Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Stockton markets. Breeders either would not commons. (Renewed laughter.) A grocer told bring their stock to market; or if they did, him, a few days ago, that when wages were they had to drive them home again, and after good, they would have nothing but green tea keeping them another year, sold them, per- and loaf sugar; and even when they were low haps, 5s. per head higher, out of which they they had coffee and moist sugar. (Much laughhad to pay for the year's keep. (Cries of "True, ter.) But it was not the grocer alone who true.") Such was always the case when the shared the plunder; it was diffused in various condition of the manufacturing districts were streams, and all went to augment the quantity depressed; for no man would pretend to say of human comfort and happiness. (Cheers.) that this could be the consequence of foreign When that railway was commenced, its enecompetition. (Cheers.) They were recoin-mies prophesied that it never would be finished. mended, in a hand-bill he had seen, to send And then, when it was finished, that it must to Parliament only such men as had landed go down-it could never prosper. It had. estates, and who would look to the protection however, been twelve years in operation; and of the agricultural interest alone. They might now let them inquire what effect it had proadopt that advice if they admired it; but for duced during that period. Was it nothing his part he thought it would be just as reason- that 100 ships weekly entered the Tees, where, able to return only men who had but one eye. previous to the construction of the railway, (Lond laughter.) They might depend upon such a number were hardly seen in 6 months? it, that if a man had to go to Parliament to do (Cheers.) But this was not all. The coalany good, he must have both his eyes-aye, trade was going on improving, bringing and keep them open, too, or he would make into the district, in the course of the a left-handed business of it. (Much cheering year, from 200,000l. to 250,000l. in ready and laughter.) But he was surprised that money, of which they never saw one stiver beindividuals from whom, considering their rank fore. (Loud cheers.) Then there was that and station in life, better things night have enlargement in the trade of the town, consebeen expected, should hold the opinions they quent upon the increased traffic in the river, did upon this subject. He was not going to which was so advantageous to the inhabitants follow their example, by crying up agricul- of Stockton. And there was another material ture, or any one interest more thau another. point to be borne in mind. Committees of the (Cheers.) But he should endeavour to show, two Houses of Parliament had "sifted" the in a few words, how certain individuals, who coal-trade, to ascertain what it was; and it was turned upon their heels as if they felt insulted stated, in the course of the inquiry, by one of whenever commerce was mentioned, deluded the Messrs. Brandling, that because competithemselves in entertaining the extreme opi- tion in that trade had become so great, espenions which they professed to hold on this cially from Stockton, they were not able, in question. No man need be ashamed of the North, to sell coals, in 1830, as high, by 2s. speaking of his progeny; and he believed he or 3s. per chaldron, as in 1828. (Great cheer might claim a very near relationship with the ing.) Now, if the people of Stockton did not railway connected with this town. (A laugh.) get the benefit of that, such benefit was enNow, that very railroad-a commercial un-joyed by some other portion of the commudertaking be it remembered-which had been so traduced, poor thing, that if it had not been as hard as iron-(a laugh)—it must have been knocked down long ago,-that railroad, he was prepared to demonstrate beyond the possibility of doubt or contradiction, had beeu productive of immense benefit to the agriculture of the district through which it passed. (Hear, hear.) Yet persons were to be found who could cry "Stand agriculture-down with commerce!" Now, let them contemplate the facts. Since the formation of that railroad, 6,000 inhabitants had been added to the population of the district. (Loud cheers.) If they considered that each person, little or big, old and young, consumed, on the average, half a stone of meal per week, this would iucrease the consumption of the district 52,000 bushels per annum, or about 7,531 sacks of fine flour. (Cheers.) The farmers had now no longer any occasion to go badgering to London to sell their flour; for they could dispose of it at their own doors! Then there was the extra consumption of beef, butter, cheese, and malt; things which colliers liked (a laugh); for however farmer's labourers lived, colliers knew very little about short

