Potter's Electric News

friends wiil in the fair and manly spirit of English- men give a patient hearing to my honourable opponent—(he^r, hear.) I will detain you no longer: I will merely entreat those voters who have been good enough to promise me their votes to be early at the poll: great strength lies in or- ganisation you know the arrangements that are made: you know perfectly well what they are. (Applause.) Record your votes, and after four o'clock we shall know upon whom the choice of the Constituency rests. ( Yppbmse.) I will now leave the field to my honourable opponent, who will speak to you as freely and as fairly as I have done. (Ap- plause.) But allow me before I sit down, to cor- rect a little mistake he has made in a letter pub lisbed in the press I say a mistake, but. I dou't believe it was an intentional one. He said that if he was not afraid of frightening me from the Borough, he \Hu!d exorcise my grandfather's spirit to bear witness as to what he is. f don't deny the spirit of the statement: but judging by my galhot opponent's years, he must have been a very young man when he saw my grandfather, and he may have forgotten a great deal about him. There are many standing by me, and there is one ardent supporter of my honourable opponent, who was brought up with my uncles and was like one of themselves, who knew those of my family that ave dead and gone, and I would ask them whether they think that that old gentleman, whether dead or alive or in the spirit, would come forward to make a statement at the bidding of a Conservative Candidate for Haverfordwest ? (Laughter) Gentle- men, I say this in perfect good humour, and I feel perfectly convinced that my honourable opponent will think that I do so. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen. —I now leave the field to him. (Great applause.) Mr Pitman then rose to address the electors and was received with great cheering. After the ap- plause had subsided, he said.Mr High Sheriff. Electors of the United Boroughs of Haver- ford west, Fishguard, and Narberth,—Gentlemen, and I am proud to add Ladies also—(applause,) —for I am sure their presence in this Hall, although it has been decided they are not legally entitled to vote, gives a grace, harmony, and a quiet condition of discussion, and I feel convinced they have contributed so far as the proceedings have gone to shed a halo around them, as their pre- Z,3 sence invariably does when they come into our midst. (Applause.) Gentlemen,-I am certain also that the first observation that I address to you will receive as hearty a consent on the part of those who are opposed to nee politically as it will ¿from my own immediate friends on my right, and that is, that we all welcome four o'clock to morrow --(applause.) -a q the close of one of the longest ►electioneering strifes that we ever as living men Z, entered upon. (Loud applause.) I think it is between three and four months since this warfare commenced, and whilst I know that no exertion ias been spared by my friends to obtain the de: sired result, I am sure equal energy has been dis- played to win the battle for the gallant colonel on my left. (Loud applause). And, gentlemen, I think we can look back through that long poriod with pleasure, for I may say there has nothing passed either 011 the one side or the other, which can occasion the least unpleasantness, and be the conclusion what it may, there is nothing to give occasion for regret in anything that has been said. (Applause.) Gentlemen, perhaps I may be per- mitted to make one, observation in reference to what has fallen from my honourable opponent respecting my allusion to his late grandfather. I was necessitated by a challenge earnestly and continually, and not perhaps always in the most gentle spirit, put forward to know, who and what I am, to make a reply to the questions that were -asked. Now it w; s a remarkable fact that the -late noble lord Kensington was the occupier of the seat of Lord Lytton, at Heyden Hall, in 'Norfolk, and that thegrandfatber of my honourable and gallant opponent was an intimate friend of my father's. (Applause ) T did not make the remark in other feeling than one o' perfect friendship, and I simply stated that if my honourable opponent's grandfather had been alive he would in the fair spirit of an Englishman have stated that the per- son who has now the privilege of standing before you, was in respect of his character, & I hope also in respect of his family, not unworthy in any degree Z, to stand befcre you and ask for your suffrages. (Loud applause.) Nows, gentlemen, passing away ,I Z!l 'r' from matters of that kind whicn are purely per- sonal, I approach the great question, that you have to decide to-day,—and that is, as to which gentleman you intend to give your support, whe- ther to the one who places his reliance upon Mr Gladstone or to myself who am prepared to give a consistent and intelligent support to Her Ma- l jesty's present advisers. (Applause.) That T apprehend is the question which is now before ,-you and I would ask whether Mr Gladstone did not himself throw down the reins of Government, or whether by it was successive attacks and re- solutions placed from time to time upon the books 'of the House of Commons that he was made to abandon the Reform Bill, and was unable to carry 4it through the House 1 (Applause ) Gentlemen, -it was by no hostile vote of the Conservative party that Mr Gladstone was driven from power. '(Loud applause.) And, gentlemen, when the Con- servative party accepted office, they took up that great question, and instead of resting half way, as Mr Glad-stone proposed to .do, upon a S6 or £7 franchise, the Government, which I have the honour to plead for, said at once We will have no resting place at £ 5, £ 6, or £ 1 we will throw the franchise open to the country at large." (Ap- plause.) Gentlemen, that has been done many