The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-07 00:00:00

THE DAYS NEWS,

Alrea.ly there are symptoms of a general election
in Liver pool. Yesterday afternoon, the address of
Ewart to the electors, offering himself as a candi •
dote for the representation of Liverpool was issued,
and attracted considerable attention. It is a plain,
manly, and straightforward document. Mr. Ewart
declares that he voted against Mr. Cobden's:notion
from a sincere conviction that it was brought for-
t6ri by a factious combination of parties. Ho is a
firm supporter of Lord Palmerston's policy in
biina, as the only one which will protect the pro-
perties of British subjects in the Celestial Empire,
and save them from the barbarous and atrocious
cruelties of the Chinese. He calls attention to the
claims of Sir John M'Neill and Col. Tulloch. On
the other topics he is very reserve, but promises to
look after .the best interest of the town and the
trade thereof, should he again be its representative.
The address will be found in our advertising
columns. _ _ _

Lord Palmerston was yesterday presented with
the-address of the merchants, bankers, and others
in Liverpool. The deputation consisted of Messrs
A. Sleigh, Thomas Baines, and Higgins. They
were accompanied to Lord Palmerston's residence
by Mr. T. B. Hors fall, M.P , and Mr. J. C. Ewart,
M.P. Mr.. Sleigh presented the address, calling
attention to the fact that it was signed by men of
all shades and degrees of political opinions, and
with an enthusiasm quite unprecedented. Mr.
Sleigh expressed his opinion that his lordship had
been unfairly dealt with and defeated by the
coalition. After some additional observations,
Mr.-Sleigh read the address. Lord Palmerston
expressed himself much pleased with this mark of
confidence. The deputation then withdrew. It
is reported that the electors of London will bring
Lord Palmerston forward for the representation of
the city, in opposition to Lord John Russell. A
meeting of the Conservative party is to be held on
an early day next week, when the terms upon which
a junction with the Peelites shall be effected—
should the result of the elections throughout the
country justify-such a step—will be settled. It is
confidently stated that Lord St. Leonards has
intimated h s intention not to accept the Chan-
cellorship, in the event of Lord Derby accepting
office. In that case, the high dignity Would fall
upon Sir Fitzroy Kelly. The first great trial of
strength in the new Parliament will be the speaker-
ship, there being an understanding that the present
Speaker, who was elected to his high office in
1830, will retire from his onerous duties at the
close of the present Parliament, with a peerage.
Reports are in circulation that Lord Palmerston's
present Solici;or-general, the Hon. S. Wortley,
will tie nominated by the government in opposition
to Sir F. Thesiger, who is to be brought forward
by the Conservatives.
The debate on the Budget was resumed in
the • House of Commons last night, by
the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposing
to fix the duty on tea at Is 9d per lb to the sth of
April, 1857, and at is 5d to the sth of April,
1858. Mr. Gladstone proposed as an amend-
ment
that the duty should be fixed at is 3d
according to the act of 1853 A long discussion
took place, in which Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Disraeli,
Mr. L. Hey worth, and others.spoke in support of the
amendment, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Lord John Russell, Mr. Horsfall, e4r,c., in favour of
the government propOsition. The House divided,
when there appeared—For the amendmeht, 125;
against it, 187 ; majority for the Government, 62
The proposition of Sir G. C. Lewis, was accord
ingly, agreed to. The Church Rates Bill was
withdraWn last night. The Government refused
to lay on the table the papers in relation to the
Persian, difficulty.
A Cabinet Council was held. Yesteiday after-
nbon at Lord Palmerston's residence. ,
The domestic news this morning contains par
tietilars of the trial of Saward 'and. Andersoh, the
'great London city forgers. They have been found
guilty, and each sentenced to transportation for life.
Neither made any defence, but both protested their
innocence. Saward stated that had he- been pro-
vided with counsel, he would have disproved the
charges preferred against him ; but it appears to
us, that if he possessed a satisfactory defence, he
was quite qualified' to deliver it without legal
-assistance, seeing that according to the Law List
he has been a special pleader on the Home Circuit
since 1840. An attempt was made on Thursday
night to assasinate a psssenger on the North Lon-
don Railway, while the train was in motion. The
'assassin and his victim were alone in the carriage.

