The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-11 00:00:00

burthens was very heavy; but Sir Robert Peel and those
who had supported him had been the means of obtaining
;heap food for his family, and he had thus in a great
!neasure been compensated.---(Cheers.) He could now
purchase sugar at 53. instead of 81-- (Hear, hear)—and
lie, in conjunction with his children, were now the '
better enabled to obtain the sweets of life.—(Laugh-
ter.) The speaker then dilated on the benefits which
the electors and the nation at large would reap from the
proposed scheme of public education, and was loudly
cheered. Col. Fax, he said, was an ardent supporter of
that measure, and therefore well entitled to their support.
Another great question was religious freedom— there
should be perfect freedom in matters regarding reli-
gious feelings and religious principles. Whether a
man were a Mahometan, or a Jew, or a Christian, he
should be equally estimable in proportion as he was
a good citizen, and a good subject to the Queen, and a
valuable man in the state, and there should be no differ-
mce made of one kind or other. They should all stand
upon a perfect equality, and the state should ropect
them all in proportion to the goodness of their minds.—(At
this moment considerable confusion was caused in conse-
quence of some portions ef the fragile and temporary erec-
tion having given way, and depositing its superincumbent
load upon the ground.) He was sorry for the little
mishap that had happened. He hoped that the time
was not far distant when they should have a good
town-hall, where they could meet for the transaction
if the business connected with the borouah, and not
he compelled to meet in the open air, though, thank
Providence, they met under favourable circum-
stances.—(A voice, "No thanks to you. It's a fine
day.") He proposed, therefore, that for the rest
of the session they should place in the hands of Colonel
Fox that trust which, in consequence of his appointment
to a high official station, he had been compelled to re-
sign, and that he, in conjunction with Sir W. Clay,
should be enabled at the next geuetal election to come
before them and give a favourable account of their stew-
ardship, and that ho would then be able to satisfy his
constituents, however they might have differed
with him upon smaller points— on the May-
nooth question, or upon subjects, which they did not
understand so well as Members of Parliament, in conse-
quence of their having fuller information on the subject
than they could possibly have. But, taking them as a
whole, and judging of them as a whole, he thought
they were entitled to their fullest confidence ; and that
they were entitled to their support, as persons who
would not deceive them, or betray that trust ; and he
challenged any man present to say that the Hon. Member
had not fulfilled all the pledges he had made when first
sleeted. lie had faithfully attended to all the interests ot
that great and important borough. He called upon the
electors to recollect that they had to use their suffrage
not enly for themselves, but on behalf of those who had
no vote, but who should have. The Gallant Colonel,whom
they were called upon to re-elect, was not only to be
returned as a Member to represent the interests of the
rower Hamlets and attend to their interests—he was
also to consider what would be conducive to the interests
if the whole kingdom. There had been no dissimula-
'loe, no truckling, on the part of the Hon. Member,
n his Parliamentary career—he had always been ready
-o do his best for the interests of the borough—he bad
always attended to the requests of the elec
tors.—(Hear, hear.) He did not mean that he
had obtained situations or places for every person who
might have asked him, he meant that he had always
attended to their requests upon points connected with
he good of the Tower Hamlets, and had always ma-
'aged their Bills. In conclusion, he thanked them for
he kind attention they had given him, and proposed to
nominate Colonel Charles Richard Fox as a fit and
proper person to represent the interests in Parliament
if the borough of the Tower Hamlets.
