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Anthony Denison proposed Mr . Dudley Perceval , " a gentleman who had never done anything to dim the lustre of the name he inherited from his father , and who was noted for the warmth of his 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 ? 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 deepl y ashamed to be brought into this contest—if indeed it is really a contest . I know not what you think . For myself , 1 confess that I have never come into a house of convocation with such exceeding offence , with such decided , Buch unmitigated disgust . I understand a difference of opinion—I can tolerate , I hope , strong and vehement opposition—I can bear a defeat ; hut one thing I cannot understand , I cannot tolerate , and that is bad faith . No , 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 cbarac ter , 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 bis cause . It is our own interest , our own cause that I plead . Let it be our care , our strenuof
ous care , that those without shall not think so meanly us , as that we do not all , heartily , unanimously , yea , as one man , and with the most indignant denial , repudiate and disallow the proceedings which I have been compelled severely , but I believe not too severely , to censure . " This effective speech was delivered in Latin . 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 be a candidate . ( Several gentlemen here asked , " Whose letter ? " ) He ( Dr . Macbride ) was not at liberty to say . ( Laughter . ) Dr . Phillimoro remarked , what Dr . Lempriero might have written to Dr . Macbride could not reasonably be put in comparison with the published statement of the Marquis of Chandos himself . After some further discussion , which is described as disreputable , jocose , and undignified , in which a Reverend Mr . Lichfield , from Northamptonshire , played a distinguished part ; and after Mr . Charles Marriott , of Oriel , had ably and temperately enforced the claims of Mr . Gladstone , tho polling commenced . At the close of the poll on the first day , tho numbers were—Mr . Gladstone G 9 Mr . Perceval 4 > J At the close of the poll on Wednesday—Mr . Gladstone 171 Mr . Perceval 17 () And at the close of the poll on Thursday — Mr . Gladstone 3 ( H Mr . Perceval 324 i Every effort will be required , therefore , to . secure Mr . Gliulstone' 8 return . OAItTjISTiK . Btr Jam KB Graham ban been triumphantly returned . Although Mr . Sturgeon issued an address and declared ho would k ( > to the poll , he contented himself with making a good-tampered and sensible speech in'defence of the Charter ; but we are afraid it was no match for tho att ack made by Sir . Iuuich . Hut Mr . Sturgeon has placed Chartism on a much higher position in Carlisle by his manly and courteous but unflinching bearing . Sir James Graham was projxmed by Mr . Dixon , and seconded by Mr . Irving . He was in the heartiest possible state of mind . Good-humour overflows in his speech ; and ho seemed on the best } k > hsi 1 > 1 o terms with himself and with liis constituents , and they with him . Thoir good-humour , ho knew , wa « inexhuuHtible . The
last time he addressed them it was in July— " One of the hottest days I ever knew . To-day I address you on one of the shortest as well as one of the wettest days I ever saw . " Let us congratulate ourselves on our safety—Lord Derby is overthrown , but " the deluge is not come . " " Mr . Dixon has reminded you that it has been said , on high authority , that Carlisle is a Radical constituency ; and I , fresh from the contagious atmosphere of Downingstreet , fre 3 h from the Royal presence , bring with me a clean bill of health . Lord Derby says , Carlisle being" a Radical constituency , I am a very good person to represent it . I reioice in that certificate ( loud cheers ) , and am glad
to present it to you . Something has been said upon the merits of Mr . Cobden , with referenda 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 the 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 toy 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 bis 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 with 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 Reform Act—Lord Lansdowne , Lord John Russell , and Lord Palmerston . ( 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 the report of the committee which investigated the Beresford businessintimating that it might be treated as a twelfth cake , and given out in slices . From this he glided easily to an attack upon manhood suffrage 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 t he interest of their paymasters . Nevertheless , he said , " The time has arrived , when , with safety to our institutions , the franchise in this country may bo considerably extended . "
" The next point is the point of the Ballot . I will no ( flinch from any one point . ( Cheers . ) Ifc would be unmanly if I did so , and tho weather being rather brighter you will excuse me for trespassing on your patience . Now , we will talk of the Ballot . There is no man who views with more disgust than I . do tho intimidation , the bribery , the corrupt practices which have prevailed , and which did prevail at the last general election in this country . ( Cheers . ) I think it ; w cruel , when men have privileges which they ought to exercise freely and independently , for cither landlonls or employers to intimidate by threats , or to hold out the fear Unit if they do not , vote in a particular way they will lose either their farms or their customers . 1 nay it is unworthy thin country that free men should bo exposed to what I hold to ho such tyranny and such opto entertain
pression —( cheers)—and I for ono am willing any question which shall alter such oppression , and put an end to nueh intimidation . ( Renewed cheers . ) But 1 tell you frankly that f cannot , satisfy myself that the Ballot will be an effectual remedy for this purpose . . If tho ballot is to be mode effectual , this right , of voting must bo by law made universally secret . 1 say you cannot enact such secrecy in this country , and if you do not , then the ballot is flagrantly ineffectual . If a landlord desires to control tho vote of his tenant , and it is optional whether tho voto shall bo given in secret or openly , tho landlord says : — 'I insist on your giving an open Vote . If you givo a secret vote , 1 shall presume you gave it against my wishes , and shall act accordingly . ' So also tho customer Nays :--- ' I insist on your giving an open vote . If you do not , I shall not only suspect , but bo satisfied you have votod
against my wishes . ' I suy , therefore , the Ballot is useless , unless secret voting is compulsory , and secret voting cannot bo mudi ) compulsory , because you cannot prevent men exorcising tho right , of voting openly if tjioy no think lit . Then , also , with regard to the olfoct of tho ({ allot on bribery ; 1 bohovo , if you havo tho Hallot , in all small constituencies , you will havo Mr . Flowkors and Mr . Eniilsmen with quickness and judgment , sent , down by tbo Carlton Club to deal wholesale with parties possessing local influence , on the principle of ' No return , no pay !' Small constituencies will thon bo bought , wholesale ! , and , us I boliovo , at a lower price than they arc bought now . ( Cheers . ) I say , therefore , looking at this mutter deliberately , whilo I am quito ready to entertain any proposition which shall givo to voters greater security for the froo « xeroiso of the franelii . se , uh at present advised , I cannot oulisfy myself that tho JJallot is effectual for that purpose .
