The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-15 00:00:00

MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD, M.P., AT

HORSHAM.

HORSHAM, WEDNESDAY.

The annual exhibition of fat stock in connection
with the Horsham Cattle Show took place this
afternoon. In the evening a dinner was held at
the Black Horse Inn, at which Mr. S. Fitzgerald,
M.P., presided. The hon. gentleman was supported I
by the Hon. Capt. Wyndham, M.P., Sir C. Bur-
rell, M.P., Mr. S. Cave, M.P., Sir J. H. Pelly,
Mr. P. Burrell. Col. Dickens, Major Drew, the Rev.
F. Vincent, Capt. Pipon, &c.
The usual loyal toasts having been drunk,
Mr. FITZGERALD, M.P., said—The next toast I
have to propose is " The Army and Navy"— (cheers) I
—a toast which is always well received in every 1
assembly of Englishmen, and particularly so at this
moment, looking to the exploits which have marked
the course of our army in India. Above all, at a
time like this we are sure of seeing this toast well
received, when we know that if those who have been
so often our defenders both at home and abroad are
called to fulfil their duties to their Sovereign and
their country upon some foreign shore, there exists
such a spirit of enthusiasm in the country as will
assure us that Great Britain would still possess many
a bold heart and many a sturdy hand, able and wil-
ling to fight for their hearths and the liberties of
their country. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is, I think,
a salutary rule at all public meetings such as this,
that what are called political questions shall be
avoided, that is to say questions which can by pos-
sibility raise discussion or create difference of opinion
at a meeting which ought to be marked by a gene-
ral accord of opinion. But Ido not think that I
shall at all infringe upon that rule if I make an
observation or two upon a matter of public import-
ance, and yet a matter upon which there can be no
difference of opinion among all classes of people.
We are possibly, I am afraid, entering upon troublous
times. After long years of general and happy peace
there seems to be such an uneasy feeling abroadthat
men's minds are full of the anticipation of war.
Now, lam not an alarmist. lam not one of those
who think it possible that there should be an inva-
sion of this country. On the contrary, I believe the
present ruler of France for a long time has shown
an earnest desire to cultivate an intimate alliance
with this country. (Hear.) Long may that alli-
ance subsist and endure—(cheers)—and I cannot
conceive it possible that it should be in any danger.
(Hear, hear.) Heaven knows that on this side of
the water there is no man le ho does not feel that
anything like hostilities with France would
be the greatest national calamity which could
befall us. (Hear, hear.) I believe that equally
among the people of France the same feeling is
commonly entertained. Such, at all events, is my
confident opinion, and I believe that I have very
good reason for entertaining it. Surely, then, upon
the part of the Sovereign of France personally
there can be no desire to enter into anything like
a quarrel with this country. Let him for one
moment consider what his position is as ruler of
France in alliance with this country. So long as
France and England are combined what coalition
is there possibly on the face of the earth which
could give a moment's anxiety either to the one
Power or the other. (" Hear," and cheers.) It is
not only that, but so long as we are combined our
commerce must increase, and we fetter the whole
world in those chains which 1 believe to be more
firm, more enduring, and stronger than any others
which you can fancy in political life. Nothing in
point of fact can be better or more durable than
the fettering together of nations by bonds of com-
mon interest and association. If this, then, be the
position both of the people of France and the ruler
of France, what reason can there be to anticipate
anything like a rupture of the amicable relations
which have so long subsisted between this country
and our French neighbours ? Still less, what is
there to give rise to that panic of invasion which
has been so common throughout the country of late ?
At the same time I think it not only the interest
but the duty of every man present, and of every
man who loves his country, to contribute to the
utmost in his power to that movement which, I am
happy to say, has been so general throughout the
country, and the object of which is to improve and
increase, by voluntary means, the defences of the
country. (Cheers.) This, at'least, I may say, that
no man here can forget that which we now feel to
be a want is that which was pointed out by a man
who was the greatest warrior of his age, and one
of the most distinguished politicians and states
men of this country—namely, the late
Duke of Wellington—as an imperative na-
tional necessity. 'Therefore I would ask you, not as
the result of a sudden panic—for that would be
beneath our dignity and beneath our position, as
England is strong enough to defend 'herself, and
she need fear no man—but I would ask you when
yoar attention at any time is called specifically to
