SCOTLAND.
The Stirlingshire Liberals gave their Member, Colonel Aber. eromby, a dinner at Stirling, on Friday last. Between six and seven hundred gentlemen were present ; including Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhouse, chairman, Lord Dalmeny, Alr. Gillen, M. P., Sir Gilbert Stirling, Mr. Fox Mottle, the Honourable Erskine Murray, Colonel Dundas, Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, Mr. Weir of Glasgow, Mr. Logan, advocate, and Mr. A. G. Speirs of Calcreuch. The principal orators were Colonel Abercromby, Lord Dalmeny, Mr. Gillon, and 31r. Weir; and from the speeches of each we extract a few passages. Colonel Abercromby- " Much calumny had been thrown on her Majesty's Government ; and if there ever was a time when Reformers should unite, it was now. Government was in an embarrassed state with regard to her Colonies. Accounts from Ca- nada were still unsatisfactory ; but he trusted the Executive Government had succeeded for a time in restoring quiet. Her Majesty's Ministers had, among many other matters, been charged with neglecting foreign commerce and affairs of trade. But a few weeks ago, they had showed the reverse, by concluding very beneficial treaties for extending our trade to the remotest part of the globe. It was unnecessary to tell them, as they must (being conversant with these
things) be aware, that with Turkey, and with Anstria, and with other coun- tries, very beneficial treaties had been lately made; so that the charge would be
easily proved groundless. Extending our trade, and incteasing our resources was the best mode of resisting foreign power. Let us also be prepared to meet aggression."
Lord Dalmeny defended Lord Durham from the attacks of the To- ries, but does not seem to have ventured on an apclogy for the Minis. terial desertion of him. He spolte in favour of Municipal Reform for Ireland, and against additional Endowment of the Church of Scot- land— " My opinion is so well known at to render it unnecessary for me to state it formally to the meeting. That opinion, which I have ever candidly and tear- lessly expressed, I now as firmly and resolutely maintain. I stated to you be- fore, that I should oppose the granting of additional endowments to the Church of Scotland ; and nothing has induced me to retract that statement. If, as the Church asserts, it is the Church of the majority—it that majority be one, not only of numbers, but of rank, of wealth, and of intelligence—then, by its own confession, it has ample resources to provide for its necessities, without resort- ing to the assistance of the State. If, on the other hand, it is not the Church of the majority,—if it contains not the preponderance of numbers, of opulence, of rank, or intelligence,—then nut only has it no claim on the charity, but none on the protection of the State. ((heers.) In this latter case, it ceases to be the Church of the people of Scotland ; in the former it possesses ample funds fur the supply of its deficiencies."
Mr. Gillon-
" The expense of time and money caused by the vexatious objections raised by the Tories to the votes of honest but poor electors, was so great as often to compel them to relinquish that privilege which was conferred on them by the Reform Bill. There were two members of her Majesty's Ministry present; and in their hearing he would say, that if the Government did not, at a very early period, bring their attention to this subject, they could not long expect the support of the country. The country, in this particular, required the protection of the Government—not the valueless and delusive protection of long speeches and fair promises, but the protection of the Ballot. (Great cheers.) Then, when this protection was extended to them, would they meet the Tories on equal ground ; then, and then only, would he admit that the protection of the Government was accommodated to the growing intelligence of the country." Mr. Weir said
The company had heard the sentiments of those who, from their stations in society and talents, might, without presumption, aspire to be regarded as leaders. It was now the tut n of these gentlemen to hear the sentiments of one who, although speaking for himself alone, might be supposed to utter the semiments of his class—those who neither hoped nor wished to be leaders.
(Cheers.) He was prepared to hear a candid and straightforward statement from the nephew of James Abercromby ; nor had he been disappointed. But he had been eminently gratified with what he had heard from one to whom he looked for less. He differed from Lord Dalmeny in his estimate of indivi- dual conduct, but he had listened with high delight to his remarks on general policy. The noble lord's views of the nature of the connexion between a mother country and its colonies—his repudiation of the false policy of mono- polies and restrictions—and, above all, his unqualified and manly recognition of the ?ound principles of religious liberty—were most gratifying. The meeting consisted mainly—almost exclusively—of those who already participated i3 the elective franchise; and even among them it was apparent that there was a rooted and ardent wish for immediate and decided action. The utterance of liberal sen- timents, the advocacy of liberal opinions, was all very well ; but the time was one that called for action. Even among the middle classes there was great and extensive suffering. The artificial narrowing of the market, by a false financial
and commercial policy, forced them to carry on an incessant and hopeless struggle to maintain their place in society. Among the unenfranchised classes, it was still worse. They had been suffering for years; and the prospect of a short allowance of food, in a severe winter, was staring them in the face. Six years of a Reformed Parliament had elapsed, and they neither felt their condition betteted nor sate any ground:for hoping that it would be bettered. This it was, and twat- tachment to abstract theories of Government, that occasioned their present dis-
trust of and disaffection to the classes already possessed of political power. He
would beg to impress this upon the minds of the influential individuals pre- sent—men were never stirred up to dangerous mutiny by abstract opinions, but by the actual pressure of want. To regain their confidence and affection, something must be done—deeds, not words, were wanted. He was the more anxious to insist upon this truth, that symptoms made him fear that it might be overlooked next session. The angry feelings of some great minds might drive them to join battle on the ground of Canada, and by their gladiatorial dis- play distract attention from more urgent home concerns. The Tories would favour this diversion : they always patronize foreign war and colonial discus- sions, to keep men's minds off domestic affairs. This must not be allowed. The Canadian question was doubtless of moment, but the concerns of millions at
home were more to tie than of thousands across the Atlantic. (Loud cheers.) The question was, how to settle our domestic disquiets; and statesmen must be kept to that."
[We have followed the report in the Glasgow Argu.s, which is the most copious we have seen, and which was compiled from two others; but the speeches lauded by Mr. Weir read as very tame and common- place productions. They must, however, have told upon the company; and we learn from a private correspondent, that strong feeling was exhibited when Suffrage.extensien, the Ballot, and decided action at home, were spoken of. Lord Dalineny's speech, coining from a Mem- ber of the Administration, was far more liberal than was expected. Mr. Fox Maule attributed the applause, which was a personal com- pliment to himself, as a sign of enthusiasm in favour of the Ministry /— he never made a greater mistake. On the whole, the impression given to our correspondent was that the Stirlingshire electors are eager to move onwards under trustworthy leaders.]
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