The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-18 00:00:00

of a The ballot.Ps But while I say that it most be dis-
tine,tly understor d that I will never be a party to any
further change in the duties in the great articles of can-'
sumptien of the working classes—(loud cheers)—I am
most anxious for the repeal of the income tax ; but
declare again, that I would rather lose an election, what.
ever that election might bey sooner than disgrace my
opinions. (Loud cheers.) would rattier have some duty
put on-income, than any additional duty on those great
articles used by the working classes. (Groat cheering.)
One gentleman calls out about the ballot. lam very glad
indeed to be perfectly free and frank before my fellow
townstnen, for I will not shrink from any question. (Hear,
hear.) I don't know ,where the cry came from, but on
account of its distande I peesume it came from the "gods."
(Laughter). I never believed that the ballot was the great
panacea for all the evils of the country; yet I never had
any hesitation in declaring —and if you refer to the votes
yeu will find it to -that I always was on the side of the
(Lottd sheet's, acid some confusion). lam afraid
same of my audience are rather anxious to hurry me a
little faster than I am able to carry on. (Laughter,
and cheers.) I . think if I heard aright, some
gehtlemete in the betels asks my opinion on the
cutestien of education. Upon the question of education,
1. did hope that the name I bear was some guarantee, and
I was always a warm promoter of education. (Cheers.)
My brother, who formerly represented Liverpool—(loud
and prolonged cheers)e-whd fought battles in Liverpool,
and who was only defeated., I verily believe, simply
becanse he was in advance of tha times at that moment.
In every parliament and in every session he has always
taken a most prominent-, part in the education of the
people. - (Hear, heir.) I appeal to you whether, in any
address I have made, or whether before any assembly I
have addressed before, I hate not invariably declared
myself in warm adherence to some plan hating for its
object the education of the people. (Cheers.) I feel
that education is absoltitely necessary, it is the only
means
.of allaying and preventing those crimes
Which I am sorry disgraced' this country, (Hear.
hear.) I am aware that there are great dif
ferences connected with the question, and I do most earuestli
hope that Christians of every denomination may unite it
promoting some plan to give a sound education to the graa'
masses of the people. (Cheers.) I feel I amdetaining-this
meeting, but I believe there is still one question on which
I wish to be somewhat explicit. It is the qtrestion of
reform. (Renewed applause.) Ido not with this meeting
to believe that I would pledge myself to any particular
measure of reform) for all those who hear me know how
deeply and *arml' I hate felt on the question i but I do
hope th when tee next parliathent may meet that the
government of this etientry will propose dome proper
measure of reform, which shall be sathfactory to the
great and to thb educated cies ill of this country. Loud
cheers) lam not aware that there is any other
question—(cries of " Maynooth")--.I am, however, remin-
ded by Mr. Jeffery that a gentleman at his back is desirous
o'F knowing whether I voted for Locke King's motion. I
am perfectly astonished that any Liberal person in Liverpool
Cab think of asking such a question at that: (Hear, hear.)
Let anybody refer to the printed list of voters on that
eluestion, and they Will find my name recorded on it. I
recollect perfectlY -well telling one of the most influential
ministers; t was astonished that Lord Palnierston would
have made such a speech up nt the motion which was 'so
sui:Hal to the country. (Cheers ) I call upon you—l
appeal 'to you, for tl]o electors of Liverpool, to come for•
ward upon this ooCaSioo, and assert your right to the
treedorit electionin Liverpool. (Cheers and seine
confu-ion.) •
A Vo ce: Noloady interrupted your meeting yesterday.
Mr. Ewer, : Support the Liberal electors who are satisfied
with bringing forward one candidate ; let your's be a rush
to the conflict, and if' you will go forward _with determina-
tion and vigour, you will gain a most glorious and trium-
phant victory. The hon: member sat down amidst the most
enthusiastic applause.
