The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-02 00:00:00

MR. SCOVELL.

Yesterday evening Mr. Scovell met a very large number
of the electors of Southwark at the Bridge house Hotel,
London-bridge,

Dr. CHALLICE was called to the chair, and reviewed at
length the comparative merits of the two candidates ; and
while dealing very fairly with Sir Charles Napier's per-
sonal qualifications, denied that they wore such as to en-
title him to represent Southwark, his claim appearing to
rest principally on the fact of his having been ill-used by
Sir James Graham ; and he suggested that Sir Charles a
best course was to oppose Sir James the first time that
right lion. gentleman offered himself to any conotaueuch

and of the result of such an election there could be no
doubt.
Mr. Scum, who was received with every possible de.
monstration of respect, and was loudly applauded, after
some preliminary observations, said that he would disdain
to go into Parliament on the mere clamour of his warmest
friends. (Hear.) His wish was to present his opinions can.
didly and honestly before the electors, and to answer any
question that might be put to him with perfect honesty ;
and unless he did that, and could give reasons for any
opinions he held, he was not fit to represent them in the
House of Commons. (Hear.) He wished to advert, in
the first place, to a statement which had been made by the
chairman of one of Sir Charles Napier's meetings, who
had thrown on him (Mr. Scovell) and his committee the
onus of proving that they had not resorted with indecent
haste to preparations for a new election after the death of
Sir W. Molesworth. (Hear, hear.) A very few words be
thought would show tjiat it was not with his side that such
a fault rested. Sir W. Moleswoith died on Monday, Otte
22, and he was credibly informed that Sir C. Napier, be-
tween two gentlemen supporters of his, was seen 24 hours
after the death of Sir William in the lower parts of the
borough, engaged in a personal canvass. (Hear, hear.)
Sir C. Napier's address was dated the 23rd, the day after
meoeveetliln'ea)
was addressin the
Sir
His William's death, and his first meeting was on the 25th.
s t (pMu public i cS
wase
oek dated
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yh ,
onanwdhitih
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Sir W. Molesworth's funeral (Hear, hear.)
He would not have referred to the subelace. ct but for the strong
rl
attack which had been made on himself and his f ds.
(Hear.) He had endeavoured in all his speeches to avoid
any allusion to Sir C. Napier. It was true in one of his
addresses he had spoken of that gallant gentleman's age,
and in that be had no intention of giving offence, but he
thought he was justified in pointing out to the electors the
respective ages of the candidates. (Hear, hear.) He re-
spected age, especially when it was accompanied by that
moderation, control of the passions, courtesy, and decorum
which were its best ornament. If, however, his allusion
to the gallant gentleman's age had given him any offence
he humbly begged his pardon. (Chem.) With reference
to his political opinions, he begged to state that his senti-
ments were now the same as those which he declared when
in 1852 he asked their suffrages. He had seen no cause to
alter them, or to waver in the opinions he then held. The
hon. gentleman then, in terms similar to those in which he
has previously spoken, stated himself to be in favour of the
extension of the suffrage and the ballot, for religious
equality, and the non-endowment of any religious sect by
the state. He had been asked if he was prepared, under this
latter profession, to separate Church and State, and he had
answered "No !" (" Hear," and hisses.) Such a step would
be unpractical, and amount to revolution. But he would
say that of all of our institutions the Established Church
the most required reform. (Hear.) He did not pretend to
say that in reforming that institution he would touch it
with an unfriendly hand, for by doing so he should be a
traitor to his church ; but he would vote for any measure
which was calculated to direct the great revenues of the
church into channels most beneficial to the people—(hear)
—and he would extend to the poor curate and vicar, to
the working clergy, a fair proportion of the revenues of
the church. (Cheers.) With regard to the endowment
of religious sects, he was not for disendowing, and he was
said in this to be consistent with his profession of religions
equality; but he would go to Parliament to assist in car-
rying out practical measures ; and all he could say was
that he would not consent to any fresh endowments.
(Hear.) He was not prepared to disendow Maynooth.
(Cheers and counter-cheers.) He knew the storm he might
bring on himself by that opinion, but he would rather not
sit in Parliament at all than attempt to do such an act of
injustice as the withdrawal of that which was an educa-
tional grant. (Cheers.) The hon. gentleman then briefly
state I that he was in favour of the emancipation of the
Jews, for the abolition of church rates, and for the vigor-
ous prosecution of the war ; and if any Government
shrunk from pursuing that course he was ready to oppose
it, and to seek for another to supply its place. He con-
cluded amidst loud cheers by declaring himself ready to
answer any question which might be put to him.
No questions were put, and
Mr. Corderoy moved, Mr. Dare seconded, and Mr. Lane
supported a resolution approving of Mr. Scovell's senti-
ments, and pledging the meeting to his support, which was
carried with every manifestation of earnestness and una-
nimity.
Mr. ScOVELL, in returning thanks and moving a vote of
thanks to the chairman, took the opportunity of stating
that he was much pained to have heard it stated that some
too zealous supporters of his had been instrumental in
interrupting the proceedings at the meeting of Sir Chas.
Napier's friends on the previous evening. He never wished
such a step to be taken, and he disavowed any desire of
unfairly treating the gallant admiral. He had too much
confidence in his own pretensions to the support of the
electors to descend to such a course. (Hear.)