The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-07-05 00:00:00

THE INDIA BILL.

AFTER a protracted debate, almost unexampled in
these days of legislative procrastination, the amend-
ment of LORD STANLEY to the Ministerial India
Bill was negatived by a majority of 324 to 142, and
the Bill was read a second time without a division.
This result maybe attributed to the objection of many
leading Conservative members to the amendment, as
being too vague, and suggesting no alternative for
the rejection of the measure ; and we cannot there-
fore accept the division as any evidence of the ulti-
mate success of the Bill in its present shape. It
has yet to be submitted to the ordeal of a Com-
mitue, when its proriaions may undergo important
alterations, such as practically to carry out the
views of those who are opposed to it, or it may be
that, feeling convinced of the impracticability of de-
vising an efficient scheme for the future government
of India until after the Committee now sitting on
the subject shall have presented their report, the
House may restrict the duration of the Bill to a
brief period, so as to compel further legislation at
no distant time. It is evident that no solid ad-
vantage can be gained to the mother country until
India is open, like our other colonies, to British en-
terprise and the employment of British capital; and
this result will never be attained so long as this
vast empire is under the control of the petty kings
of Leadenhall-Street, who, having survived their
usefulness, only retain their functions for individual
advantage. If India were really free, we might
fearlessly incur the risk of such a large addition to

ministerial patronage, being satisfied that English
commerce would gain tenfold, and a far more effi-
cient check be imposed on those reckless wars for
which no one at present seems to be responsible.

MEETING IN THE ROYAL PARK THEATRE,
LAST NIGHT.

Last night, a large and enthusiastic meeting of the
friends of the Conservative candidates (the Hon. H. T.
Liddell, and Mr. Thomas Berry Horsfall) was held in the
Royal Park Theatre, Parliament-street. The building
was crowded in every part, and on the platform were a
great number of the leading Conservative gentlemen con-
nected with the ward. Henry Steele, Esq., was called to
the chair.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the
meeting referred to the fact that it appeared we were now
to have a contest. The Conservatives had been abused
for bringing forward a gentleman who was connected with
a neighbouring county. What then must they think of a
gentleman who was brought from Bombay ? (Hear, hear.)
That gentleman had told them that he was in the prime
of life, a thing they did not often find amongst the jaun-
diced people of the east. But this gentleman not only
told them that he was in the prime of life, but he also told
them that he was a gentleman of independent circum-
stances. He must say that a man who had thus made a for-
t une in the prime of life must have had some fine pickings.
(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Now, he (the Chairman) did
hope that none of them desired that there should be any
split in the camp. (Cries of "No, no,") And if any gentle-
man had expressed a desire to insinuate that feeling he
hoped the meeting and the Conservative party would show
the feelings of determined resentment at such conduct,
(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) After a few further
remarks he concluded by introducing
The lion. HENRY THOMAS LIDDELL, who was re-
ceived with tremendous cheering, accompanied by the
Kentish fire. As soon as the cheering had subsided, the
hon. gentleman remarked that, although he could not
pretend to say that he was altogether unused to public
speaking, yet he might say that this was only his second
appearance on a stage for public purposes. He was only
beginning to feel what the electors of Liverpool were.
Hitherto, in the present contest, they had had an easy
course, because up to the present time it had been said,
" You have it all your own way." Now, however, an
opponent had come forward against them ; and, along
with the candidate who had at last presented himself, he
(Mr. Liddell) trusted that the spirit of the electors
would rise to meet him. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
Since they had had their Perry, they were now beginning
to effervesce. (Loud laughter and cheers.) Far be it
from him to say one word against the gentleman, whose
name he never heard until last Saturday ; but let it not
now be said that he (Mr. Liddell) was a stranger amongst
them, when the person who was to oppose him was a
gentleman who had only recently been imported when
Bombay. (Hear, hear.) He had already said that from
a man presented himself to a public constituency as a can-
didate for their suffrages, he must be prepared to endure
all that was said against him, and, if he was an honest
man, he must also be prepared to answer all. A cele-
brated poet, who was a good judge of human nature,
(Burns,) had said,—