nity. The saving that would accrue to the public, in the price of coals, estimating the vend at 1,500,000 Newcastle chaldrons, would amount, at 2s. per chaldron, to 150,0007. per annum; thus proving the truth of that beautiful principle of commerce, that a man cannot mend his situation in life without bettering that of his neighbour's also. (Cheers.) The consequence, therefore, was, that while the railroad did well for the proprietors, it had drawn, to this part of the kingdom, trade from the Land's End to Aberdeen, and a large portion of our fellow-creatures were indebted to the enterprise of the southern division of the county of Durham for obtaining one of the first necessaries of life at a cheaper price than they had ever done since the word "coals " was known in this country. (Great cheering.) To return more immediately to the subject of agriculture. He could assure his hearers, that some of the agriculturists were long-headed men. They had subjected him, in many places, to the most minute and searching inquiries: they had used their smallest tempses with regard to him. (A laugh.) He did not know how other candidates had fared; but with himself the scrutiny had been most severe

He could not get them if his (Mr. P.'s) land were laid in fallow-if he grew no corn, or suffered his hay-crops to rot on the ground. (Cheers.) There was no law to force the cultivation of his ground; aud such being the fact, what became of the absolute "property"

it was only the other day that 43 clergymen of this diocese had raised a cry against pluralities. They objected to a clergyman holding 2 or 3 livings; but who ever heard of a complaint being breathed against a man having 2 or 3 estates? (Great cheering) It would really appear from this, that the clergy, whatever they might say, were beginning to think that the tithes were not so much their own as they pretended. (A laugh) There were laws against simony in the church; but whoever heard of a simoniacal contract with regard to land. (Much laughter.) There was. indeed, a property in advowsons; but these were a peculiar sort of animal. (Laughter.) But though there might be a property in the

thing be more monstrous than the assumption that, in consequence of such presentation, the incumbent should exact a tax upon the skill, capital, industry, and enterprise of the whole parish? (Much applause.) He would not say that he would take a radical part on this ques tion; but he would at least endeavour to do his duty. (Cheers.) The time would come

and unsparing. They had made him produce | not receive them without his (Mr. P.'s) consent. his title deeds, down to the minutest parch. ment, before they would grant him their confidence. The employment of this system, however, had only served to place him more firmly in the public regard; for he had the satisfaction of knowing that, in nearly every instance, as he had before stated, his explana-of the clergy in the tithes? (Cheers.) Why, tions had been sufficient to secure approbation of his principles. (Cheers.) He had been surprised to find some agriculturists hold the opinions they did on the question of tithes. He did not mean to make that a prominent topic of observation here; hut he would refer to it for the purpose of explaining how tithes operated to the injury of the farmer and the disadvantage of the public. Suppose a farmer took a farm at a rent of 2104.; but his landlord, after striking his bargain, says, “Oh, but I forgot this farm is tithe-free; and I must lay on a sixth (he believed that was the rate) to the rent-which would thus be advanced to 2457. This was no tenth business. (Hear and laughter.) Now, he should like to see the good old times revived when the farm-right of presentation to a living, could anyer used to calculate upon realising three rents, one for the landlord, one for expenses, and the third for himself. (Cheers.) He did not know how the calculation might be made at the present day; but he was apprehensive that, in nine cases out of ten, the farmer was afraid to put pen to paper on the subject. (Cheers.) The rent, then, for this farm, would be 2457., which on the former principle of calculation, it was fast approaching—when it would be would make the gross produce of the farm asked what right these men had to more than 7351. Now, if it had been taken at the rent a tenth of the fee of the land-when there originally stipulated, the produce, by the could be no calculation of fifths or tenths, but same mode of calculation, should have when each clergyman should be paid accordamounted to 630..; and the tithe of that ing to the extent of his usefulness, and upon would have been 631., whereas the additional no other scale. (Cheers.) He was very anxi rent imposed by the landlord, on account of ous for the sake of godliness, that the clergy, the exemption from tithe, would have on this question, should meet the people half been 287. less than the value of the tithe. way. They were the best friends of the church So that the loss to the farmer, by the opera- who persuaded them to concession (Cheers.) tion of the tithe system, as contra-distin- Let them go across the Irish Channel, and guished from increase of rent, would have learn by what they might witness there, that been the sum he had mentioned-which it is impossible for a church or a state to stand showed that nothing like the value of the tithe out against a combined people. (Immense was ever laid on in the shape of rent. cheers.) For these reasons, and for the sake (Cheers.) But again; supposing the farmer of harmony, peace, and religion, the sooner took took a twenty years' lease, and expended there was a fair and equitable consideration 1,0007. in improvements, calculating upon 10 of this case, the sooner the question should be per cent., or 1007. a year, for the employment properly and judiciously settled, so as to satisfy of his capital. But if the tithe-farmer should the people, the better for the people, but threesay, "Out of that 1007.I must have 107.," the fold better for the church. (Loud cheers.) It loss would be, during the period of the lease, had been suggested to him, as he entered the no less than 7601.-and without the improve- town, that he should say something on the ments 5602.! Was he not justified then, in subject of corporeal punishments in the army. saying that the tithe-systein was a bar to im- The practice was one which he reprobated provement-a public detriment and injury? with all his heart; and which he would do his (Loud cheers.) (After some further calcula- utmost to put an end to, to whomsoever it aptions tending to show the mischievous opera-plied, whether to blacks or to whites. (Cheers.) tion of tithes, Mr. P. proceeded.) Tithes were the means given to promote a certain end; and, therefore, when he heard it asserted that the clergy had the same right to the tithes that he had to his estate, he was compelled to ask, how did it happen the clergyman could

