The Express.
London, England, 1857-03-20 00:00:00

GENERAL PERRONET THOMPSO.V 47'

BRADFi~RL:

On Wednesday night General Thompson addressed
• large assembly
.of the electors of Bradford in a building
lately used as a circus, opposite the Lancashire and York-
shire Railway famines. R. K eii, Req., took the chair.
General Teonrsoar was received with prolonged cheering.
They were met here to know whether he (the general) was
able and willing to be their representative and spokesmen in
parliament. The gallant then spoke in favour of
the ballot, extension of su and religiumi equality, and
said he did not know that it was maaa.ary going on telling
them that which they had agreed upon in times pat ; perhaps
it would be better if they would ask him some questions on
poWts on which they wanted wticularly to know his views.
He did not think it was pos to agree with them all;
bat they could judge whether he was capable of agreeing
with the majority or not. If any gentleman would ask him
a..l.u.anstion
vour ropogii,.antyhesej.elt which o
honer ziresito
atisfaetmy m he
answer.
(Prolonged cheering.)
Mr. Councillor litDD (Antos) asked the gallant general
to favour the meeting with his opinions on the education
question.
General Titomrsos replied, as far so he understood that
question, there was • great dispute between two estimable
classes et men—the ono clam was those who wished education
to be carried out by government interference; the other wan
in favour of education without government interference, but
supplied on the voluntary principle. (Applause.) Now he
would say, let the Government lay down • scheme for those
who chews to join in it, and those who did not like to do so
could support the voluntary principle. He did nut care how
education came, only put it in. (Applause.)
Mr. B. MlJuste asked whether he would vote for the
shutting of public-houses on Sundays: and the introduction
of the Maim Liquor La:: filie&Much resin and uproar.)
General Teoarsox as for the Maine law, so far ae
he understood it, no. ( rest applause.) Were hey tee-
totallers P So was he. Were they vegetarian P So was he.
Bat "shall there be no mere rakes and ale, because we are
virtuous P" (Laughter and applause.) Temperance was a
great virtue, both for this wad& and that which is to come
but none of us had a right to say to our neighbour, " This
yen shall eat, and this you shall drink, and this you shall
let alone." (Applause.) If a man got drank in the street,
pat hint fa the stocke—(laughter and applause)—if a man
got drunk in private, avoid hie company. (Hear.)
Mr. *QUAID Math, would the general, e in parliament,
have voted in the majority in support et therecent censure on
mieihters _ . .

."4General THOIIPSON wished he had bees there. There
would have been no doubt of it—he was nue he should.
(Applause.)
Er. M‘QUAID—WouId he support la Palmerston's
foreign WWI?
General Tnomesori, in reply, said he had been asked whe-
ther he would support Lord Palmendon's foreign policy. In
the first place, he should like to know what Lord Palmer-
ston's policy was. (Hear, hear.) Some points of his lord-
ship's past policy he certainly should not have supported.
He would support Lord Palmerston's policy if good ; he
would oppose it if he and the electors thought it bad. He
did not think he could do anything more_ y. They would
see that they would have to pay for his lordship's pat,?_-_
lky ; let them open a profit and loss amounts see what
were charged for it, what they had got, and whether they
had got mere tea or more honour. He could not understand
such-honour. They might perceive very clearly what his
*Mons wen. He was a man for peace when peace could
be maintained with honour, end he would not make an un-
just war. We had had too many wars that were nut de-
fensible or reasonable. Let us have war like doctoring.
(Laughter.) We did not want legs cut off for fun—it was
quite bed enough when necessary. (Hear' hear.) They
would always and in him a thorough sifter of the reasons
for a war, and if the war wen necessary, let them face it like
riari, not !:scx;arzlhlet them put it down like men.
Several other questions were put and answered ; after
which W. E. FORSTILK, Esq., moved a resolution pledging
the meeting to support the election of General Thompson. ft
was carried by acclamation; arid the proceedings terminated
by a vote oftenke to rho chairman.