The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-25 00:00:00

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Sir Robert Peel and the Elector PAP.E
Tamworth. 13‘,
,04743--

TAMWORTII,
Last night the electors of Tamworth held a
the Town-hall for the purpose of hearing an a(
the Hon. Mr. Cowper, the candidate who has the ,
Sir Robert Peel. Mr. Robinson presided, and smell, Lose
present were Sir Robert Peel and Mr. C. H. Bracebne,:e, II
the latter of whom had been a candidate for the borough,
but had retired in favour of Mr. Cowper. Since then,
however, Mr. John Peel, of Middleton, has offered himself
as a candidate, so that it seems likely that the election will
be a contested one.
Mr. COWPER, on stepping forward, was received with
loud and continued cheering. lie said he should be an in-
dependent supporter of Lord Palmerston's Government, be-
cause he was convinced that much of the prosperity of the
country was owing to the ability, skill, and experience of
that statesman. After eulogizing what he considered es the
wise provisions of the French treaty, he said that he did not
think that his opponent, Mr. Peel, had been so explicit in
the statement of his views as he ought to have been. Fe
(Mr. Cowper) was in favour of a moderate extension of the
franchise, but he thought that it should be extended to
individuals rather than to classes. With regard to
Church-rates, he expressed himself in favour of a mea-
sure that should release all persons having a conscien
tious objection to their payment, but he should never
support a measure for their entire abolition—that of
Sir John Trelawny, for instance. He entirely approved
the policy of the Government with regard to the Ameri-
can struggle. He concluded by alluding to the Polish revo-
lution, stating that that country eminently deserved the
sympathy of England. In answer to a question put to him,
he said he should not support vote by ballot. Ile did not
think it would be applicable to a borough like Tamworth.
Mr. Bracebridge then vainly endeavoured to address the
meeting, after which
Sir R. PEEL came forward, amid mingled cheers, laugh-
ter, and hisses. He said—Gentlemen and brother electors,
I speak to you for the— [Voices—" You had better shut
up 1" " Will you turn us out of our houses ?"] (Laughter
and uproar.) Sir Robert Peel th insisted that as a burgess
he had a right to speak. If any persisted in interrupting
40
him there were those present w would silence that per-
son. (Uproar.) He was not at all likely to sit down, and
they need not alarm themselves in the least about that, Let
them remember that a Peel had stood upon that platform
for the last 70 years. [A voice—" A better man than you."]
(Cheers, laughter, and hisses.) Before remarking with re-
ference to the possible candidates for the borough, he wished
to bear testimony to the admirable manner in which their
late member the Marquis Townehend had discharged his
Parliamentary duties. (Cheers.) He could speak to the re-
gularity of his attendance in the house, because during the
last session no one had been more assiduous in the discharge
of Parliamentary duties than he (Sir Robert) had. [A voice
—Oh, gammon I] I have been obliged to, in the first place ;
and, in the second, I did it con amore. [A voice—Palmer-
ston made you do it.] (Turning to the quarter from which
the last as well as many of the former interruptions had
come)—Now, Mr. Barraclough, will you be silent? I know
your voice very well. (Confusion.) Their late representative
having been called to the House of Lords, they were unfor-
tunately in this position—There was not another Towns-
head to come forward and take the vacant seat, and con-
tinue a long line of ancestral representatives which had been
always welcome in the borough. (Cheers.) Directly the
1 vacancy occurred there were numerous candidates in the
field. There were Mr. Bracebridge and Mr. Sleigh, among
the first, and he had hoped to have seen a gentleman who
on one occasion contested the borough with him. He alluded
to Mr. Daniel, Q.C., a thorough gentleman, who, although
he differed from him (Sir Robert) in his views on political
matters, behaved in a manly, straightforward manner_
When that gentleman came forward there were no misre-
presentations, no handbills by Barraclough and others.
(Laughter.) In Mr. Daniel he met an upright antagonist,
who did not countenance any such men as the blunder-
headed bullies who were now bellowing out every sort of
misrepresentation about coercion. (Cheers, laughter, and
confusion.) Did Mr. Daniel ever speak of coercion or say
he could not get those to vote for him who wanted to do so?
No, he was too much of a gentleman for that. (Cheers.)
