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    mid flE LMMIi Pfe* <0$i Aprti, 30. 185Q.

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    — ' — M ' The Premier.—-At The Lord Mayo...

    cturred in the sentiments of Mr . Hanbury . Iu his « Qpinion * the question of a 10 Z . franchise in , -counties and a 5 ? . franchise in boroughs , sunk into nothing before the dreadful spectacle of an European war . Sngland -was bound to preserve the peace of Europe as long as shecould , and upon the heads of those who had ruthlessly Violated it must rest the guilt « nd the retribution . The exigencies of the times , the growing intelligence and growing wealth of the population , demanded such an extension of Jthe franchise as would bring in the best , the most educated > andmost independent portion of the working classes . MK ; Atrton . —On Tuesday this gentleman addressed the electors of the Tower Hamlets at

    Dalston . He had no doubt , he said , that if Lord John Russell were properly ; supported , the country ¦ would obtain a proper measure of reform . He trusted -that in the new Parliament a measure would be proposed by that noble lord , which , if not fully satisfactory to them , would be a great advance on the present state of things . As to the present Government , it would appear as if they had examined Lprd J . Russell ' s previous reform measures with a view of copying their faults rather than their merits . Mr . Ayrton then stated that he had been asked just whether he would

    Isefbre he came to the meeting vote for a Maine Liquor Law , and intimated that he iwas not prepared for any compulsory legislation . With regard to the coalwhippers' grievance , he was aready to put down by legislation what manifestly tended to the positive destruction of a number of their fellow creatures—namely , the engagement and payment of coalwhjppers in public houses . On the education question ; he declared himself against all patronage and interference on the part of the State , conceiving that the balance of advantages was againstthiem . _ . . ' , ,: This

    Mb . W . Wiif-iAJtfS . — gentlemen harangued a public meeting on Wednesday night at some length . The only noteworthy point in his speech was his Calling himself a Conservative , a declaration which -will amuse not a few persons . Speaking on the subject of reformi "I am , " said he , " what may be called a Conservative . I am for the institutions of the country j but I want the House : of Comxnons to be what it professes to be , —a representation of the people—andhot what a majority of that House would have it ^ a mere representation of the great aristocratic interests of the country and of money . " Regardless of the ridicule which followed a well-remembered sally of his during the last

    contest , Mr . Williams also recurred to his purity as a member of Parliament . He said the qualities chiefly wanted in a member of the House of Commons were , not great ability so much as knowledge , and , above all ; honesty . He should be a man not to lie led astray from his public duty by the blandishments or the favours of any minister , whoever he might be . He had never , he added , accepted a favour from any one , although he had been offered all sorts of civilities and acts of kindness during the time he had sat in Parliament . Mri Peknai OsBOBKE .---The right hon . gentleman -entertained a crowded meeting of his supporters at JDover pn Wednesday night with one of his most

    characteristic speeches , , After some facetious allusions to' his opponent , Sir H . Leeke , which were greatly relished by his audience , Mr . Osborae touched oh the late Parliamentary discussion on Captain Carnegie ' s resignation , and compared Sir John Pakington to Mr . Pecksniff ! He then expatiated upon the measures taken by himself when at the Admiralty to prevent bribery and intimidation an the dockyards , He criticised the . individual members of the Ministry and their antecedents , saying of Lord Malmesburjr—* All that can be said for the Foreign Secretary is that he speaks French better than he writes English , as his despatches testify . Anil of all the unfortunate diplomatists we liave ever had ^ commend me . to Lord Malmesbury .

    He has been jockeyed by Russia in the proposed Congress , and is weak enough to let this bo seen , and to complain of it ; yet Lord Mulmcsbury is necessary , forsooth to the peace of the world , ana Parliament is dissolved to keep him in office . " After disparaging the various measures which had been undertaken by the present ministers , he added :- —" One word on foreign affairs . I agree with the words of Lord Aberdeen , that ' when war ceases to be a necessity it becomes a crime . ' Without scanning tpp accurately the designs of Sardinia , without inquiringtoo

