The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-11 00:00:00

no less imperative upon it to restrain the dispo-
sition to be vicious—that as the police seize the
adult criminal, and bring him to justice for the
breach of disregarded laws, so also should they
be empowered and instructed to anticipate the
movements of the recruiting sergeant of crime,
and when or wherever they discover an unfortu-
nate outcast adrift upon the world, convey him
or her to a reformatory, where they will be cared
and provided for, their body nourished with a
sufficiency of wholesome food, and their mind
enlightened and instructed. In the case of
orphans, the bill proposes that the cost of such
maintenance and support should be defrayed out
of the poor rates. When the parents of the
children are living, the cost of maintenance
only—the inhuman wretches who are in a posi-
tion having to pay for the support of their
neglected and cruelly-treated offspring. The
expense taken from the poor rates is in no
instance to exceed three shillings per head per
week, which is the maximum cost of each child
in the workhouse. So much for the measure.
Now as to the objections.

From the debate which ensued in the House
of Commons, when the bill was introduced, we
find that three classes of objections were put
forth. First, it is regarded as an interference
with- parental authority, giving encouragement
to parents to forsake their children ; second, it
does violence to the voluntary principle ; and,
third, it may become an engine of proselytism.
A little reflection will show any one that such
grounds of opposition are only fancied evils. In
arranging the details of the bill, special provision
can be made not to trench upon the authority
of parents where there is evidence of a desire
and ability to do their duty towards their
children; besides, the requirement of three
shillings a week for the children's support will
beget a beneficial interest in both parents and
officials. As to an infringement on the volun-
tary principle, it is enough to say that, as regards
crime and education, voluntary efforts are insuf-
ficient for the requirements of the country.
Much, we admit, has been done through its
agcnr:y, but as yet it has only touched upon the
mere borders of the wide domain of crime and
ignorance, which tarnish the otherwise bright
escutcheon of this free and prosperous land.
With regard to proselytism, it is equally un-
sound as an objection. We can teach these
young and unfortunate outcasts- all the moral
lessons indicated above, without interfering with,
or referring to, the peculiar creed of any church.
They can be trained as honest and virtuous
citizens, irrespective of the metaphysical subtle-
ties of the Ancient Fathers, the theological ides
of an ARIUS., a LUTHER, or a CALVIN, or the
more modern principles of Divinity enunciated
Iby various sects of professing Christians. The
I evils of juvenile depravity are on the increase.
We must stem the torrent ere it overflows the
land. We cannot afford to wait for the recon-
cilement of petty jealousies and minor differ-
ences. Destitution must be provided for, ignor-
I ance eradicated, crime prevented, and virtue
inculcated, encouraged, and rewarded. To the
proposed measure we give our cordial support,
well knowing that it has been originated in the
spirit of pure benevolence, and that advantages,
great in extent and vast in importance, must
arise to society at large, on its becoming the law
, of the land.

So Liverpool is to be contested at the ensuing
General Election. The Tory party have held'
their conclave, and their fiat has gone forth.
Religious animosities, party feeling, and rampant
bigotry are to be revived. The peace of the
borough is to be disturbed, and Mr. THOMAS
BOLD is once more to assume his favourite
character of parliamentary dictator. We deeply
regret that this should be so, and must• express
OUT surprise that Mr. CHARLES TURNER should
be so far led astray as to force himself upon the
electors at a time when there was every disposi-
tion among the leaders of both parties to avoid a
contest, The Reform Association was indis-
posed to interrupt the good feeling which pre-
vailed in the town, consented not to bring for-
ward a second candidate, and agreed that the two
present members should be returned without
opposition. The proposition was not only
reasonable hut considerate, and as such does
great credit to the Reform party, The Tories,
however, were implacable. True to their former
antecedents, they are determined to have recourse
to all manner of electioneering manoeuvres.
Nothing less than ascendancy will satisfy them,
and hence they bring forward their pet, Mr.
TURNER, he who had a short parliaknentary career
in 1852, but whose seat was arrested from him
in consequence of bribery and corruption com-
mitted at his election. We deprecate this move-
ment on the part of the Constitutional Asso-
ciation.

First, it is unnecessary and uncalled for. With
the present members, Messrs. HORSFALL and
EWART, the electors generally are satisfied. Both
have been most assiduous in their attendance in
the House of Commons. They have acted th e
part of manly and independent representatives,
and on every great question of national policy
voted, without fear, favour, or affection, accord-
ing to the dictates of their conscience. On all
questions affecting the interests of Liverpool,
they have displayed an amount of diligence
and zeal which does them infinite credit. They
have watched with a jealous eye the insiduous
attempt of the men of Manchester to rob us of
the Town Dues, and both have raised their voices
in the House, declared their determined hostility
to the proposed confiscation, and recorded their
votes against the Government proposal. No
one has ever approached these gentlemen 'for the
purpose of calling attention to any question of
moment, who did not meet a courteous and
polite reception. Any deputation which went
from here to London, to have an interview with
the Government, was always headed by one or
both of our present members. In a word, they
have devoted their time and their talents to the