The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-20 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.

ST. ANNE'S WARD.

A meeting of the Liberal electors of St. Anne's Ward
was held last night, in the Odd Fellow's Hall, St. Anne
street, to concert measures to secure the triumphant return
of Joseph Christopher Ewart, Esq., to parliament, at the
approaching contest. There was a very numerous attend-
ance of electors. The chair was occupied by Mr. Counci'lor
Kitchen ; and among the gentlemen present were—Mr.
Councillor Mellor, Mr. Coancillor Haydock, Messrs. G.
Melly, T. S. Reifies, Scott, Candlish, G. Garner, and
Cameron.
The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that
they were met for the purpose of rallying round their
present representative, Mr. Ewart, and for the purpose of
adopting measures to secure his return again to the House
of Commons. (Elear, hear.) Be (he Chairman) did not
knqw any occasion when the town was more needlessly
forced into a contest than the present. (Hear, hear.) He
believed that if ever a member of parliament did his duty,
Mr. Ewart did ; and they might each and all
fairly accord him the credi,`, to which, on that account,
he was entitled. (Hear, hear.) He (the Chairman)
regre`ted that Liverpool should be placed in the position in
which it at present stood in regard to the contest, and he
thought it would redound more to the credit of Mr.
Turner if he had refrained from coming forward to attempt
to wrest the representation from Mr. Ewart—(hear, hear)
—because he considered, that under no circumstances
whatever, would the substitution of Mr. Turner for Mr.
Ewart be of the slightest advantage to the town. (Cheers.)
He thought it was a great misfortune that Mr. Turner
should come forward at such a moment, when their
opponents in Manchester and elsewhere were availing
of every advantage in their power to wrest from Liverpool
the rights and privileges to which it was justly entitled,
(Hear, hear.) Wherein he would ask—was Mr. Tur-
ner a better Churchman than Mr. Ewart, or in
what instances was he more liberal with his purse ?
Had Mr. Turner identified himself with the
question of education and those other popular movements
which they believed were for the benefit of the commu-
nity ? Or did he tell them the principles on which he now
stood ? (Cries of " No, no.") On these grounds he con-
sidered that Mr. Ewart was superior to Mr. Turner, and
on these grounds he claimed their suffrages for Mr. Ewart.
(Cheers.) The Chairman there referred to Mr. Turner's
address, wherein he pledges himself to maintain the
Established Church in its present state of efficiency, and
regretted that any churchman, seeking the representation
of Liverpool, should be in favour of leaving the church as
it was present, because he (the Chairman) thought that
if they wanted reform in the army and navy, they wanted
still more ecclesiastical reform. (Cheers.) When they
SAW the selling and buying of incumbencies, and when
they saw the rich livings held by incumbents, who paid
their curates salaries not equal to the wages of labourers,
they should admit the necessity of ecclesiastical reform,
and consider him no friend of the church who as Mr.
Turner would oppose it. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion,
the chairman adverted to another anomaly in Mr. Turner's
conduct as a good churchman, namely, his support of
Lord Derby, who had the most Puseyite tendencies ; and,
in conclusion, called on them to go early to the poll and
plump for Ewart. (Cheers.)
Mr. Councillor Mellor moved the first resolution, which
was as follows :—" That the Liberal electors of St. Anne's
Ward beg to express their unqualified approval of the
manner in which J. C. Ewart, Esq., has discharged the
duties devolving upon him as a representative of this im-
portant community in the Commons House of Parliament.'
(Cheers.) The mover, in a brief address, urged the claims
of Mr. Ewart to their suffrages, from the admirable manner
in which he had discharged the duties of their represen-
tative, and from the fact of his being the head of one of the
oldest and most influential mercantile families in Liverpool.
(Cheers.)
Mr. T. S. Ra flies seconded the motion. He reminded

the electors of the ward of the manner in which they bad
acted at the last election At that time they put their
shoulder to the wheel, and returned Mr. Ewart by a trium-
phant majority over Sir George llonham—(cheers) —and
he (Mr. Raffles,) had a strong impression that they would
do the, same on the present occasion, although it *as true
that Mr. Turner was dziuch tatter khown man than Sir
'George Bonham, and therefore to some extent a morn
difficult man to be at. (Cheers) however, all
they had to do was to work the harder, (Cr,eers )
At that time Mr. Ewart was comparatively unknown,
as a public man, They knew him as an upright and
conscientious malt of business. They know him as a man
who had ever professed the principles of political progress,
and therefore they sent him to Parliament to advocate
their views. (Cheers.) If they returned Mr: Ewart
then, how much more were they bound to return him now,
after he had nobly fought their battle, and when powerful
and unworthy opposition was raised against him. (Hear,
hear.) They were bound, then, to rally round him more
vigornusly at present, and to return him at the head of
the poll. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)- The Town Dues
would have to be protected, and if Me. Varner were
elected how would they stand ? (hear, hear.) Any
one who earefelly looked at the temper of the country
Wouldi see that its verdict in the coneing, elections
would be in favour of Lord taltuerston, (Hear, hear.)