Several persons had asked him if he did not know that there were such things as White Slave Owners? He knew that he had been charged with being one of these, as he presumed his enemies would charge him with anything to serve their own purposes. But

the country, we were to employ au honest, well-meaning man of " principle," would not the consequences be better both for ourselves and the world? (Cheers.) What was it that gave the envoys of America their advantages over the great men of our own country, but their thorough acquaintance with the principles of trade, which the maguates of our own land so much despised that they would take an anodyne if they presumed there was a possibility of their even dreaming of trade? (A laugh.) Such men had no chance when pitted against a long-headed Yankee. (A laugh.) If, therefore, they would place all the country had lost through "expediency" in contrast with what it might have gained through "Christian principle," they would see the rock upon which the ship of state had already split, and from which it was desirable to protect it for the future. Till we adopted something like "Christian priuciple," as the foundation of our policy, in trade and agriculture, as well as in peace and war, it would be vain to expect national prosperity; and therefore, whatever might be said as to his losing his principles, which he regarded more than life, he meant to attempt it. He might be told his "Christian principles" were like a mathematical proposition, very beautiful in theory, but would not work in practice. He meant, however, to try them; because if he had any hope of serving his country, setting aside any local interests by the advocacy of which a man might acquire popularity, it would be by legislating in a spirit accordant with that blaze of light, knowledge, and understanding, which had burst upon the mind of the English people, with a force and effulgence that were without example in this orany other country. (Cheers.) Pupularity had always, heretofore, been attached to the wheels of the great; who, if they could not win could buy it; but that day is gone by, aud he was the living proof. (Loud cheers.) His hopes were these,

they did not know that he was one of the sending out a man with a splendid name to strongest sticklers for "Sadler's Bill," as it Vienna, or elsewhere, to protect the interests of was termed. (Great cheering.) He rejoiced to say he had no reproach on his conscience on this point. While masters or parents, for there was as much culpability on the one hand as on the other, were willing to sacrifice the rising generation, by confining them to excessive toil, he thought it was absolutely necessary for the Government to interfere. (Cheers.) The first step to be taken was to abolish all-night labour in factories. (Cheers.) Masters would not sit up to pursue it, and why should children do so? (Cheers.) Actuated by these feelings, he had spent many an hour with Mr. Sadler, and, months before he thought of standing here as a caudidate, had done all in his power to make that bill as imperative and effectual as he possibly could. (Loud cheers.) But the strangest argument to which he had to listen, as opposed to his return, was one which had been used by certain persons high in religious functions and authority-and one gentleman especially, who had a son in the church, had told him, that though he believed he would go into the House of Commous an honest man, he would not come out such. (A laugh.) For all his honesty, however, he knew the reverend gentleman would not give him his vote. (Laughter.) He said to him, "You come forward on Christian principles." He replied, "I do so." "You cannot carry them into execution in the House of Commons." What should he say to this? He could only say, that if Christianity were available, it must be available in every situation in life. (Cheers.) To concede the converse of that proposition was to say, that though Christianity was a very good thing, we would only take as much as we liked of it, and leave the rest. (Cheers.) But he agreed with Mr. Fox, that when we diverged from the line of moral rectitude we also went politically wrong, and that honesty in public, as well as in private life, would be found the best policy. (Loud cheers.) He considered the assertion, that Christian principles could not be successfully maintained in the legislature, far too bold and daring. Let it be recollected what the word most in vogue in that quarter had been. It was "expediency." Now the only change which his profession embraced was the difference between "expediency" and " justice.” He knew what "expediency" had done for the country. Let them look around. He knew that" Christian principle" would remedy slavery; but " expediency" would not set the negro at liberty. (Cheers.) He knew that "Christian principle" said war was wrong, and that it was our interest to live at peace. But it was said that it was not "expedient" that there should be peace; and he knew, that during the last war, when the chaplains of the army had to preach of "peace" they were instructed not to say a word against war. (Much laughter.) Might not "Christian principle" too, be well applied to our embassies; and if instead of

