Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-05-02 00:00:00

OXFORD (CITY)

Mr. Cardwell, who was received with much cheering,
thanked the electors for having re-elected him for the third
time. He felt proud in being re-elected, not by a majority
after a contest, but by the unanimous voice of the constitu-
ency. He adverted to the present critical period, and then
passed on to say that immediately it was agreed to dissolve
parliament, be received an assurance from Mr. Neate that
he had his support and confidence. He then alluded to the
fact that some candidate from the Carlton had made his
appearance. but as quickly departed, having received no
encouragement from those who differed from him (Mr.
Cardwell) on certain points. With respect to the measures
in the late session, upon which there had been such
difference of opinion, the first measure he would allude to
was the Conspiracy Bill which was first introduced by Lord
Derby ; the government which succeeded his brought
it forward again, and then the Derbyites and others voted
against it and threw out the Ministry. Next was the
Reform Bill, which he, in common with others, had assisted
in throwing out. In 1854 a bill was introduced by Lord
Aberdeen which would have disfranchised four times as many
boroughs as the late bill. One chief objection to that latter
bill was that it retained too much power in the bands of the
landed interest. He desired a fair extension of the county
and borough franchise, and Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley
were in favour of a £2O franchise in the county, and of an
£8 franchise in boroughs. Such were the suggestions, not
of two liberals, but of two members of the Cabinet, and
had they been adopted, he (Mr. Cardwell) believed that the
second reading would have been carried, and other matters
would have been adjusted in committee. Mr. Locke King
had carried a motion for extending the franchise in
counties, but the £lO clause was so contrived
in the new bill, by voting papers, as to give
the landlords increased power and influence over their
tenants, and finding that such was the tenor of the bill the
Liberal' party laid down what should be its leading prin-
ciples before any other steps were taken. At the time the
present Government brought forward their Indian Bill,
Lord John Russell came forward and saved them ; but
because he adopted the same course on this occasion, Par-
lsament was condemned. With respect to secret and open
voting, if it were a question of freedom or the reverse, he
would support the ballot; bnt he was desirous of seeing a
agreed
t
great principle of our institutions, publicity maintained,
voluntary ballot would be ineffective ; it must be compul-
sory, if at all, but he looked on the exercise of power in the
he would recommond the extension of the franchise to
face of the people as a security for libertyage adi n
to md i
dfreedom,t
a d Par-
liament, andnd
ebeeeyrocnioda.theAt litmheitstimoefth
ecoearriunpotriiotyn,
they were either aware or ignorant of ie
what was
about to occur with respect to a war. If they were igno-
rant, they had not been careful watchers ; or if they were
aware,.titheu ttaheyLegniesfalteuctreedattheueierh deutty
.in leaving this country
what had taken place at Devon port,
Referring to
other places, to secure the return representatives
Dover, Plymouth, and
government interest, made at the Board ofAairalt
yinseytehne

:roost
myeiannistrayg.o, virwoiutlhdrehsavveect btoeepneaace war,n no i
on
nge twoasanjoraengerry
for it than himself, if it could he secured without compro-
mising the honour and interests of this country. The safety
and greatness of a people were best secured by concediag. to
them what was calculated to advance them in the semi,
moral, physical, and political state. He was no alarmist,
but had reliance in the loyalty, the patriotic feeling, and the
r' c3ura're of England, and that they would at all times do
their best to advance its interests. He trusted that the
measures of reform which would be carried in the next par-
liament would have the effect of meeting their wishes, and,
at the time time, of strengthening the constitution. (Cheer,...)