Middlesex Election Dinner...
The Times, 1824-04-01T00:00:00

of I and ilr -W'hitbiad (ttie muemberi' for the county), Mvr. H'umed, Mr. Hobhoule, M. H. Grey Bennet, Mr. Alderman Wood, anid a onsiderable number of the frielojodecs of the county. After the'cloth was removed, the C51AIMAM gave the- health of the " Kinet and may h'e rnever- for~et tthe principles which seated his fam lon-the T rn'Tretimnes three. "hilie Duke isi Ybrk-, and the -tsat Of Lhe Royal Family." "Thbc-Atrfnv;id Navy." Tbe0 AiAtRStN-said,-itbecame his duty'to propose atoast more ji-itedfately concted with'the object of their pres-nt meeting. They Ybadiatel"shecard so much-of the 'Popularity of M'Vinisters, arid tedeclsbe of' te attachmetit of tbe people for the great question-of git?bamentaty reform,. that it was tume to point out the use which nad-been muade of tha%t state of apathy respecting their rights, whicb b"'I Mlarked their transition from a- timne of distress to- a state of c0Omparittive comfort, arising from the orogress of their own induistry. He was prouid, hiowever, to find, from the crowded state- of the room on this day, that the freeholders of Middle- 5Se were at least free fTom such an apathy, and wvere still prepared to fty rOund their principles. (Cheers.) HJe was, he repeated, glad to find thetm still the same consistent refoirners who had at the last election re'.establishcd the independence of their county. tApplause.) 'WVith respect to the popularity of- ministers he would nolt saY that it wa altogether undeserved, so far as they claimed cre- dit for a departure from those natrow and illiberal feelings which hatd so0 long chmetaerizedi the generalisystem of their asIministration. He atlso thouzht the people indebted to them for their reduction of taxation, small Ls it had been but to much more were the people of Englinid entitled, before they either wouild or ought to be satisfied. (lRearj. The 1ginisters must also depart fargely fromn their oldi and batd political predilections.ttheir alien bills, ana their unconsti- tutional alliance with foreign diespots,- who', were leaguied azainst the liberties of enankind-.before they coiuld hope to obtain 'the confi- dence of the people. (Hear, hear.) Of what use, bowever~, were anY concession.s so long as the great question of Parliamentary, reforal was wanting tc givethem permanent andsteadyeffect C(Pear.) They imust rememiber that the Gover'nmient had still " a giant's StTength. althtough they might not use it as a gialit." So long, then, asl the question of reform was not pressed, exactly as long h'ad t'he people no security against the recurre'ace of the measuires and the OPPreasive taxatiojs which bad so lately weighed themn down, anid dis- graced them in the eves9 of thle world. During war and dluring dis- tre&x, when they called for Parliamnentary reform, they were an- swered"1 This is not the- time." Now then, whien no excuse on ac- counit of time could possibly be urged, they ought to come forvard and firmly call for the attainment of their favoutrite anid moot esseni- tial object, without which they couild have no security for the en- joymnent of those rights wilic h their constitution warranted. They olught to show the Government that they did niot conceive themselves " born with saddles on their backs, or that anv others were borii 'with sPurs on to ride whitr them." The Cirairmaia strorney enforcedI the necessity of reform, cand laniented the absence of so-me of its most distingutishe.d supporters, particuilarly Lord Nugent, and Sir Robert Wldson-mencentitled to their warmiest good wrishesi, and who had, at thse greatest personal sacrifices, evinceed their attaclimentto the cause of liberty on e late unfortunateoccasion. (Applause.) Thie free. holders vwhom he hiail the honouirnow of addiresing wortild recollect, that when they last met there, tieyvwere awaitinganimopendingconte.st for the liberties of Spain. The tsso individuals, whom he hadi nam-ed. hadi genrosl ad chiv-alrously devoted themselves to that sacred caus~e. They were inan who were above the rewards of despots or the frowns of prower, and who carried with them what the lionotirs of tycarits couldI not conifer-tire satisfaction of their owni con'ciences "nd the gratitude of all free-born men. (Cheers.) fie concluded by Proposing the hraltirs of M.Bn d lrSaulC re' WVhitbread." r.ynani r.SmeChle The healths of the county members were drunk with loudt ap- plause. Mfr. By,, n, in returning thianks, said triat at all timies lie felt a diffictilty of acknowledig vi n thing like suitable tersms, the gratitude 1he felt to his constituents