About four hundred Tories of Westminster gave Sir George Murray
a dinner on Monday, in Willis's Rooms. The appearance of the com- pany, according to the Morning Post," spoke volumes in favour of the progress which Conservative principles have made in hitherto Radical -Westminster." It so happens, however, thin a large proportion of the company had no votes in " Radical Westminster." The King's health was received with "every demonstration of loyalty and firm attach- ment ;" the Queen's was drunk "amidst loud acclamations ;" while the health of the Princess Victoria was greeted simply with 64 due honours." Lord Eliot was chairman : in proposing Sir George Murray's health, Ile was not contented with sounding the pliant barns. uet's praises as a public man, but was guilty of the gaucherie of eulo- gizing his private character; he attributed to Sir George all the "social virtues which enhanced the character of a man." Sir Thomus Coch- sane had gallantly contested Westminster at his own expense ; but, said Lord Eliot, "the most anxious of his friends had withdrawn the pledge of support they had given" to Sir Thomas, from the feeling that the Westminster constituency " would not be justified in reposing trust in any but a well.known person." Poor Sir flionms ! Sir George Murray declared that he should be extremely gratified by representing Westminster, "not only as the political head-quarters, but as the head-quarters of arts and sciences."
How was their city represented at present? Why, unfortunately, two ses- sions hail elapsed without the voices of the Representatives of Westminster being heard within the walls of Parliament. This was a fact unparalleled in the history of bygone times, and that converted the city of Westminster into a mere decayed borough. They were living in no ordinary times ; and , yet, at a period when the existence of the constitution was the question daily mooted in Parliament, the Members for the city of Westminster were absent from their posts. He regretted sincerely the cause which had occasioned the absence of one—a person distinguished by his great talent, his eloquence, and long experience in public affairs; and he was sure that every liberal-minded man would say, whether he differed from the honourable baronet or not, that his absence left a blank in the House of Commons which WOUIll not easily be supplied. The absence of the other Representative—an honourable and gal. bat brother officer of his—was a voluntary absence. He was led away by the hope of military distinction ; and he at 'least could find an excuse for him, because he knew the temptation of a high military conintand, and the charms which the very name of Spain lead on British officers, who were desirous of rivalling the chivalrous deeds of a Peterborough. or the mighty achievements of a Wellington. fie could understand also, when a brave man saw his COM- panions in anus surrounded with difficulties and dangers, how impossible it was for him to withdraw from the &talent which he had volutitarily accepted. As, howeter, he wasi a candidate for the representation of Westminster, he su ould avail himself of the present occasion to explain what his political principles were, and what tht line of conduct was which he would pursue if lie bad the
fortune to oatain a seat in Parliament as their Representative. e good He was a sincere friend of civil and religious toleration.....
He consi lered that as the greatest blessing a nation could enjoy ; and b
i e thought that when a nation possessed t *here could be no greater pledge d prosperity. It was vain to make professions. about abstract liberty, Woe which that blessing was to be preserved. In his estimation, liberty was bli man had firmed fixed opinions on the subject ; and as to the means to be preserved by the distribution of power which existed in this country; as it was distributed in King, Lords, and Commons. Experience seas to show them tile blessings of the institutions which they enjoyed ; fete they were tuld by some theorists that the constitution of the House of Coate moos ghoul I be altered. They should ponder well before they adopted suck a proposition—before they abandoned the present distribution of power. Bee why were they callet1 on to do so, hut because the House of Lords had not here sufhciently pliant for the House of Commons. Now of what value would the House of Lords be in the constitution if they were at all titnes to yield to majority of the House of Commons. By such an arrangement lie thought the constitution would be altogether destroyed. But what was the pretext whiek was put forward for altering the House of Lords? Why, that they were nuts responsible power. He knew of no public body—he knew of no individual whatever his station might be—who, in a free country like this, was not re. sponsible to public opinion. The argument of those theorists who were opposed to the House of Lords was, that wisdom was not hereditary: but he would say, pray is it so with the elective hudy? Did they see so marked a superiority in the one over the other as to throw the wisdom of the hereditary branch of the Legislature into the shade? He would use another argument : did they not see in the Houses of Lords and Commons the descendants of soine of the most ancient families in the country, and were not, he asked, thoae among the most eminent fur ability, both mental and acquired ?
He hoped to see the day when all national antipathies would cease, and when all classes of the King's subjects would live harmo-
niously together, notwithstanding religious differences. Ile was opposed to fixing any period for the thermion of Parliament ; and as to the Ballot, he felt that it would not secure secrecy. With respect to the present Goverzunent, lie should wish to say nothing offensive-- Ile was not a man who ever hail or ever would oppose measures that were for
the benefit of the country for party 'purposes; and in this respect lie only fol. lowed the example of those with whom Ile had been connected in public life, and for whom lie entertained the highest and most sincere respect. 'do speak candidly, he hail not any confidence in the present Administration. What confidence could he have in a Government which he saw associated with men who preifessed principles, if principles they could be called, at open war with the cunstitution of the country—when he saw them united with men who were opposed to the existence of any Establishment whatever—when he saw them willingly barter away the best interests of the country to a set of men who were the avowed and direct enemies both of the country arid the Government ? The men to whom he referred were doubtless anxious to keep the present Ministers in office; but why were they so ? Because they found them to be the best tools they could use for the purposes they had in view. Thq triumphed over the Government which they bad made subservient to their designs. 'I hue far he had alluded to the domestic policy of the exisaing Government. which had spread a strong web of patronage to sustain itself. Was their foreign policy better, or mole deserving of commendation ? I% hat did it exhibit ? A constant interineddling in the affairs of other countries. If they interfered at all, why nut interfete as great Britain ought—with dignity and power? 'lire Government had engaged in a war and were ashamed to atInewledge it. Such was his view of the character of the present Adminis. nation.
'fire health of the Duke of Wellington having been drunk, the Mar. quis of Douro tenoned thanks. Ile said it was impossible he could say any thing to increase the feeling of respect for one who had fought under the Duke of Wellington
Ile had not, however, a vote for Westminster. Ile was not even a ten-pound householder. But if universal suffrage should be established he would have a vote—( Gnat laughter)—and that vote he would give to Sir George Alurray. Ile wound give it openly too, even if the ballot system prevailed. Ile would say nothing of their representative who was now absent on foreign service; although Ire thought, however brilliant that service was, he might be as well employed in serving his constituents in Westmiuster. It was their duty to inquire well into the qulifications of a candidate before they selected him for their service. If as mercantile area they advertised for an assistant, they would say in their advertisement, that none need apply who had not an unexceptionable character. He did not think they could have any Inan offer himself to the constituents of Westminster so unexceptionable in every respect as Sir George Murray.
Mr. Escott, in proposing the health of Lord Eliot, said, that "he would only say, that without at all saying how anybody else ought to vote, he himself would, whenever an election took place, give one vote to Sir George Murray and the other to Sir Francis Burdett. In the hands of Sir Francis he thought the honour and welfare of England would be safe."
Several other toasts followed ; and, last of all, the health of poor discarded Sir Thomas Cochrane.
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