THE CONSERVATIVE DEMONSTRATION IN MANCHE STE R.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1 SIR,—I am an Independent Liberal, who at first believed that the House of Lords had performed a most unconstitutional act in rejecting the Franchise Bill, but who, on quietly listening to the reasons assigned for their action, and investigating the question in that spirit of fairness which ought to characterise every member of the great Liberal Party, have come to the con- clusion expressed some time ago by several of our own leaders, that a Reform Bill should be accompanied by a Redistribution Bill. I attended the great Conservative Demonstration at the Pomona Palace, Manchester, on Saturday last. I sat in that crowded hall, on one of the hottest days I have ever experienced, for two weary hours before the proceedings of the afternoon commenced. I had my copy of the Spectator with me; it was my only source of relief. I sat reading the description of the great Liberal Demonstration written by your correspondent, " A Sojourner iu Manchester." I cannot tell whether it was the effect of sympathy ; for having lived in London, my experience much resembled your correspondent's ; but I became conscious that I was mentally penning a letter to the Spectator descriptive of the scene before me. I was employing his own language, simply substituting the word. "Conservative." I also say :- " Manchester witnessed an extraordinary sight on Saturday last, and those who attended the great Reform Demonstration at the Pomona Gardens must have carried away with them an impression that will lust them their lives ; and in the years to come they will tell their children of this great meeting, as our fathers tell us of the meetings held in Manchester during the Reform and Corn-Law agitations of 1832 and 18-16. Having lived near London ever since I began to take an interest in public affairs, breathing the unwholesome political atmosphere of suburban Jingoism, I was unprepared for such a magnificent display of earnest Conservatism. I realise now how it was that the Conservatives of London so miscalculated their strength in 1880, and can well understand how unexpected and how startling must have been the political storm that then swept them from office." It is that Metropolitan editors may not be similarly misled about provincial opinion, that I write this letter. I might go on to describe this meeting in the same language used by your correspondent to describe the meeting of our own party. I heard, of course, a great deal with which I did not agree ; I listened with pain to the horrible yells that greeted the names of our great political leaders, especially that of Mr. Bright, which certainly startled me in a Manchester audience ; I contemplated with amazement the extraordinary ovation given to Lords Salisbury and Randolph Churchill ; but I could not help feeling that the Conservative Party is exceedingly strong in Lancashire, and that the House of Lords has more popular enthusiasm at its back than many of us are inclined to believe. I am not a politician, but an insignificant Christian minister ; I ano, as you will perceive, a novice at political demonstrations ; but I can detect earnestness and determination in an opponent where they
exist. I can see that the Conservative Party are resolved that the country shall have this Reform Bill. I was positively amazed to read the Conservative watchword on my printed ticket, and which was enthusiastically taken up by the meeting,—" The Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill." I scarcely knew where I was ; things had strangely altered since the old Reform agitation. I am convinced, then, in conclusion, that the Liberal leaders will act wisely if they act upon the opinion of Mr. Bright with which the walls of Manchester have been placarded, and " repudiate without mercy any Bill that any Government what- ever may introduce, whatever its seeming concessions may be, if it does not redistribute the seats." I am not a prophet, but I move about among the people, and become familiar with the opinions of different classes of society; and I would, if you will kindly allow me, earnestly warn the Liberal Party that if instead of concentrating its energies upon the passing of a Reform Bill that will be fair to both parties of the State, it is about to enter into a crusade against the House of Lords, there will be such a coalition of moderate Liberals and Conservatives as will delay for another generation all the great reforms which are essential to the welfare of the country.—I am, Sir, tic.,
ANoTHER SOJOURNER IN MANCHESTER.
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