for their invariable attachment during the long course ofhi,; g0 vears' service, Ile could confidtently a-ssure theuri that on all occasion's his anxious anti unabated desir`c was toserve them and not himself. (Applause.) Their local in- terests and the general interests of the people had been the daily oh- jetfIhis solicitude, and wourld conitinue tobheso aslongas he was h.onored with their confidence. Of allthc questions which could be uagtated, none sovitally concerned them as parlianientarv reform; for until the people recovered that sbare in th e election of their representa.. tives which of right belonged t hi,hycudhv no security for the real enjoyment and secuirity of their liberties. (Azpplause.) He wished he could corgeratulate them on a greater redtuction of taxa- tion this session. The Minister, l1wever, preferred mnaking an ex- peritmnt in principles of trade, rather than whapt he (M1r. Byng) shouli have preferred-a reduction in taxation. That expenruent hie katew, was "ot well received by those of his cosiunts whio were connected with the silk trade; however, it was dlue to Minis- ters to Say, that many eminent gentlemen, not of their party, con- currea W'ith themi in. opinion that the trade of the country ought to be thrown open. He hoped, that ultimately the experimenit wouild be su-Mess-ful andl that next year a further anid moLre adequTIate re- ductiin of taxation wouild be afforded to thec countr y. On this, andi on all ecasions, he could assure lila constituents that they miight rely en a continuance of his unabated effo.rts to promote the welfare of thei como country. (Applause. M.WH5TaIREAD 'said, that heiiap are(l before them for the lifth timec to return thanks for suchr a compliment as tlie present He could assure theorn that these niarkrs of attention became more deeplv marked upon hi% miniid by r-epetition. Ile sqtood before them now, aftcr four yearS' experience, anti was riot thercfore now called upon to make professions ; thiey had his conduct before them, and he was readly to abide the is'sue of their scrusiny, not w,ith f'ear, but with satisfaction. (Hear, hear.) H9e musicontend, that tlhechange in the conduict of tlheminis~ters was to lbemn3inly attributed to the efforts of afew independent members of ParliLanent, who insisted upon hav-ing justice done to the country. (Hear, hear.) W1hat security, however. had the people for a con- tinualce of the moderation of ministers ? None until the great cques. tion -f a refor-m in Parliament was c-arried into effect lie would not enter into the particular kindg of ref'orm wIichi tle necessities ,of tie country required, but an adequate reform was called for, and the longer it was delaved, the niore imperative would it he dernanded by the people. 'Up ontht great usio i opinions remained unchianged. tAplplaruse.) The peoplhaarit to a real andI not a nominal representatton. He concluebyr-s surint them of his warm attachiment to those principlewhc hd gained for him their support, and concluded by proposing-" A speedy andi substantial reform of the representatives of the people." The CseAsRt.'ANeTIxt proposeri the health of Sir F. Burdlett, Mr. lioblbouse, and thec electors of Westmrinster, which was drunk ,with three times three. MIr. Hoastor'sy, in rising to return thanks, apologized for the absence of Sir Francis Burdett, who was detained in the country. and said that fromn the metropolitan county, the people banl for ages received excellent lessons of reform, and always foundi amongst them the best example of' good prrinciple, wvhen opposed by tile most conurbinedl efforts, of power. This was one of the occasions when an honest representative ef the people felt a proud exultation at meeting hia constituents, and asserting those prin;ciples of freedom whichi the country hoped sorti to see realized, and which were inseparable fromi true greatness, Ilie thanked them for crowen- ing by their approbation, not the little that he did, burt the little which he artenipted. As to hit honourable colleague (Sir Francis Burdett), ho was known too well in that countyto to require his culogs'. IVliile upon his legs, be could not hel! complaining of some atllusion to tIre growing- popularity of Minis- tersi, by his honourable friend (the Chairiman). Where was in ma- nifested ? He protested he strv no suici appearances : it was true that they were not as bad as the former ministers, fur that was im- possible (a laugh), but be believedI that thiey participatedI in the saime deep-rooted opposition to populatr righits';thiey were the samie mninister who had passed gagging~ bills, suspension