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    January 8, 1853.] THE LEADER* 27 ^

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    Election Intelligence. Successful Kktukn...

    Anthony Denison proposed Mr . Dudley Perceval , " a gentleman who had never done anything to dim the lustro of the name he inherited from his father , and who was noted for the warmth of hig opposition to the errors and corruptions of the Romish church and the Papal tyranny . " Mr . Woollcombe , of Baliol , animadverted on the conduct of a few persons connected with a political club , who , to spite Mr . Gladstone , had disturbed the academic body . They had , he said , contended against one another with honest weapons in a clear and open field .

    " But what is this new order and plan of action P Have all our principles suddenly been overthrown and abandoned—have we given up on a sudden our conscientiousness , our love of fair play , even common good faith ? I confess , brother academics , I confess , for one , I am deeply ashamed to be brought into this contest—if indeed it is really a contest . I know not what you think . For myself , I confess that I have never come into a house of convocation with such exceeding offence , with such decided , such , unmitigated disgust . I understand a difference of opinion—I can tolerate , I hope , strong and vehement opposition—I can bear a defeat ; but one thing I cannot understand , I cannot tolerate , and that is bad faith . N " o , I cannot endure that we should have introduced into this venerable house the lowest and basest acts of the most

    unprincipled electioneering . One candidate—no , I beg pardon , one honourable person—a man of the highest character , of the greatest integrity , who never at any one time was a candidate , has most amply and most completely vindicated himself and his own spotless honour . Another candidate we are told is forthcoming—another has been named . I confess I think we might well demand the proof of his consent to be named—we might ask for his own hand and seal . But enough of these most miserable and most unworthy proceedings . Whatever be the end of this contest—if we are to have a contest—I myself can feel no doubt about the result . One thing I will say—one entreaty I will again and again make , and that most urgently —let us not allow this our venerable house of convocation

    to become an object of contempt , of disgrace and opprobrium . Let us not tolerate for a moment that the arts of the worst electioneering , which would be scouted with indignation from the humblest town , should here find a refuge amongst gentlemen—amongst members of a university—amongst clergymen . This is no question of party ¦—the honour , the credit , the character of the whole university is at stake- I do not to-day fear for our real , for our most distinguished , for our true candidate . I will not today argue his case or plead his cause . It is our own interest , our own cause that I plead . Let it be our care , our strenuous care , that those without shall not think so meanly of us , as that we do not all , heartily , unanimously , yea , as one man , and with the most indignant denial , repudiate and disallow tho proceedings which I have been compelled severely , but I believe not too severely , to censure . "

    This offective speech was delivered in Xiatin . Dr . Phillimore , in English , then exposed the practices of the opposition . Mr . Denison explained that he had nothing to do with it , but there had been some mistake with reference to bringing forward the Marquis of Chandos . Dr . Macbride said the President of St . John ' s had a letter which would have satisfied the mind of every person in the hall that they were fully justified in expressing their belief that the Marquis of Chandos would bo a candidate . ( Several gentlemen bore asked , " Whose letter ? " ) He ( Dr . Macbride ) was not at liberty to say . ( Laughter . )

    Dr . Phillimore remarked , what Dr . Lempriere might have written to Dr . Macbride could not reasonably he put in comparison with the published statement of the Marquis of Chando . s himself . After some further discussion , which is described , as disreputable , jocose , and undignified , in which a Reverend Mr . Licit field , from Northamptonshire , played a distinguished part ; uiul after Mr . Charles Marriott , of Oriel , had ably and temperately enforced the cluiuiH of Mr . Gladstone , the polling eoninieuced . At tho close of the poll on the iivnt day , the numbers were—Mr . Gladstone 01 ) Mr . Perceval 4 <) At , the close of the poll on Wednesday-Mr . Gladstone 171 Mr . Perceval I 7 () Ami a ( , tho close of the poll on Thursday Mr . Gladstone- ' MM , Mr . rereeval JJlMi Every ell ' orfc will 1 m ; required , therefore , to secure Mr . Gladstone ' s return . VAUI . IHLIi . Slit JamkH GitAHAM has been triumphanl . ly returned . Although Mr . Sturgeon issued an address and declared Ik ; would go to the poll , he contented himself with making a good-tempered and sensible speech in defence of the Charter ; but we are ufruid it , wiih no match lor tho attack made by Sir Jatues . I . ul , Mr . Sturgeon bus placed Chartism on u much higher position in Carlisle by his nuinly and courteous but unflinching bearing . Sir . Fumes Graham was proposed by Mr . Dixon , and seconded l > y Mr . Irving . He was in the heartiest possible utiitn of inind . Good-humour overflows in his Hpecch ; mid ho seemed on the best possible terms with himself and with his ci > nsl , it , uenf , H , and they with him . Their good-humour , he know , was inexhaustible . Tho