" Oh, wad some power the giftie gi' us,
To see oursels as ithers see us."
Had he lived in the present day, he might have truly
applied these lines to any one engaged in a contested
election, for there everything that could ba said against
you would be said. There people would not be slow to
tell you of your weaknesses and your vices, if you had
them ; and you must stand or fall by what might be said
against you. Now he had the good fortune to stand in
that position, and not for the first time in his life. What
were the charges that had been made against him ? In
the first place, he had been called a Puseyite, but that
charge he clearly disposed or on the first occasion on
which he spoke, and it had not again been repeated. To
the other charges that] had been made against him he
would not say more than that he had disposed of them
with success. And now for one more charge which he
would not have named, had he not felt that if the character
of a man did not represent what he really was, •t was
only what he owed to his honour to rebut all charges made a s
against him. The last: charge which had been made
against him he found in the Liverpool Albion of the 4th
of July, (yesterday') and which, as it had been repeated

with all the invidiousness which the ingenuity of the
writer could bring to bear upon it, lie concluded that if
anything worse could have been said of him these de-
famers of his would not have failed to find it out. What
they now said against him was in reference to a matter
which had been denied twenty years ago, namely, that a
noble lord connected with the county of Durham—the Mar-
quis of Londonderry—had written a letter to the electors of
that county the terms of which he (Mr. Liddell) had dic-
tated. The hon. candidate, at some length, explained the
circumstances under which the letter was written. It was
written by the Marquis of Londonderry in 1837, on the
occasion of his (Mr. Liddell) contesting the county, and
amounted to nothing more than what the Earl of Durham
did for his opponent, although he (Mr. Liddell) was a
blood relation of the Earl of Durham. With the terms
of that letter he had nothing to do, and it was most unfair
to hold him responsible for it. After clearly and satisfac-
torily showing that he had no personal connection what-
ever with the terms of the letter, and that it was unmanly
and ungenerous now to bring it against him after a period
of sixteen years, he remarked that he had thought it neces-
sary to make this explanation, observing the repetition
of these attacks,—not proceeding, be it understood, from
their own people in Liverpool—not from the press of
Liverpool, which, he was bound to say, was conducted
with decorum and respectability, but from some disap-
pointed individual in the county of Durham, who bad not
hestitated to forward to the newspapers here that which
he would term nothing less than lies. :(Hear, and cheers.)
This, however, he would say to the conductors of the
Liverpool newspapers, do not, in heaven's name, soil the
dignity of political conflict by these miserable statements.
(Cheers.) After expressing his opinion that the great
principles which the constitutional party had ever acted
upon—those which recognised the paramount import-
ance of maintaining our own institutions and character—
might soon be tested and proved to be the only sound
ones, the hon. gentleman made some further references
to the circumstances under which the present election had
been brought about. How was it that they had been de-
prived of a voice in the House of Commons ? Was it
that they had done anything by which the borough ought
to have been disfranchised, even for a time ? He boldly
denied that they had, (Loud cheers,) either by themselves
or by their late representatives. And yet, had it not been
for their friends in the House of Commons, they
would not have been allowed the privilege of
electing their members for an indefinite period.
(Hear, hear.) He thought all that hesitation about
the issuing of the writ which had been mani-
fested on the part of the government was most
disgraceful to the government. (Loud cheers.) The hon.
gentleman, in conclusion exhorted the electors to come
quickly to the poll on Friday, and record their votes for
those candidates whom they thought most fitting to repre-
sent them in parliament. [A Voice : " We'll elect you
by 2,000 of a majority.] If he was elected to represent