Mr. MARTINEAU, in seconding the nomination of the
Gallant Colonel, said, the great question for the electors
to consider was, whether Colonel Fox, by his general con-
duct in Parliament and his particular votes there, had
redeemed those public professions which he made on the
hustings, when he was elected in July, 1841. For his
part he thought he had; and if the electors agreed with
him in that opinion, it became their duty to re-elect him.
Among Colonel Fox's votes in Parliament there was
one to which he would particularly call their attention;
that was when the Colonel, in the spring of 1843,
nobly came forward, and left the party with which
he had been associated, to support Mr. Villiers when he
made his motion for the abolition of the corn-laws
That was not very easy at that time when Mr. Villiers
had but few supporters ; for he had not then the sup-
port of a majority of the House, as was his lot at a
subsequent period. That was much for the Colonel to
do so soon after his election. He (Mr. Martineau) gave
thanks to the Government, thanks to the Anti-Corn-law
League, and thanks to Richard Cobden, for those exer-
tions by which the question of the abolition of the corn-
laws bad been successfully carried. That he thought
was the first great public question which had
been carried out of the Houses. Parliament
only came in the second rank, and carried
what the people wished and willed to have. Standing
where he did, however, he could not but lament that
the electors had not the assistance of a worthy man, he
meant Mr. William Coates. That gentleman was ever
ready to assist on every question, but particularly for
the abolition of the corn-laws. That subject used to be
his great hobby, and the electors might well lament that
he had been taken away from amongst them but a few
months before the triumph. It was easy, he said,
to be a free-trader in these days, hut
it was by no means so six years ago. He
remembered well that night in May, 1841, when Lord
John Russell was outvoted on the question of the corn-
laws; he (Mr. Martineau) was under the gangway, and
he recollected seeing Lord John rising like a lion, and
telling his opponents that he knew those who were op-
posed to him. He well knew who would vote against
him, headed by their presidents and vice-presidents,
their secretaries and under-secretaries, the landed inte-
rest, the sugar interest, the shipping interest, the
Canada interest—he told them they might be too much
liar him, and turn him out, but he prophecied
that free-trade principles would be triumphant, and
the abolition of the corn- laws would be grarlually com
pleted—that it must and should be carried. Lord Julie
in that showed he was a true prophet; but he failed to
prophecy that the leader of the protectionists (Sir R.
Peel) would within five years eat his own words, uiscara
nis own opinions, abandon his own principles, and
come down as the Commissioner of the Queen, and say 'sena ea•-•• --
that the abolition of the corn-laws was founded in true
policy and justice. Ile said the corn-laws would soon
be completely abolished, and their business now was to
carry out those free-trade principles in regard to
the articles which formed the weekly expense of the
labouring man, and they could not do so better than by
re-electing Colonel Fox, who, as connected with the Go-
Fortu gues,
vernment, had the power equally as the will to assist Ditto, for the
them. He cordially seconded the nomination of Col. Bonds .• .•
-.4-
Fox as the representative of the borough. 5 per Cent
The RETURNING OFFICER then requested to know
ton: and 2s Ili ..
whether there was any other candidate to be nominated?
Mr. Box (a parish schoolmaster) said there was.--
(Hisses.) He had been told by the returning PRICES OFBo.s.
.
officer that they had met on that day to RAILWAY SHARES.
discharge a most important duty, and he heartily con- AmE
ab es
tre"r n Notting.,
curred in that observation, for its importance would not Birmingham and Gloucester.. ..100 —128% 129. ••• ..
1113iurlaje nngham and Oxford Junction 2 .... 4% if..
be confined to that borough, but would extend through- gluuns e 425. %