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 mighty country is a camp of hostile armies . Above all , look at France , once the seat of representative government , and distinguished for its success in the arts , in science , in literature , and in almost all the accomplishments which adorn mankind . Universal Suffrage and the Ballot have been established there : and look ! wlicre are the liberties , victor
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 id conferred ; but let me entreat you to remember well , with all the imperfections in our system , the freedom and thd blessings you enjoy . ( Cheers . ) In Europe you are tho 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 exercising 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 imperfectionswhich require to be remedied , let me exhort
of nearly 40 , 000 , 000 of men ? One single man is over their liberties , and all their rights and privileges are prostrate in the dust . ( Loud and prolonged applause . ) 1 scorn to deceive you . I am favourable to the extension of the suffrage , and I am favourable to the protection of the voter by every mdans consistent with that open manly conduct which is the 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 abolition 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 , lie 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 months ! " It is said , Radicals are destructives . Is that a true charge ? ( Loud cries of 'JNo . ' ) If you are a _ Radical constituency , I am sure you are not a destructive one . ( Cheers . ) JSTowI 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 . Has 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 tbo community less happy , less contented , less orderly ? I think far otherwise . ( Cheers . ) Has the effect of the repeal of the Corn-laws been destructive ? ( Loud cheers . ) Ah , there was a morning—the 10 th of April , 1848—when all constituted authorities in Europe trembled , when Crowns had fallen , when Ministers throughout Europe
were Hying for safety , and Kings were hiding their heads in shame . ( Cheers . ) There was a Sovereign who did rejoice that in time there Lad been a reform in Parliament , that in time the Corn-laws were repealed ; and on the 10 th of April , when others were afraid , Victoria rejoiced in the loyalty of her people . ( Vehement and prolonged applause . ) Order , security , the rights of property , triumphed , and I know not where were the destructives . They met on Kenningf on-common —( laughter)—under a , leader towards whom 1 will use no harsh expression , because ho is now unfortunate . They appeared on Kenningtoii Common—a handful of men . The populace of London , in millions , determined to maintain the cause of order and our British
institutions . ( Enthusiastic cheers . ) He summed up all in assuring them that in Lawreforni , " We must deal wit lithe Ecclesiastical Courts . " Parliamentary-reform would be continued . Here are his views on education : "IJmvosaiil Unit I am of opinion that the franchisemay be extended , in order tliat it . may be safely extended , I think education should be . spread as widely as possible among tho entire body ol" the community . 1 look- upon religion as an essential element in education ; but , according to t . h <; view which I take , I think that- particular olo- ^ ment ought not to be under the direction of ministers of tbo Established Church only , but that all the different ; sects should have a fair opportunity , in their respective schools , of teaching tlutt form of religion which they believe to be the best ,. ( Cheers . )"
Mr . Sturgeon denied that he hud the slightest , connexion with Mr . I'Vail or the Tories , although in his ignorance , he had put up at the Royal Hotel . l ; onl Derby hud been deceived when he said Carlisle was a Radical constituency ; it was Wlii tf to the b : ick bone . With regard to manhood sulfn . ge , the right honourable baronet , objected that many a poor Mian would go up to I , 10 poll to voti ; with nothing exci'pl . what In . received ( mm tho UmIit mercies oflhe poor-law guardian . "'* answer was he hail always estimate , ! Uh . v . ilun of a . "an to be beyond price and bad considered an Englishman and a freeman to bo hotter than a 10 / . hoiino or miy other qualification you
could give him . Tin * ri tf ht honourable baronet objected also to the payment of members . 11 is short answer was , would any of I hem permit a man to manage their act-omits and to control ( heir bills who offered to do it for nothingi No ! The very oiler itself would afford just grounds of suspicion . Ito . sideH , if there woro ho many men anxious to do the public work for nothing , why did not the right , honourable baronet- now nay he would work for nothing . ( Laughter . ) Ho had to complain of one thing . Tho right , honourable buronot had given thorn u long lecture on Konnington-conurion , and the meeting , on tho 10 th ol" April , 1 B 1 B , of tho Cliajtiutu of London . On hi * honour
Untitled Article
January 8 , 1853 . ] THE LEADE R , 27
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Citation
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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/vm2-ncseproduct1968/page/3/
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