There had been intimidation in the present contest. [A
Voice—On which side F] I will tall you directly. Let the
meeting recollect that Mr. Cowper was the popular candi-
date, and if any one dared to use intimidation there were
thousands—hundreds at all events—who would come for-
ward and support the old —. (Cries of " Freedom" and
"Free trade 1" and cheers.) This time Mr. Daniel had not
come forward. [A. Voice—You turned him back the last
time he came.] At the conclusion of that contest Mr. Daniel
said that he intended again to contest the borough. He,
however, only mentioned this to show the position of
affairs. There was Mr. Sleigh, who at once withdrew from
the contest. Mr. Sleigh was undoubtedly a capital fellow-,
but a little too advanced for a place like Tamworth. Under
these circumstances Mr. Cowper appeared—no nominee of
his, for he gave the meeting his word and honour that until
that gentlemen came forward he (Sir Robert) had not the
advantage of his personal acquaintance. [A. Voice—WhoA
means the notice at the foot of the bill calling, the meet-
ina—" Sir Robert Peel is expected to attend ?"] Sir Robert
said that he should attend when Mr. John Peel expressed
hi. views. He, in common with the rest of the electors,
wished 0 know Mr. Peel's views, and what particular
phase of his father's views he favoured. He was told
that the farmers supported Mr. Peel. What was the
fact with regard to his honourable friend ? lie was heir
presumptive to immense property in land, and would, there-
fore, be likely to watch the interests of the farmers quite as
narrowly as Mr. Peel would. He held in his hand a copy
of Mr. Cowper's address, and he asked them whether it was
not better for them to vote for a man who held and expressed
such views as those contained in that address than for a man
who traded upon the name of Peel and talked about coercion.
(" Yes, yes!" "No, no I" uproar and hisses.) Immediately
upon Mr. Cowper coming out Mr. Bracebridge withdrew.
[Voices.—" We shall turn you out next time."] (Hurrah I
hisses, cheers, and uproar.) Are these men voters. I hope
you won't turn me out. I don't think you will. (Laughter.)
[Voices.—We will if we can.] (Renewed laughter.) Oh /
no ; come now. (Uproar.) I won't go. Now, let me be
serious for a moment. After Mr. Bracebridge withdrew Mr.
Cowper was the only candidate in the field. Then came
forward Mr. John Peel, and he would ask that gentleman
whether he had come forward as an opponent of the Go-
vernment of Lord Palmerston, the only statesman who
could take the helm of affairs at this moment.
Mr. BARRACLOUGH, —No, he is not.
Sir R. PEEL,—Then he would take it that Mr. Peel now
came forward to divide the interests which ought to be

PRICE..... _..4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

You will observe—and it is worthy of observation
—that while in allforeign countries they have gone
in one direction against forms ofgovernment based on
abiolute despotism, they equally discourage systems
based on unmitigated democracy; and perhaps the
close of the century will be chiefly remarkable to
historians by the establishment throughout the
whale of the civilised world of constitutional monar-
chies more or less imitative of this old monarchy of
ours. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps among the many
causes which contribute to our political tranquillity
and the safety of our social progress is the due pro-
portion in which the influence of intelligence and
of numbers upon legislative enactments and upon
public opinion is divided between the two great
classes which are happily represented in the as-
sembly which I have now the honour of addressing
—I mean the class of those who pursue their occu-
pations in the busy life of the town and the class of
those who form their habits of thought on the
calmer life of the country, for thus political changes
are pretty well considered and matured. The re-
forms which may be pressed by the eager spirits
which catch fire from each other in the heated at-
mosphere of towns are sure to be sifted carefully by
those who, living more remote from popular excite-
ment, are accustomed to weigh well the conse-
quences of political change, and are not disposed
to welcome a novelty merely because it is a
novelty. (Hear, hear.) Thus public opinion, we
see, has time to work itself free from public passion,
and reforms, whether they are wise or whether they
are not wise, still never take the violent character
of revolution ; while when they are once adopted
into the law of the land, no politician dreams of re-
voking what has become part and parcel of our free
constitution—as safe from the riots of a mob as it
is from the guards of a king. (Hear, hear.) Now,
these two classes—the town and the country—must
i both be gainers, and through them the nation which
they compose, according as they can be brought into
a friendly and familiar intercourse, as they are upon
these occasions when the farmer and the trades •
man can sit side by side, and find as they talk
together, that however they may differ as to I
individual measures, or the character of public
men, they all feel the same love for their com-
mon country, the same zeal for her welfare, the
same anxieties for her peril, the same stake in her
freedom, the same patriot's pride in her renown.
