to aufWireetstralTerof
af
candidate for the borough. For once the eerie, were out-
generaled. An express was instantly sent off for Mr. Dodd,
one of the present members, and Mr. Fector Laurie' whom
the tories wish to elect in the room of Mr. Hope, and on
Wednesday night the tories met in conclave, and com-
menced canvassing on Thursday morning. In this short
interval, however, they had lost one member for Maidstone.
The signatures and promises, not only of liberals, but of men
who had voted for tones all their lives, which had been
given to Mr. Whatman, had secured his seat. Oa Fel-
-1 day afternoon, Mr. Whatman Waled his address, and com-
menced his canvass in Week-street. The progress of that
gentleman rasher resembled an ovation than a canvass.
Whether the promptitude of the movement, the fact that
no serious contest has taken place here for fifteen years, the
estimation in which Mr. Whatman's personal character is
held, the determination of the people to resist any attempt
to deprive them of the benefits of free trade, or whatever ,
other motive may have produced the result, the cordial and '
enthusiastic rechption of Mr. Whatman has been unprece-
dented in the borough. At Springfield paper mills the tory
candidates had obtained only two split votes out of about
twenty-five men, every one of the others of whom cheer-
fully promised a plumper to Mr. Whitman, with the sole
reservation that they might vote for a second free trade
candidate if one should start. Never did three time three
heartier cheers resound from Springfield Mill than were
given for the " big loaf," when Mr. Whatenan retired.
Both parties have been canvassing since, but the tories
complain grievously of the "sting" left in their course by
the free traders, who now look upon the cause in Maidstone
its securely won.—South Nugent Gazette.
ItocugsTEtt.—The present members, Mr. Bernal
and T. T. Hodges, both in the Liberal interest, have just issued
addresses, eapresoive of their intention again to solicit the
suffrages of the electors of this borough in the event of a
general election.
. . .

Ross-sntlim.—A protectionist opposition to Sir
Jame. Matheson has fur some time been talked of in the
county of Ross, and it is now rumoured that Mr. Roes, of
Cromarty, a young gentleman who has lately succeeded to
his estate, has already entered into the held and commenced
a canvass. We have no expectation that Mr. Ross will
come to the poll. It would be idle to talk of Sir James's
great stake in the county of 1t0.., or of his munificent
exertions to improve it ; these are well known, and also his

3

admirable business habits and extensive knowledge. He
is an honour to the county, and we trust will retain his seat
is long as he has health sad ettength to serve the public.—
/num= Cowries.

SHLTPIELD.—On Monday evening last a friendly
meeting of the supporters of Mr. Parker and Mr. Roebuck,
the sitting members, was held at the Royal Hotel, to con-
sider the propriety of again putting them in nomination, in
the event of an election for this borough. The following
motion was adopted unanimously : " That this meeting
forms itself into a committee, with power to add to its num-
ber, to support Mr. Parker and Mr. Roebuck at the ensu-
ing election, and also pledges itself to use its utmost exer-
tions to secure Mr. Parker and Mr. Roebuck's return to
Parliament as the representativ:s of the b0r....11(h of Shef-
field." 12W. were subscribed itninediately towards a fund
for election expenses.—Slseffield Times.

Sovrn LA?iCASIIIRE.—Mr. Alexander Henry, ono
of the present members in the free trade tutored for South
Lancashire, has come to the resolution of retiring at the
close of the present parliament. We have not heard thtt
the trio traders have yet tiled upon • new candidate for
the vacant seat, but the fact of Mr. Henry's retirement is
the subject of common conversation in all ciielei, and
several Manchester merchants were spoken of u possible
candidates.

R'txlmolt.—Yeeterdny morning Major-Gen. lteid,
M.P., one of the sitting members, Mr. Arthur Vaneittart,
of Footacruy Place, Kent, and Mr. Charles Wm. Grenfell,
the present member for Sandwich, proceeded to canvass tho
voter. A fourth candidate has ju•t entered the field, in
the person of Captain Bulksley, of Clewer Villa, one of the
directors of the Great Western Railway Comparzy. Captain
litilkeley's politics are ultra-tory.

SIR JOSEPH PAXTON AND THE CRYSTAL

I'ALACi.

TO TIM PDITOIL OP THE PIPRESS.

have read with surprise the Report of tho
Commission appointed by the Treasury to make in-
quiries on the cost and applicability of the Crystal
Palace.
The whole bearing of my et idenoe was in favour
of the plan suggested by me, and admitted by the com-
mission to be the best proposed, namely, to convert
the Crystal Palace into a winter gni den ; but the
only portion of my evidence which has been ad-
verted to in the report is a detached sentence, the
meaning of which has been totally misunderstood.
If the opportunity which 1 requested, and which
was afforded to others, of making verbal correc-
tions in my printed evidence, had been given to
me, I should have made this sentence clearer, but
as it stands now the sense which has been attri- •
bated to it arises from a misapprelansion.
I never would have recommended the conversion
of tho Palace into a winter garden, if I had not felt
convinced that it was fur the public advantage even
in an economical point of view.
Though, in my opinion, the cost of a new building
on the same scale as the present might be somewhat
reduced, and its plan considerably improved, the
mere expense of adapting what we have got to the
purposes of a winter garden bears no reasonable pro-
portion to that of erecting and filling up an edifice
of the kind end size de nom.

The destruction of the building, when its purchase
has been so nearly completed, would, in my opinion,
be a wanton sacrifice of property; and the reference
in the report to the possibility of constructing a more
suitable edifice, at a less expense than would be
required for the necessary outlay on the Crystal
Palace, is not only a misrepresentation of my evi-
dence, but tends to blind the eyes of the public to the
foolish piece of modern vandalism which the report
of the commission sanctions.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JOSEPH. PAXTON.
Devonshire House, March 23, 1832.