The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-16 00:00:00

DINNER IN CELEIMATION OF THE TItI-
U'.IPIIS OF CONSERVATIS:',I IN NORTH AND
SOUTH TOXTETH WARDS.

On Wednesday evening last, the triumphs of conserva-
tism, during the last few years, in North and South Tox.
teth were celebrated by a public dinner at Mr. John Brig-
house's, Bowlinkgreen Tavern, (near the Dingle,) and
the friends of the cause availed themselves of the occasion
to present to Mr. Thomas Inman, the active hon.,rary
secretary, some handsome pieces of plate and a tea-service,
in testimony of their gratitude and respect for his long and
unwearied services. The apartment (the ball-room) was
tastily decorated, the walls being festooned with ever-
greens and flowers, and adorned with flags. Behind the
chair was suspended the Royal Arms, with the inscription
—" England's Queen." Over this was the Royal Standard,
on one side, and the British Ensign on the other. At the
other end a Royal St indard also floated horn the orches-
tra, which was entertwined with laurel and holly ; and in
the middle—reaching the roof and fixed transversely—was
another Royal Standard, and corresponding with it, on
the opposite side, a handsome flag bearing the inscription
—" Sandon and Douglas for ever." About sixty gen-
tlemen sat down to the repast. Amongst them were Robt.
Rankin, Esq., John Lawrence, Esq., Henry G. Harbord,
Esq., John Payne, Esq., W. Wagstaff, Esq., J. S. Skip-
per, Esq., George Clay, Esq., Joseph Harrison, Esq.,
Trotman, jun. Esq., Daniel Clarke, Esq., and Capt.
Robinson. . .

C. H. HORSFALL, Esq., ably officiated in the chair,
and Mr. JAMES ROBERTSON in the vice-chair, the former
being supported on the right by Alexander Smith, jun.,
Esq., and on his left by S. L. Trotman, Esq., R. Har-
bord, Esq., and I'. T. Glazebrook, Esq. ; and the latter
by J. Sheppard, Esq., and on his left by T. Inman, Esq.
The dinner was of the very best description—second,
indeed, to none that could be provided at the first hotels
in the town, either in quality or cooking. In addition to
the usual substantials in roast and boiled, there was a va-
riety of game, pies, puddings, &c., introduced as a last
course, and the Whole was served in a manner that did
infinite honour to " mine worthy host and hostess." The
desert comprised excellent grapes, dried and other fruits.
and the wines—chiefly port and sherry—were pronounced
by conuoiseurs to be super-excellent. Mr. Jolliffe's band
was in attendance, and played appropriate airs during the
evening. .

On the removal of the cloth, the CHAIRMAN, after a
loyal introduction, gave the health of " The Queen—the
Duchess of Lancaster," which called forth loud cheers,
followed by the Kentish fire and the national anthem.
He next proposed the of an illustrious and excel-
lent lady, whose many virtues and amiable qualities en-
deared her to all true Englishmen—" The Queen Dowa-
ger." This, too, was hailed with extreme applause, and
a tremendous volley of the Kentish fire. The next toast
coupled the name of " Prince Albert "—" an amiable
person and a good husband "—with " the rest of the
Royal Family." (Much applause.) " Our glorious Con-
stitution in Church and State" followed, with equal ho-
nours, and the air " Here's a health to Old England, the
Queen, and the Church." " The bulwarks of the Bri-
tish nation—the Army and Navy,'' was next drunk with
equal enthusiasm.
Mr. KEN ON, being called upon, replied in suit-
able and feeling terms. It had been, he said, his
good fortune to be at the Battle of Waterloo, and
it was a pride and comfort to him, after the dan-
gers he and others had passed, to return to the bosom
of his country, and still to feel assured, from the feelings
of those around him, that the conservative flag of Eng-
land would never be struck whilst there was an inch of it
remaining on the pole. (Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Duke of Wellington
and the House of Peers," which was received with three
times three, the band playing " See, the conquering Hero
comes." The next health drunk was that of " Sir Robt.
