The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-11 00:00:00

EVENING. DECEMBER 11, 1863.

Mr. S. Fitzgerald, M.P., and Mr. Cave, M.P.

The annual dinner connected with the Christmas Hor-
sham Cattle Show took place on Wednesday afternoon at
the Black Horse Inn. The Right Hon. S.Fitzgerald, M.P.,
presided, and among the gentlemen present were Captain
Wyndham, M.P., Mr. Cave, M.P., Capt. Dick ins, Capt.
Brenny, Mr. L. Steine, Mr. E. Thgge, Mr. J. Braby, Rev.
F. Vincent, Rev. Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Sanctuary, &c,
After the usual loyal and constitutional toasts had been
given, the " Health of the Members for the Western Divi-
sion of the County" was diunk amid loud cheers.
Capt. WYNDHAM responded to the toast, and in so doing
strongly urged the agriculturists to test the efficacy of malt
in the feeding of cattle, and to endeavour by every means
in their power to secure the reduction, if not the entire re-
peal of the malt tax.
Mr. CAVE, in responding to the toast of the "Health of
the Members for the Rape of Bramber," after explaining
the cause of the absence of his colleague (Sir P. Burrell),
observed that it was expected on those occasions that the
platers in the stakes at Westminster should come down and
make strong running in the provinces ; but, considering
what was left for them to speak about, it was almost impos-
sible to rise, except with feelings of despair. Domestic po-
litics were forbidden, and with respect to foreign politics, it
would be absurd for him to talk on that subject in presence
of the chairman. But he might be permitted to say that at
the present time there was nothing very cheering in the
aspect of foreign politics. We seemed to be in the time
spoken of by the poet,—
" A dark and troublous time,
• The heavens all gloom, the weary earth all crime,"
Wherever wo turned there were wars and rumours of wars.
England seemed to be almost the only country that was free
from sources of discontent and turbulence. In some of our
colonies the prospects were not more cheering than they were
in foreign countries. If we looked to America, who could
say what was to be the end of things there ? Post after post
brought us accounts of bloody battles with no results; and
although he could not for a moment believe that a bravo
people inhabiting a country where the means of locomotion
were so difficult could be conquered, he looked with horror
upon the sufferings and privations which they endured
from day to day from those who called themselves their
brethren and their countrymen. (Hear, hear.) On look-
ing at the continent of Europe there was scarcely a nation
whose position could be calculated upon for a single year.
An attempt had been made—a wise and creditable attempt
—to bring these matters under peaceful consideration. It
was not for him to say whether that attempt was possible
or not, or whether the course pursued by our Government
was a right course or not ; but still any attempt to submit
the affairs of Europe to a peaceful solution was an attempt
which could not but be looked upon with most serious and
most respectful consideration. (Hear.) With regard to
politics, hon. members were frequently in the habit of
going so near the wind that they reminded him of a boy
going to see a " meet," whose horse, somehow or other,
kept edging nearer and nearer to the hounds, until in the
end he rode ever somebody in his progress. (Laughter.)
He wished to be careful with regard to the subject of
politics. In looking through the speeches made from time
to time at meetings like the present, he found that the
common cry among the speakers had been that the past
session had been a very discreditable one, every member
almost saying, " I come to bury Caesar, not to praise
him," (Laughter.) Now, he thought that a great deal
might be said in favour of the past session, and did not
agree with these who gave it so bad a character. There
were two classes of members who, no doubt, were ready
to say something against the session. There were the idle
members, who were glad of any excuse for not being at
their posts—(a lr.ugh)—and there were the troublesome
members, who. expected something from fishing in troubled
waters, and did not like the affairs of the country to go on
smoothly if by that means their power over the masses
seemed likely to be diminished. (Hear, hear.) It re-
minded him of the story told of an English condottiere—
Sir John Hawkwood. A monk who was afraid of hi ne
began by saying "Pax vobiscum" (Peace be with you.) The
reply of Sir John was "The devil take your blessing; dont
you know S live by fighting." (Laughter.) Something of
this kind might be said of some of the speeches which had
been delivered in the north of England. When the country
was at peace and in prosperity they said " What is that to
us ? We dout want that ; we want some stirring points to
be brought forward, and to see the people thoroughly dis-
contented." (Hear.) The hon. member then reerred to
the number of tills which had been passed during the last
session, and entered into some details for the purpose of
showing that a considerable amount of business had been
done, and urged the farmers to make known their opinions
on the malt tax, and to petition Parliament fur its modifica-
tion or repeal. (Cheers.)
The next toast was the " Health of the Chairman," which
was received with great enthusiasm.
Mr. FITZGERALD, in responding to the toast, said—lf it
is difficult for a member of Parliament to make a speech on
an occasion of this kind, it is a doubly difficult thing for me,
