New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-08-11
Joshua Proctor Wc.thead, VI. Y.

state who then met the Representatives Of the People
for the first time in the new and magnificent Chamber
of the House Of Lords in the new Palace OF Nestmin
ster The House OF Commons elected during the sum
mer Of 81 contains large infusion Of new men, many
Of them Of liberal principles, and some of whom having
acted conspicuous parts other theatres Of action are
destined to take prominent positions and exert de
cded influence as legislators Among the latter is the
Member for Knares5Jrough, Joshua Proctor Westhead
He was born in the City Of Manchester in sO1 and was
therefore forty years Of age when ne was elected and
took his for the first time in the House OF Com
mons. lie is the Of prominent and very success
full merchant and manufacturer and in connection with
his brother Edward inherited the wealth and large bu
sness Of the father and which for several years the
brothers have continued with increased success. The
death of uncle, late the High Sheriff Of the County
Of Worcester gave the subject OF this sketch Lea
Castle in that County and large landed estate Though
not receiving University education, as his father
wished the son TO succeed him in business he never
theless through thorough academic training and
laid the foundation of good scholarship and acquired
taste for literary pursuits which amid all his sborsand
Herculean and gigantic they have been--he At no time
forgot or neglected. pleasing writer himself and
full Of imagination, he always the friend Of those
who have talents and who struggling for existence
or a name It was Mr. Westhead who aided and brought
out the weaver poet John Critchley Prince, whose
writings and the tale OF whose suferngs and trials
cited so much interest in England few years ago.
MIR Westhead from early life has been a consistent
and jealous though prudent Reiormer. He was an
active member Of the Anti.Corn Law League, and in
deed sbored efficiently in that years before the
establishment of that League In 1889 he addressed
vigorous and weressoned letter that subject TO Sir
Robert Peel which attracted and commanded the at
tenion and consideration of that distinguished States
man. In ls35 ne entered actively into the railroad
movement and became Of the prominent directors
in the road from Manchester to Birmingham, and in
ls43 he was elected Chairman of that important road
and from that time to the time of the Union in that
great and mighty corporation, the London and North
Western Railway Company he continued the chief
manager of its concerns, and the principal nego
tiator the part OF the Manchester and Birmingham
Company in that arrangement which brought under
one direction many different roads In the Board OF
that consolidated Company the London and North.
Western, with paidup capital of nearly one hundred
millions Of dollars, Mr.. Wesihead is now prominent
Director.
So dsinterested had been his course and 50 useful his
sbors that the stockholders Of the Manchester and B
minghsm Road by voluntary contribution raised the
splendid service of silver and presented TO him in
gust ls47 at Manchester at large banquet. In
GLIDING his speech on that occasion he observed
81 rejoice that have been privileged TO live in this
age and 10 have humble connection with the railway
movement. To the best of my ability have endeav
ored To advance it and feel happy that in doing
have mnisered in some degree TO the welfare OF my
native town To have aided in comforting the blessing
of recreation toing thousands and OF more frequent
between disparted friends to have eeono
mixed the time of the artisan the merchant and the
members of the learned professions 10 have given in
particular to the of medical skill the opportunity
of Bringing his experience to bear upon case after case
of critical importance and 10 spread his talent over the
greatest possible OF suffering and 20 to alleviate
the miseries of common humanity-to have been In
fine so favored in connection with my railway labors
gathered around this table so many OF the tai
ented the estmabe the wealthy and wealth creating OF
the earth do honor to me on this occsson-al this
affords me inexpressibe eradication Gentlemen,
thank you for the compliment you have paid me, IN
making me your guest and in drinking my health and
with the utmost I, rvor Of my heart thank all those
both present and absent who have contributed that es
timonia May those who shall succeed me be stnula
Ted By the memory of this event and by this enduring
token of your kindness and liberaty to be useful III
their generation and fill up well the measure OF their
mutual being
When the Jews Bill was before the House Of Com
mons Mr. Westhead made most able and efficient
speech favor of the admission of the Jews into Para
ment and which drew from the Prime Minister, Lord
of their thanks As Mr. Westhead s leading member OF
that great and influential body of Christians in England
the Wesleyan Methodsts his upon this question
naturally excited the deepest attention. especially in
that religious denomination to which he belongs.
In the course of his remarks he spoke of the Amer
can people as emnenily Christian nation, and he
dwelt with upon example and our free
dom from crime compared with many of the nations
...4
the Constitution of the United States calls for the ex
preston the part of Members Of Congress of no re
lgious belief His speech the first which he made in
the House of Commons, closes with the following beau
tful and eloquent passages:
As an elector have right of choice which, az
Senator have not. My wish would be to see men in
this house of like religious faith with myself but my
wish must yield TO the demands OF justice and any rea
soning as 10 possible disadvantages must give way be
fore an authority which dare question. duty is
ours; events are Gods" The Hon. aud learned mem
Der for Medhurst said that when he hrs heard OF the
election of Baron ROthschid for London he felt glow
of satisfaction How different the Hon members subse
quent in this question to my mind When heard
this election doubted the proprety OF admitting aJew
into Parliament and had acted a. the Hon and learn
ed gentleman my opinions would have undergone no !
change His fret impression in favor OF the admission
of Rothschd this House shows that early education
had not warped his Judgment this question, and the
lame Of benevolence which was enknded IN MS heart
al that announcement holy flame but he went |
information up the stream of history and strange to
say was commence his nvestig alton on this
great re ,ous and civil question: under the banner OF
the Non an Conqueror and he sought for illumna
ton in nat unproptous age, the shades of evening
gathered around him aud the drea of the curew
hlled the rising blast, and that holy flame with
" hch he had commenced his inquiry eXInguish |
ed and then instead of ascending the track Of Christi
anity 10 the day spring truth and the teaching
Jesus and his apostles he fsin 10 seek wisdom al
the feet of Coke and OF Hardwicke,-men eminent in
their calling doubtless but yet not men who wrote and
spoke AS they were moved by the Holy Ghost" For |
me. less learned than the Hon. member. ! sought |
guidance from that Volume which upon every poiit OF |
duty is SO simple. that "the wayfsring need not
err therein" Go not then entreat you, TO the writ
ings OF fslibe TO learn the distinctions between
right aud wrong this serious subject he who would
an syze the waters OF tar.iamed fountain, would
not go 10 a point far removed from lis source he |
would in that case with somew nat foreign some
what impure he would rather 20 the fountain head
tse ami there al the life giving spring his nvesrga
on ould be sstsfactory-his analysis complete Yes
m the great charter OF the universal family OF man OF
he Jew well the Gentle-ot the bond rs wen a.
Of the free.-you will md lunencumbered with per /
picking provisoes and intricate limitations and excep
,ons) the true distinct Invaluable rule OF action TO
which you rs Legislators bound 10 conform As
ye would that should do unto You, do We even 50 /
unto them
We anticipate for Mr.. Westhesd distinguished and /