The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-26 00:00:00

TILE REPRESENTATION OF PLYlilOuvr.

On Thursday night Mr. Morrison, the Liberal
candidate for Plymouth, addressed the electors at
the Mechanics' Institute, in a speech of considerable
length. He complained of the canvassing tactics
of his opponents, and expressed his wish that that
part of an election might be always dispensed with.
He advocated the ballot, not because it would do
away with all the evil practices common at elec-
tions, but because it would prevent pressure. He
condemned the Education Minute. He did not be-
lieve that the abolition of the church rate would
destroy the church. He re-asserted his belief in
the soundness of the principle of the Permissive
Bill without committing himself to all its details.
He spoke of the present enormous national expen-
diture, and said it was important that private mem-
bers of the House of Commons should undertake
the somewhat onerous and disagreeable task of
mastering the details of the Estimates, and he
desired that the income tax should be readjusted.
He referred at some length to the shipping ques-
tion, and to the advantage to that interest which,
it was alleged, would result from the return of the
Conservatives to office.
At the close of Mr. Morrison's address three
hearty cheers were given for him, which were fol-
lowed by loud calls for Mr. Collier, M.P.,
who was
present. •
Mr. COLLIER came forward in deference to the
call, and was received with applause. He said
—lt is not for me to dictate to this important
constituency as to who they shall elect as my
colleague in the House of Commons. You have heard
Mr. Morrison, and can form your judgment on what
you have heard. His sentiments are in accordance
with those of the great liberal party of this town
and of the nation. They have been well expressed
—he has expressed them like a statesman, and if
you send him to the House of Commons you will
never be ashamed of him. (Cheers.) If you will
allow me as an inhabitant of Plymouth—as one
feeling a deep interest in the prosperity of this great
and growing borough ; I say, if you will allow me
to offer you a little advice, let me counsel you to he
united in this coming conflict. (Cheers.) Let there
be no divisions, no splitting ; don't ldse the election
through the Permissive Bill or any other bill. I
would say to you, don't let any one sow dissensions
among you ; the Tories have thrown aside all minor
differences, and will unite to support their candidate;
let the Liberals unite and support theirs. (Cheers.)
I think there has been a deal of misunderstanding
with regard to the Permissive Bill. If I understand
its provisions rightly, its intention is to give the rate-
payers some voice in the granting of licenses, either
in conjunction with the justices or instead of the
justices. My opinion is that the ratepayers would
better exercise this proposed power through repre-
sentation than by a direct vote, but I give it to you I
but as an opinion, and it is a point upon which I
need not detain you now. I repeat that the most
extraordinary misunderstanding and the greatest
possible misapprehension has existed with regard to
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good of the country—(cheers, disapprobation,
and " Go-a-head Bob")—I say, if I was an don't believe the publicans do, for they look to the
inn-
keeper, and looked to my selfish interest alone, I
should not only support the Permissive Bill but one
which went ten times further. If it was proposed
that no more public-houses should be opened, who
would be benefitted ? Why, the publicans them-
selves. The licensed victuallers are impressed with
a wrong notion regarding the Permissive Bill, as
far as their own self-interest is concerned. Wilful
misrepresentations have been made for electioneer-
ing purposes. I appeal to the great liberal party
not to be cajoled or deceived by representations
that there are no differences between the great
political parties of this country. In every civilised
land there is a party of progress and a reactionary
party. If you send Mr. Morrison to parliament,
he will not be pledged to support this or that par-
ticular minister; if the present government does
not prove true to the liberal party, they can turn
them out ; and there are sufficient in the ranks of
the liberal party to supply their places. (Hear,
hear.) Mr. Morrison goes to support the party of
progress in the House of Commons; he further goes
—I treat it in the present tense, as if he were already
elected, as I take it for granted he will—he further
goes to support the form of constitutional govern-
ment throughout Europe. All who rejoice in the
blessing of a constitutional government have a great
interest in maintaining the present administration
in power, and in preventing Lord Derby and Lord
Malmesbury from returning to office. (Cheers.)
The tories tell us that they approve of Lord Pal-
merston's foreign policy. Yes ; they approve of it ;
ard why ? Because they can't turn him out upon it.
(Loud applause.) If they could turn out Lord
Palmerston on his foreign policy they would do so.
(Cheers.) This town is shortly about to be polled
as to whether it shall send to the Commons House
of Parliament a supporter of progress or a suppor-
ter of reaction. Will this large, intelligent, and
enlightened constituency support by its voice the
foreign policy of Lord Palmerston ? If the conti-
nent were to be polled, you would find that every
constitutional government would give its adherence
to that policy. But who did you find on the con-
tinent approving the policy of Lord Derby and Mr.
Disraeli? You would find the Pope, the ex-King
of Naples, the Emperor of Austria, and it may be
that you would find the ultra-revolutionists and the
red republicans concerned in anarchy, and there
you might find Mazzini. (" No," and "Yes.") This,
then, is the great issue you are called upon to decide.
Will you support progress or will you support
reaction ? It is for you to determine, and I leave
the issue in your hands. (The hon. member re-
sumed his seat amid loud applause.)
Mr. NICHOLSON, in an able and forcible speech,
moved—" That this meeting approve of the senti-
ments of Mr. Morrison, and pledge themselves to
use their best exertions to promote his return as
member for the borough."
Mt. Alderman SKARDON seconded the motion,
which was unanimously carried amid loud and con-
tinued cheers.
Three enthusiastic cheers were then given for
Mr. Morrison and Mr. Collier respectively.