The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-11 00:00:00

THE BE-ELECTIONS.

ENNISKILLEN.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND,
ENNISKILLEN, MARCH 9

Tile Attorney-Geot.r.l for Ireland was this day re-
elected for the borough of Enniskillen without opposition.
11-fore the hour announce i for the electio❑ the Court-
house was densely cro,ded iiy tlio,e anxious to witness
the proceedings. A. large nunuber of ladies were present.

The writ having heea read, and the electors called on
by the High Sheriff (Ur. Francis Graham) to nominate
a candidate,

Mr. PAUL DANE rose amid loud cheers and said,—l
propose Mr. Whiteside as a fit, proper, and independent
person to represent you in Parliament. (Cheers.) I
have been much amused by the number of small fry of
the county nibbling at the representation of your
borough. (Laughter.) Many are anxious to have the
magic letters M.P. to their names. I must confess my;
opinion that they need an infusion of fresh blood first
they ma-t be sent from home till they divest themselves
of their foolish notions and learn that they are of
same clay as ether people. There is talk of appealing to
the independency of the people of Enniskillen, as if we
has not sufficient independence without them. lam
ready to sign a more liberal manifesto than any of you,
and the very first manifesto I sign will be against the
coun:y gentry, who pe etend that none but themselves are
fit to represent the town.