of von now possess the franchise for the first time, and it is for you to say, by means of that franchise, which ministry you prefer to be in power under it. (Applause.) I quite agree with my honourable friend that the clause as to rating is one that, so far as my experience at present extends, does not act harmoniously and in a perfectly equal way, es- pecially with respect to the poor. (Applause.) That clause, I believe, does not work in the way we should like to see it work but I would appeal to you, as men of intelligence, and I would ask you whether you knew any bill that ever came 'from the House of Commons that did not want a little remodelling and remoulding. (Applause.) I would ask whether the truth haS not been generally found to lie in a mixture of the experience and Wisdom which may be gathered among the gentle- men who sit among the opposition and the gentle- men who sit among the ministerial side of the House. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I am quite Prepared to give an earnest consideration to any Proposal to remedy that clause, and to see in what >*y we can best remove the difficulties which I h^ve known, personally, to press upon you, and go- Put the humble holder of cottage property on fetter footing in respect to the poor rates. (Ap- plause.) But, gentlemen, we have not ,only to *°ok at these matters, but we have to consider the of Ireland. What was its condition "the Conservatives took the helm of affairs ? ^ttManistn at .that hour was rife throughout antf struck terror even in Fn^land. The qf Clerkeawell fell down, an] was there not a feeling of anxiety everywhere throughout the country ? (Applause.) I would ask you, gentlemen, without any clap trap oratory, as men, exercising plain ordinary common sense, to look at the condition of Ireland at the present moment under the Conservative Government, and to consider what it was when the Conservatives took the helm of affairs? (Applause.) Gentlemen, I state boldly, and in the full belief that every Irishman win-com- mend the sentiment, that a more popular Lord Lieutenant than the Lord Abercorn, Irishmen have never' known. (Applause.) Gentlemen, passing away from that question, 1 would ask you whether the condition of the army has not under the direction of Genera! Peel received very considerable amelioration? (Applause.) WithaH due respect to my honourable opponent,—nd I am convinced he has not yet, and never will make any statement which he does not believe to be true,—I must say that it was General Peel who introduced the Snider Rifle into the British army. (Loud applause.) I happened to be at the Tower after a large removal of arms had taken place, and I asked where were all the weapons gone. was told that there was a recent order made, and they were going to have the Snider rifle introduced through out the whole British army,—(ap- plauses—and I think we may fairly claim that General Peel it was who put that weapon in the hands of the British sol- dier, without which, I say, we should be unable to compete with the needle gnn of the Prussians and other nations who were armed with breech loading weapons. (Applause.) Then, gentlemen, there js another matter to which I ought to allude, and which occasioned an increase in our expenditure. The pay of the British sol- dier has been increased, and I think the extra 2d a day was but an act, of justice to the men, and has worked to the advantage of the country. (Applause.) It has had the effect of increasing the number of recruits throughout the country before there was a difficulty in keeping men in the service; and I think, upon that ground I may say that the present Government has a claim to yo-ir confidence aud to your kindly regard. (Loud ap- plause.) Gentlemen, 1 leave the question of the army, and I will allude to the conduct of the office which is of the greatest importance to this country,—namely the Foreign Ollice. (Loud ap- plause.) I think we may claim for Lord Stanley an amount of wisdom and discretion and success such as has fallen to the lot of very few foreign ministers. (Loud applause.) I will ask you to look at the condition of our countrymen in Abysinnia: I would ask you to remember the procrastination that marked the conduct of the predecessors of the present Government: an envoy was sent from time to time to ask that these un- happy men should he liberated, and the request not attended to, while these unfortunate men were daily and hourly expecting their death. Does not the conduct of the present Government meet your approbation in that matter ? (Applause.) Gentlemen, it was only the active decision of the present Government that effected their release. (Applause.) They said, when a paltry sum of money was talked of—paltry I say in comparison with the honour of the country and the lives of our countrymeo,-thry said—" Deliver up these men," and resolved to effect their release. (Ap- plause.) I ask you whether it was not a great triumph for the present ministry ? (Loud np- plause.) Their release was accomplished in the face of the greatest difficulties our army marched over unknown heights, through defiles, and over piecipices, and by their bravery our country- men were set at liberty, and are now in this country. (Applause.) In a short period our army overcome extraordinary difficulties they re- flected still greater honour oil the name of England; and remo-ved the reproach that had been brought against us that we valued our money more than the honour of our country and the lives of our people. (Loud applause.) The present Government determined to uphold our country's fame, cost what it may, and I think I may in per- fect fai'-ness claim credit for them tor their conduct in that affair. (Applause.) I remember travelling in the direction of Wales on one occasion, and meeting a gentleman who was going to Lianelly. He was a Scotchman, and in the course of