that the electors of England, at this crisis, would set aside all minor considerations, and do their duty by returning to Parliament none but men who had given proofs that they sought only to promote the interests of their fellow-men, and who were anxious for the spread of everything useful or valuable in politics, morals, and religion. (Cheers.) Then might we expect to see the dawn of our country's regeneration, and to behold the sun of British prosperity rise to an altitude from which nothing could reduce it. (Cheers.)Mr. Pease then thanked the assemblage for the kindness with which they had listened to him; and after offering some jocular remarks upon a statement that had gone forth, that he had but one speech for all occasions, and exposing the absurdity of the imputation, concluded amidst the reiterated cheers of the crowd by declaring it was his firm purpose, if he were blessed with life and strength, to do

his best to serve them and the country-an tison) on Saturday week, stated, Angel could do no more!

66

"he

never heard of a more gross case, and "could not conceive how any justices "could commit a respectable gentleman "to prison for feloniously demolishing a "house, when it appeared on the state

CARMARTHENSHIRE JUSTICEOF-PEACE WORK. (From the Morning Chronicle of 6. November.) ment of the witnesses for the prosecuTHE people of England are grievously "tion, that all the damage was done mistaken, if they suppose that they can "before he got there." The riot was obtain the blessing of good Government made a handle of to arrest this gentleand a fair and impartial administration, man, allowed by his very Tories eneof justice throughout the country, with- mies to be an honourable and most upout many a hard struggle. The Tories right man. He was committed for feare united and powerful. They are, of lony, in riotously assembling with divers course, no match for the people when other evil-deposed persons, and with the people pull together. But the mo- force beginning to demolish and pull ment the people relax, the Tories are down the dwelling-house of one John ready for mischief. The Tories, yet Davies. This man, John Davies, had have nearly the whole working of the fired two pistols, and wounded a boyadministration. The lord-lieutenants without any provocation, in conseare nearly all Tories; and the magis-quence of which outrage his windows tracy throughout all the country are were broken by the incensed populace, nearly all the creatures of the Tory lord- a full hour before Mr. Thomas went to lieutenants. These magistrates have, as the house for the purpose of apprehendevery one knows, great power to annoy ing him. Davies, the perpetrator of and persecute; and woe betide the ho- this outrage, is suffered to go at large, nest man who at the last election agi and the gentleman who interfered to tation made himself conspicuous in bring him to justice is treated as a promoting the return of reform candi- felon ? dates. In some places the magistrates proceed to most disgraceful lengths in wreaking their vengeance on those who are opposed to the return of Tory candidates.

A strong proof of the truth of these remarks has been recently furnished in the borough of Carmarthen. That borough has been thrown into a state of great excitement by the commitment to prison of George Thomas, Esq., one of its most respectable inhabitants; an attorney who has the largest practice, and is possessed of a large property independently of his profession.

And now for the motive for this flagrant departure from justice. The real crime of Mr. Thomas is the having called and taken the lead in the numerous public meetings which have taken place in that spirited town, and in the county of the same name, in favour of the Reform Bill, and the having, by his talents, perseverance, and popularity, been mainly instrumental in securing beyond a doubt the return to the new Parliament of excellent reformers for both the borough and county; but, above all, the having counselled John Jones, Esq., the present Tory member, to pledge himself to vote for the Reform Bill in all its stages, without which he had no chance of securing his election.