them he should do his utmost to give satisfaction to his
constituents ; and if he was rejected be should bow with
all humility to their decision, and should trust that in
losing him they had only obtained a better man. [A
Voice : " You'll be 1,000 a-head at ten o'clock. You re
in the Park now.l (Loud cheers.) He thanked them
cordially for the reception they had given him. Much
depended on the present contest. The interests of the
townsmen, and all their freedom, depended upon it—
(Hear, hear, and a voice—" Three groans for Old Billy
now," which were given with much effect). Those sounds
fell very ominously on his ear, and he thought he knew
what they portended. He knew they portended the de-
feat of William Rathbone and his candidate, whoever he
might be. (Cheers.) He would not believe that they
would stultify their own formerly expressed opinions, and
betray their own interests, by electing any one who came
recommended to them from such a quarter. (Vehement
cheering.)
GEORGE HENRY HORSFALL, Esq., next came forward,
and addressed the meeting as the representative of his
brother. He regretted that circumstances over which he
had no control still prevented his brother from appearing
amongst them. Rather than occupy their time, they
would, perhaps, allow him to read from his brother two
or three lines which he had received that morning. The
letter was dated the 28th of June :
" We started yesterday morning, expecting by this time to
have reached , instead of which, after travelling all
night, we are only here."
His brother did not write very distinctly, and, therefore,
he (Mr. George H. Horsfall) could not state where he was;
but it was somewhere in Switzerland. He continued :
" I would make every effort in my power to show my sense
of the kindness shown to me, but I cannot do impossibilities."
He would only add that he had that day received another
telegraphic dispatch from him at Brussels, in which hestated
that he would endeavour to leave London, and, if possible,
be here by the railway train in the morning ; and as he had
not heard anything further he thought they might rely
on the last news from him. Mr. Horsfall then referred to
the address of Sir Erskine Perry on 'Change, remarking
that he had only selected two topics, viz.,—lndia and
himself. (Laughter.) He next referred to the following
extract from a Newcastle paper in reference to the Hon.
Mr. Liddell as a candidate for Liverdool :
"To succeed Hr. Charles Turner, the Hon. Henry Thomas
Liddell, our invaluable neighbour, and one of the chief orna-
uaments of these counties, has been called upon with one
acclaim to come foaward, and he has accepted the invitation.
Conservative Liverpool—(loud cheers)--has honoured herself
no less than she has distinguished the heir and representative
of the noble and time-honoured house of Ravensworth by such
a selection. The friend, pupil, we may say, of the immortal
George Canning and the illustrious Huskisson." (Cheers.) ,g
And now, one word as to the present aspect of this poli-
tical conflict. It had changed much since last they had
the pleasure of meeting, but a little opposition always did
good, for it got the steam up. (" Hear," and laugh ter.)
They were favoured that morning with an unus a umber
of political addresses. They had one from Mr. Robert-
son Gladstone, another from Sir Erskine Perry, a third
from Mr. Mellor. and another from Mr. Bramley-Moore.
With regard to Mr. Bramley-Moore, he had stated most
positively that he would not be one of those to throw dis-
union into the Conservative party. (Hear.) He had
expressed most strongly his determination not to be
the means of bringing disunion amongst what he thought
to be a united party ; yet, in spite of what Mr. Bram-
ley-Moore had stated, we had an addenda from
Mr. Mellor, and there might be some preserit who
desired to know the reason why this addenda had been
put forward to Mr. Moore's address. Mr. Mellor had,
he understood, issued that address from reasons rather
peculiar, and personal to himself. He (Mr. H.) did not
intend to dwell further on the subject, but he was told
that Mr. Mellor had a very great personal interest in
Mr. Bramley-Moore being brought forward. (Cries of
Oh, oh, and shame.) The speaker then pointed out the
inconsistencies contained in Mr. Robertson Gladstone's
address, and concluded by passing a high eulogium on Mr.
Liddell, and strongly urged upon the electors to be early
at the poll.