out the whole country, and to every part of the world. thiledmian .. 10 .... ......
where the dominion of England prevailed. He should DiDitto Ex
Tlltfentarnes
22,!!
take care not to trespass on their time at any length ; Derby and Crewe 2% .... 6% 7:: ::
and if the Gallant Colonel should answer the ques- chieernster.(Remingtotes)
22z
Direct latq
Lions he was about to put to him in such a Dublin and Galway :: : 4 .... %..
..
.......
manner as he would deem satisfactory, he would with- Eatiettrno Counties •: . 284,.% ........
hold the nomination which he had threatened.
-- Do. Perpet., 5 per ben7. No. 1.61. 13s. 4d. P••• • • ..
(Laughter.) He had two questions to put ;there would Ditto, York Extension .. 105..... 2% East Lincolnshire .. .. ••••I% • • •• ••••• • • • ••
have been a third, were it not fur the settlement Etitituorr and Glasgow .. 50 .... -- •• • • ..
Goole,t t
0.
ND,
ooitecwhwa
E, Of the corn question, but much yet remained to be done.
ngland. upcil
Shares..anesss e iti Sze.: 1223):::: "Z 4
With regard to free trade, however, he considered that
the Gallant Colonel came up to his mark upon the
Grltitttowiltearnrter Shares• • • • 8510 ..,:152 15314•
question of free- trade.—(Laugh ter.) There were two Guildford, Fareham, &Portsmoth• :.•
other points which he conceived to be of vast import: Hutisltato"alsleallitYitare—s 12 :—.1074%.-• • ••••
ante; and the questions he wished to put were with Lancaster and Carlisle :: .. 40 .: 39%"• •••• • • •
d
reference to them. He desired to know whether Col. teeiesstae cenrdaitraidileiydord
.•
.•
.•:
Fox was ready to use his influence, as a Member Liverp., Stanch., & Newc. Junct. ;It
of the Legislature, in order to obtain a complete Logitoton,akiinShligirratnehain
25-3 i•
:
suffrage for the
•1•
people ?—(Hear, hear, and contusion.) London and Blacka11• .. 16/. 138. 4d. 9%
The other question he would wish to put was, whether he
uptitto, Nedwßri
4t •. • •
5(1 •••6534 ki •••• • . • .
was prrparod to advocate and promote a total severance Loudon and Croydongon •••• •••• 131. 15s. 9c1... 2234 • •
between civil and ecclesiastical affairs?—(Hear.), It was Ditto, Guarant. Five per Cent. 9 .... 180 if div
LoLlitettof, a.liedwsouth-..Wes.t.ern.... 41.1. 6154.
his desire that the question known
as the Anti-State
Church que,tion, should be agitated until it would Lobilou and ;York . • .. 26 •• •• ••
meet the same fate as that of the eoru_laws._(Hear
He begged most respectfully to say, that a very'
h Ditto, ?autatTitsers • :::: —ll% .••• • • •
considerable
derable number of ardent and fervent spirits were Ditto Extension • • :.••
425..... 2yo %14
ready to do their utmost that these subjects should IltuZitrecaniCtitx Stelndikami3ilaentlee.k. 2 p
meet with a full and fair discussion. ..100 .• —1503(, 150::• •• •
Ditto, New .• • • saner. 25 .. •• 47 .• • •• 24 •• • • 39% %
Colonel Fox—l beg most distinctly to let it be under-
Newcastle and Darlington J
stood that I will give no pledge whatever relative to isTeDwitet:;tiet.e.w4nifeaneitle
55 42!%
these subjects. I declared my principles in 1841, and it Negiout.• 2(5)
:• •• •::▪ :
is for you to say it I have swerved ir m 1„110, Extension Extension . 2 ..:.
ar, tit ar, anti cheering ) But as Lo gis,ing a; y )
Ditto, 01511. 2234.... 281!
particular ur individual pledge, that I cannot do, 411" Nobrttihtetert atidw rxeteetik' DiTver 13.64 2% 2%
a ould sooner resign the honour of representing you North Staffordshire .. • • 42. f.
uriocirtisminoonudth erect .
Ig%
than so bind myself.--(lies, hear.) As to the
question of universal suffrage, I will observe .. 234 ::
that I am not prepared to say that I will net :up- coati,h
s':lasidle4lrnhiats 7.11 41'i4Slidis4: • • • •
part a gradual extension of the guff' age, the Dato. New (iss. at 321.) No. 1. 16 ... 21%..........
Shrewsbury arid 11 h
subject goes hand in hand with education, and Do.. ..I,N:eeWw Td00..33t6)9.8d.)
32:
1150
1184 • ...
I for one would be very glad to see the people fitted to 11;0°..; sew (do. 1514 .. No. 4. 2% 271 .• .. .. .. •••::
Lld tnlizh a pwer by the blessings (if On anon 11 gig i 3Qut)l Aral
• • •• •• •• •• ••.• 1011.1/ .• ill