In that event, in what position would the town be, if they
suostituted Mr. Turner for Mr, Ewart ? Liverpool. Would
be in antagonism to the Government, find the town dues
would not be worth ft yearns purchase. (Hear, hear.) In
conclusion, Mr. Rufll2s contended that Lord Palmerston
was a better churchman than Lord Derby, with his Puseyite
allies, and extolled the noble lord's late ecclesiastical
prefertneate. On these grounds it was that he claimed
their suffrages for Mr. Ewart. (Applause.)
Mr. G. Melly supported the resolution. He said it bad
been urged that Mr Ewart was no speaker; but he thought
that his recent speech at the Amphitheatre was a conclusive
answer to that. (Hear, hear.) But was the Parlia.
ment of Englerid to be nothing but a debating club ?
tqo, Bueiness was to be transacted; important questions
were to be calmly considered and talked over in consul.
tation ; and it was en ,those consultations, at which Mr.
Ewart always assisted and took part, that the success of
every beneficial measure which was brought before the
house depended. (Cheers) In Mr. Ewart they found a
representative whom the Prime Minister himself coil-
suited on all questions atTecting the commerce of the
country, rightly judging that, as the representative of
such a port of Liverpool, nti Man ecitild be bettet
acquainted with such a subject than Mr. Ewart. (Cheers.)
Mr. Ewart was not a talking meniber, but he was some-
thing better-=he was a vvorking member. (Cheers.)
Parliament Was ditselved on the cry whether or not they
sholild have Lord Palmerston's govetnment ; but there
was a graver cry than that. The cry was, were they to
have a government of progress, or one on whose banners
the principles of 1832 were alone inscribed? The China
question might be now ccnsidered as decided—(hear,
hear,)—but the next Parliament would have to decide the
questions of reform and the great question of education,
in which, as Mr. Ewart in his admirable address prenebly
declared, depended the happiness and prosperitV of every
Constituency in the country: (Hear, hear.) bid they
wish these measures to EC carried? (Cries of yea add
cheers.) Then they shotild Vote for Mr. tweet, who was
the Mead of reform and of a liberal education. If they
wished for an honest and Independent man, who as
their repeesentative sought :no personal advantage;
if they wishe t for an honest and independent man,
who, from no feeling of vanity, left his peaceful home and
sought their representation, solely froth a desire to serve
them—if they would hive such a man, they would again
elect Mr: Ewart. (Cheers.) In concluion, Mr: Melly
assured the meeting, that if they saw the ward tettirns
which were daily sent into tilt Central Association, they
would see th t they were fighting not only in a noble but
in a,wineing cease. (Applause
The resolutiol was unanimously C irriede
Mr. J. C. Ewart, M.P., who, with Mr. W. MacGreggor,
Mr. G. Ilarvey, and other gentlemen, arrived while Mr.
Melly was speaking, and who was most enthusias icaily
received by the meeting, then came forward. it said :
Gen lemon, I have been attending a meeting at some
distance from here, and t had no Idea that 1 was
to come to see you this evening. I am
very glad, however, to have the opportunity of doing so,
for no man is more anxious to show himself before the
electors of Liverpool than I am. (Cheers.) lam always
desirous that every elector shall fairly know my opinions
upon every subject (hear, hear), but as I told a meeting
to-night, I set my face most determinedly against a
personal canvass. I will not insult the independent
electors of Liverpool by asking personally one individual
fur his vote. (Cheers.) But at the same lime lam bound
to show myself on every fitting occasion, and I freely and
frankly ask any one of you to sift My character in every
way that you possibly wish. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I
have no vain ambition to gratify in being a member of
parliament. I have no place to ask for. I have no job
to accomplish—(eheers)—the good of my country, and the
protection of the interests of my native town, so long as
these interests are identified with the general good of the
country, is my utmost ambition. (Cheers). Some allusion
has been made to my not talking a great deal in the House
of Commons. I really wish that every cue of 3no had been
as often in that house as I have been, from the beginning
of prayers—fur you are aware that the house begins busi-
ness with prayer—until it breaks up, and I think you
would be satisfied that the less a man gets up there, unless
he has really something very particular to say, the better.