    last tin ^ addressed them was July— " One of the hotted days I ever knew . To-day I address you on one of tht shortest as well as one of the wettest days I ever saw . " Let us congratulate ourselves on our safety—Lord DerVy is overthrown , but " the deluge is not come . " " Mr . Dixon has remuitLed you that it has been said , on high authority , that Carlisle is a Iladical constituency ; and T , fresh from the contagious , atmosphere of Downingstreet , fresh from the Royal presence , bring with me a clean bill of health . Lord Derby says , Carlisle being a Iladical constituency , I am a very good person to represent it . I rejoice in that certificate ( loud cheers ) , and am glad

    to present it to you . Something has been said upon the merits of Mr . Cobden , with reference to the repeal of the Corn laws . I cordially subscribe to what fell from Mr . Peter Dixon on that subject , and my lamented chief , the late Sir Robert Peel , when he was at the head of Ihe Government , and able to carry that great and important measure , frankly acknowledged that great merit , if not the highest merit , was due to Mr . Cobden . ( Cheers . ) It is charged by Lord Derby against me , that I called Mr . Bright my honourable friend . Am I ashamed of having so called him ? Far from it . ( Cheers . ) I admit that in my opinion , without the Corn-law League , at the present moment the Corn-laws would not have been repealed .

    ( Hear , hear . ) And with such weather as this , wheat having risen to such an amount with open ports , let me ask you , the population before me , what would have been the price of bread but for those efforts and the triumphant carrying of that measure ? ( Cheers . ) I understand the honourable gentleman ( Mr . Sturgeon ) to say , in his address , that I am a Tory in disguise . Well , gentlemen , if I am a Tory , I am certainly very ill-placed in the present councils of her Majesty , for I have been instrumental in overthrowing a Tory Government . I am . charged Avith being a conspirator for having done so , and I do not deny I did think Lord Derby ' s Government unworthy the confidence of Parliament and the nation . ( Loud cheers . )"

    He had avowed his opposition at Carlisle last summer ; when he said he would give effect to his opinion in Parliament at the proper time . He did not want to overthrow Lord Derby prematurely—not before he had brought forward his budget : but when he saw that budget he voted with the majority against it , and the Government resigned . Now he was associated with three of the authors of the Eeform Act—Lord Lansdowne , Lord John Russell , and Lord Palmcrston . ( Cheers . )

    Here he greatly amused his hearers by announcing his intention of presenting Mr .-Steel , the editor of the Carlisle Journal , with a copy of tho report of the committee which investigated the Bcresford businessintimating that it might be treated as a twelfth cake , and given out in slices . Prom this he glided easily to an attack upon manhood siHfrage which he ridiculed severely—showing that paupers , government officials , and Mr . Walpole's friends the militia , would all have votes , and all be driven to the poll in the interest of their paymasters . Nevertheless , be said , " The time has arrived , when , with safety to our institutions , the franchise in this country may be considerably extended . "

