The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-01 00:00:00

TAUNTON.

Lord W. Hay has issued the following address to
the electors :

"It having been intimated to me by several influential
electors of Taunton that a second Liberal candidate would,
at the coming election, meet with your hearty support, I
lose no time in stating that I propose doing myself the
honour of soliciting your suffrages. Although I have not,
up to this time, taken any active part in public life in Eng-
land,. it is not because I have been indisposed or indiffe-
rent to Parliamentary work, but solely because I entered
at an early age the Indian Civil Service, and spent up-
wards of 15 years in the active discharge of its profes-
sional duties, thereby acquiring a knowledge of and a taste
for business and politics which I trust may prove valuable
should it be my good fortune to become one of your re-
presentatives in the House of Commons. With regard to
my political views, it is, perhaps, sufficient here to state
that I am a Liberal, not because of family considera-
tions—not by reason of favours received or hoped for,
but a Liberal by observation, reflection, and convic-
tion. Believing that we owe almost every measure
that has produced the unexampled prosperity which
prevails throughout the country to the policy of the Libe-
ral party, I should give a steady, though independent, sup-
port to that party, and to the policy which it has so suc-
cessfully pursued. I should, accordingly, most willingly
support a well-considered and comprehensive measure for
the amendment of the present system • f representation ;
and I think that a measure to be deserving of that charac-
ter must extend the suffrage to many thousands now ex-
cluded from it, who, by their intelligence, industry, and
wealth, are evidently worthy of its exercise. I am confi-
dent that a measure of this kind might, without calling into
use any novel or complex machinery, be framed ; and I
am sure that it would harmonise with our Constitution,
which, though undoubtedly jealous of political power be-
coming a monopoly in the hands of any one class, particu-
larly insists upon au effective representation of every class.
I should also welcome such measures as are dictated by a
desire to remove all sources of religious irritation, whether
presenting themselves in the form of church rates, or of
ecclesiastical tests, or of obstacles to the spread of educa-
tion among Nonconformists ; and I should do so with the
full conviction that, while in no way injuring the Estab-
lished Church, I was promoting the cause of true religion.
Questions of no less importance, these relating to the ad-
ministration of the finances of the country, would likewise
receive from me, what they so much demand, the most
anxious and careful consideration. The enormous amount
of the annual charges appears to call for the adoption of
vigorous measures for their reduction as far as gompatible
with the efficient maintenance of our national establish-
ments, both civil and military. I heartily approve a non-
intervention policy in foreign affairs—that is, a policy which
carefully abstains from vexatious and fruitless interfer-
ence in the affairs of other countries, and which would
advocate war only when necessary to vindicate the honour
or insure the safety of the empire. The affairs of India
would naturally engage a large share of my attention,
though not larger than they are entitled to when due re-
gard is paid to the extent of that country, the many mil-
lions of inhabitants which it contains, the value of its
trade, and, above all, to the immense army of Eng-
lish soldiers alleged to be necessary for its protection and
security. As I hope soon to have an opportunity of paying
my respects to you, and of addressing you at greater length
on the above important subjects, I will content myself with
expressing the sincere conviction that no one has ever sought
the votes of the electors of Taunton more determined than
I am to devote his time and abilities to the advocacy of their
political views and the advancement of their local interests.
In conclusion, I would call to your memory the honourable
share taken by your town in promoting the success of the
Reform Bill of 1832 ; and I would venture to express the
hope that the present constituency will, at the coming elec-
tion, no less decidedly mark its attachment to Liberal prin-
ciples, and thus contribute to the future, as it has already
contributed to the past, prosperity of this great country."