The Liberal electors of Castle Douglas and the vicinity gave
Mr. Cutlar Fergusson a public dinner on the 26th of last month. The principal guests, besides Mr. Fergusson, were Lord Dudley Stuart, and Prince Czartoryski. Mr Fergusson defended his Parliamentary conduct, and justified the alliance of Ministers with the Liberal Irish Members. But, he said, in reference to some remarks of Sir Wil- liam Follett at Exeter- " I will say without fear of contradiction, that a more unfounded calumny was never uttered by any class of men, or for any purpose, than that there was a coalition between the parties of Lord Melbourne and Mr. O'Con- nell ; or that, on the former taking office, he was bound to him more than he was bound to the nation by his public professions and principles. But I should like to know, if those who boast so much of their political integrity—if the Government of Sir Robert Peel would have refused the support of the honour- able Member for Dubin if it had been offered to them? I firmly believe that they would have hailed it as a mighty accession of strength : for I have seen the same party applauding Hunt and Cobbett to the echo for the purpose of winning them over ; yes, I have seen Hunt, the rival of one of the most ac- complished of orators, Sir Robert Peel, and actually more than divide with him the cheers of the Opposition benches. And Nemo:a they have refused the Member for Dublin after this? I know not what the late Solicitor-Genet:a means by a coalition as little founded in principle as any that ever darkened or disgraced the history of political intrigue in the country.' These are reported to have been his words. Are they, I will ask, applicable to the case of Lord Melbourne? A coalition, to be disgraceful, must be founded on the abandonment of principle to gain neer an opponent. Has Lord Melbourne surrendered one principle or altered tone opiniou which he formerly professed, for the purpose of gaining the votes of the Irish Members? Can Lord Melbourne be blamed fur receiving the votes of men who support him for his public principles, and the belief that he is prepared to do justice to Ireland ?"
Prince Czartoryski and Lord Dudley Stuart both delivered orations on the subject of Polish wrongs ; and highly complimented Mr. Fer- gusson for his exertions on behalf of the Poles.
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