    " The next point is the point of the Ballot . I will nof flinch from any ono point . ( Cheers . ) Ifc would be irnmanly if I did so , and the weather being rather brighter you will excuse mo for trespassing on your patience . JSTow , we will talk of the Ballot . There is no man who views witli more disgust than I do tho intimidation , the bribery , the corrupt practices which havo prevailed , and which did prevail at the last general election in this country . ( Cheers . ) I think it , is cruel , when men have privileges which they ought to exercise freely and independently , for either landlords or employers to intimidate by threats , otto hold out the fear that , if they do not vote in a particular way they will lose either their limns or their customers . I

    Kay it is unworthy this country that free men should be exposed to what I hold to he such tyranny and such oppression —( ehoei-H)—and I for one am willing to entertain any question which shall alter such oppression , and put an end to hiu-Ii intimidation . ( Renewed cheers . ) Hut . I tell you frankly that , I cannot satisfy myself that , the Ballot , will be an effectual remedy for this purpose . If the baliol , is to be made cllectual , the right of voting must , be by law made universally secret . I nay you cannot enact Hiich secrecy in this country , aud if you do not , then I lie ballot is flagrantly iiKtlfeetual . If n landlord desires lo control the vote of hi . s tenant , and it , is optional whether tho vole shall he triven in secret or openly , the landlord

    Riiya : — ' I insist on your giving an open vote . If you tf ive a secret vote , I shall presume you gave ! it against , my wishes , and shall act accordingly . ' So also the customer Muyn :--- ' I insist on your giving an open vole . If you do not , I shall not only suspect , but Ik * satisfied you have-voted against my wishes . ' . I say , therefore , the Hallot in useless , unless secret , voting is compulsory , and secret voting cannot bo made compulsory , because you cannot , prevent , men exercising the right of voting openly if they so think fit . Then , also , with regard to the ollocl of tbe Hallot on bribery ; I believe , if you have tbo Hallot in all small

    constituencies , you will havo Mr . Klowkers and Mr . Erails men with quickness and judgment sent down by tint Curl ton Club to deal wholesale with parties possessing local influence , on . tho principle of ' No return , no pay !' Small constituencies will then be bought wholesale , and , as I believe , at a lower price than they are bought now . (( Minors . ) 1 nay , therefore , looking a . t this matter deliberately , wbih' I am quite ready to entertain any proposition which hIihII tf ivo to volortf greater necurit , y for ( lie free xoreino of the franchise , jih nt present , advised , I cannot Hutiufy jnjticlf that tho Ballot la ciluctuul for that purpouo .

    It is easy to talk of Manhood Suffrage—it is easy to talk of the Ballot as a blessing on the people on whom it it ) conferred ; but let me entreat you to remember well , with all the imperfections in our system , tho freedom and the blessings you enjoy . ( Cheers . ) In Europe you arc the only people who really enjoy perfect freedom of speech , perfect freedom of action , and a control over the servants of the Crown—a control which you are exorcising this day in my person . ( Cheers . ) You enjoy the utmost . liberty which . man can desire , namely , the liberty of doing everything short of doing that which is injurious to your neighbour ; and although I admit there are imperfections , great imperfections , which require to be remedied , let me exhort you to think twice before you support Manhood Suffrage . ( Cheers . ) Look abroad . " There is Italy—a garrison of foreign troops . There is Germany . Since 1848 everything like representative institutions has been put down , and that hostile armiesAbove all

    mighty country is a camp of . , look afc France , once the seat of representative government , and distinguished for its success in the arts , in science , in literature , and in almost nil the accomplishments which adorn mankind . Universal Suffrage and the Ballot have been established there : and look ! where are the liberties of nearly 40 , 000 , 000 of men ? One single man is victor over their liberties , and all their rights and privileges are prostrate in the dust . ( Loud and prolonged applause . ) I scorn to deceive you . I a . m favourable to the extension of the suffrage , and lam favourable to the protection of the voter by every moans consistent with that open manly conduct which is tho characteristic of Englishmen , and there is nothing that I will not do , in concert with my colleagues , to give effect to that opinion ; but I am not prepared to vote for Universal Suffrage and the Ballot . ( Cheers . )