214
11%
2
1;‘.
P
18

234
% dis

hear)—and with reference to the other question put to
me. I can give no pledge whatever. I am a friend to
religious liberty in its fullest extent, but it would
be exceedingly improper in me to give a pledge upon the
subject, especially t hen I am aware that the greater
portion of my fellow-countrymen hold opinions adverse
to those of the last speaker.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Box did not wish to be troublesome.

Mr. CHILDS, the returning officer, then put the matter
to the vote, and'after the show of hands;declared Charles
Richard Fox, Esq., to be the representative of the Tower
Hamlets.

Colonel Fox, in presenting himself to the electors,
felt great diffidence in replying to the several ob-
servations which bad been addressed to him ;
but in doing so he felt bound to acknowledge
she courtesy which had been shown to him on the pre-
sent occasion, and especially to his friend Mr. Offer.
He had for five years represented them in Parliament,
and during that time he was not aware that there
had been any cause for forfeiting the good
opinion which the people had expressed on
his last election. He could well echo the opinions of
his friend Mr. Offor, and state that he had the oppor-
tunity of withdrawing any of his opinions on the corn-
law, but this he could not do, for he had uniformly
advocated the principles of free intercourse of the people
of different countries. During the last five years such
had been his policy, and such was the policy which he
determined to observe. Thus, then, with regard to the
important measure of the corn-laws, there were other
considerations to be taken into account. With regard to
the corn-laws, he was happy that any measure had been
prop6unded which was likely to bring bread cheaper to
the poor man's house. He rejoiced that the Ministers
lately in power had been sufficiently ready to
carry their measures. With respect to the corn.
laws, he should observe that nothing more could possibly
have arisen to confirm the opinion which he had always
entertained towards the measures of thoee who were,
until now, her Majesty's Ministers. He believed them
to be most important measures, and such as
should be received with all respect. Ile would
not talk much of the speech of his Hon.
Friend, but there was one point to which
he was bound to allude, and that was the effect likely to
be wrought on the commercial policy of ti►e country by
the repeal of the corn-laws. On this subject he had
few observations to offer, but the bulk of them might be
comprised in the assertion that their repeal would be of
infinite benefit to the community at large. With respect
to the grant to Maynooth College, all he had
to say was, that on all subjects there ought to be a libe-
rality of feeling, and of course the greatest liberality
was to be expected on the question of religion ; and
certainly, in the assertion of their just rights,
the Roman Catholics would have his support.
Had his feelings, indeed, been consulted, this
relief would have been grant( d long ago.
But he did not doubt but that the House of Commons
would soon recognise their claims, and that the relief
sought would be effectually afforded. With respect to the
poor-laws, he was quite ready to give in his adhesion to
the assertion that they were necessary fur the gent rid wel-
fare. If they could be modified so as to meet the com-
mon objects of society all the better, but this he did not
anticipate. He only locked fur a modification of the
system at present. With respect to the b ul4ect of edu-
cation, he was bound to say that it would obtain his
warmest support ; but yet he did hope that, in under-
taking it, the Government would have a sepecial refe-
rence to the condition of the people. With respect to
universal suffrage, he must frankly declare that he was
not at present prepared to go its whole length. The
richer and more intelligent classes had already their
opportunities, and his impression was that at the present
moment the extension of the suffrage would be of no
benefit whatever. There was another subject of very
great importance, to which he had not as yet alluded,—
that was the health of Towns Commission, which is
proposed for limiting buildings which shall
have the effect of preventing the free action of
the air around the dwellings of the poor. Then
there was the question of the sewage of this extensive dis-
trict. In considering the position of the several parties
thus engaged, they must not forget these for whom their
support had been soliciter, and, in remembering this,
they would also remember that there was a reason
alleged for their support of a principle which is inherited
in the constitution, and for which no men had struggled
more strenuously than themselves. He trusted he had
answered every question which had been put to him; he
thought he had, but if not ha should be glad to meet the
inquiries of any gentleman who might be dissatisfied
with his Parliamentary conduct.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. HORTON thought the explanation of their
candidate was quite satisfactory, but yet he thought
that the constituency ought to be satisfied on
some points, especially those that had reference
to civil and religious liberty. There was nothing
comparable to this, and when he recollected that the
confines of this borough included the number of 68,000
souls, and that the parish had only 38,000, he considered
the evidence to be conclusive of the course
which ought to be pursued by . . all parties•.
The sugar duties were now engaging the whole
world, and the sooner this question was settled the
better.—(Hear.) They might think they were getting
sugar for sd. a pound ; but he was a grocer himself, and
could tell them a different tale,—(A laugh.) After
some further observations depreciating delay in the pass-
ing of other measures of a similar nature and of the
terms Whig and Tory, the speaker concluded by asking
the lion. Member (Colonel Fox) whether he would ad-
vocate the abolition of church rates.

Colonel Fox said that though advised not to answer
the question, he would do so. lie would give his as-
sistance without pledgirg himself to any specific mea-
sure to the removal of any unjust restrictions in this
particular.—(Cheers.)
Colonel Fox proposed a vote of thanks to the return-
ing officer, which was seeonded by Mr. Orroe, and
acknowledged by Mr. Child. The meeting then
separated.

1%
24%
8 p
% P

174
% dis.
229
43%
153%
23

9
11%
214 P
3: P
150