Peel," which was received with three times three and
prolonged applause, the band playing.
The VICE-CHAIRMAN here proposed the health of two
gentlemen who had served them faithfully and conscien-
tiously in parliament—" Lord Sandon and Sir Howard
Douglas." This too was received with tremendous ap-
plause, followed by the Kentish fire.
The CHAIRMAN said he had yet many excellent and
loyal toasts to propose, which he trusted would be drunk
by genuine Englishmen to the end of time ; but he must
now pass to the health of men who were more intimately
connected with the town. He proposed " The Conser-
vative Members of North and South Toxteth Wards,"
and would not dwell upon their merits, which were well
known,—particularly as five of them were present, and
would doubtless have a good deal to say. The toast was
rapturously received.
Mr. R. HARBORD, being first in the order of seniority,
rose amidst tremendous cheering. He felt, he said, in-
adequate to do justice to the toast, but would endeavour
to do so, not as an individual, but as one of those so kindly
alluded to. He had been in the council upwards of three
years, but four years had elapsed since he first came
amongst the electors. At that time popery and radicalism
were rampant in these wards, and they could hardly have
anticipated so favourable a result, but the goodness of
their cause had ensured them success. They had rallied
in support of the cause of God, their sovereign, and their
country ; and were mainly indebted to the immutable
truths which that cause involved. He took that opportunity
of sincerely thanking those gentlemen who had given them
their unremitting support, and trusted the wards would
never be in want of a proper candidate to reuresent them.
If he studied his own convenience, he should prefer pri-
vate life. So long, however, as he had represented the
ward for which he was returned, he trusted it would be
admitted that he had acted on truly English principles.
(Loud cheers.) His colleagues would doubtless enter
more into generalities, and he should therefore content
himself, on this occasion, with wishing all present health
and prosperity. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. ALEX. SMITH said he had had the good fortune to
be second in the field, his friend Mr. Harbord having led
the way in 1840. He detailed the successes of the two
wards since 1835, when their prospects were very gloomy,
up to the present time, showing the gain to the good cause
year after year, through the indefatigable exertions of its
friends. He knew of no two wards equal to them in
public spirit in the town. Their interests were indeed
identified, and well they united in supporting them. In
consequence of some of those around him having inquired
where was the sixth member, Mr. Lace, he begged to
state that that gentleman had had an engagement previous
to his hearing of the meeting, which he could not post-
pone, otherwise he would have done himself the greater
pleasure in being with them that evening. (Cheers.) He
had also to state, and with regret, that Mr. Alderman
James Lawrence would have been in attendance, but was
prevented owing to ill health. Mr. Chilton would also
have been amongst them, but had been summoned to
Scotland as a witness on a trial. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. SHEPPARD, in next returning thanks, alluded to
his triumphant return, and trusted that it would be ad-
mitted that he had ever voted on sound conservative prin-
ciples. There were, he said, many important questions
about to be discussed in committees of the council, and
the conservatives must in dealing with them be prudent,
zealous and determined. After complimenting respec-
tively the Chairman of the Finance and the Chairman of
the Watch Committee, he alluded to the resignation of the
Chief Constable, and the important duty of choosing a
proper person to succeed him. With regard to the school
question, he was of opinion that a sound Scriptural edu-
cation was the only means of bringing Great Britain—
aye, and Ireland too—(cheers)—to that position which
would render them the glory of the world. He next no-
ticed the proceedings of the Health of the Town Com-
mittee, and said that, having visited many of the dwellings
of the poorer classes in his ward, along with Mr. Councillor
and Mr. H. G. Harbord, it was clear that sewerage was re-
quired to place them in a comfortable state. With regard
to the administration of the new poor-law, he and their
other representatives had done everything they could in
behalf of those who unhappily fell under its operation.
Gentlemen (continued Mr. Sheppard), the due adminis-
tration of the poor-law is also a matter of grave and im-
portant consideration. I beg respectfully to call your
attention to the following facts. The county rates are
very heavy items, levied under the head of poor-rates.