(Cheers.) Why should this meeting be called a
meeting of the agricultural interest? Its object is
one of national interest. In a paper by the illus-
trious Liebig, whose name is a connecting link be-
tween agriculture and science, I found a few words
which are so impressed on my memory that I will
repeat them to you, because if they were uttered by
a farmer they would be considered an extravagant
compliment to his own profession, but they assume
the simple language of truth when they are uttered
by a philosopher so disinterested and so profound.
" Upon agriculture (says he) depends the welfare
and development of the whole human species, the
riches of States and all commerce." Well, is it
not so ? And may I not now call upon all pre-
sent, tradesmen as well as farmers, inhabitants
of the town as well as inhabitants of the
country, to join with equal heartiness in the
toast which I now propose, " Success to the Herts
Agricultural Society." (Loud cheers.)
The toast of the members for the county having
been duly honoured.
Mr. PULLER, M.P., said it was usual for a mem-
ber on returning thanks to make some allusion to
the events of the past session. The last session must
he characterised as one of a peculiarly quiet and
tranquil character. Whether it was on account of
Lord Palmerston's genial character, or his courteous
manner, which had endeared him to the people of
this country, or from the general conviction that
he drives the team at least as well as any one else
could do, there was no doubt that on the part of
his political opponents there was an indisposition
to disturb him. (hear, hear.) It was now two
years since there had been any great party fight
in the House of Commons. The want of excite-
ment might, perhaps, render the house rather dull
for hon. members, but on the whole the country
seemed disposed to acquiesce in the present state of
things and to be satisfied. During the whole of the
last year the country had realised the sentiment of
the old Roman poet—how pleasant it is to sit upon
the sea shore when the winds are agitating the waves,
and to watch the raging of the elements and the
havoc they make. In whatever other direction we
looked we heard of wars and rumours of wars. If
we looked to the east we saw unhappy Poland strug-
gling in her very despair to throw off the iron yoke
of the most cruel despotism upon the faceof the earth.
If we looked to the west we saw that great nation to
which the chairman had alluded carrying on a civil
war upon the most gigantic scale that had ever been
seen since the world began. And for what pur-
pose ? The Federals were seeking to force their
model republic upon those who wished to escape
from it—they, the great sticklers and defenders of
the right of men to govern themselves, were trying
to compel, against their will, the seceding states to
re-enter into union, and act in harmonious co-ope-
ration with themselves. On the other hand, the
secessionists hoped that commercial and financial
necessities would compel us to come to their assist-
ance, so that they might be enabled to found a new
and mighty empire, based upon the wickedest and
most cruel institution in the world—the institution
of slavery. (Hear, hear.) I'Vith respect to the
legislation of the last session, the private busi-
ness afforded a proof of the growing prosperity
of the country in the shape of railway extension,
and the improvement and enlargement of docks
and harbours and various other works required by
our increasing commerce and manufactures. Some
little relief had been afforded to the country
by the reduction of twopence in the income-
tax and the remission of the war duty on tea,
As one of the members for the county, he had
maintained a small fight on behalf of the maltsters,
whose credit the Chancellor of the Exchequer had
contracted by pursuing a course which would have
driven the weaker men out of the trade ; and
although tho maltsters wore not so successful as they
ought the plan was so far modified
to have been,
that the injustice was mitigated, if not altogether
removed. (Hear, hear.) The hon, member then ad-
verted to the distress which prevailed in the manu-
facturing districts and the steps which
had been
taken for its relief, and said it was satisfactory to
find, notwithstanding the existence of that distress,
that our imports and exports had increased to such
an extent as almost to counterbalance the loss which
had arisen from the combined causes of the manu-
facturing distress and the American war. (Hear.)
Mr. A. SMITH, M.P., also acknowledged the
toast, observing that his colleagues had exhausted
almost every topic on which be might have touched.
They might not have done anything very great last
session, but he found on examination that they had
passed 124 acts upon various subjects. At all events,
they had done this—they had taken off the income
in the pound, which was a
tax to the extent of 2d.
measure that must, he should think, prove highly
acceptable to the tic hole country—as acceptable, he
should suppose, as a sweeping reform bill, or even a
commercial treaty. They had just been blessed by a
most abundant harvest, and with the exception of
the manufacturing districts in the north, the whole
country was in a state of prosperity. There was one
thing he might sav, and that was that with respect
to the national defences, the country did not grudge
the expenditure which the House of Commons had
granted for those defences. He had been struck
with the cordial reception with which the Channel
' fleet had teen received, and the enthusiasm
which it had created on all parts of the coast
which it had visited. The people of England, he
felt assured, would always support the army and
navy, who on their part were always able to hold
Itheir own. Englaud at this time occupied a proud
position, being happy and prosperous at home and
lat peace with all the world. (Cheers.)