    Mb . H . B ; SHEB 3 a > jar .---At the Dudley notnina tion the greatest excitement prevailed * and Loi £ Monck's friends were refused a hearing . Some Verv riotous proceedings ensued , Mr . Sheridan beine th £ popular favourite . During a temporary hill hi said , he believed his votes in the House of Commons had met generally with their approval He ^ fended his vote on the Government Reform Bill - hevoted for the resolution , because he believed thev ought to have an extension of the franchise in . boroughs , and because he objected to electors for counties being deprived of their votes when their qualification was in boroughs . He spoke stronrf *

    against those liberal leaders in the borough who had arrayed themselves against him , and who now appeared in the ranks of his opponent ; and alluding .. 'to two magistrates of the borough ( Mr Swindell and Mr . Cochrane ) , said they had been actively canvassing the electors at the same time that they bad been sitting in the judgment seafc upon some of them . He promised that he would lay the cases of magisterial interference before the Lord Chancellor , and as to coercion by a nobleman of the neighbourhood , he declared that , although peers were forbidden by law from interfering in Parliamentary elections , it was just as bad for ° hi & agent to be canvassing and coercing the electors , Right Hon . W , F . Cowpek and Sir W Mikto Farqttoar . —These gentlemen were re-elected at Hertford on Thursday . Mr . Cowper said he was never one of those who placed implicit trust in the wisdom and diplomatic skill of the present Government and the present Foreign Secretary ; and it was now quite clear that Lord Malmesbury had been completely outwitted . It seemed to be generally admitted that this was the most inopportune moment

    at which a dissolution could take place . The present Ministers were all well-meaning men , but their mistake was , that in the parts of their Reform Bill where they ought to have , been Liberal they were Conservative , and in those parts where they might have been Conservative , they were not merely Liberal , but ultra-Liberal , and went to an extent which could only please the Chartists . A Cabinet Minister who was well known in that

    this country into a continental war , least of all a war in defence pf despotism and tyranny . The natural alliance of this cbuntryi let who may be on the throne , is France . Our natural-alliance is nipt with monarchs , emperors , or presidents , but with the French people . I wish to see that alliance and that good understanding which have existed : between France and England kept up ; but not even to purchase that alliance would I be a party to a continental war . " Sir B . Hailakd Mb . E . JAMES . —At the nomination for Marylebone on Wednesday , Sir B . Halls speech was principally devoted to censuring the conduct of the individuals who have nominated Lord

    Stanley for that borough . Passing to the subject of the pieace of Europe , those gentlemen who have introduced the name of Lord Stanley ( said he ) have told you , if you desire to have peace , retain Lord Malmesbury in power . Why , he is in power ; and yet , by a telegram which has been received early this morning , we are informed that the Austrian troops have passed the Ticino , that the French troops have landed in Genoa , that they are going over the Alps , and passing into the plains of Sardinia , and a bloody conflict will take place there , notwithstanding that my Lord Malmesbury sits at the head of the Foreign Department . —Mr * James strongly advocated the strictest neutrality on the part of this country . He enlarged upon theiniquities

    of the Austrian despotism ; and also alluded to the treaty effected between France and Russia ; that alliance portended a war of which no one couldtell the end . He said if Austria experiences a reverse , and jreturtts to her fortresses , don't you believe thatthe German Confederation will interfere ? and if France experiences a reverse , do you believe that the throne of France is safe for an hour ? No man can say that the dynasty in Paris would be safe twentyr-four hours after the French forces had suffered a reverse , tinder these circumstances England should remain a silent spectatress . i"he result of this war may be , that Italy will get that which she has never had , but has always been aspiring to—liberty and constitutional freedom .

    Sir George de L . Evans ani > Sir John v . SheiTlby . —At the Westminster election General Evans reprobated the language which her Majesty ' s Government had used in speaking of the conduct of Austria and Sardinia , which had been affable to the strong and insolent to the weak ; and repudiated the idea of Lord Malmesbury alone holding the reins of war or peace in his hands . The treaty concluded between France and Russia was most serious , affecting Europe and ourselves to a very alarming degree , a treaty which he believed had been premeditated for some time past—probably two or three years—at the Tuilerjfes . So weak and indiscreet had the present Government shown itself

    part of the country had cautioned , them against the inroads of democracy , and had pointed to the effects of universal suffrage and 'the ballot in France and America * The moderate liberal party , with which he had acted , desired no such extension , and were not to be frightened by such phantoms ; They wanted a moderate and fair extension of the suffrage . —Sir W . M . Farquhar said , " The present Government had saved us from a rupture with France , had procured - ' the liberation and compensation ot the engineers of the Cagliari , had settled the Government of India , had maintained the honour of England abroad , and had done all that they could to maintain the peace of Europe , which he was afraid was now about to be broken . No one could have read ;

    that he could not give it his Support . He would , however , take no factious part , but . hie should feel it his earnest duty to insist that this country should take no part in the coming war .- ^ Sir J . V . Shelley said he did not think an armed neutrality necessary , if the defences of the country were only kept in an efficient state . In regard to the Reform Bill he had never hesitated as to what course he should take . He had voted for Lord J . Russell ' s resolution , and against the second reading of the bill . The bill was a sham , and nothing proved it more strongly than its ignoring the rights pf the working classes . No measure would be complete without the ballot , ' the only preventive against bribery , screwing , aud intimidation .

