The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-28 00:00:00

Conservative Politics in Essex.

COLCHESTER, Oct. 27.
The anniversary meet ing of the Colchester True Blue, or
Conservative Associatian was held last evening; at the Cups
Hotel. The chair was occupied by Mr C. 11. Hawkins, and
there was a very numerous attendance. The chairman we s
supported by Mr C. Du Cane, M.P., Mr T. J. Miller, M.P.,
Mr P. 0. Papillon, M.P, Captain Jervis, M.P., Mr J.
Goodson (chairman of the Great Eastern Railway Com-
pany, and Conservative candidate for Great Yarmouth),
Major Bishop, the Rev, Dr Wright, Captain Pander, the
Rev. L. W, Owen, &c.

After the usual loyal and complimentary toasts,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the " Healths of the Members
for Colchester, whose past conduct he warmly eulogised,
while at the same time he expressed confidence as to their
future return. (Cheers.)
_ _ _

Mr MILLER, M.P., responded, and observed that during
the past session no question of great importance came on
for discusion in the Muse of Commons; but nevertheless
it was a session full of business, embracing as it did a large
number of subjects of a social and sanatory character of in-
terest to the nation at large, and more particularly to a
town like Colchester—such as drainage, the utilisation of
town sewage, the bankruptcy laws, &c. The Marquis of
Clanricarde had also announced his intention to bring for-
ward a bill relating to oysters—((laughter)—which would,
he thought, materially affect the interests of Colchester.
The most important subjects which occupied the attention
of Parliament laet session were those relating to our fo-
reign and financial policy. Certain subjects, such as reform,
church rates, &L, were not brought before the House of
Commons last session—unless through the medium of the
bills introduced by Mr Baines and Mr Locke King—and

if any proof wero wanting of the growth of Conservative
principles, he need only point to tho fact that these subjects
were omitted from discussion simply because their promo-
ters Raw that they had no chance of success, and therefore
wisely abstained from showing their own weakness. Dur-
ing the last session Parliament was anxiously and deeply
interested in many subjects of foreign policy, and ono which
absorbed its attention was that which related to Denmark
and Germany. Upon that question he believed there was a
general agreement that this country was not in a position to
go to war for Denmark, although the feeling for Denmark
was deep and general, and the wish was equally strong that
we were in a position to take up arms for that injured coun-
try and that old ally. At the same time he believed that it
was the general feeling that we were not justified in plung-
ing this country into war on account of Danish affairs, more
particularly as it must be admitted, although with some re-
gret, that Denmark was in the first instance to blame in the
conduct she pursued. It was felt, then, most unwise to in-
dulge in threats which might be supposed to give encou-
ragement to Denmark, and to lead her to suppose that if
she plunged into war and bloodshed we were ready to take
her pert. (Elear, hear.) It was not because we had ab-
stained from war that we had sustained any irjury : but if
we had suffered in the estimation of foreign neighbours, it
was because we gave them reason to hope for assistance
when we knew we could not afford it. He could not quit
the subject without expressing the gratification which he
felt at the manner in which I).:nntatk had received the
Prince and Princess of Wales, after the provocation which
she had received to show something like rosentme nt. We
might hope that conduct like that which had been shown
towards Denmark by Austria and Prussa would receive its
retribution in the course of events; and Av,l might hope
that the time would come when we rhould roe that brave
and gallant country again occupying that place einor.g the
family of nations to which its valour entitled it. With
reference to America, he must do the Government the
justice to say that he fully approved its conduct in main-
taining a strict neutrality in its relations with that un•
happy and distracted country. He must da his opponents
the justice to say that they had on all occasions endeavoured
to maintain a strict neutrality towards America, and he
trusted they ,would continue to do so. He wished that Le
could foresee the tetrmination of this unhappy American
war, but he feared from the papers which had reached Eng-
land that (lay that its termivativn seemed uto far off as ever,