The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-19 00:00:00

THE REFORM RESOLUTIONS.

Yesterday evening the following letters were read
at a public meeting held at Bradford on the Go-
vernment Reform Resolutions, the secretary of the
Bradford Branch of the National Reform Union
having transmitted to Mr. Bright, Lord F. Caven-
dish, and Mr. Forster copies of a series of resolu-
tions adopted by the Branch, criticising the Go-
vernment Reform :

" Rochdale, Feb. 16.

" Dear Sir,—l think your resolutions very good.
The course taken by the Government is an insult to
the house, and a gross offence to the whole body of
Reformers in the country. I cannot say what the
house will do, or what the Liberal party in the house
will do, till after the meeting which is called for
Thursday next.
" The Administration is bitterly hostile to Re-
form. When in opposition this was abundantly
proved, and it is confirmed by its course since its
accession to office. It has not the honesty or the
courage to pronounce boldly against Reform, but
it seeks to murder the cause and the question by a
course contrary to Parliamentary usage, and odious
in the sight of all honest men. If the house join in
the guilt of this proceeding, it will only add to the
distrust with which it is now regarded by vast mul-
titudes of the people in all parts of the country.
"You are right in holding meetings, and in every
town and village meetings should be held. Already
they have been held more generally and more nume-
rously attended than at any other time since 1832.
Hitherto the effect seems little, so far as we may
judge from the action of the Administration and
whether further meetings will produce any greater
effect I cannot undertake to say. But I venture to
say this—that a Government, unmindful of the opi-
nion expressed so clearly in the great centres of our
population, is running the country into great peril.
If meetings have no effect, if the open and almost
universal expression of opinion has no power on the
Administration and the Legislature, then inevitably
the minds of the people will seek other channels
with a view to obtain and secure the rights which
they are contemptuously denied them. If I am wrong
in believing this, then history is a lie from the be-
ginning, and we have all been mistaken in our esti-
mate of the causes out of which many of the great
and deplorable transactions it has recorded have
sprung.

" I understand that in Birmingham a great de-
monstration of opinion is contemplated, and I sup-
pose other parts of the country will have something
to say to an Administration which abdicates its
functions, and is ready to betray both Queen and
people, that it may remain in office for another ses-
sion.—l am, with great respect, yours truly,

" JOHN BRIGHT,
" The Secretary of the Bradford Branch
of the Reform Union."

"21, Carlton-house-terrace, S.W., Feb. 16

" Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 14th inst., and to request you to ex-
press to the Bradford Branch of the Reform Union
my thanks for the copy of the declaration that they
adopted at their meeting of the 13th, with respec t
to the proposal of the Goverumeut on the subject of.,
Reform.

"I agree with the branch in regarding that pro-
posal as most unsatisfactory; but having full confi-
dence in the leaders of the Liberal party, I am
prepared to follow whatever course they may re-
commend as the best means of obtaining a wise and
liberal settlement of the question.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant, " F. CAVENDISH."

" 80, Eccleston-square, S.W., Feb. 16.

" Dear Sir,—l am obliged to you for your note
of the 14th inst., enclosing the opinion of the Brad-
ford Reform Union on Mr. Disraeli's resolutions, in
which I most cordially concur. I have myself no
doubt whatever that the House of Commons ought
to refuse to consider these resolutions unless the
Government state first what reduction of franchise
they propose; but whether or no the House of Com-
mons takes this course will depend upon the opi-
nions expressed in the country.—l am, dear sir,
yours truly, " W. E. FORSTER:7

THE REPRESENTATION OF CORK.—We learn by
telegraph that Mr. Macarthy Downing has withdrawn his
candidature for the county of Cork. The contest is now
between Mr. Smith Barry and Mr. Vincent Scully. At a
meeting of Liberal electors, held yesterday, the claims of
the two candidates were discussed, and the show of hands
was iu favour of Mr. Scully.

EAST SUFFOLK ELECTION.—At the close of the
poll yesterday the numbers were as follows :—Corrance
(Conservative), 2,503; Adair (Liberal), 2,135 —majority for
QQtranee, 371.

ciccs,
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HER MAJESTY, &c•

OSBORNE, Feb. 18.

Tho Right llon. B. Disraeli arrived yesterday,
and had the honour of dining with the Queen and
Royal family.
Mr. Disraeli left Osborne this morning for London.
Major-General the Hon. A. and Mrs. Gordon
have also left Osborne.

The Queen and the Royal family drove and
waked out this morning.

THE PRINCESS OF WALES.—On inquiry at
liarlborough House yesterday evening we learnt that her
_Royal Highness, who had passed a restless night, had been
somewhat relieved by a few hours' refreshing sleep in the
coarse of the morning.