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    curred in . the sentiments of Mr . Hanbuiry . In his Dpinion the question of a 101 . franchise in counties and a 5 / . franchise in boroughs ; sunk into nothing before the dreadful spectacle of an European war . England was bound to preserve the peace of Europe as long as she could , and upon the heads of those Who had ruthlessly violated it must rest the guilt and the retribution ; . The exigencies of the times , the growing intelligence and growing "wealth of the population , demanded such an extension of [ the franchise as -would bring in the best , the most educated , and most independent portion of the "working classes . Mb . Ayrton . —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 propbsed 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 Lord 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 before he came to the meeting whether he would Vote for a Maine Liquor JLav , and intimated that he was not prepared for any compulsory legislation . he

    With regard to the coalwhippers' grievance , was ready 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 coalwhippers 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 against them . Mr . W . Witi-iAMS . Tr-This 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 object of reform , > I am , " said he ,. " what may be called a Conservative . I am for the institutions of the country : but I want the House of

    Commons to be what it professes to be , —a representation of the people—andnot what a majority of that House would have itr—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 aiso recurred to his purity as a ipember 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 be led astray frorn his public duty by the blandishments or the favours of any minister , whoever he might be . He had never , lie added , accepted a favour from any one , although he had been offered all sorts of civilities and acts of kindness during the time lie had sat in Parliament .

    Mr , Bebnai . Osboihos .- —The right hon . gentleman entertained a crowded meeting of his supporters at Dover , on 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 . Qsborne touched on the Jate Parliamentary discussion on Captain Carnegie ' s resignation , and compared Sir John Pafcington to Mr . Pecksniff . He then expatiated upon the measures taken by himself when at the Admiralty to prevent bribery and intimidation in the dockyards . He criticised the individual members of the Ministry and their antecedents , saying of Lord Malmesbury—* All that can be said for

    the Foreign Secretary is that he speaks French Better than he writes English , as his despatches testify . And of all the unfortunate diplomatista we have ever had , commend me to Lord " Mftlmesbury . He has been jockeyed by Russia in the proposed Congress , and is weak' enough to let this . be seen and to complain of it ; yet Lord Malmeabury is necessary , forsooth to the peace of the world , and Parliament isdissolved to keep him in office . " After disparaging the various measures which had been undertaken by the present ministers , he added ;—" One word on fpreign affairs . I agree with the words of Lord Aberdeen , that ' when war ceases to be a necessity it becomes a crime / Without scanning too

    accurately the designs of Sardinia , without inquiring too microscopically . Into the motives of France , I sympathise with Italy -, as an individual ; I sympathise with these 25 , 000 , 000 who are beneath the iron heel of irresponsible despotism ; but as the representative , as 1 hope to be through your assistance , of ta * - paying Englishmen , I will never advocate a war of prapagandism , Charity begins at home ? and I will Stave , no hand in plunging this country into » \ trar for anything bujb an occasion of self-defence . I sympathise with Italy from the bottom of my heart , and . wish her patriots God speed ; but at the same time I will never oall on you to support me in urging on Government any measure which shall plunge

    this country into a continental war , least of all a war in defence of despotism and tyranny . The natural alliance of this country , let who may be on the throne , is France . ; Our natural alliance is not with monarchs , emperors , ot " 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 . Haix xsro Mb . E . James . —At the nomination for Marylebqne on Wednesday , Sir IB . Hall ' s 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 peace 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 MalmesTjury sits at the head of the Foreign Department ;—Mr . James strongly advocated the strictest neutrality on the part of this country . He enlarged upon the iniquities

    of the Austrian despotism ; and also alluded to the treaty effected between France and Russia ; that alliance portended a war of which no one could tell the end . He said if Austria experiences a reverse , and returns to her fortresses , don't you believe that the German Confederation will interfere ? arid 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 twenty-four hours after the French forces had suffered a reverse . Under these circumstances England should remain a silent spectatress . The 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 and Sir John Y . Shei-let . —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 Tuileries . So weak and indiscreet had the present Government shown itself would

    that he could not give it his support . He , however , take no factious part , but he 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 of the working classes . No measure would be complete -without the ballot , the only preventive against bribery , screwing , and intimidation . ¦¦

    Mr ; Rooteix . - ~ This gentleman made a speech at the Lambeth , election on Thursday , in which he alluded to the war topic . Lord Derby had challenged ah expression of the popular opinion at this crisis of the national fortunes , and he ( Mr . Roupell ) 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 a repetition of the follies of which our ancestors had been guilty . ( Cheers , ) We were not to be the gladiators of the world , prepared to step down into the arena of every fight . The tramp of armed hosts

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

    Mr . H . B . SHEBEOAK .--. At the Dudley nomina tion the greatest excitement prevailed , and Lord Monek ' s friends were refused a hearing . Some verv riotous proceedings ensued , Ifc ; Sheridan being the popular favourite . During a temporary lull he said , he believed his votes in the House of Commons had met generally with their approval . He de * fended his vote on the Government Reform Bill -he voted for the resolution ¦ , because he believed thW 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 strongly ; 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 had been sitting in the judgment seat . 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 ° his ; agent to be canvassing and coercing the electors .

    Eight Hon . W . F . Cowper axd Sir W . Minto Farqtthaiu—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 . thbse parts where they might have been Conservative , they were not merely Liberal , but ultra ^ Liberal , and went to aa extent which could only please the Chartists . A Cabinet Minister who was well known in that

    part of the country had cautioned them against the inroads of democracy , and had pointed to the effects of Universal suffrage and Ithe 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 , hadprocured the liberation and compensation ot the engineers * of the Cagliari , had settled the Government of India , had maintained the honour ot" En gland 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 ?

    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 British flag , British interests , or British subjects from receiving either insult or injury from any quarter , let it come from where it might . With regard to the Reform Bill he had no fear of the working classes ; he maintained that [ the Government Bill might haVe been so amended in committee—where almost every bill was materially altered—as to admit them very largely to the franchise .

    Mn . R . Monokxon Milnes . —The nomination . for Pontofract took place on Thursday , una ^ Irv Milnes then , addressed the electors . AUuding to tho subject of Parliamentary reform , ho remarked time the Government , at all events , seemed quito ihbposed to bring about annual Parliaments . Jno question of reform had now agitated men's mlnde , especially those of tho political leaders of , the ecpie for along time , and it was now agreed , on all urns , that the increased wealth , education , and , ntolii genco of the people justified tho » n f wauotlon of ^ larger number of the population within the si . licro of political action . ¦ Tho difficulty yvae , i « tl » J way in which this should be done . "J J ! J not wish to say anything about the Govornmc « Reform BUI not being allowed to go * nfo torn mittee , because the whole nation were now in coin ml *» J ,, ««« l +. nnrl nrnnld nroilOUnOG tllOU * dCClSlW" .

    Ho thought that : the present Government jorj not tho men to bring forward a l ^ TnS contciS would have been bettor if they , had boon con JJ « vflth adopting tho lOf . franchise in counties , ^ W » had previously been approved by the I . louwin Commons , and loft tho other matters of xotorm tojo dealt with by tho House in a future soseion , w 11 » the present critical state of Europe would nJ ™ justified thorn in doing . Referring to the nspoct

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 30, 1859, page 550, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2292/page/6/