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

THE SUP, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 7, 1865

Chargeability Bill, which he believed would bene-
ficially affect the country at large. On another
point, that of peace, he thought he need not say
anything when they looked back upon the course
which Lord Palmerston's Government had adopted.
With regard to Italy, Denmark, and Austria, the
noble lord had preserved the peace of the country,
and in no sense whatever had the honour of the
country been tarnished. (Loud cheers.) On the
subject of reform he could not but feel that it had
been bandied and knocked about from one party to
another, and he hoped that in the next Parliament
measures would be takan to secure a fair extension
of the suffrage, not legislating for one class solely,
or by a bill brought in by any individual member
of the Government, however estimable he might be,
but supported by the whole weight of the Govern-
ment. (Cheers.)
In reply to questions, the noble lord said he did
not vote with Mr. Newdegate on the inspection of
nunneries, and he should not do so in the next Par-
liament ; and he explained why he voted with the
Government in the late discussion relating to the
Lord Chancellor.

Mr. D. RUTTER moved and Mr. F. SHELBOURNE
seconded a resolution affirming that Mr. Banbury
and Lord Enfield were worthy of the confidence of
the electors of Middlesex, and pledging the electors
present to use their best exertions to secure their
return to the new Parliament.

The resolution was carried with only three dis-
sentients, one ardent oppositioaist holding up both
hands.

mistake the almost universal sense of that assembly, that
they were not prepared to go on with the bills for that pur-
pose. The one which was rejected did not go far enough ;
the others, he believed, went too far. The House of Com-
mons refused to entertain them, and that opinion was
clearly backed up by the country. The three elections we
had had during the pendency of this question showed, he
thought, indisputably, that to whatever cause it might be
owing, the country at large was not prepared to support an
extensive Reform Bill. (Hear.) He did not think that was
any reason why there should be no Reform Bill at all.
(Cheers.) There was one great defect in the original Reform
Bill, valuable and good as it was—that it excluded from the
exercise of the franchise large numbers, sometimes in the
shape of householders of a lower value, sometimes in the
shape of freemen, among whom were to be found consider-
able numbers of the working classes. He did not think it
was right that the working classes should be excluded from
the franchise. (Hear, hear.) He was one of those who
went not afraid of them ; he had great faith in his fellow-
countrymen. He thought it would be desirable, for the
benefit of the country, that the principle of the Reform
Bill of 1830 should be reconsidered as speedily as possible,
and that a fair proportion of the working classes should be
admitted to the suffrage. (Hear, hear.) That was one of
the objects he had in view ; but at the same time provi-
sions were made for introducing classes not householders,
but equally entitled by wealth, education, and intelligence
to be admitted. It was notorious that there was a large
body of men possessed of all these qualifications who did
not happen to be householders, and why men of consider-
able income, of good education, and great intelligence
should be excluded from voting merely because they did
not live in £lO houses no reason could be given.
Measures, as he had said, had been framed for the purpose
of giving these parties a vote, but there were many diffi-
culties in bringing them into practical execution. Upon
this question he knew they had been reproached by ardent
reformers for not having persevered with the bill they had
introduced; but the reason was plain. A great power which
had arisen in this country of late, commonly called public
opinion, was against Reform. It was utterly impossible and
absurd to suppose that any measure could be carried in
Parliament against which the deliberate public opinion of
the country was expressed. He did not mean any tem-
porary opinion ; but in this case the question had been
ventilated before the country for some time, and he thought
public opinion was 'abundantly expressed against any
sweeping measure. Depend upon it, that if public opinion
said the measure should be carried, it would be carried ;
and if a measure were introduced into Parliament which
public opinion demanded, depend upon it the public would
get it—neither more nor less (hear, hear), but to strive and
struggle against that general expression of the country was
like throwing their caps against the wind. It would be
impossible to carry such a measure, and it would be un-
satisfactory if it were carried.

In answer to a question regarding his opinions on the
game law, Sir Charles Wood said he thought the present
law was a very good one. (Hisses and groans.) He did
not see why, if he liked, he should not preserve game on
his own estate. (Hear, hear, and hisses.)
Mr. JOHNSON asked whether Sir Charles Wood would
vote for an extension of the franchise ?

Sir CHARLES WOOD—I have told you that already.
Mr. JOHNSON—How far will you go ?
Sir CHARLES WOOD—That will depend upon the full
consideration to be given to any measure when it is pro-
posed. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Greenwood, the other Liberal candidate, who offers
himself for re-election, also addressed the meeting, arid ho,
as well as Sir Charles, was well received, and the speech of
each candidate was followed by three hearty cheers.

Court of Common Council,

A Court of Common Council was held yesterday
at Guildhall. The Lord Mayor presided.
THE ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.

The LORD MAYOR announced to the Court that
he had accompanied the deputation to present the
Address of Congratulation to her Majesty, and that
they had been received in the most gracious man-
ner. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. F. MAYNARD, the Chairman of the City
Lands Committee, moved that the Address and her
Majesty's answer be entered on the minutes, and
printed in the journals of the Court, which was
agreed to. _ _