Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-21 00:00:00

MR. THA.CKERAY AT OXFORD.

A very large meeting of the electors of the North
Ward was held on Friday evening last, in the saloon of
the Jericho-house Tavern, when M-. Thackeray was called
upon to explain his political views. Mr. Thackeray com-
menced by stating that he woul I be glad if there were
any persons present who would have the kindness to
put any questions to him; or, if there was any one who
would state any ground of objection to the principles
he had advanced openly, before every one, or to the prir.-
&ples which his opponents had stated he held. He would
give them his opinion on the ballot, which was pretty clear
fur he held it in favour of that measure before he came to
Oxford. He was now convinced more strongly of its
necessity. (Loud cheers.) If they wanted to know his
tentiments on the suffrage question, he was in favour of
an extension of the suffrage, but not for universal
suffrage, because he knew to what it had led in
France, where men were very ill-educated, and where
they were led by all sorts of wild traditions, until
they were at one moment blazing in general rebellion
against property, or in another allowing a despot to govern
over them, and so to pretend to settle tie question. That
settlement of the question which had been adopted by
France meant the abolition of the liberty of each individual ;
it meant the shutting up of the Presg, and curtailment of
the power of the people, electing a despot to take hundreds
and thousands, and send them away in silence ; to banish
his enemies without a hearing. He wished every educated
man to have his vote, and the more educated they were
the better, because they were then the better able to resist
the persuasive powers of the ruling orders in this country,
who wished to oppress them. As to Triennial Parliaments
he said frankly, when he came to Oxford, what he held to
still, that if it was the people's will they should be adopted
he would vote for them. As to Church Rates, he had
given them up long ago. (Cheers) He thought more,
and hoped that some day the principle about Church
matters would not be toleration, but equality. He did not
say at the present moment he would desire to
destroy the existing Church in this country, because
such a course would cause a revolution. Violent efforts
would do much more harm than could be conceived. At
this moment such a step would set families against each
other, and inflict injuries upon existing institutions. They
must, however, abide the time for introducing such changes,
which must be advocated by our liberal representatives
by degrees and degrees, until they have reached the
point when equal rights would be given to all. Mr.
Thackeray then proceeded at considerable length to defend
himself against the calumnies circulated by his opponents
in reference to his alleged opinions on the Sabbath ques-
tions, declaring himself warmly in favour of allowing the
mews of innocent recreation on that day, but repudiating
altogether the opening of the theatres on that day—an
accusation charged against him by his adversaries. On
this question he said he had been cruelly maligned ; and
he appealed to his writings in proof of the falsehood of
the charges advanced by his opponents. He trusted
the time would come when all literary met' would
be more recognised by the working classes, and in order to
do that the working man should be more prosperous
and the literary man's productions cheaper. The time wa
coming when the connection between the literary man and
the public would become closer. He had thought he
might establish such a connection between men of letters
and men of labour. He could not stand upon the ground
of experience in politics, but he knew he should soon
learn, Ho knew if they would return him, he should be
able to utter his opinion when deliberately formed. He
came there as the representative of the independent cause.
He was free, and having done well with his pen, he wanted
to distinguish himself in the House of Commons. Ho did
net profess any unlimited affection f)r them, bet he held
certain opinions, and he wanted to • uphold and advocate
those opinions. if they would do him the honour to elect
him as their representative, he would do his utmost to
serve them in the House of Commons. Mr. Thackeray
resumed his seat amidst much cheering. After a short
speech from Mr. Neate, a show of hands was taken for
Mr. Thackeray, when the meeting appeared unanimous in
his favour.