I have never hesitated about getting up iu the House of
Commons when I really considered that it was necessary
for a metnbor for Liverpool to speak. (Hear, hear.) When
my friend Mr. Horsfall, who is the senior member for
Liverpool, speaks on a question, I feel it would be a sort of
tautology for the other member to soy the Billie thing,
(hear, hear), but I hare never hesitated for a moment to
give my free and frank Opinion whether it has been in
favour or whether it has been in opposition to anything
which the Government has yet brought forward. (Cheers.)
As a general supporter of Lord Palmerston's government, I
have no hesitation in saying that I have been tolerably
consistent; but I distinctly declare that if I am to go to
the House of Commons as a member for my native to en, I
will go without any pledge. (Cheers.) I will support Lord
Palmerston's government as long as Lord Palmerston's
government does what I think is right for the country—
(cheers)—but I will, at the same, not have the slightest
hesitation of opposing any government, whatever that
government may be, that does not do what I consider for
the interest and best welfare of the country. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I am very much obliged for the kindness with
which you have been pleased to receive me on this occa-
sion. If you think proper to return me, a native of Liver-
pool—one as deeply interested as yourselves in all your
wants and all your interests—l need scarcely say that the
best services I can give, and the best energies of my mind
shall be devoted to your service. I have no other
object in view than your good. (Cheers.) If, on the
other hand you really think that my opponent, Mr. Turner,
can do better for you than I can, I have no hesitation in
saying, that so deeply involved are my best interests with
the interests of Liverpool, I have not the slightest objection
to you electing him. Bat, Gentlemen, while you are
refiectince on what course you should pursue, I wish
you to bear in mind, that my policy has been not
goin g backwards to 1852. (Cheers and laughter.) I
am not one for those rash changes in our constitution
which endanger the liberties and the Constitution of
England, but I am one of those for a steady progressive,
satisfactory, Constitutional reform. (Applause.) If you
aanrde theit
Lordmea-
seul ereets m ewanginahi n als ysohuarll
always
snp
support, and
Palmerston, in whose ministry I have had the utmost
confidence, should again occupy the same high position,
and continue to carry on the government in the manner
ale has lately done, I can only say that I shall give him
generally a most hearty and sincere support, (Hear,
hear, and cheers.) Some allusion has been made
by my friend opposite (Mr. Reifies) to some of
the church appointments by Lord Palmerston. Ido
not think that an election is the time for candi-
dates to say much about church preferment, but since
that question has been introduced, I must say that all these
preferments which Lord Palmerston has made do him the
greatest credit—(hear, hear)—and lam sure they will be
for the best interest and truest welfare of the Church of
England. (Hear, hear.) It now only remain!, for me to
thank you for the kind manner in which you have received
me. I oily hope that when the day arrives your exertions
will be again kindly exerted in my behalf, as they were in the
last election ; and, if you re. urn me again as your
representative, you will, at least, find that I will always
act as an honest and independent member. (Enthusiastic
applause.)
Mr. Councillor Haydeck moved the next resolution,
which was as follows :—" That this meeting considers J.
C. Ewart, Esq , from his independent character and long
attachment to the principles of freedom and progresa,
eminently qualified to represent their interests, and to
defend their rights, in the Commons House of Parliament.
Mr. Watts seconded it.
Mr. Scott (barrister) spoke in its support.
It was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Lever proposed the third resolution. which was as
follows :—" That this meeting pledges itself to use every
legitimate means to secure the triumphant re
eltection urn o,f,
Joseph Christoence Ewart,
at the ensuing .
Mr. Frazer seconded it, and it was unanimously
a ceopted.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair-
man.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL IN THE CITY.—Yesterday afternoon
a meeting of the friends and supporters of Lord John
Russell was held at the London Tavern. Mr. Thomson
Hankey, M. P., was voted into the chair, on the proposition
of Mr. Moffatt, seconded by Mr. Robert Banker. The
noble lord, on entering, was received with the greatest
enthusiasm. The chairman said he was a supporter of
Lord Palmerston, but that was no reason why he should
forsake an old reformer like Lord John Russell. He
be
hoped that slight differences on petty points would not
snfiicient to justify such desertion. Lord John Russell
then came forward, the cheers being repeated. Silence