POSTSCRIPT.
SA.STRDAY.
The rival progress of the two great divisions of Parliament is indicated in our second page : but we have to repeat the qualification which we made last week. The classification is of the most vague and untrust- worthy kind ; signifying no more than a probability that the new Mem- bers will choose their seats at the first meeting of the House for prayers, on the right-hand side of the Speaker with Ministers, or on the left-hand side with the Opposition. Perhaps the French expressions, Right, Left, and Centre, would be more applicable. The numbers fluctuate • but in the most recent additions Lord Derby appears to be gaining steadily. Our latest summing-up stands thus—Mmisterialists, 241; Non-Ministerial- ists, 280; Non-Ministerial majority reduced to 39.
The nomination for Buckinghamshire, yesterday, in the County Hall, was a very animated scene. The candidates were Mr. Dupre, the Ho- nourable C. C. Cavendish, Mr. Disraeli, and Dr. Lee—a very "advanced" politician. There was a good deal of cross-speaking ; and Mr. Disraeli in particular, attacked by Sir Harry Verney for the foreign policy of Ministers, and by various ejaculators in the crowd on the score of shifti- ness, replied with a telling display of hustings wit. Substantially, his speech was a repetition of his manifesto at Newport Pagnell, in argu- ments, illustrations, and even epithets ; but one or two statements were given with more forcible if not more distinct expression. He was asked to tell the events looming in the future, which he undertook to expound. " The first event looming in the future' is, that in a few days I shall be one of the Members for Buckingham." Cheers and laughter, of course. This disclosure he followed up by the disclosure of what we may call an event looming in the past, though of no small future im- portance— " We have been taunted today with the question, Are you a Free- trader or are you not ?' I am almost surprised that the big and the little loaf did not appear in the procession of the gentlemen opposite. The time has gone by when these exploded politics could interest the people of this coun- try. No one supposes that the present Administration have any intention, or ever had any intention, to bring back the laws that were repealed in 1846." (Shouts of" Oh, oh ! " and deers.) Repealed in haste, the Protective laws were the basis of a financial system the creature of Protection, which ought to have been modified with the re- peal; and he believed that there is a general sympathy to support a Ministry that would bring forward measures to terminate the fatal strife of classes. "But, gentlemen, I don't pretend to think that any adjustment of localtaxa- tion would give the redress that is necessary to the cultivator of the soil ; nor do I think that, in entering upon the question of a revision of taxation, we are to consider the interests of any class alone, however respectable." He looked forward to the time when Ministers would bring forward mea- sures which will, by their wise and comprehensive character, by introducing a more just and beneficial system of taxation, relieve every class in this country; measures possible only to a Ministry which really understands how to govern a country in the "spirit of the age." "Don't sup- pose that when the new Parliament assembles you will have merely marshalled before each other the old parties which have hitherto go- verned this country. You will have new principles of action introduced. You will have a new policy founded upon those principles recommended to the notice of the House a Commons I would express my firm and solemn conviction, in the face of the county of Buckingham, after witnessing the present temper of the public mind, and scanning—I am sure with no prejudice—the results of the general election, that the Ministry will be per- mitted to bring forward their measures; that no manceuvres of faction will terminate their career ; and that those measures will obtain the assent, and I will even say the enthusiastic approbation, of the great body of the people." (Much cheering.) The show of hands for Mr. Dupre was that of a clear majority ; for Mr. Cavendish, not so many ; for Mr. Disraeli, almost universal ; for Dr. Lee, few. A poll was demanded on behalf of Dr. Lee—to be opened on Monday next.
By the intelligence of this day we learn that Mr. Cobden and Mr. Damson have been returned for West Yorkshire ; Lord H. Bentinck and Lord R. Clinton for North Nottinghamshire.
The nomination for Middlesex took place this day. Lord Robert Grosvenor was proposed by Lord Enfield and Mr. B.. Hanbury ; Mr. Ralph Osborne by Mr. Hume and Sir Edward Colebrook ; the Marquis of Blandford by Mr. Pownall and Mr. De Burgh. The show of hands being in favour of the late Members, a poll was demanded on behalf of Lord Blandford, and fixed for Tuesday next.
Previous page