Dr. OVE:s7DEN seconded the nomination.
No other candidate was proposed, and the sheriff
declared Mr. Whiteside duly elected.
Mr. WEIITESIDE then presented himself and was re-
ceived .with great enthusiasm. When the cheering had
subsided he expressed his acknowledgments to his pro-
poser, Mr. Dente and his seconder, Dr. Ovenden, who,
he said, bad now for the fifth time recommended him to
the electors of that ancient and loyal borough. He then
continued—During the hottest contest their friendship
never failed, and now, in this peaceful ceremony, they
exhibit the same consistent conduct. I have to return
tny thanks for the courtesy with which on this occasion
I have been received by all. Having now received the
honour of being returned for the fifth time to represent
you in Parliament, I may presume on the possession of
your confidence and approbation. The stormy scenes
through which we have passed together render this
tranquil passage to the sunny harbour of Sr. Stephen's
the more areea Ile. Gen,lenien, I must ascribe your
great kindness and unanimity on the present occasion
to your approval of my past conduct and to your confi-
dence in the existing Administration. (Loud cheers.) I
doubt if any political man in modern times has passed
through more eventful scenes in party warfare than I
have. During the past six years how stirring the his-
tory of our country, how thrilling the narratives of the
battles, sieges, and fortunes through which we have
emerged—the struggle against the colossal power of
Russia, the hard-bought victory, the bloody triumph I
The impassioned debates to which these exciting events
gave birth are net forgotten. (Hear.) Scarcely had we
recovered the effects of this war, when the terrific mutiny
in the East burst forth. Tuis fiery eruption has not yet
ceased to flame. In the discussions on these great sub-
jects I have taken a decided part—(clear)—and, it now
appears, with your approval. (Loud cheers.) Into the
details of these discussions it is not now my intention to
enter. They have already received your attentive cons'.
deration, and are now pert of the history of our country.
In matters of domestic policy I have struggled, when-
ever I could, to amend our laws by removing their de-
fects. My notion of true Conservative policy is to main-
tain with inflexible firmness all the landmarks of our
haupy constitution, while I would remove the obseructions
which impede its free and useful action. It is true Con-
servative policy to govern the !people wisely and well—
to keep them contented and peaceful in the pursuit
of industry. Bet, in order to make the nation con-
tented with the laws under whica they live, we must
adapt those laws to the wants and wishes of the people.
(Hear, hear.) I believe in this sense there is no limit
to improvement, sad that the progress of decay must he
met by that of renovation. (Hear, hear.) Here we
have ample scope for the exertions of the best men, and,
believe use, there is much more useful work to be done
here than in tampering with the constitution of the
country. (Hear.) I can say conscientiously for my-
self, there is no practical abuse I would not wish to
remove, and no practical grievance I would not wish
to remedy. A. noble rivalry it would be for opposing
state men to contend in passing good laws for their
country, awl unite to watch over their administration.
There are two principles of an opposite nature to be re-
garded—the one encourages a spirit of contentment, the
other a spirit of distatisfaction. Looking at the splendid
fabric of our laws, at the grandeur of our monarchy, the
freedom of constitution, I say the ferling which should
exist within our hearts should be that contentment and
of gratitude to the Almighty Giver of all good for the
great blessings we enjoy. (Cheers.) Behold the other
countries of Europe trodden down by military power or
oppressed by priestcraft, the free expression of opinion
checked, liberty of action denied 1 Behold the mush-
room constitutions of these countries, which spring up in
a night and as quickly vanish—(bear, hear)—while the
constitution of Eogatnd resembles the oak of the forest
slow in growth, rooted in the soil, expanding in the
sun, immoveable by storm, and tempests, and of majes-
tic beauty, (Loud cheers.) We may lop off a withered
branch, but preserve the trunk untouched. The imme-
diate cause of the chanee of Administration is known to
you all. The fact of the downfall of Lord Palmerstoe's
popular Administration affords a striking lesson to
presumptuous statesmen and a striking proof of the
power of the popular element in our constitution.
(Hear, hear.) Lord Palmerston was a favourite in
the country, and when Parliament refused to obey
him as to the Ceinit war he dissolved that refrac-
tory assembly, and summoned a Parliament of
which the obsequious members were expected to hear,
to applaud, and to obey. (Hear) H. had a majority
at his back, but a majority of Englishmen to whom the
honour of their country was dearer than the political
existence of Lord Palmerston. He submitted mainly to
the reeeption of an insulting despatch from France.
(Hear.) He gave to it no reply, and thus proved himself
a false guardian of the honour of his country. (Cheers.)
It is not so much in her fleets or armies that the power
of England consists, as in her moral influence and in the
error of ker mighty name. England is too mighty a
country to submit to insult ; and my cco fident belief is
that a manly though temperate reply to the offensive
despatch would tend, not to disturb peace, but to pre
serve it, by securing to England that respect without
which there can be no real peace. (Cheers.) The nation
di ainctively pronounced its opinion against Lord Pal-
merston, and the House of Commons, which faithfully
reflects the opinions of the public, promptly satisfied the
wishes of the nation b,r a patriotic vote. (Hear, and
cheers ) The popularity of Lord Palmerston could not
save loin, and, in my opinion, no Minister ever more
deservedly fell. Mr. Whiteside then contrasted the com
position of the late Ministry with that of the present,
and observed that, white Lerd raltnerstou confiiied him
self within the charmed circle of Whiggery, Lerd Derby
selecte i the be=t men he could find from the representa-
tives of the people ; and went on to say net the duties
of the office to which he had been appointed as first law
officer of the Crown were high alai solemn, and to be
performed under a sense of resp w.ibility to God. He
would walk in the s raight path of the constitution,
favouring none, fearing none. (Heir, hear.) It
would be his business to preserve peace in the coun-
try by punishing evil doer, according to law. The
glory of our political system is that every man should
enjoy his property, his personal liberty, freedom of
opinion and of action, fully and fairly ; and his duty
would be to protect the peaceful citizen in the enj y-
ment of all those blessings. (Cheers.) He might amend
the laws, but would never pervert, abui.e, or evade them,
as he should /endeavour faithfully, honestly, and im-
partially to fulfil his duty. In the government of Ireland
he had the happiness to serve a nobleman whose love
ler Ireland was only equalled by his zeal to promote her
best intete-ts. (Cheers,) He returned to our shores not
a stranger. His former sojourn had endeared him to the
hearts of the Irish people. He (Hr. Whiteside) believed
that the Cuief Secretary for Ireland, his noble friend
Lord Naas, would apply himself diligently, and he hoped
susses, fully, to the public service and the promotion of
useful measures. He also expected, cmfidently, that the
Lord Chancellor—(loud applause)—would maintaia on
the bench the high reputeti in he held at the bar, and
administer justice to the satisfaction of all parties, and
he hoped that the members of the Administration, one
and all, would labour to the utmost to promote the good
of the country, the happiness of the people, and the
gory cf the empire. Mr. Whiteside concluded a lengthy
and eloquent address by again thanking the electors for
the honour done him, and resumed his seat amid loud
and long-cnntinue I cheering.
Thanks were then voted t, the High Sheriff, and the
proceedings terminated.