Mr. G. Holt, on coming forward to propose the second
resolution, was loudly applauded. He said—l want -to
ask you one short question.. Is Mr. Joseph Christopher
Swart a fit and proper person to represent you in
parliament? (Loud cries of " Yes, yes,' and waving of
hats, and cries of "no, no, and hisses from a portion of
the audience.) I am well aware that, admirably as Mr.
Ewart his presented himself before you—

[here the noise from the " Turnerites " became so great
that Mr. Holt was unable to proceed.]
Mr. W. Rathbone : Do you know to whom you are
Frening ? Da you know that you are listening to the
noble adioeate of education and reform—George Holt ?
(Applause, with" Three cheers for Rathbone," which were
enthusias'ically given.)

Mr. G. Holt continued : At the meeting of yesterday,
one of the most distinguished speakers on the occasion
put the present'election, in. my opinion, in its just and
proper footing.. He placed it cot upon persons or individuals,
but upon principles. It ie, then. a contest between
the principles of the two parties. (Hear, and cheers.)
Now, it is upon that ground that I will join issue with
them, and say it is upon the pririciples which dis.iuguish
our party that I found the claims of Mr. Ewart. (Cheers.)
If you trace all the essential principles of Toryism through
the course of time, and through the course of history, you
inversab'y find that they are on the side of despotism, of
authority and dictation ; and you find the other side as
invariably advocating the cause of the people
—(loud and prolonged cheering) —the extension of the
franchise, the reduction of taxation, and the diffusion of
education. (Cheers.) And it is just upon that ground
that I lay claim, and Mr. Ewart lays claim; to the suffrages
of every liberal elector in Liverpool. (Hear, hear.) The
resolution that I have read to you is to this effect—" That
in the opinion of this meeting, Joseph Christopher Ewart
has proved himself to be a fit and proper person to
represent the liberal electors of Liverpool in the next
House of Commons, anti we pledge ourselves to use every
exertion in our power to secure his return at the coming
contest. (Applause )
Mr. Charles Holland seconded the motion. He said—
Gentlemen, the principles which you have heard from our
friend, Mr. Ewart, renders it unnecessary that I should
dilate at any length upon his general conduct, as your
representative in Parliament. His votes speak for them.
selves. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The manly manner in
which he has stated from this platform his opinion upon
every public question must carry with it conviction to
the heart of every man present. Gentlemen, of his
pnblie character, it is unpecessary then that I should
speak; but, gentlemen, 1 have been placed during the
past year in the honourable position of President of the
Chamber of Commerce of Liverpobl, and I presume, that
I have been selected on the present occasion, in order to
state to this vast meeting, my opinion of the conduct of
Mr. Ewart in conducting in parliament, the business
which appertained to the interests cf the com-
mercial part of the community. And, gentlemen,
allow me to say that I have been in constant com-
munication with Mr. Swart upon all important questions
affecting the country, and I have found that he enjoyed
the greatest influence in all departments of Government,
and that the interests of his constituents could not be
entrusted to better hands. (Cheers.) Nor, gentlemen,
can I refrain at the same time from paying that just
tribute to my friend Mr. Horsfall to which he is likewise
fairly entitled, for he had always co-operated with Mr.
Ewart in all those questions in 'which, as representing
Liverpool, interests were brought in contact with
Government. Yes, we hid, in Mr. Ewart and
Mr. Horsfall, two gentlemen who represented all
the rational, and moderate;and well constituted opinions of
Liverpool, and who brought to bear on the question an
authority that was most influential and most likely to carry
those ques ions which were for the benefit of the
community. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Why, then, should
this harmony and this unanimity, which have existed
amongst us, be disturbed on the present occasion ? (Hear,
' hear) The Liberal p ,rty, gentlemen, strong as it is—
poeerful as it is, as I may term it when I see this vast
meeting around me—it was not that party that threw down
the gauntlet of defiance. (Hear,, hear, and cheers.) No
gentlemen, we say, we are satisfied that one candidate should
represent the Conservative pasty, and one the Liberal party.