    the manly speech delivered by Lord Derby at the Mansion-house without seeing that this country had acted with the utmost impartiality , and had not taken part with either Austria , Sardinia , or France . He entirely approved the policy recommended by Lord Derby , that of an armed neutrality , to preserve the inviolability of England , to protect her possessesions all over the world , and to prevent the JSntisn . flagj British interests , or British subjects from receiving either insult or injury froni any quarter , let it come from where it might . With regard to the Reform Bill he had no fear of the vrprking classes ; he maintained that [ the Government Biu might have been so amended in committee—yneie almost every bill was materially altered—as to admit them very largely to the franchise .

    M » . Rqttpell , —This gentleman made a speech at the Lambeth election on Thursday , in which he alluded to the war topic . Lord Derby had challenged an expression of the popular opinion at this crisis of the national fortunes , and he ( Mr . Rpupeil ) could not doubt that to that challenge the people of England would make a proper response—a response which would prevent the Government plunging us into a disastrous war , and urge them to adopt a policy which , while tending to maintain the honour and dignity of this country , 'would preclude arepetition of tho follies pf which our ancestors had been guilty . ( Cheers , ) We wore not to be the gladiators of the world , prepared to step down into the arena of every light , Tho tramp of armed hosts

    Mil . R . Monokton Mxlnes . —The nomination for Pontofract took place on Thursday , an } r , Milnes then addressed the electors . Alluding to tno subject of Parliamentary reform , he rouwkod tnot the Government , at all events , seemed quite dih posed to bring abeut annual PwJj amon ts ' , „ ,, question bf reform had now agitated men ' si minds , especially those ' of tho political loaders of tho poopw for along time , and it was now agreod , on all . www , that the increased wealth , education , and . nteiu gonce of the people JuatWed the introduouon on * larger number pftho populatipn within tho spneru of political acticn . The difficulty was , »•» ° way in which this should bo done . JJj ^ not wish to say anything about the GovwnmeM Reform Bill net being allowed to go info tom _ mittco , because the whole nation wore now In com mittee upon it , and would pronounce tholrJeoWon tta tiimiffiit that tho nresont © pvornmont v «»«

    was now heard marching from Lombardy into Piedmont , and of TTrench troops to assist the Sardinians , and we might watch the dreaded results with a strained gaze , but we ought not to go beyond an expression pf sympathy . We roust watch events and be prepared to defend pur own national interests , and perhaps at tho last moment we might express an influential opinion in Europe ; but he trusted no Minister would be unscrupulous enough tp pledge tho honour of this country to support the ambitious schemes . of a few swaggering millltary despots . Ho had tpp much regard for the interests pf the people to see their wealth And the hard-earned fruits pf their industry wantonly squandered away on such an enterprise .

    not the men to bring forward a l ^ orm ™ . '" JJnt would have been better if they had . torn ton jn with adppting tho 10 * . franchise in «? unUojj W' » had previously been approved ^ by tho « t p ^ Commons , and loft tho other matters of rofon )» toj dealt with by tho House in a future boss o v * » J tho present critical state of Europe f 0 a 8 nqot of justtflod thorn in doing . Referring to tho aspoc *

    microscopically into the motives of France , I sympathise with Italy j as an individual , I sympathise with these 25 , 000 , 000 who are beneath the iron heel of irresponsible despotism ; but as the representative , asx hope to be through your assistance , of taxpaying Englishmen , I will never advocate » war of pjeppagandism . Charity begins at hpme » and I will Mno hand in plunging this country into ; a war for anything but an occasion pf self-defence . I sympathise with Italy from the bottom pf my heart , » nd wiflh her patriPte God speed j but at the same time I will never oall on you to support me in urging on Government any measure which shall plunge

    Mid Fle Lmmii Pfe* <0$I Aprti, 30. 185q.

    mid flE LMMIi Pfe * < 0 $ i Aprti , 30 . 185 Q .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 30, 1859, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_30041859/page/6/