that which is known to be a great national wan t—
namely, the want of' a complete system of national
defence, whether you would not be wanting to
yourselves and the people at large if you did not do
all in your power to put the defences of the country
upon a satisfactory and sound basis. (Hear, hear.)
I have availed myself of this opportunity of making
these observations because I consider them germane
to the question of the army and navy. lam sure
that you will receive the toast with that respect
which is due to it, with that tribute of admiration
to which the exploits of both services entitle it, and
I am sure you will not be the less satisfied, if our
gallant defenders should be called abroad, to know
that you have still left among you those ready, if
necessary, to shed their blood for the honour of the
country. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk amid loud cheers, and was
briefly responded to by Major Dimly.
Sir J. H. PELLY proposed the health of the mem-
bers for the western division of the county.
The Hon. Captain WYNDHAM, M.P., in respond-
ing, alluded to the remarks of the chairman in
reference to the national defences. He said we had
for many years prided ourselves on being superior
to any other nation in our navy, and he was su-e
they would all agree with him that it was of
vital importance that we should still hold that posi-
tion. We were a nation naturally fond of peace-
ful employments, as their meeting there that day
proved; but they would not be able to pursue those
employments with the same energy and effect
if they were not at peace in their own minds at
home, and nothing would contribute so much to en-
sure a continuance of peace as the possession of a
large and efficient navy. (Cheers.) With regard
to the army, he begged to remind them that of late
years many salutary improvements had been car-
ried out in that service. The campaign in the
Crimea afforded cenvincing proof that reforms were
needed; and though many reforms had been since
introduced he trusted that a desire to effect still
further reforms would continue to prevail. Above
all, it was necessary to raise the tone and the moral
and social condition of the soldier. 'We could not,
like Continental nation?, at a short period call to-
gether large numbers of men by conscription. Our
system was that of voluntary recruiting, but it
yielded a far more able, because it yielded a willing
servant. (Hear, hear.) He believed that that sys-
tem was fully adequate to supply all the require-
ments of the country, provided that we put the sol-
dier upon a better footing by raising his social
status and position. (Hear, hear.) The reforms
which had already been effected since the Crimean
campaign had done cinch to raise the tone of the
army, and if we continued the same course he should
have no fear of the result whenever we might be
called upon to meet an enemy, whether abroad or
upon our own shores. The chairman had told them
that he was no alarmist, and that he did not join in
any apprehension of an invasion. He (Captain
Wyndham) confessed that he entertained thu same
opinion. He believed that if our troops were called
upon to act at all it would be in an indirect manner
on the continent of Europe; but, at the same time,
though there might not be a cause for fear, there
was every cause for precaution. Upon that ground
be hailed with deep satisfaction the volunteer
movement. He believed that the moral effect
which that movement wcuid produce upon the
Continent would be immense. It would show the
despotic Powers that a free country like this had
no occasion to rely alone upon its Government
to defend, it, but that, if occasion required,
the population were ready to come forward
en masse to resist aggression. (Cheers.) If the
volunteer movement now commenced were carried
out judiciously it would b-, a great blessing The
only evil that could result from it was that it
might
induce the people to look lightly on the regular
army. In his opinion the volunteers ought to be
regarded as the adjunct of the army, and not
intended in any way to take the place of them asY
It was necessary also that tho volunteers should be.
enrolled in battalions and taught something beyond
shooting. A man might be a very good shot, but
unless he knew what military men called " his
right hand from his left" he would be of very little
use to a general. (Hear, hear.) lie. was glad,
however, to see the ardour which was being dis-
played, and he had no doubt that in the end the
movement would be attended with all the success
that could be desired for it. (Cheers.)
Colonel DICKENS proposed, " The Health of the
Members for the Rape of Brim cmlor."
Sir CHARLES BUE.RELI„ r.p., beiefly responded.
Mr. S. GANT, M.P., also acknowledged the toast.
Fe said he took a different view of the duty of a
member of Parliament from that which was gene-
rally taken. Of late, constituencies were rarely
satisfied unless their representative were perpetu-
ally getting up and speaking in the House of
Commons. His own opinion was that a large
majority of the hon. members who adopted that
practice had much better sit still and hold their
tongues (laughter)— because by unnecessarily