The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 14, 1867.

Oxfordshire Members on Public Affairs.

TIIAME, Friday.

The annual gathering of the Thame Agricultural
and Horticultural Societies was held yesterday. The
ploughing was exceedingly good, and the prizes
awarded to cottagers for their produce very nume-
rous. In the afternoon a large party sat down at the
Spread Eagle. The chair was, as usual, occupied by
Capt. Wykeham, and among the gentlemen present
were Col. North, Col. Fane, M.P., Mr. T. T.
Barnard, and other gentlemen.
The usual loyal and zonstitutional toasts were
given, and duly honoured.

COL NORTH, in responding to the toast of the Army,
Navy, and Volunteers, sail that, happily, we had of
late years not been mixed up with any wars on
the Continent ; but he was sorry to say that we
were to enter upon a campaign which would pro-
bably prove very disastrous to life, and cost the
country a considerable sum of money—he alluded
to the preparations which were now in progress to
relieve the captives in Abyssinia. He was certain,
however, that no .Englishman would think we were
doing wrong in entering upon that campaign.
(Hoar, hear.) In the first place the treatment of
these unfortunate captives for the last two or three
years had been almost dreadful ; and then, when
her Majesty was pleased to send a gentleman in an
official capacity, who had every right to expect that
his mission would be successful, the barbarian
King, instead of releasing the captives, had made
the representative of our Sovereign a prisoner. Of
course we were bound at any expense in honour to
engage in the contest for the purpose of obtaining
redress; and whatever difficulties our troops might
have to contend with, he was quite confident they
would do credit to the honour of the country.
(Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of the
county members, said that no county in England
was better represented. The members were of a
thoroughly English breed, and stuck closely to their
constituents, who would take care to return them
again. (Cheers.) He had that morning received
a letter from Mr. Henley, who after a laborious
session was recruiting his health in Guernsey, and
he was sure every one desired that he might be
sufficiently invigorated to return to the performance
of his duties next session. (Cheers.)

Colonel NORTII, who was received with loud
cheers,
,9xpressed his regret at the absence of his
right hon. colleague, than whom no member better
deserved a little recreation, for during a long, try-
ing, and tedious session no member was more fre-
quently first in his place and last out of it (Cheers.)
He, himself, always felt great pleasure in attend-
ing these anniversaries, and felt most grateful for
the cordial reception he always experienced. He
understood that the ploughing had been most excel-
lent, and that the garden produce exhibited was of
the first quality. He, perhaps, might be allowed to
say a few words on a subject which had during the
last session occupied almost the whole time of the
house, and had excited the greatest interest through-
out the country. He was aware that at these
meetings the introduction of political matters was
not allowed, and he thought such a regulation most
advantageous; but still there were occasions on
which it was a man's duty to say a word upon such
questions. (Hear, hear.) He saw gentlemen around
him who had for many years felt that the franchise
ought to be considerably enlarged, and he would
only say that he hoped these gentlemen Were now
satisfied. (Hear, hear.) To those who, like him
self, did not wish to see the franchise enlarged to so
great an extent, he would only say that for a series
of years the question of Reform had engrossed
the attention nut only of Parliament, but of the
whole country, and it was therefore necessary that
something should be done. The subject had been
mentioned year after year iu the Queen's Speech,
and during the last two or three Sessions the most
important business of the country had been obliged
to give way to it. Last year the question was
mooted by the Government then in power, but
their proposition not proving, satisfactory they
had to give way to the present Government, who
felt with the people generally that the matter
ought to be discussed and settled. Ile be-
lieved they entered upon the consideration
of the question with a firm determination, by
the aid and assurance of the moderate men of
all parties, to do all they could to effect a settle-
ment. Their measure received the support of diffe-
rent sections, and they succeeded in carrying their
bill. He trusted, now it had become law, that the
good sense and patriotic feeling of the people would
induce them to give it a fair trial, and he was quite
sure that moderate men of all parties would use
their best endeavours to carry its provisions into
effect, and that it would tend to the advantage and
honour
t thecountry.
(Cheers.) Lord Derby had
been account for saying that the Govern-
ment
called o f
had taken a leap in the dark ; but he should
like to know if there was any thinking man in the
country—any man connected with any set of politi-
cians —who could really say what would be the effect of
the bill. (Hear, hear.) Lord Derby felt that he
could trust to the good sense of the people, and he
(Colonel North) was sure that his lordship would
not be disappointed. (Cheers.) No doubt it was
a very great experiment, but he-trusted that those
to whom the electoral franchise had just been given
would exercise it in a just and proper manner, and
for the good of the country. (Hear, hear.) A great
deal had been said about others who, like himself,
had turned their coats. Now, this had not been done
for the sake of any personal advantage. He had
not asked for any appointment, and did not know
of any which he would accept, and could only say
that any change in his opinions was attributable to
the requirements of the country, and because he felt
it his duty to place that confidence in his country-
men, which he trusted would be fully justified. It
was the earnest desire of the members of the House
of Commons generally to carry a good measure, and
there were very few
who were not animated by the
desire of benefiting their country. He did not say
that there might not be a few discontented politi-
cians—a few professional agitators—who would not
have been, satisfied even if the bill had been brought
in by angels ; but he trusted that the efforts of those
who had supported the measure would be abun-
dantly rewarded by its success. .(Cheers).
Colonel FANE, who was also most cordially re-
ceived, said there were times and seasons for every-
thing.. This was the season when it behoved
county members to visit their constituents, and it
was a source of great satisfaction to him and his col-
leagues to have such frequent opportunities of meet-
ing so many .of the electors of the county.
(Cheers.) A great deal had been said about
Reform. He was a man of few words, but he
trusted that his words were consistent with his cha-
racter. He could say fairly, truly, and honestly that
at one time he was totally averse to Reform; but,
seeing the agitation that was going on in different
parts of the country—seeing that the great proces-
sions through the streets of London were doing a
vast injury to trade, and knowing that, unless the
question were settled, agitation would still go on, to
the detriment of every trade in the country, the
question arose, What was to be done ? His hon. rela-
tive, Mr. Henley, said, " If you pass a bill, pass one
that will go the whole hog." (Hear, and laughter.)
The measure was passed, contrary to his (Colonel
Fane's) wishes, but he trusted, with his friend
Colonel North, that it would prove advantgeous to
the country at large. (Hear, hear.) He was proud
to say that for three generations the county had
been represented by the Fane family, and he did
not believe that a single trait of dishonesty had been
found in their political character. (Cheers.) All
he would say to his constituents was, "If you like
my politics, vote for me ; if not, vote against me."
So long as he represented them be would do his duty
to them and the country' at large.
(Cheers.)
Mr. S. HODGSON, in responding
to the toast of
" The Strangers," while expressing his opinion that
politics were properly excluded on occasions like the
present, congratulated the company on the fact that
the Reform question had been settled by a combi-
nation of Conservatives and Radicals. Conservatives
and Radicals were very much alike—particularly
Conservatives. (Laughter.) Radicalism was only
Conservatism with its face unwashed; and Conser-
vatism was Radicalism with its best Sunday coat on.
(Laughter.) The recent contest had brought-about