The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-20 00:00:00

ing the borough for the last six weeks, and during
the whole of that time I have met only two men
who wanted the ballot for themselves. (Hear, hear.)
Some people say in effect, "We are thoroughly in-
dependent ourselves, but our poorer neighbours are
not so." For my part I do not think that the poorer
classes are the least independent ; in all probability
indeed they are the most independent. (Cheers.)
I am certain, at all events, that the working classes
do not want the ballot, but, oa the contrary, would
be ashamed to have it. I believe it would be no
remedy at all. Depend upon it that publicity is the
best remedy for every evil, and that everything like
secrecy must have a pernicious tendency. The ballot
is established in France, and yet that country is the
seat of an iron despotism. It likewise prevails in
America, where political excitement never ceases,
and where the Government, according to my hon.
and learned opponent, is even worse than those on
the Continent of Europe, because it is republican.
England—the: only really free and independent
country on the face of the globe—has not got the
ballot. Where the ballot exists we find either ab-
solute monarchy or unbridled democracy—the
tyranny of the few or the tyranny of the many.
Surely, then, we have every reason to adhere to ()Pe
own old independent habits. (Cheers.) My hon. and
learned opponent has dwelt upon the expenditure of
the country, and has instituted a comparison be-
tween what has been spent by lawyers and what by
soldiers. Our military expenditure has indeed
been large, but the money has not been spent by
the soldiers at all. It has been voted by the
Government and Parliament for the good of the
country, or what they deemed to be such. (Hear.)
Not much, certainly, has gone in the way of pay to
the soldiers. Ido not believe there is a General
officer who is as well paid as even a County Court
judge. My hon. and learned opponent has asked
what the army has done ? It has done a great deal.
To the armyyou owe the preservation of the greatest
empire the world ever saw—the empire of India.
Our colonies were gained and are held by the army.
The object of the present war in China is to force
the people of that country into a treaty of commerce
with us. Let it not be said, therefore, that the army
is of no use. (Hear, hear.) My hon. and learned
opponent has referred to the case of Italy, speaking
as if he wished you to believe that I am a Tory,
friendly to the despotic Governments which lately
existed in most of the Italian States. I have seen a
good deal of Italy, and it is somewhat remarkable
that Mr. Gladstone, who once belonged to the CJI3-
servative party, was the first man to expose the
atrocities of the Neapolitan Government. (A Voice,
" Mr. Gladstone is a Liberal.") I admit that Mr.
Gladstone is a liberal man, but, like every true
Liberal, he does not belong to any party. (Cheers
and laughter.) Why should not a man be perfectly
independent ? (Cheers.) Why should a man go into
Parliament merely to oppose or support a particu-
lar party? Our real want is a want of good mea-
sures, no matter by which party they may be pro-
posed. For years back we have been at the mercy
of parties. What is the result ? Parliamentary
reform has been promised over and over again bat
the question still remains unsettled, simply because
one party deemed it to be its duty to oppose the
measures brought in by the other. My hon. and
learned opponent has declined to say how far he
would extend the suffrage. For my own part I
should say let representation go with taxation—let
those who pay the taxes have a voice in sending
members to Parliament. In the bill introduced
into the House of Commons by Mr. Disraeli there
was one good feature—the lodger franchise. He
would have admitted a large number of
the working classes, and had I been in
Parliament at the time I would have given it my
hearty support. (Cheers.) My hon. and learned
opponent has called the present an anomalous con-
test. The subject must, indeed, be a sore one for
him. How annoyed he must have been at finding,
after having in vain appealed to two or three con-
stituencies before coming to Reading, and after
having, as he supposed, made everything snug
here, that an independent man had come forward
and claimed your suffrages! I have no doubt my
hon. and learned opponent:would make a very good
member, but if so, why was there such a great hurry
in bringing him forward. (Cheers.) I have been
charged with disturbing the unanimity of the Libe-
ral party. My reply is that in this free country
every gentleman has a perfect right to solicit the
suffrages of any constituency. (Cheers.) It has
been said that my hon. and learned opponent has
received 700 promises. The accuracy of that as-
sertion will be proved to-morrow when we come to
the poll. It has also been said that some of my
Liberal supporters will not appear to-morrow. I
have no fear on that head. I have perfect confi-
dence in all my supporters, but I am willing to
enter into a bargain with the other side. I am
ready to release my supporters from any promises
they have made to me if my hon. and learned oppo-
nent will do the same. (Cheers and laughter.)
Some of you laugh; but if Mr. Sergeant Pigott is
so much the better man why should he not close
with my offer ? My own opinion is that our friends
on the other side are not so confident as to the
result of the election as they pretend to be. Let
them not forget the fable of the tortoise and the
hare ; they may find it strikingly illustrated to-
morrow. (Hear, hear.) An attempt has been
made to intimidate me. It has been said that my
brother, who has represented the county for the
last two years, ought to have put the screw upon
me to prevent me from coming forward. My hon.
and learned opponent, after accusing me of being in
alliance with the Berkshire Chronicle, told a meeting
of his supporters that he knew " many gentlemen
who could not approve Capt. Walter's course in this
borough, and who felt he was injuring his brother's
chance another day in the county. He did not
desire that that effect should be produced, but if
the matter went on he believed the two brothers
would naturally be associated together." Is that,
I ask, fair treatment? (Cries of "No, no," and
cheers.) I believe lam as good a Liberal as Mr.
Sergeant Pigott. (Cheers.) My family has sup-
ported Liberal principles for the last 30 years. The
first Liberal who ever represented this county—it
is now 30 years ago—was my father. An attempt
has now been made to asperse his character by re-
presenting him as a man who belonged to no party.
Why, gentlemen, I am proud to be able to say that
my father was no partisan. I wish to follow his
example, and if you do me the honour to return me
as your member I shall give my best support to
good measures by whomsoever they may be brought
forward. (A cry of " Bravo, Captain," and cheere.)
The gallant gentleman, after stating that he would
not trouble them with any further observations, but
would be glad to answer any questions which might
be put to him, resumed his seat amid enthusiastic
and protracted cheering.
A show of hands was then taken for each of the
candidates. The numbers seemed to be pretty equal,
but the Mayor formally declared the majority to be
in favour of Mr. Sergeant Pigott. Mr. Sims then
demanded a poll on behalf of Captain Walter, and
the voting was ordered to take place to-morrow.
On the motion of Sergeant Pigott, seconded by
Captain Walter, a vote of thanks was awarded to
the Mayor for his services on the occasion, after
which the assemblage quietly dispersed.