conver sation he told me that the advice he received from his father was this -and it is advice that I think we may all profit by—"My boy" said he, "work out your own living," and he said "I commenced my life with very small means, and I have now a partnership worth 00 in large works, and I have come down to Lianelly about a contract. When you talk of half a million being spent on a ship, the cost is nothing in comparison with the importance of keeping up your army and navy, and the name and credit of England." What has occured in the case of India? at one time thirteen milli ms of exports went to India and there are now sixty-two millions exported; and do you tell me that the recent Abyssinian expedition has done nothing for the credit of the country ? The expenditure is little in comparison with what has been done to support the fame of England, and the effect it has had among the other nations of the world. (Applause.) Weli, gentlemen, we have not only to consider the question of Abyssinia I would fask you to look at the intelligence you have heard within the last few days, of what has been done in reference to matters that I regard as even more important than those I have referred to. I allude, gentlemea, to the settlement of the Alabama question with our countrymen, as I may call them, in America. (Applause.) Gentlemen, it was Lord Stanley's perseverance, calm, and temperate conduct of the affairs of the foreign office that has achieved that great success which we cannot sufficiently prize. (Loud applause.) I am sure that my friends on my right, and my opponents on my left, will say that anything more deplorable and terrible than a collision with our cousins in America, could not be dreamt of. (Loud applause.) The American minister has told us that the Government had, through Lord Stanley's perse ering skill and care, accomplished an end- the magnitude and importance of which it was im- possible to overrate.(Renewed applause.) And, O'en- tiemen, I think I may illso.claim some credit for" the action of the Government in reference to, other matters. If you look at the Law courts, and at their appointment of an increased number of judges, giving instant and ready access to suitor3~a matter of great iinportance-instead of the long and weary procrastination, which from time to time occurred, with an increase of cost, excitement, and anxiety,—I think, when you consider these matters, 1 may confidently appeal to you to say whether the appointments in these courts do not show that the honour and justice of England have not bpen ip any way tarnished under' the present Administration. (Loud applause.) I would also ask you, to consider the condition of the epis- cop&te, and to say whether the wise appointments independently of party, iihd more recen tly the very last three, have, not given great satisfaction, and show that there is a desire among the highest per- sons of the State to appoint the very best men to h most important offices. (Applause.) I ihink I am not, therefore, claiming too much when I say that our honour, our mercantile glory, and the interests of the law and the Church, have all pros- pered under the reign of Lord Derby and Mr D'sraeli,—(applause—and I do not doubt that in the future the same amount of intelligent action and earnest care will be exercised in every depart- ment of the Sate. (Loud applause.) It is not my intention to enter upon a long array of figures on a question that has been brought before you because, as a friend once remarked—and I think it was a correct remark—figures may be made to prove anything. (Laughter.) My honourable friend,s, both on my right and on my left, were per- fectly sincere in their statements, and each one believed that what, he stated was perfectly true. But I am -reminded of the old tale of a man who had over his door—" What do you think-l shave for a penny, and give a pint of beer ?" (Laughter.) Some fellow went into his shop, and having been shaved, asked — Where is the beer?'' "I never promised the pint of beer," said the man what I said was this—" What do you think?—I shave for a penny, and give a pint of beer 1" (Laughter.) The fellow did not see the interrogatoryin the sentence, which gave it altogether a different read- ing. (Loud laughter.) And that is the case with the figures in question and my honourable opponent in replying to the statement of my gallant friend, gave the expenditure for n single year. (Applause.) Now, instead of giving you the returns for one single year, I will give the figures for the several years from 1834 to IS67 under Liberal administra- tions This is the expenditure for thirteen years commencing in 1833-34, when it was 55 millions, and ill other sums are 69 millions; 92 millions; 75 millions; ôS millions; 69 millions; 72 millions 71 millions; 69 millions; 66 millions; 65 millions and 66 millions. There are some hundred thou- sands' to be aclded to the sum in e:'ch case; but if you a\e the average expenditure of this country from 1834 to 1867, under Lib, r II administration's, (and these figures are taken from public documents which you can refer to yoursehes)—the amount of the Liberal expenditure is 70 millions per an- num. (Applause.) Now the Conservative admi nis:ration amounted in 1852 53 and 1855 to 64 millioi s and seventy-one millions and the average expenditure under Conservative ad- ministrations since 1852 is sixty-three millions against 70 millions under the Liberal Government (Loud applause.) Now, gen lemen, I am now stating this not the least to disparage the argu- ments of my honourable friend, but in perfect truthfulness and fairness. I appeal to you as men of commerce, whether you take your profits for one single year, or whether you do not in mercantile pursuits cast your balance as a rule over a number of years. (App!ause.) And you do so because you cannot attain a certain result from your success in a