In an address to the electors of the county of Carmarthen, and of the united burghs of Carmarthen and Llanelly, dated the 2d of November, Mr. Thomas thus expresses himself:

On the last charter day, as our readers may remember, there were riots in Carmarthen. The next day Mr. Thomas was arrested, and liberated for fourteen days, on finding bail himself for 1,000!. and two sureties for 500l. each. At the expiration of that term, he was put in prison, and bail refused, though tendered to any amount. Mr. Thomas was "Electors of Carmarthenshire-I obliged to apply to the Court of King's" charge the Hon. Col. Trevor with Bench, and the Judge (Mr. Justice Pat-" sanctioning or conniving at the pro

[ocr errors]

"ceedings against me. I can prove travel with the registering barristers on "that the staff of the militia commanded their circuit, and support the objections "by him, were examined at his com- to the Tory voters. "mittee-room, and it is well known "To my particular care (he says) was "that three of the justices elected last" confided the objections which I sug"charter day are officers of his staff, gested to the Laugharne and Saint "and that the mayor and the others are "Clears burgesses in the interest of "strenuous supporters of his preten" "Colonel Trevor and Sir James-the "sions to represent you in Parliament." notices were given by me, and previ"The gallant Colonel may affect to ous to my detention here, I had pretreat this charge with contempt; but " pared myself with authorities and "until he disclaims it, I will repeat it cases to argue the objections, which I

[ocr errors]

66

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

incessantly, and beard him at the" was obliged to hand to a professional "hustings. Recollect that all the votes" friend, who, in consequence, obtained "of the hon. Colonel during his parlia "some share of the credit which would mentary life for ten years were uni-" otherwise have been mine exclusively. formly against the public welfare" The result, I am happy to add, is, "that he opposed the repeal of the" that not fewer than fifty-one voters of salt-tax, working-horse-tax, and all "the above class have been lost to the "other taxes-that he opposed the re- Tory candidate, besides many others peal of the test-act, and every other" who have been disfranchised by my measure for extending the rights of" sole suggestion. This is the head "conscience to dissenters of all classes" and front of my offending.'

66

66

[ocr errors]

66

66

[ocr errors]

-that he and his noble father have The Welshman of October 26, in "used all their influence to prevent the commenting on this strange arrest, ob"erection of dissenting chapels, and serves:

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

66

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

annoy dissenters-that Mr. Daniel "The sensation produced in this Prytherch, the chairman of his central" town by the commitment to prison on "committee, has written the insolent "a charge of felony, of our truly re"letter to your landlords, urging them" spected townsman, G. Thomas, Esq., "to compel you to vote for the enemy "is indescribable. But one feeling ope"of your rights and liberties. rates, and one sentiment expressed, "Électors of Carmarthen and Llanelly" relative to the harsh measures adopt-To prove that the present Member" ed by our authorities against a "for Carmarthen is the prime instigator" most active and useful member of "of the charges against me, would be " society. Last week, at the very time "to insult your understandings. The" that he was engaged, with his wellmayor and six justices are notoriously "known ability, urging and substanti"appointed by him; and I challenge" ating objections to the claims of "them to deny that they have consulted" Tories to the elective franchise, the "him upon their recent proceedings. magistrates were assembled in the "The votes of this political weather-" committee-room of the Tory candi"cock against reform last year, his sub-" date, hearing witnesses against him, sequent hypocritical and compulsory" and such witnesses, too, if our in"votes in favour of that great measure "formation as to the individuals be "-his tyrannous indictments, warrants, 66 correct, as we would not pollute our Who

66

[ocr errors]

"and committals, are fresh in your "columns by characterising. He has now thrown off" these witnesses are is left to mere

"memory.

66

[ocr errors]

66

even the mask of reform, and supports with all his might the consistent" "anti-reformer, Trevor."

66

conjecture to discover; and even what they have deposed against him is cautiously concealed. No opportunity One purpose was answered by the" was afforded him of bringing forward kidnapping of Mr. Thomas. He had "counter-testimony, with which, of been appointed by the reform candi-" the most respectable kind, he is dates for the borough and county to" abundantly furnished; and yet, by

« ZurückWeiter »