We think it but fair that in this great community all
opinions should be fairly represented. (Cheers) We are
not here to monopolise for ourselves every fraction of
opinion. (Cheers.) We wish a wide construction to be
given to the opinions of this community ; and, gentlemen,
knowing that Mr. Horsfall has been drawing himself of
late from the trammels of his party—that he is a sort of
progressive man as regards trade arid its regulations—we
feel that we could not be in better hands than in those of
our representatives, Mr. Ewart and Mr. Horsfall. (Um,
hear, and cheers.) Why then, I ask again, should this
harmony end unanimity be disturbed ? If it should
be through the egotism and vanity of any individual—
aye, though he should have spent on a former occasion a
considerable sum of money, which we bear he is not
rashly given to do—(hear, hear, and laughter)—in de-
fending the seat to which the committee of the House of
Commons said lie was not entitled—although he may
have spent a considerable sum in that way, and devoted
some five years of smiles, and courtesy, and blandishment
on this constituency to again foist himself upon the seat
from which he was ejected—l say that if this contest
is owime to the egotism and vanity of • such
an individual it is not a sufficient motive to disturb that
harmony which was so agreeable to the feelings of every
rational, every moderate, every considerate man of both
parties, whether liberal or conservative. (Great cheer—
ing.) But, gentlemen, I am happy to say that Mr. Turner
himself has changed the issue. Although he puts forward
that as one claim for the assistance of his party, yet on
the other hand, and I am perfectly satisfied with it, he
has put the issue on a broader basis ; for he challenges us
in the face of the world to the contest, proclaiming
that his principles, forsooth, are better than
those• of his friend Mr. Evart. Now, gentlemen,
what are these principles? Why, gentlemen, you have

hoard himself say that he is the most consistent man alive
—that his principles are the principles of 1852—the princi-
ples which he, then professed. Aye, gentlemen, not (lily
are they the principles of 1855, but they are the principles
also of 1842 and 1832. (Cheers). Why, gentlemen, his
principles are those which nave long since become fossilised
amongst us—(Laughter)—principles which, if they were
now dug up and presented to us, would be no longer recog-
nisable by any rational man in the present day. (Laughter.)
What Were these principles ? The principles Which he then
advocated Wetei principles precisely the converse—pre.
cisely the opposite to all those great progressive move.
inents which, during the last quarter of a century, we have
seen take place in this country. Mr. Turner is a consis-
tent man, but had his principles been carried snit, which
for your happiness and comfort never were carried oUt—
hut had they been carried, where would have been Catholic
Emancipation ? (Vehement cheering, with vehement
hisses from the Turner party.) Where would have
been • the Reform Bill ? (Cheers and hisses.)
Where would have been the repeal of the corn laws—
where the extension of the suffrage—wh re I ask, would
have been the privileges, poli:icel privileges, which the
electors of this great town now enjoy ? W hy, they would
all have been refuted to you. a7ntlernen, Mr. Charles
Turner is a consistent Man. lie holds—se h 3 tells you
the same principles that he held in 18:52, and as such h) is .
baiind to carry those principles out. And e 3 ho will. Pat
will he tell us at this thee of day that that he could oppose
the principles of free trade, or did he Cink that he could
fix the corn laws upon us again. (Cries of " no!') And
yet he .telii yea that it was th at he was endeavouring
to do. (Clime for Turner, intermingled with groans
and hisses.) To be a censistent man he will d) all thus—he
he is the same now as he was in 1852. (Interruption.) He
tells you that his principles are the same as they were in
the year 1852,when he was elected, which was during Lord
Derby's Government. Tory he was then, and tory he is
now—(interruption)-.and if you return him now, he will
be the same. For all his life time, he had been opposed to
free trade, and he would, if he could, reimpose protection
upon the people. But he has admitted that free trade
was a fact, but still he looked back, with a longing eye,
on protection t and, if he can't get that, ho will kindly ask
for reciprocity—that half-way house between free trado
and protection—which would have checked the progress
of free trade principles. But, he says, if I can't be of
assistance to you in one way, I can in another. At any rate,
there are some questions upon which I can be of assistance to
you. I can be of assistance to you in, doing as I have done
before, resisting the extension of the franchise. I did so
when I was in parliament before, and I will do so again.