Partieulat•s of a terrific explosion near Oldham,
with the loss of fiva lives, and another colliery
explosion, also resulting in the. loss of five
lives, will be found in our columns.

In the Foreign News this morning, there is not
much of an- important nature. The. Paris ,journals
are.entirely taken up with the defeat of Ministers !
in England. On any other question than the
preSent one Of Canton, the check experienced
by Lord Palmerston, would probably have inspired
them with triumphant joy, but the French papers
have almost unanimously identified themselves
with the acts of th 3 British authorities in China,
aud have so strongly advocated the adoption of the
most „decisive steps against the faithless and
inhuman government of Pekin, that the censure
implied by"the vote carried by the coalition causes
them regret rather than satisfaction. The Patrie
strongly advocates the energetic prosecution of
the war. • The Univers entertains similar views,
and says, "Whilst the parliament of England are
gravely discussing the justice or legitimacy of the
war the Chinese are setting a price upon the head
of Europeans, and surrounding them with assas•
sins, incendiaries, and poisoners.',' Next to
the Univers the Sieele And the Patrie display
the greatest enthusiasm in favour of Lord
Palmerston. Far different is the language used by
the priprs which are opposed to the Napoleon
dynasty. The Assemblee Nationale pays homage
to the British Parliament for having wiped out a
blot from English history. The Journal des Debats
and the Presse confine themselves to developing
the material consequences of this vote, and seem
inclined to anticipate a dissolution which, says the
Presse, would, after all, be for the interest of all
prrties, for at present none of them know on what
ground they stand.
Prussia is to take no part first in the Neufchatel
Conference; but she will hear what the Confer-
ence has to propose, and if she accepts them,
Switzerland can be informed This is high
ground, and looks ominous; at the same time an
assurance is given that Prussia is more inclined
now than before to be conciliatory
All the allied troops have Lt last quitted Athens,
and Greece is now free.
We have New Brunswick advices to the 16th of
February, by the arrival of the clipper ship John
Duncan, at this . port yesterday.. The Provin-
cial Parliament has been opened, and the speech
of his Excellency the Governor is of an interesting
description. The present inoperative electoral law,
whereby in case of a general election a large por-
tion of the people would be disfranchised, is
referred to, and his Excellency says that such a
condition of affairs cannot be permitted to continue.
The paragraph relative to railway operations
which have been so vigorously prosecuted by the
preseht administration, is most satisfactory, aud
it is gratifying to know that while the works have
been pushed forward so promptly, they have at
the same time been most economically
managed. We are also informed that the govern-
ment are alive to the importance of improving the
means of comnunication with Prince Edward
Island and the Northern shores of the province.
The short line of :Railway from the Bend to
Shediac, the completion of which has been effected
by the present government in a most thorough
manner, will prove of great advantage to trade,
and cannot fail, if the measures referred to in
Excellency's speech are carried out, of
causing a large influx of traffic along the shores
of the Bay of Fundy. This is a matter of great
importance, and we are glad to find that the Govern-
ment are determined to give the people of that Pro-
vince all the benefits which can possibly accrue to
them from the line of railway from the waters of the
Bay of Fundy to these of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The Government, it seems, court the fullest dis-
cUssion of their emigration scheme. In addition
to what has already been done, they now declare
how important it is to establish direct communica-
tion with the mother country, at any price not too
great. In fact, if the government do but one half
of what they promise, they will prove themselves
one of the very best, most liberal, progressive, and
useful of working governments.