Various other toasts were given and responded
to, und the proceedings terminated.

united.
Mr. BARRACLOUGH—Did you tell your agent to compel
the tenants to vote for Mr. Cowper P (Uproar, and cries
of " Turn him out.")
Sir R. PEEL—Turn him out. lam not a candidate, and
decline to be questioned. I must say that a course of pro-
ceeding has been adopted by the party of Mr. Peel which
has never been followed in the borough of Tamworth in my
recollection. Mr. Peel was a namesake and a most honour-
able man; and as to his personal character he (Sir Robert)
would say nothing ; but there had been charges of coercing
his tenants brought against him which were utterly untrue.
Coercion had never been practised on his estate, and never
should be.

[Voices—Carmichael has coerced your tenants,]
A gentleman sitting at the front—have your agents never
coerced or attempted to coerce your tenants ?
Sir It, PEEL (emphatically)—Never.
The same gentleman--Not to your knowledge?
Sir It, PEEL—Never, upon my honour. I recollect on one
occasion a tenant farmer on my estate at a county election
said to me he should like to vote the same way that I did.
I told him to vote for the man who in his opinion was the
best of the two. Fie did so, and told me immediately after-
wards that he had not voted for the same candidate with
me, and I told him that we should be none the less friendly
on that account.
Mr. BARRACLOUGH—Nonsense T. Gammon I (Confusion,
and " Turn him out.")
Sir ROBERT said that he held handbills in his hand of the
most scandalous and scurrilous description—(applause)—and
such as he never remembered to have seen in the borough
before. If Mr. Peel was privy to them he did not deserve
to be returned. (Cheers.) At any rate he had sufficient
spirit to say that ho should scorn to bear the name of Peel
and descend to such disgraceful practices. (Applause.)
[A. Voice—Supposing he is not privy to it ?] If he were
not, then he would meet him fairly and frankly, and as a
man deserving all the support of those holding opinions
similar to his own. There had been no coercion on his part,
and he most certainly had a right to express his opinion with
regard to the candidates in the field, and he most unhesitat-
ingly said that in his opinion Mr.Cewper,whe came there as
a supporter of the Government of Lord Palmerston, was the
best of the two candidates for the borough. (Cheers and
hisses.) In many instances he had opposed the Government
which had now given him one of its chief offices, and he
said in all sincerity that he would resign his position to-
morrow and vote as an independent member if ho believed
the Ministerial measures were not adapted to promote the
beet interests of the country. And (continued Sir Robert
I believe that Lord Palmerston is the only statesman who
can guide the country to a satisfactory issue, and I have hoard
many of Lord Derby's principal supporters express the
same opinion. (Cheers) I shall record my own vote in
favour of my honourable friend Mr. Cowper, and I have no
doubt that in the end he will finish with a triumphant ma-
jority. (Tremendous uproar.) I will say further, that if
there are any electors who have pledged their votes under
false pretene.,s, they are absolved from such I.ledgts, end
are perfectly at liberty to please themselves. tell you
why I thick you will return Mr. Cowper. ou have re-
turned me for 15 years, and I do not think you will now
turn round and elect a man who would sit upon the Oppo;_i.
lion side of the House of Commons. (Cheers.) I know t hero
are some persons who may think you i I-tempered, but this
ie not the case, for, with the exception 01 three or four
blunder-headed fellows—(laughter)—you are all good tem-
pered. Let me give the meeting a parting assurance that
(Laughter, cheers, and confusion.)
Mr. Cowper will win.
Some confusion here ensued in consequence of some ex-
cited conduct on the part of Mr. Barraclough, when, in
answer to an invitation, a man roughly dressed, and appear-
ing to be a mechanic, and who was said to be Barraclough
honselr, clambered on to the platform, and amid a tornado
of groans, cheers, &Q., endeavoured to speak. He was act-
vibed not to, however, and desisted. .be meeting then,
after e, formal vote of thauka to the chairman, brae up.