I will support Lord Derby, net only by my votes, but I
shall constantly be in attendance at his soirees. I will,
he says, be consistent to my principles, and I will not only:
use my endeavours to resist the extension of the suffrage to
the middle and working elasug, but I will attempt to stop
all measures of erogresg acid hnprevement. (Interruption.)
Well, the next thing is edueatian. (Cheers;) Mr. Charles
Turner says, you may may. have education, tint it obeli be
en education according to my own peculiar religious viers
and yea' shall find me taking a part in the' annual exhibi-
tion made by Mr. Spooner. I iv 11 give my vote against
the paltry grant to Maynooth, although, at the same time,.

.
I am maintaining a most expensive national establish-
ment. These are the principles advocated by Mr.
Charles Turner. (Great uproar, in the course of which
three cheers were given for Mr. Charles Turner, amidst
groans and hisses, which- was immediately responded to ,
by three enthusiastic cheers being given for Mr. Ewart.)
Gentlemen, I am delighted that Mr. Charles Turner has
placed his political principles before you. lie says he has, '
besides that, a personal claim upon you. (X voice ; "So
he has.") I will not descend to personalities with Mr.
Charles 'Turner, but I say this, vrhy:should that gentleman,
who is not a native of this town, come from the banks of
the Humber and endeavour to transplant Mr. Ewart, who
was born in the place, has a great stake in the place, and
who is honoured and respected by all who know him t
(Cheers.) You have all heard Mr. Ewart's sentiments,
and I say that he is the great friend to all pro-
gress, and a most. essential friend to the 'people
of Liverpool. (Cheers.) They had heard Mr. Turner's
sentiments, and I will tell you that he is only supported
by a small minority of the most rabid of his party. and
those the most in Want of ability. (Interruption.) They
were small in number and-in capacity. (Groans and
hisses, followed by three cheers for Ewart. I will ask
the electors' whether they are to be dragged through the
turmoils, the dirt and filth of a contested election at the
behest of the Carlton Ciub. (Cheers and hisses.) And
.are the electors going to submit to it ?—.are they going to
submit to Pe the mere creatures of the Carlton Club ?
Would they be led by the bigotry and intolerance that
is to be found is that Establishment. No ; I trust
on the present eccasion you will redeem the character of
Liverpool, by placing Mr. Evart in the van guard of
progress, and place him at the head of the poll. (Con.,
sider.sble confusion here took place, from a number of
persons expressing strong disapprobation at the remarks
of the speaker, which was followed by a volley of cheers,
hisses, and groans.) Let' me entreat of you all, as
electors, to redeem the credit of the town, by placing Mr,
Evart at the head of the roll, and by keeping him there.
(Cheers) Let me entreat of you all to g've your hear's,
and cordial support to Mr. Ewart, who, from the honest
and straightforward course he bas preserved, is entitled to
it. Notwihstanding all the efforts of the faction who put for-
ward Mr. Turner to oppose progress, I am positive that
progress will not be arrested, particularly when you hare
such men to represent you as Mr. Joseph Ewart. (Coud
cheers.) • •
Mr. J. R. Jeffery then came forward, and was greeted
with immense applause. He said I hold it to be the duty
of a fellow-citizen, when called on to address his fellow-
citizens and townsmen on occasions of this descrip.
Lion, to be perfectly faithful to his otti conscience,
and honest to the cause which he espouses
(Hear, hear.) The pith of public duty is not like other
paths ; it has its roughs and its smooths, its pains as well
as well as pleasures, and when a man takes that duty on
him, he must p4form that duty according to the best
dictates of his conscience and discretion. (Hear, hear.)
