The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-27 00:00:00

A number of the members of the Rugby and
Dunchurch Conservative Association met on Friday
in the Town Hall. Mr. NEWDEGATE congratulated
the Association on having proved its vitality, for it
has survived the rinderpest at all events as yet. It
certainly would be a pity if these associations and
agricultural meetings were to fall into desuetude on
account of the calamity which has befallen the
greater part of the country, because there are many
objects of importance which should not be neglected,
even if it is deemed undesirable or found impossible
to continue the annual cattle-show. In returning
thanks for the members of North Warwickshire
Mr. NEWDEGATE made an interesting speech,
although of course it was characterised by his ex-
treme views on some subjects. He declared his
desire to serve his constituents, who on their part
seemed ever ready to join with him in the considera-
tion of those subjects which interested all classes of
our countrymen. The hon. member, in his down-
right manner, explained the purport of his work,
and said that when his friends asked him what he
had to show for so many years' labour he re-
plied the renewal of his commission. There
was great truth in the remark made by the hon.
member that it would never do for all public men
to set out on a like course with the sole end, aim, and
object of personal aggrandisement and political ad-
vantages. The consciousness of having faithfully
discharged one's duties, and gained the apprecia-
tion of one's friends and neighbours, is quite suffi-
cient for many to aspire to, and if such a result be
gained it cannot be said that time is misspent or
energies wasted. If all the members of the Houses
of Parliament were struggling in their turns for
some personal object, it would soon turn out as is
here stated that Parliament would no longer repre-
sent the will of a great nation as well as its ambi-
tion and strength. "If each of these members were
struggling for some personal object, Parliament
would soon become an aggregate of selfishness, a
writhing mass of
struggling atoms,
incapable, but of continuousaction,violent,ioawt, we
ak,
incapable,
eteehaek,
d
assemblage of continuous action dragging on its
existence from hour to hour in deadly fear of having
to hold on in quest of itself.,, Independent mem-
bers are the strength of Parliament, and the best
security and defence for the institutions of the
country and the liberties of the subject. Those who
are fettered by the tics of party, and tampered with
the arbitrary rules of official existence, are often
greatly impeded in their course, and sometimes find
it almost impossible to give expression to their own
individual opinions. It is thus far evident, as Mr.
NEWDEGATE infers, that no private member need
think he has missed his destiny, if in scanning
his career he can point to no office he
has filled, and no Ministry of which he has formed
a part. In concluding this part of his subject Mr.
NEWDEGATE expressed his conviction that the " love
of country, national feeling, admiration, and
veneration for the constitution under which we
live " is limited to no one section of the House of
Commons.

Referring to the fact of the dreadful visitation
which has affected the cattle of this country, the
hon. member said it was the " rinderpest." Mr.
NEITDEGATE is able to speak with scrafo authority