because it is a very rare occasion for me to find a meeting in
the borough which I have the honour to represent where I
am able to give an account of the conduct which I pursue,
or to express to those whom I represent the opinions which
I conscientiously entertain. I must feel myself bound by
that rule, which rather more vigorously than usual has
been laid down by those who have preceded me. I will not
ostentatiously go out with the hounds for a day, but if you
will consider me somewhat in the position of the little boy
to whom Mr. Cave alluded, I shall be glad if I can, without
offence to any gentleman around me, take a short gallop
with the hounds. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) For many
years the principal interest in meetings of this kind at-
tached to questions of internal legislation. We had our
Free-trade fights, our Protection fights, our Reform fights,
and various other struggles between the two great parties
in Parliament and in the country. These struggles do not
exist now, and we must adopt the advice which has been
given by a great Minister of the Crown,and which hasbecome
almost a proverbial expression—we must, I suppose, " rest
and be thankful." (Laughter.) It is probably rather late in
the day for that great Minister, of whom without offence it
may be said he has never taken " rest" himself and has never
allowed any repose to his opponents—it is rather late in the
day for him to give such advice as that ; but looking at the
present state of the country as regards all those questions of
internal legislation which have hitherto interested us, I
think we may give him the same advice which he has given
us ; and although within a very few years he has thought
that questions of great change sheeting the relations of
classes the one to the other in this country were the para-
mount questions to which all men in this country ought to
address themselves, and which were of such paramount im-
portance that they were to'make or unmake a Ministry, I
think we may say, although so short a time ago such were
his opinions, the present condition of affairs is such that,
having attained that which has been the great object of his
life—the direction of the foreign affairs of this country—we
may say to him as he has said to us, " rest and be thankful."
(Cheers and laughter.) Ido not think there is anybody in
this country who desires for mere party objects or questions
between man and man, between one individual statesman
and another individual statesman—l do not think there is
any man of note in the House of Commons or generally in
public life among the English people—who desires to see
on such grounds a change of Government. It is rather too
common a mode of speech at public meetings to say that
they have such entire confidence in the Prime Minister that
there is no difierence between party and party. Now, I
must say that I have a great respect, a great regard, for
Lord Palmerston. He has passed through a long• public
life, and has rendered great public services to his country.
(Hear, hear.) I trust he may long be spared to render
additional services to that country to which he has added a
reputation and a name ; but I should be sorry to tee the
time arrive when there should exist an utter indifference,
mainly from a regard to one individual, upon great
public questions. (dear.) I believe that indifferentism in re-
ligion is not more fatal to society than indifferentism in
polities—(hear, hear)—and I think it would be an evil day
for this country if we should become so dead, so little alive to
the great interests which are involved in the questions
which come before Parliament, that a regard for one great
name should make us indifferent to the question as to who
shall carry on the Government of the country. (Hear, hear.)s
There is one thing to which I cannot at all adhere, and tir,
is the opinion expressed by same of my very old Tory fn ends
who have said, " We should be very sorry to see tile Prer that
Government disturbed, because we are perfectly
cTlorganic
as soon as they are removed from office g
changes will again be agitated, and the wierer::
eewisunasstreyx
said
l
be in a state of turmoil." A friend of so he
the other day, " I should be sorry to Beef Bair' Russell and
, because I am ter
some of his friends removed from
°llacae ellen hear nothing
tarn that so long as they remain there
is
ee
• very like what has
of the question of reform." But
happened in our immediate neighbourhood. There was a
very enterprising man, who used CO seep every keeper on
q.uiet. The whole country
the qui vine; no preserve was
was in commotion on account of
this man, who was called
Little Barker.
My friend said he believed it would be
the same with Earl Russell and his friends as it was
with Little Barker, and he added, "A friend of mine
.ent for Little Barker and said,
' I will make you my
keeper,' and from that day to this the whole coun-
try has been quiet, our preserves have been at rest,
our keepers have been able to sleep in their beds, and we
have enjoyed peace and tranquillity, It it; the same wi
these gentlemen as with Little Barker, and they will re.
main quite as long as they are our keepers." (Cheers and
laughter.) Now, Ido not look upon them in that way. I
hope there is a strong feeling in the country at largo against
great and organic changes,
any and in favcur of that ex-
pression of the great Minister to which I have alluded.
I believe that the country at large feel that it is best for
us, especially in the present state of the world, to '• rest,
and be thankful,'' hear.) We ilave much