PARLIAMENT is to be dissolved, and the
country is to pronounce upon the policy of
Lord PALMERSTON'S Administration. A Minis-
terial or Parliamentary crisis, in a free country
like Great Britain invariably creates a great
public interest among all ranks and classes.
Every locality has within its circle those who
have much to hope or fear from the change,
while the multitude are eager spectators of the
strife of parties, so as to ascertain what tangible
good will accrue thereby to the popular cause
At present there are those who heartily rejoice
at the defeat of the holders of office, but others
consider the event a kind of national
calamity, and, in a day or two, each will
insist with equal earnestness that the people
should make common cause with them. As
to the reasons which led to the vote of Tuesday
night, it is useless to refer. No arguments of
friend or foe to Lord PALMERSTON'S policy can
undo it. They cannot change facts, or to any
extent influence the position of parties. For the
present we must regard his Lordship as a van-
quished Premier, a beaten Minister, no matter
by what political artifice, coalition, or combina-
tion. These considerations point to the inqury,
what chance he has of checkmating his op.
ponents and regaining his lost ground ?
On Thursday night Lord PALMERSTON told
the House of Commons that he had advised her
Majesty to dissolve the Parliament, and thereby
take the sense of the country upon the Chinese-
question. In going to the country his Lordship,
whatever may be his attainments and deficiencies
as a statesman, can refer to a long life spent in
the cause of the country. He has stood at the
helm of the State in the hours of difficulty and
danger, and he has taken no mean part in all the
administrations which have existed since 1819,
with only one or two brief exceptions. As
Foreign Minister of England,he stands unequalled,
and the nations of the earth so regard him.
No doubt he will go to the country, and send
his supporters to follow his example, by pointing
to his past services—to the h3nourable termina-
tion of the Russian war, which he effected,' and
the prosperous condition in which the country
is now placed. These will, indubitably, exercise
considerable influence upon many of the consti-
tuencies ; whilst those purely commercial have
already made up their minds to give him a hearty
and an unreserved support. This is not to be
wondered at. Expediency, especially when dic-
tated by selfishness and a desire of gain, often
usurps the place of long-cherished feelings and
principles—political and religious. No wonder,
therefore, that London and Liverpool, Newcastle,
Glasgow, and even Manchester itself, should
unite to send forward addresses of confidence in
the noble lord. They perceive in the distanze
that his 'present mode of treating China will
increase their trade and commerce, open up
fresh fields for the manufactures of our country,
and ultimately add largely to its national
finances. These, no doubt, are very important
considerations, and the statesman who can effect
all this is well worthy of a large share of public

confidence and support.

Lord PALMERSTON has

given abundant evidence that, on all matters
relating to the extension of British trade and
commerce to other countries, we could not con-
fide the task to • any other hands possessing
greater requisite - talents, determination, and
firmness ; and that as far as this important
matter is concerned, it would be unfortunate to
lose his services at the present juncture.
Whilst, therefore, -admitting the popularity
of Lord PALMERSTON, his transcendent abilities
f-
as a Statesman, and 'The large claims he has
upon the people of Great Britain for their confi-
dence and support; it is a duty at the • present
crisis to take into consideration, not only the
foreign, but the home policy of our rulers.
When the electors of the United Kingdom next
go to the poll, they should decide not only
what is best to be done with China, but
what shall be the • domestic legislation in
the next Parliament. The people give character
to the House of Commons, and at no former
period in our history was it more imperative to
look well to the pretensions and promises of
aspiring statesmen. Late events in the House
of Commons show that the present. Ministry are
desirous of shelving the question of reform in
our representative system. Lord PALMERSTON
spoke and voted, in company with his Govern-
ment, against an extension of the franchise. He
has not grappled with the question of Education,
and his reluctance to abolish all taxes on know-
ledge, whilst he throws a sop of two millions
a-year to the owners and occupiers of land, in
the repeal of the malt tax, is an evidence that,
notwithstanding all his popularity and ministerial
ability, the influence of aristocracy prevents his
onward progress in political and social reform.
If, therefore, he would not be vanquished at
the hustings, and alienate from his cause millions
of non-electors, who can at all times and in a
variety of ways influence an election, he must
ally himself more closely to the side of the people,
unfurl a banner on which will be inscribed
reforms in unison with the requirements of the
age, and which will spread fear and consternation
in the ranks of his political adversaries. By such
a course he may produce a wholesome and con-
stitutional spirit in the country that will ensure
him a mal3ity, and give to his administration
no small of popularity among the millions.
Taking everything into consideration, it is evi-
dent that Lord PALMERSTON has a somewhat
difficult card to play. Lord JOHN' RUSSELL
is not to be conciliated. He cannot
forget nor forgive the Premier for
causing his present isolated position in the
House of Commons ; and taking into account
the remarkable exclamation of the noble Lord
the memb9r for London, that the present
Ministry hate.'neither an object nor a principle,
it is evident that, support what party he may,
Lord PALMERSTON may reckon him as one of
most determined and inveterate opponents.

