In Renfrewshire the Tory influence is strained to the uttermost
to defeat Sir John Maxwell.
We are glad to perceive by an announcement in the Glasgow Libe- rator, that Sir John Maxwell will receive the support of the Radicals ; which indeed it would be most unwise in them to refuse to so thorough- going a Reformer.
About five hundred Liberal electors of Glasgow assembled, on Thursday week, to dine with their popular and useful Member, Mr. Oswald ; Sir John Maxwell in the Chair. The speech of Mr. Os- wald, though moderate in its tone, was that of a good Reformer. Of the Ministerial policy, be said- " Some people think that the present Ministry, as well as that of Lord Grey's, go on with too much timidity, and I agree with them so far. I am of opinion that on many occasions they were much more timid than was necessary. It was certainly right to be timid about measures the effects of which they could not see ; but the timidity I find fault with, was their timidity in attempting to con- ciliate their opponents. But their opponents will never be conciliated except by their walking out of othce. 1 have so much confidence in the firmness and patriotism of Lord Melbourne, that I have no doubt he will have the courage to care that no one shall be in office in his Ministry who does not think with himself. I have no doubt that he has the coinage to put an end to all such attempts at conciliation ; and I believe that, in the next session. the Ministry will introduce such measures as they conceive to be for the good of the country, and that they will be ready to stand or fall with them. V. bile there are many in the country who attempt to thwart the Ministry of Lord Melbourne, there are others who on principle oppose it, because it does not go far enough. But whatever such persons might think of them as individuals or as a body, when the question is one between a Liberal and a Tory Miuistry, and when they take into account the difficulties with which they are beset, the influence of the Court against them (which is greater than many people imagine), if they, under these circumstances, can go on without a dereliction of principle, I would say to such persons—though they do nut come so far as you could wish them as Refiwmers— you should not oppose them. I 110 not as'k them to com- promise their principles ; but ask them to give support to the Government, so far as consistent with principle rathei than the Tories."
We fear that Mr. Oswald is rather too sanguine as to the Ministerial performances of next session ; bat if their measures are not such as he flatteringly anticipates, he will not, we are sure, be found among their supporters. Mr. Oswald sees the necessity of Peerage Reform- " There is one point of prominent and paramount importance which I must notice; and that is what is to be done to make the two Houses of Parliament to act in rmisou with each other. Compared with this, all other subjects sink
into insignificance. It would be vain and presumptuous in me were I to at- tempt to propose any definite mode of reconciling the two Houses; but it is a problem which must be solved, ouch must be solved before long—although it is not becoming in we to offer you any mode of doing so. I will not give you any theory of may own, or even say that I can see my way through any plan which has yet:been proposed ; but unless the Reform Act be repealed. and 1 out sine it cannot, and never will be tepealed, till that take place, and situated as we are with a House of Commons, chosen as the present one is, something must be done to bring the House of Peers into harmony with the Commons. But know not how this is to be done. Some people may startle at the idea of an organic change; some may propose a creation of Peers ; but I never could see the good such a measure was to do. It appears to me that it would create as great an evil as the one it was intended to remedy. It is impossible to get on without a change, but what that chair should be I cannot tell. But I may venture to say that the elective principle is not new as to the Peers—is not an innovation on the constitution. Scotland gives an example of it as well as Ire- land. The House of Peers must, to a certain extent, yield. The House of Commons cannot yield the point without an infringement on the liberties of the people. Something must be done before many years or months go over our heads, unless the country be thrown into confusion by what I will call obstinacy on the part of the House of Peers which is unparalleled in the history of the countri."
" N ote by Ballot" was proposed by Mr. Speirs of Culcreuch, and drunk with enthusiasm ; and "An effectual Reform of the House of Lords " was equally well received ; but the favourite toast of the even- ing seems to have been "Reform of the Church, and extinction of its political power," which was proposed by that veteran Reformer, Mr. Grahame of Whitehill, and drunk with protracted cheering. The whole company rose simultaneously to greet Mr. Grahame. Mr. Weir gave " University Reform, and a National system of Education, without reference to creed," in a speech full of just thoughts elegantly and elo- quently expressed. "Free Trade in corn, and the abolition of all commercial restrictions," " Mr. Grote, and the Electors of London," "Mr. Wallace, and the Electors of Greenock," were among the other toasts.
The Perthshire Tories talk of bringing forward Lord Stormont to oppose Mr. Maule at the next election. Lord Stormont, it should be remembered, is the legislator who " hates the very name of Reform "; and we can assure the Perthshire electors, that in the House of Coma. mons he appears to be profoundly, hopelessly stupid.
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