The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-20 00:00:00

FINSBURY.

A general meeting of the supporters of Mr. M'Cul-
lagh Torrens, who is one of the candidates for the
representation of this borough, was held last evening
at Myddelton-hall, Islington, Colonel Pitt Kennedy
occupying the chair.
A resolution was proposed by Mr. DONNELLY—
" That the great and varied interests of a metro-
politan constituency peculiarly require that its repre-
sentatives in Parliament should be men of tried
ability and known experience in public life."
Mr. G. LINNEUS BANKS seconded this in a very
able speech, and urged as it was necessary to send
to Parliament men distinguished for administrative
capacity, this borough should make a strenuous
effort to bestow its representation upon men who
have other qualifications than a mere monetary po-
sition, and, at all events, to rescue one of its seats
from the grasp of the city of London.
The Rev. MARK WILKES supported the motion,
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. TORRENS was then called upon to address
the meeting, and on coming forward was most
warmly received. In the opening remarks to a very
long though interesting address he said that during
his canvass of nearly a year he had received so many
promrc of support in Ali pasta M- the borough that
there was not the slightest doubt in his mind as to
the issue of the coming contest. He went on to
say that from the time he could think he had been
opposed to monopoly in all its bearings, and he
proceeded to state the part he had taken when in
Parliament in supporting measures of reform, and,
in conjunction with the late Richard Cobden, the
support he had given to the repeal of the corn laws.
He described the course he adopted in Parliament
to place the relief of the poor in Ireland on a foot-
ing with that of England, and dealt generally with
his views on other social questions. With respect
to the extension of the franchise, he said he was for
the best bargain that could be obtained for the
people, and not only would he vote for household
suffrage, but for anything better that might be pro-
posed. He expressed himself as strongly in favour I
of the ballot, which he maintained was not opposed
to the spirit of either English law or character, and
he held it would be necessary until all gentlemen of
position acted like the Duke of Wellington had done,
as shown in a letter in the papers of that day, and
which told his tenants that he did not interfere in
the contested election. On the question of non-in-
tervention the hon. candidate was opposed to the
view that we should buckle on our armour under no
circumstances, for he considered our supporting a
weak free country against a strong despotism as the
wisest policy for this country to pursue. In con-
clusion, he said he was desirous of seeing retrench-
ment in the public expenditure, and having stated
that he looked for the day when the income tax
would be entirely removed he resumed his seat amid
very loud applause, by expressing the hope that he
should receive the general support of the electors.

Many questions were put to Mr. Torrens by per-
sons in the meeting, all of which he answered to the
evident satisfaction of the very large assembly, and
a resolution pledging the meeting to use all Con-
stitutional means to return the candidate having
been carried with acclamation, a complimentary
vote was given to the chairman, and the proceed-
ings terminated.