The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-29 00:00:00

HALIFAX.

Yesterday Sir C. Wood, Secretary of State for
India in the new Government, met his friends at
Halifax, and was reelected to represent the
borough in Parliament. There was no opposition,
so that the election passed off quietly, The pro-
ceedings were conducted in the Piece-hall, by his
Worship the Mayor. T. Selby Walsh, Esq.
Sir C. WOOD, after a few remarks of a personal
uature, said—l need not occupy your time in re-
peating the opinions which I expressed a short
time ago, and with which you must be all ac-
quainted. I have nothing new to add ; Europe is
at war ; the armies of the two greatest military
powers have been more than once in bloody con-
flict ; but our course has been that which I told
you I thought was right—one of absolute neutra-
lity between the contending powers. (Cheers.) It
is not for us to engage in these struggles in which
the military despots of the Continent are en-
gaged ; our object is to preserve the peace for
ourselves, and to promote peace between them,
if possible. (Cheers.) We have seen recently
accounts that, in a large portion of Germany, a
strong spirit prevails by which it seems they are
almost disposed to engage in hostility ; but I hope
and trust that their own good sense, aided by.the
advice we have given them since we came into
power, will lead them to abstain from hostilities.
(Cheers.) At any rate, on our part no efforts shall
be spared to keep those nations out of war who are
not already engaged in it, and also to avail our-
selves of the first favourable opportunity to restore
the blessings of peace to those who are now already
engaged in it. (Hear, hear.) I believe that in our
endeavours to keep Germany out of the war we
shall be consulting the best interests of this coun-
try ; for I have been told since I came into this
town how much trade is suffering from the appre-
hensions arising from the pro ress of the war in
Central Europe. (Hear, hear. But, gentlemen,
1
in adverting to this subject must plainly tell
you that I entirely approve of the preparations
which have been made for putting this country
in a formidable state of defence. (Hear, hear,
and a voice, " Brave old oak," laughter.) I
hope and trust that no occasion will arise which
will call upon us to exert these means of defence ;
but we cannot shut our eyes to the possibility that
if Germany should engage in war this country may
also be drawn into th vortex in defence of those
interests which our national treaties have bound us
to .uphold. (Cries of " No, no," and " Defend
none.") We are bound by treaties, I say, so to do
—(" No, no") ; and I am sure there is no man, not
even my friend there who interrupts me, who
would not hold sacred the obligations of a treaty.
(Hear, hear.) I hope the occasion will not arise ;
but if we have to intercede, depend upon it the
effect of our mediation will not be diminished when
it is offered by a country strong in her own re-
sources ; when she does not approach as a beggar,
but can say, " That is your course"—not going to
them in forma pauperis, but backed by that which
will give you a right to ask them to comply.
(Hear, hear.) Upon the subject of national de-
fences permit me to say a word or two. In refe-
rence to Lord Palmerston's Government, and the
part I took in the Administration as head of the
naval department, attacks have been made of late, as
having neglected the defences of the country.
Gentlemen, believe me, there is no truth
in those accusations. Lord Derby, stated the
other day that the navy was in a state
of feebleness and decrepitude. Great orators are
apt to indulge in oratorical flourishes. (Laughter.)
Now, I can quote evidence that the late Government
itself, in word and act, have admitted that when
they acceded to power they found the navy in a
most efficient state. Another question on which I
wish to say a few words is that of reform in the re-
presentation of the people. (Hear, hear.) Upon
that subject you know my opinions. I do not think
it is possible to pass a Reform Bill during the pre-
sent session of Parliament. (Cries of " Oh, oh.")
We are now, owing to delays for which we are not
responsible, about beginning a session in July which
usually begins in February. The whole of the
estimates have to be voted ; the budget and finan-
cial measures have yet to be proposed ; and while
I tell you that the deficiency is nearer five mil-
lions than four millions—a legacy which our pre-
decessors left us—that deficiency which they
created we have to make good ; you will admit we
have no slight task before us, and one
which will require some time for discus-
sion. Now, the estimates and budget are not in
ordinary times completed before Easter, or about
i and
the months from the beginning of the sessioi:g
ll bed
the present session beginning in July, it
the end of August before we can complete the finan-
cial business of the year. I do not think it will
be easy to the House of Commons to consider a
Reform Bill on the Ist of September—(a Voice—
" Gammon," and some disorder.) It must be the
first business to be undertaken on the re-assembling
of Parliament, but to bring in a bill before we
separate I do not think is possible. Now, gentle-
men, what that Reform Bill may be, of course—(a
Voice—" You don't care"—
great laughter)—you
do not suppose I can tell It must be the ou.
ob-
ject of early and serious deliberation among those
who compose the present Cabinet. That Cabinet
comprehends Lord John Russell, Mr.. Cobden, and
Mr. Gibson---(a Voice—" Where's Brght ?")—and
that is some security that the Reform Bill will not
be of the retrograde nature of the last, but what it
does will be soundly done, upon sound principles,
and framed so as to extend the borough franchise to
many to whom we think it should be given, (*ar,