Mr. EDWARD LAWRENCE, in a long and eloquent
speech, which we regret our want of space at this late
hour compels us to abridge within the compass of a few
lines, proposed the first resolution. He expressed him-
self in strong terms on the want of candour displayed in
Mr. Bramley-Moore's address, and stated that unless that
gentleman came forwardwithsomenadre explicit statement,
he must be regarded as a person who had lent himself
to the Radical party. The speaker then showed the im-
portance of the great questions which were now impend-
ing with reference to our foreign policy, and strongly in-
sisted on the paramount necessity of the constituency of
Liverpool being represented by men who would only
carry experience and ability with them into the House of
Commons, but also an authority which would give
weight to their opinions. He alluded to the im-
pending war with Russia, which, while it threatened
the most vital of our commercial interests, was in the
hands of a premier who was neither consistent in his opi-
nions, nor cordial with his colleagues. He alluded
to the claims put forward by Sir Erskine Perry, as an
educationist, and asked how far the people of Liverpool
would trust a man, whose sole experience was among the
Pagans of the East Indies, and who might in this country
abjure those religions convictions which were dear to
every one of them. He asked them would they vindicate
the high character they had gained at the last election,
the admission of which they had wrung from their oppo-
nents ? (Cries of "We will," and loud cheers.) Would
they attend early, and vote for Horsfall and Liddell
(Uproarious cheers.) The first hour would give them a
triumph, to which that of the last election was nothing ;
and if the foe kept up a distant cannonade, they would
answer it by loader firing. (Loud and tumultuous cheer-
ing, which lasted several minutes, and almost shook the
vast building.

Mr. MATTHEW GREGSON seconded the resolution, and
said he trusted they would not relax their exertions until
they were able to join in a triumphant shout for the suc-
cess of Messrs. Liddell and Horsfall.

The CHAIRMAN put the resolution, which was a decla-
ration pledging the meeting to support the tic) Conserva-
tive candidates, the Hon. Henry Thos. Liddell and Mr.
Thos. Berry Horsfall, and it was carried unanimously by
a forest of hands.

The lion. H. T. LIDDELL, having paid a compliment
to Mr. Lawrence for the eloquence of his address, pro-
posed a vote of thanks to the chairman. This was seconded
by Mr. G. H. HORSFALL ; and, having been duly acknow-
ledged by the chairman, the vast meeting separated.

DEPUTY-LIEUTENANT.-At the Lancaster county ses-
sions, held 27th June, Thomas Rodick, Esquire, of
Gateacre, took the oaths as a deputy-lieutenant of this
county.

NATIONAL ARCHERY MEETING.—It is probable this
great annual meeting of toxophilites, which is to be held
at Leamington next week, will take place at Manchester
in 1854.
THE EMIGRANT SHIP " SHACKAMAXON.—The most
grati iv 'n g accounts have been received from Port Adelaide
concer .ing the ship Shackamaxon, which was chartered
by her Majesty's Commissioners for the conveyance of
free emigrants to that colony, and sent from this port
under the superintendence of Mr. James M`fienry.. The
captain bad the honour of entertaining to a dejeuxer,-
on board the vessel, the Governor of the colony and Lady
Young. The Lord Bishop of Adelaide, and Mrs. Short,
and a distinguished party. There was a very lively dis.
play of flags in honour of the occasion, and more
than one salute from such artillery as the port and the
shipping could command ; but the exterior demonstrations
were greatly surpassed by the handsome and hospitable
arrangements on board the Shackamaxon, Dr. Duncan,
who inspected this ship, has aysednetislcartiebdedi her
nest passenger-ships he has ever visitedn.
in admirable order, He found her
unusally replete with the accommodations
werethe a
classified
fi wereed as
_s six requisite for a long voyage. The and conveniences
evearsyonpaerot,f
and
cases of mortality among
a supposedb le, l. Tthoe m er, and the causes of death
•isneonasntuere 1b,.4; natural decay,l; questiol-
hlaast•etertermnateeindg her
rat
life9f abyfezna
female
e-owseho ofis
laudanum, which she is supposed to hare had in her
possession.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.-The steam-ship Melbourne
arrived at Plymouth on Friday. This ship, already no-
torious for her disasters, has been delayed by an additional
series of mishaps. She left Sydney on the 6th, and
Adelaide on the 18th of March. On the 12th of that month
she carried away half the propeller, hove UP,the remain•
ing part, and found it gone about 18 inches fropis theteiti
It took the engineer, with assistance, eight dai4Vicipal
struct a new propeller out of the boiler platVarrd-pair
the floor of the engine-room. On the 23id-of,Tunia—the
crank shaft of the engine parted. The Ai)? lad (then
to be sailed to Plymouth. The Melbourne bat brought
83,000 ounces of gold dust.