    He did not object to the abolit ion of the property qualification , but he warned them jocosely against paying members—against bringing down gentlemen from London , especially not well knowing who they are , and sending them back with the payment of the electors of Carlisle . As to Annual Parliaments , he was with Sheridan—" a witty and lively man "—in favour of " as often as need be" Parliaments . For instance he had been elected twice in six mouths ! " It is said , Radicals are destructives . Is that a true charge ? ( Loud cries of ' jN o . ' ) If you are a Radical constituency , I am sure you are not a destructive one . ( Cheers . ) Now , I will try " it . Was the repeal of the Test and Corporation Act a destructive measure ? Has the

    admission of the Dissenters to corporate power proved destructive ? I think far otherwise . ] fas corporation reform proved destructive ? Is the police in this city worse than it was under the old corporation ? Is the law enforced with less certainty than heretofore ? Is the community less happy , less contented , less orderly ? I think far otherwise . ( Cheers . ) Has the effect of tho repeal of the Corn-hvws been destructive ? ( Loud cheers . ) All , there was a morning—tho 10 th of April , lSl-8—when all constituted authorities in . Europe trembled , when Crowns had fallen , when Ministers throughout Europe were Hying for sal ' etv , and Kings were hiding their heads

    in shame . ( Cheers . ) There was a Sovereign who did rejoice that in time there had been si reform in Parliament , that in time the Corn-laws were repealed ; and on the 10 th of April , when others were ai'raid , Victoria rejoiced in the loyalty of her people . ( Vehement and prolonged applause . ) Order , security , the rights of property , triumphed , and 1 . know not where were the destructives . They met on Konnmgton-comnioii--- ( laughter ) —under a leader towards whom I will use no harsh expression , because he is now unfortunate . They appeared on Kemiington Common —ii handful of men . The populace of London , in millions , determined to maintain the cause of order and our Hritish

    institutions . ( Enthusiastic cheers . ) He summed up all in assuring them thai , in Lawreform , " We must deal with the Ecclcsiust ieal Courts . ' Parliamentary-reform would be continued . Here art his views on education : " I have said that I am of opinion that the franchise may be cxlended . In order ( hat . it may be safelv extended , I think education should be spread as widely n ; possible among ( be entire body of tbe community . I look upon religion as an essential clement in education ; but , according to the view which 1 take , I think that part icular elc incut ought not to he under the direction of ministers of the Established Church only , but that , all Hie different sects should have a fair opportunity , in their respective schools , of teaching ( hat , form of religion which they believe to be the best . ( Cheers . )"

    Mr . Sturgeon denied Hint , he had tht ; sli-nlcsl , connexion wil . h Mr . I'Ysiil or tht ; Tories , although in his ignorance , he , had pul , up at , the Koval Hold . Lord Derby had been deceived when he said Carlisle was a Radical constituency ; it was Whi- ( o Ihe hick bone . With regard to manhood Kullratfe , ( he ri tf hl . honourable baronet objected that many a poor man would t f" up to ( ho poll t . o voli-wil . h not . bin /; except what he received from Mio tender mercies of Hie poor-law guardian . Him answer was , ho bad always estimated I lie value of a nnin lo bo ^ bcyonil price , and had considered an Englishman and a freeman lo be belter than a 10 / . bouse or any other <| iialilicatiou you

    could give him . The ri ;; hl honourable baronet objected also to ( he payment of members . His short answer was , wouid any of them permit a man ( o manage their accounts and lo control ( heir bills who offered to do it . for nothiii" -i' No ! The \ 'cry oiler itself would afford just irrounds of suspicion . licsides , if I here were no many men anxious to do the public work for nothing , why did not ( he ri / r hl , honourable baronet now nay he would work for nothing . ( Laughter . ) Ho luul to complain of ono thing . The ri tf hl . honourable baronet , had jjiv « m them u loii £ lecture on Keimiii / jdon-eommon , and lh (; mooting , on lint lOth of April , ib'l'H , of tho Churtiuto ol" Loudon . On his , honour

    January 8, 1853.] The Leader* 27 ^

    January 8 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER * 27

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 8, 1853, page 27, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08011853/page/3/