hear.) The late bill proceeded on the principle that
any extension of the borough franchise would be
revolutionary and anarchical. Since Parliament
. met we were told by the late Ministry that they
• were prepared to concede even that ; I think there-
. fore, in the new Parliament there will be no
difli-
culty in carrying a measure to extend that fran-
chise. (Hear, hear.) In what we propose to do
we hope to be backed by public opinion, and no
Government can carry anything of importance
unless it is hacked by public opinion ; nor can any
Government long -withhold that which public
opinion demands. With regard to my own posi-
tion, it is true I have some acquaintance with the
subject of Indian affairs, having been Indian Minis.
ter for two years. But how different are the cir-
cumstances of India now from those which existed
when I left at that time. I left India in profound
peace from one end to the other; we had a surplus
revenue, and the only thought I had at that time
was to develop the resources of the country, to im-
prove its cultivation, and to extend an enlarged
system of education among the people of India.
When I now return to the corresponding post I
find public confidence shaken from one extremity
of the country to the other ; that army, upon
the fidelity of which so many staked their lives,
and by which so many lost their lives, is
destroyed, after having fought a long struggle. I
find an enormous deficit; a large loan has been
negotiated ; the army has to be re-organised,
society to be re-constructed, and financial embarass-
ment be removed. I freely say I look with the
deepest anxiety upon the responsibilities which I
have undertaken. I was told it was my duty to
take the post, and I did not think it consonant with
notions of duty to shrink from assuming that
charge. I feel the responsibility. I know how
little man's wisdom and man's intellect can do in
such a base as this ; I know we must depend upon
thin providence of God to direct our councils, so that
they may result in benefit to that immense country,
with its countless millions, and redound to his glory.
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I thank you again for the
attention with which you have listened to me on
the present occasion ; I thank you for returning me
again as your representative, and entrusting me
again with 'your confidence. and I hope I may do
nothing to forfeit that confidence. The fact that I
still retain your good:opinica will be a stimulus to
me to do faithfully my duty in that position in
which I am now placed. (Loud cheers, amidst
which the right hon. gentleman retired.)
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the Mayor.

SPORTING NOTES.

THE HAMPSHIRE GATHERING.

The aristocratic and delightfully pleasant meeting on the
Stockbridge Downs will fail in none of its usual attractions
on the present anniversary, and all the sporting peers and
leading turfites will assemble to partake of Danebury cheer,
and view the first class sport provided for the occasion.
Considerable interest has been excited by the probable
meeting of Marionette and Fisherman in the Stewards'
Cup. The old horse has incurred a penalty of 7lb conse-
quent on his Ascot victory, and the Danebury pet receives
a maiden allowance of 41b. Their respective weights will
therefore be 9st 71b and 6st 61b, and the riding will proba-
bly be entrusted to Wells and Bray. During last week
the three-year-old was installed favourite, but more recent
market movements have brought the old horse into favour.
The ridiculously easy manner in which he disposed of the
field opposed to him at Ascot renders him formidable in any
company, but with the great advantage in weights, and
running over the home course, I must give a reluctant pre •
ference to Marionette.

The next important feature in the programme is the
Mottesfont Stakes, for which Hartley Wintney Will make
his second appearance this season, but may meet a formid-
able opponent from the Danebury stable in Blue Ruin or
Apollo. The entry also includes Chirp and the Venus filly,
each penalised 51bs ; two fair public performers in Brother
to Rainbow and Buccaneer. The winner is therefore cer-
tain to occupy a formidable position in the Derby betting;
and, taking ay line from the Bath running, I anticipate
witnessing the success of Hartley Wintney.
The First Biennial, for 2-yr-olds, has a large entry, but
the prior successes of Mainstone, who has 31b allowance,
may frighten many opponents from the field. The horse
has no engagement subsequent to this lace, and I imagine
he will come through with flying colours, and retire into
obscurity until May next.

The Triennial; for 4-yr-olds, will probably include the
following starters :—Fadladeen, Beacon, and Charles the
Second ; and although I expect to find the favourite in Sir
Joseph Hawley's horse, the winner will, I imagine, turn
turn in Fadladeen.

St. Clarence and Mouravieff will each find friends in the
race for the Tenth Triennial, but the improved running of
the latter at Ascot and Hampton induces me to think that
Lord Strathmore will carry off this stake with his recent
purchase.

The majority of the stakes at Winchester have yet to
close, but the meeting bids fair to form an interesting
climax to the Hampshire meetings. The Original Hamp-
shire Stakes will probably result in a match between Sed-
bury and Compromise, in which I doubt the ability of the
first-named to concede two stone to Lord Ailesbury's horse.
The nominations for the Grange Park Stakes include the
public performers, Lupellus, Seclusion, the Venus filly,
and the Maid of Orleans—the first three having all incurred
penalties. Should Lupellus make his appearance on the
spot, I fully believe in his ability to accord the weight to
others; but in his absence, the Venus filly may prove her-
self superior to the remainder of the field.
A FRESH MAN.