As to the prospects of Lord DERBY, we are
by no means sanguine. The materials. from
which he must form his Cabinet are just now
,disorganised—they are divided among them-
selves, and some of them perfectly refractory.
Should he proceed with what is now regarded
the Conservative party, he will lose the influ-
ence and support of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Sir
JAMES GRAHAM, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Mr.
COBDEN ; and should he .in any way coquette
with the latter, the ultra-Tories, such as Mr.
SPOONER and Mr. NEWDEGATE, will certainly
desert him. Then, as to Mr. DISRAELI, little
can be expected in the way of Reform. Under
his sway, political advancement is entirely out
of the question, for, without a doubt, his predi-
lections are to keep the Governmental machine
in such movement as will only promote the
wants, the wishes, and the interests of the aris-
tocracy. Whether Lord PALmEnsToN is to be
looked upon as the Minister best able to serve
his country, and to govern it according to the
wants of the age, may be questionable; but,
unless Lord DERBY and Mr. DISRAELI recant,
and disclaim their present political creed, certain
it is that England would not tolerate their
advent to office.

The Southampton Dock Company propose reducing the
dock dues on emigrant ships from ninepence to sixpence
per ton.

BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—TiIe adjourned meeting
of this board, which was announced to take place last
evening, for the purpose of considering the gas and water
bill, was not held, as the second reading had been post-
poned.

A MOTHER AND CHILD BURNED TO DEATH.—A. dreadful
accident occurred at .Egrcmont, about three miles from
Biirkenbead, on Sunday last. A married worrPn, named
Glaister, was sitting at the fire, suckling her infant, when
she vas seized with a fit, and was E 0 dreadfully burnt
that she died in a few bouts.

NEW CHIEF CONSTABLE FOR MANCHESTEIL—Captain H.
W Patin, late of the Indian -evilly, has been appointed
chief eon table of Manchester, in place of Captain Willis.
There were 120 candidates for the office, including many
officers of the army, of all ranks, up to colonels. The salary
is £5OO per annum, with £5O for horse or cab hire.
STFAM COMMUNICATION WITH NEWFOUNDLAND.— The
screw_
_steamer Circassian sails this morning at nine
o'clock for Newfoundland, Halifax, and Portland, with
upwards of 200 passengers, and a full and very valuable
cargo. It is contemplated to keep up a direct steam com.
munieation between Liverpool and the above places
monthly for the future.
GREAT WECTCEN RAILWAY.—In another column we
peroeive this company announce that they are running a
third class train, via Ilrkethial and. Chester, to London,
at the extremely mo&rato rate of I6s 1.14 for the whole
journey. The 'train, which leaves 'Birkenhead at 7.20
a.m., arrives punctually in the metropolis at 5.35 p.m.
There is little doubt that this cheap train will be largely
patronised by the class for whose accommodation it has
been projected.
LIVERPOOL Dce AND LIGHT DUES.—Yesterday morn-
lug was issued an account of the receipts and disbursements
of the Dock and Light Dnes at Liverpool from the 25th'ef
June, 1855, to the 24th of June, 1.556. On the 23rd of
June, 1855, the balance itt hand was 'X121,611 6s, and the
receipts of the year following amounted to £1,172,663 03 71,
making the total on the debtor side, £1,294,274 6s 7d.
Oa the other hand the disbursements of the year amounted
to £1,097,252 lOs 741eaving a balance of £197,021 16s, to
be carried forward to the next account.

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION ON SHIPBOARD.—On Tuesday,
about 15 tons of iron scraps and clippings, from one of the
shipbuilding yards in Greenock, were shipped on board
the schooner Vixen, at the East Breast, to be taken to
Liverpool, „Early on the following mornins the captain
found a strong and disagreeable odour arising from the
hold, and on examination it was found that the iron
clippings had become heated, and before steps were taken
to have them removed yesterday morning, the heat had got
so intense that it was deemed prudent to have a fire engine,
all ready for working, brought alOngside to prepare against
the risk of ignition. The combustion is supposed to have
been caused, by oil and particles of waste being mixed up
with the iron.