You have heard gentlemen to night address you with
great force and eloquence, and as I may say that I have
already spoken to you, as it were comparativ ly
a short time since, from another place, I will not detain
you with any very lengthy, observations. (Cries of go on )
You have heard from other gentlemen this evening that
Charles Turner is a disturber of the peace of Liverpool—
(cheers, and loud confusion, mingled with hisses).
A voice—" Three cheers for Turner."
Another voice—" Three cheers for Jeffery." (This was
heartily responded to.)
Mr. Jeffery went on to say, that on another occasion,
when Mr. Turner was berore you, and he was on that occa-
sion returned to parliament (here there was some confusion,
which prevented the reporters from catching the remainder
of the sentence.) You have been told that the creed of Mr.
Turner in 1857 is the same as the creed he professed in
1852, and I shall come to that just now: But I will ask
you, during all that time has England stood still—stood
still for five years !—(Hear, hear,) Now, Mr. Charles
Turner was chairman of the dock trust since that time, and
had their docks not improved within five years ? Yes, they
were admired by the neighbonring nations, and the envy of
their neighbours. (Heat, hear.) They had made very
rapid strides in that time, and yet the political creed
of Mr. Charles Turner remained the same.
I will ask you what the precise creed of Mr.
Charles Turner is, and i will also ask you that of Mr.
Joseph Ewart. (Loud cheers.) Mr.' Charles Turner
occupied a seat in the House of Commons for a few
months, and during that time he gave a few votes in the
house on public questions. (Confusion and cheers.)
Now, let me beg of you to keep silent for a short time,
until you bear what those votes were, and on what
subjects. I ask you to hear them, and then try him upon
those, and return your verdict on him accordingly. Just

pay attention to this. On the 26th Noveinbir, 1852
in the House of Commons, Mr. Charles ;turner, being
then one of the members for this great community,
voted against Mr. Charles Villiers' motion. Let me ask

you what that motion was ? (Hear, hear.) Let me
again ask you to keep silent until you hear what that
motion was. I shall now read it for you. That motion
was as follows :—" That the improved condition
of this country, and particularly of the Muni.-
Otis classes, is mainly attribu'able to the receqt
result. of commercial legislation, and especially
of the act of 1846, which established the,
free admission of foreign corn, and that act was a wise
and beneficial measure." (Hear, hear.) Now, Mr.
Charles Turner voted against that motion. (Hear, and
loud cheers, with some hisses.) Yes, Mr. Charles Turner
went on to say that the free admission of foreign corn
into this country,. by which hundreds, yes, thousands--
nay, I may say millions of onr countrymen were preserved
with full bellies (great cheering) from destruction.
That was a portion of his creed in 1852, But I will tell
yon more. Listen. In the same year, on the lith Dee.,
gr. Chas. Turner, whilst occupying a seat as one of the
representatives eunttyaot invei
inhabited
hoaf
bthitiesdgreat
houses. commercial(u is se s
ocommunity,ote
That measure
more,
hed
was brought in by Mr. Disraeli,- and proposed to raise
the duty on houses inhabited to is and Is 6d, instead
of 9.1 and is as now; and what was
mor
motiono , no ,"
taon
which
o‘intended to apply it to £lO -
houses. (Hisses and cheers.)
Now I ask you, the poorer classes, to recollect that he
proposed to bring it down to the
.t'lo householders.
(Hear, hear.) Is that man a fit representative for this
i gentlemen,t u e n e
the (Cries
next fy`N?
your attention is that of the 24th of February, which had
reference to the introduction of our fellow citizms of the
Jewish persuasion: He voted against that. The next
cthoennst,
question was one introduced upon the 3rd of narch by
I "Yes,
yes.")ha yot o Nell
call
the late esteemed, revered, and ever to be remembered
with great love—and peace be to his ashes—
the late Joseph 'Hume. (Loud and prolonged cheering.)
The late Mr. Hume introduced, upon the 3rd of March,
a motion into the house, to the effect that "the House
would, at an early period, take into its consideration the
duties which are strictly protective in the existing tariff,
with a view to speedily repealing, the same." Mr.