and indemnity bills, alieni bills, and who forned parr of the machinery of tbhs infamous mniscalled sy-stem of the" Holy.Allianice." (Applause.) He insisted that thesc'AM'misters, though not quite so bad a&s others, were equally opposed to the great' question of reform, withiout wliceh it was in vain to hope for safety. He warmly urged the necessity of' the people standing by their real representatives in the promotion of popular rights. Tlrehconourable member, after dwelling againiurpon the absolute necessity of their having a H-ouse of Commons, not chosen by the Chiancellor of tlse lxcbecquer, but by tIre countrv at lar;merepeated, in -warin terms, his recommendation that they sh6uld matC ceare to call for the restitution of those rightswliich alonec could afford them any chance of real security. (Applause.) The OaAtas rANV next proposed the health of" M4r. Aldermian 'Wood and the citizen., of London."-.Three times tliree. Mr. Alrderman IVOOD, in returning thanks for the honour whech they had done him, assured then) of his cordial support of the prin. ,ciples the success of whichi they had assembled to commeniiorate. He was delighitedI to hear the sientimnents whcichbad beein uttered by his hon. friends who had preceded lIim. H-e was ready to give credit to M1inister s for whatever good they had done, although he entirely ad- mitted that nothing would be satisfactorily, concludted for the people, until a reform- in Parliament was carried into complete effect. (Ap- plause) Theworthy, alderman then thanked thert for the good opinion which theyentertained ofhis, fellowi-citizens, and expressed the cordial pleasure he shouldI alwas's feel in giving his best assistance to pto- mote theinterests of the people at large, in which the freehiolders of tire county of Middlesex were so deeply interestd (pplau,e.) The CHeAIMn5AN next proposed the health of ieHn H. Grey Berniet," whose public conduct, he said, well deserved their warmiest approbation.-Three times three. ilr. B. G. BIENN ET, in returning thanks, said that he coruld feet, no gre-ater pleasure than mneetinig his brother freeholders ins the county of idlidlestex, whose present excellent representatives had uniformily supported those principles upon. which alone the welfare ,of the country couldl safely repose. He wasi of little' use to the free. hiolders of their county, but their example was of'great use to thec ,empire at large. (Applause.) WVith respect to an'y apparent im- *pitovemnent in the Govemnment, he con(il not concur in the merit as- icrilied to-the recent proceedings of the ministers, who, after govern. I- te nas long as they could upon bad principles, were at length driven frmte y the voice of public imiprovement, and obliged to re. sor4to,4 sounder systemi of cond-ict, after expedience had exploded thchr-pevous one which had been so lamentably pernicious. For a,jonXdm the Parliament of this country had exhibited the spectacle of a contest between the advocates of freedom and tire pronnot- era' of slavery ; anid of late a small change hadi taken plnee , in a part of the system of the old opponents of popular right . Wai s i .for that the people had reason to rejoice? Pl'hat steps, he would uskk.lhnd these minisers taken to get rid of those opprobrious laws 'wc h h ad so longdsgracsa-ed the Statute Book ? Had they not con thuedFmany of theb6dious acts which so long deprrived the people of thel constitutional rigiots ? Had they no'. continued -the infamnous Alien -Act, a nd tire scandalous cGnnexion with the confederated 1despots'who trampled on the liberti es of the' contnent? (Hear.) ro'r. "Wrhaterealitrle change bad of late taken place in miniastrial policy, ptot the ministers, but the people were to be-praised. (flear.) Let tire people- thens proceed onwards, and press their claims, and t lheyarsust, lilke the gradual pressureof the humau foott upertanrtea sfiuecced ultimiately in ma xing that impression- which -eould anoti foil- in secuung to them the enjoyment of those privileges fiar m Which they had so long heedi unjustly d ebarred. The people o,ught,to send petition after petition until they operated upon t he Hueuse.ofoofnions; for if toreyacted with firmnes5 aan persev'erace, it would-be in vain to oppose the recognition of claims which truth nd justsfce-sanctioned. (Applause.) lehopedbtbat t he free holde r Of Miolseox would take the lead in the great question of re}orm, for through its success alone could they expect to attaite secudty for the -future: indemnity for t)ie past, he asked- not, fo r t hat ras impossible. Th e longer she lived,- the less. he -hoped from. ma. BrParmnt constituted like the present: the sanme -chon es which -thes thc psnt ministe ere conducting amid t tb - -dea g - commendatorm t s houts of thei' follower's, we're with the echeers andbythe samemen e resisted, and the same . terst cnc ouraged in resisting them, wbem they were propseed th?oyoat$SO p frot;te-o 5ji4e ofotAtr se; (sair.;, What, then, could be Zxp;ectea from uch. jysjteai:?. , - ph e v,.antedan honest Parliament te chcld oaid tr l'e ' wratieifi 1i the exVeiiditftre df l6R61sel blic hmoniey- .t&epe-ao in ut-of the ptople, eand-not tO bdw: 6 trbe beck alidlod of coruptpower4-%t to placethetpublicfltereqts on the only true basis on whihthbbcvxduld safely rest-the'apr i6 n tecuntry- and thp aftecions o' the people. (Cheers:). . The CHA1RMwrAW ne,xt -pr'6sedthe bealtfi of" ?l . Hume?"- Three times.three. x e t Alr. H ttME said, that he hopei1 ha felt as- e ought the manner in which they had received the toast frotlthie'chair, andh 'wbich&far ex- ceeded any 'claim hehad unib- their approbation,' for fapp'rting the principles to which thev had so invariablv and so hononrably a& hered. It always gave him pleasure to meet large bodies of his fel- low-countrym en, end to impress upon them, as stronglynaspossible, the necessity of promoting to the utmost of their power a parliamen- tary reform: without tk-at he agreed with his hon. friendIs, there could be no ultimate hope ior the country. Until the people had a full share in the elections of those who were to tax them, and regu- late the laws which governed their lives and property, it wvs in vain to boast of their freedom, or refer to their venerated constitution. (Heear, hear.) It was true in theory that they had a representative Goverrnnent,buthemtustdenythat thepeople at large were any thing like ftirly represented in the Commons House of Parliament. To set a large value tlherefore upon any apparently liberal measure of the Govermnent until the people were put. in possession of their just rights, would be a meremockery of their unprotected situation. The hon. risember thea took a view of the financial measutes of the pre. sent government within the last five or six years, and though Par- liament had been changed and ministerial alterations partially ef- fected, still he contended ieat the system of government continued substanti.ally the same, and was at variance with the interests of the people: millions of useless expenditure had been, and still continued to be, squandered; a standing army of 80,000 men was in tinie of peace still maintained; and although some slight indica- tions of yielding a reduction of public expenditure were visible, yet he saw no hope unless thce people put their shoulders to the wheel, of comnpellingr die Mlinisters to economize on that scale which the necessities of thc country so justly demanded. He trusted that the county of Mliddlesex wo.nld take the lead in calling t'or a reform in Parliament and a reduction of the public expense. I,et them not mind the asserted apathy of others. Let them once act, and they might rely on being followed by the rest of the cotntry. His plati was, in the House of Commons, to do his duty manfully and fearlessly-happy if he succeeded, and not depressed if he failed. (Applause.) Let them do the same, and they must eventually succeed. (-lear, hear.) The Ministers would then be driven from their fast hold of extravagant estimates, and obliged to yield to the wishes of the people. He disliked half measures, and was therefore the muore anxious to see the people firmlv and consti- tutionally pursuing the attainment ot their just rights. Heconcluded by congratulating them on the character which they upheld in the country, and upon the consistent and patriotic conduct of their prc- sent worthy representatives. (Applause.) Mr. BYCr proposed the health of their excellent Citairnan. The CHIARt1AN, in returning thanks, defended himself from the imputation cast upon him by his lioin. friend (1Ir. Hobhouse), of praising ministers for their reluction of taxation. IHe appealed to the meeting, whetlier the tenour of his speech was not to cauition the people front giving too much credit to ministers for the little they liad done when so much remained unnoticed. (flear, hear.) But his hon. friend coult do any thIing with his ingenuity, and in this in- 8tatice, w*hen speaking of him, had made the most of a bad subject. (Loud laughter.) Several other toasts were given in the course of the evening, and the cormpany broke up at a late hour, after paying a warm tribute to their representatives. NfIDDLESEX ELR('TIONIir,nvA'R.