It is shown by Mr. Wm. Cleaver's statement (the clever
and intelligent clerk of the West Derby Board of Guar-
di ins), that, in 18 townships comprised in the said union,
the amount expended in the relief of the poor of the said
union, including salaries of officers, and the whole cost of
establishment, for the year ended March, 1843, was
£a,552; and that the amount paid by the same townships
towards county rates, during the same period, was £9,936,
or nearly double the amount expended in the relief of the
poor. (Hear.) The West Derby Board of Guardians
were about forwarding to the magistrates of the county of
Lancaster a memorial on the subject, together with the
statement therein referred to, and have further requested
other unions to adopt a like proceeding. (Hear, hear.)
With regard to Ireland, he thought that Sir Robert
Peel deserved the thanks of the country for his mild
i but efficient administration of the law in that coma-
! try. (Cheers.) He next complimented the Attorney-
' General for Ireland, and expressed an assurance that the
result of the state prosecutions would be the con-
firmation of their constitutional rights and privileges,
which they inherited from their forefathers, and which,
with the blessing of God, they would hand down unsullied
toTheir posterity. It was, however, not to be borne, the:
any man whatever should be allowed to browbeat either
the Queen, House of Lords, or Commons. (Applause.)
They would, at all hazards, maintain their principles, and
take care to hand down to their children unimpaired those
institutions they received from their forefathers. (Cheers.)
As regarded the landlords of Ireland, whoever maligned
or traduced them did so falsely, as he was convinced
would be made manifest when the commission appointed
by Sir Robert Peel had made its report. (Cheers.) In
conclusion, he again thanked them, adding that he should
ever, in return, endeavour to do his duty honestly and
zealously. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. TROTMAN then briefly, but forcibly replied to
the toast. He had been an humble instrument in their
hands of redeeming South Toxteth from the degradation
of radicalism into which it had comparatively recently
sunk. He had ever given his vote for what he considered
the best interests of his constituents, and tendered them
his best thanks for their kindness and support. (Cheers.)
Mr. GLAZEBROOK then rose amidst loud cheers. He
said he most cordially entered with them into the festival
of that evening to celebrate the triumph of conservatiy-
ism in the two wards which had been almost perfected by
his election. Only four short years ago they had six
"liberal" candidates—so called ; now they had, happily,
six conservatives. True they had one " liberal " alder-
man, but from what he that night saw, and if he were
rightly informed, he would not long be charged with his op-
pressive honour. (Cheers.) When they saw so remark-
able'a change in a constitueney, they naturally inquired
what had led to it. Only seven years ago a great and
startling change took place in all the various gradations
of authority hi the land. This was a phenomenon in the
history of the country, which required serious considera-
tion. It was not to he accounted for in the fact of any
mistake having been committed on the part of those who

exercised the suffrage, hut rather from their being imper-
fectly instructed in the nature of their duties, and but im-
perfectly informed as to the nature of the privileges they
enjoyed. Happily for the country that blot did not re-
main on its history long—happily for them, reflection and
experience had led them to correct the error into which
they had fallen, and to return to those principles, and
practices, and morals, from which they had temporarily
fallen. (Applause.) It was no doubt an apparent fact,
that their political opponents did not form their principles
on the truths of revelation, and in consequence of that
omission, they were incapable of coming to anything like
a sound conclusion on the subjects submitted to their con-
sideration. (Hear, hear.) There had, however, been a
return, from some cause or other, and he could not
but hope that it had been brought about by Providence,
who, in his wise arrangements of human affairs, generally
provided a corrective to the evil which abounded. (Hear,
hear.) He, therefore, trusted that many had come to the
conclusion of forming their opinions upon that only true
and infallible commentary upon human life, namely, that
which the Scriptures supplied—(cheers.)—for he felt con-
vinced that any who derived their knowledge from any
other source were equally unfit to govern or to obey.
(Applause.) He did not merely rejoice because power was
transferred from one party to another, but because
a different principle was acted on. Of what use was it to
them that the transfer of power merely had taken place,
if they did not take care that their principles were carried
out. Now that these wards enjoyed peace, let them em-
ploy it for the general good. He was unwilling to trespass
upon their time on this festive occasion,—(go on)—but
he thought he would not stand well with them if he did
not justify to them and to their political opponents the
reasons that actuated him and others who acted with him
in their votes in the council. Since he had the honour to
belong to that body he had been called upon to give his
vote on several important occasions. He had given his
vote for the election of Mr. Sands to the mayoralty. The
subject was one which had been much discussed out of
doors; and he would state for himself that if he had
thought there was anything improper or dishonourable in
that gentleman's conduct, he, for one would not have
given a vote in his favour. (Cheers.) He was as jealous
as any one of the uprightness and integrity of public
officers,—and especially of mayors; and if he hat thought
that that vote went to prejudge Mr. Sands case, or to ar-
rest enquiry into it, he would not have given that vote.—
Hai he thought as Mr.Blackburne did, he certainly should
not have voted for the election of Mr. Sands ; but when
be found that gentleman asserting his own innocence of
the charge and demanding inquiry, and more especially
when he was assured from other parties that the charge
could not be maintained, he felt that he could give his
vote for him with perfect sincerity, as be was convinced
every other member of the council did. (Cneers.) On
the question of the Harrington docks, he would tell them
the state of his mind on that subject. He was in the
condition of a juryman who awaited the hearing of the
evidence. There were difficulties in the way of forming
a second judgement on that question, and he considered
it the most proper course to wait until he could read the
statements of the case,—until, too, he had the advan-
tage of the discussion that would no doubt arise in the
public press, which might correct those who were in error,
or remind them of what they might have forgotten.
(Cheers.) Standing there as their representative he would
say that he had not withdrawn his confidence in Sir R.
Peel, though the ministry certainly appeared to him
to exhibit a want of firmness and courage on the
question of Scriptural Education so essential to
the well-being of the people. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
The people had delegated them to instruct and to direct
them, and it became their first duty to promote moral
and religious instruction. Ile knew that ministers bad
difficulties to contend with, but they did not appear to
him to entertain that cordial feeling for the church, on
which depended our national prosperity and stability. He
would not have said so much, but heconsidered it his duty
to state his opinions candidly on matters on which his con-
stituents had a right to know what views he entertained.
He concluded, after a feeling allusion to the benefits of
Scriptural education, by thanking them for the honour
conveyed by the toast. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. SHEPPARD proposed the health of the vice-
president, to which that gentleman ably responded.
The CHAIRMAN then gave, in connection with " Ships,
colonies, and commerce," the health of Mr. Rankin,
who was deeply interested in the prosperity of the trade of
Liverpool as a large, perhaps the largest, shipowner in the
world. (Applause.)
Mr. RA.NKIN responded.
Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH proposed that the next toast
should be in a bumper. It was to the health of a gentle-
man who had been of essential service to the conservative
cause in those two wards, and in bringing about the
effect he had already described, They were all aware that
an able secretary was of essential importance to every
cause—(applause)—and it was their good fortune to have
enlisted in their cause a most energetic and able one, who
had taken the deepest interest in conservatism, who had
worked night and day to promote the cause he had at
heart, and who had now the satisfaction of seeing his
efforts crowned with success. (Loud applause.) There
was no doubt but the person who stood forward to bear
the brunt of the battle as their secretary and treasurer bad
done, deserved their warmest applause, and this was due
to Mr. Inman. (Tremendous cheering.) The reception
of the name of Mr. Inman convinced him that not another
word need be said in his favour, for they all seemed fully
convinced of the importance of the services he had ren-
dered. (Cheers.) The friends of the cause had thought
it right to present him with a substantial testimonial of
the value of his services, which he would now request the
chairman to present to him. _

A very handsome silver tea and coffee service was here
introduced, bearing the following inscription :
" Presented to Mr. Thomas Inman, by a number of
his political friends of North and South Toxteth Wards,
in acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by
him during many contested elections, both parliamentary
and municipal, which have resulted in the return of two
Conservative members to Parliament, and of the six
Conservative representatives of these wards in the Town-
Council. _ _