single year. (Applause) I quite agree with my honourable opponent in what he siys of the desirability of reducing the expendi- ture; and assure you that should 1 have the honour to represent you, you will find no one more earnest than myself in endeavouring to keep down both the public and Iced expenditure to the lowest possible degree. (Applause.) I would also state with a view of impressing upon the honour- able gentleman who seconded the nomination of my gallant opponent, this fact—that it is Mr Bright who iA endeavouring to oppress you with local taxation—(interruption from the Liberals) — 1 don't speak o< that great man—for a great mail he 1:1 z, really is—disparagingly; but in his public state- ments, in his speeches in the House of Commons, he is continually alleging that the landed interest of this country does not bear its fair share of the bu: rkns of this country—[Mr Charles Mathias (Dew Street): I deny it.] I assure you that I make these observations in all fairness: these statements are made in his public speeches and therefore v ry man can answer fo. himself. (Hear, hear.) In proof of that fact, I may mention that Lord Kimberley,the late Lord Lieutenant for Ireland,and one of Mr Gladstone's earnest supporters, has been, during the last three months, attending meet- ings held in the Hall of Commerce in the "citv of Norwich, wit.h p. view to consider in what way they may best relieve the landed interest of the great burdens that they say are year by year imposed upon it. (Applause.) Now I think you will agree with me that it is not quite fair to let blame be placed upon the present Government, when, it there is any faiilt either way, it is rather upon the opposite side of the House. (Applause, and interruption.) Gentlemen, I think you will best consult your own comfort and convenience if instead of interrupting, you will kindly hear me and I will conclude as quickly as I can. (Hear, hear.) I merely want to put facts before you, with the fairness which I hope has marked my canvass and all my dealings since I came into Pembrokeshire, and than leave you to consider the question for yourselves, and to give your support either to my gallant opponent or myself, as you may think proper, and according to your judgment, founded upon the observations that may be made either on my right hand or on my left. (Loud applause.) Now, gentlemen, I don't intend to make any lengthy remarks upon the long discussion that has taken place upon the Irish Church, and I must tell you why—I think if men have not made up their minds to-day, therels very little chance of their doing so to-morrow. (Laughter, and hear, hear. ) It would, therefore, be an unnecessary waste of your time if I adduced any long arguments before you. I will tell you frankly what my opinions are my opinions, I regret to say, are not those shared by Mr Gladstone. (Apalause.) I prefer Mr Gladstone in 1858 to Mr Gladstone in 1868 the words he then used are in my opiuion-I may be wrong-but I I believe I am right—in my opinion the words he used are wiser and better than those he has used in 1868. And I tell you that the great question that oppresses my mind, and one that I cannot get over-is that the Government of this country is in loco parentis and can it be right for a man to teach two faiths to the members of his own family ? (Applause.) I ask whether it is right for the Government of this country to propagate the Protestant faith in England, and the Roman Catholic faith in Ireland ? (Applause.) I am told that the Church is the Church of the minority; but I have yet to learn that the minority on every question has been wrong. Has it not often been found that the minority has been right and the majority wrong? (App!ause.) When the first men that enclosed themselves in the ark, as she floated over the universe, was not the minority right and the majority wrong then ? I ask, whether, in your own experience in very many questions of the day, the minority, a few, earnest, thinking men, has not been right when the majority has been wrong ? I am free to confess that Mr Cobden was right when I was wrong. (Loud applause.) Therefore, I still claim that you must convince me which is the true form of faith that is to be propagated amoiig the nations of this country:—I may be. utterly wrong, and you entirely right: I don't say it is so, but I tell you honestly, openly, and candidly, that 1 believe it is so. You don't believe it, and you are perfectly justified in exercising your right of private judgment and the right of conscience and I am sure you will not think the worse of those gentlemen who support me, because they sincerely and honestly believe that it is necessary to maintain that connection between Church and State which has flourished now for more than 1.000 years. (Applause.) You must satisfy us that we are wrong beforewecanyieldup that which we believe to be right. (Hear, hear.) I believe we soften the asperities of controversy if we, as intelligent and educated people, do that cordially and kindly, instead of hearing down upon the one side or the other, and saying we are all riuht and you are all wrong." (App'au-e.) I have never through life, made up my mind to abandon a principle which I believe to be a true one, and I share the opinions of a large number oi intelligent people in this country who advocate the maintenance of the Irish Church. (Applause.) Although it is but a glimmer, I feel if you take away that little lamp of life, which presses no man, which emails no cost upon the Stare, you will do an injustice to Ireland and on a lower ground, if vou take tlie money away, you will only put it into tile lin(iowiiei-s' I)ocket, aii,l to which they have no more right than I have to the whole of an estate when only a portion of it has been left to me. (AppLmse:) The practical working of that will be, that if you remove a certain poition from that estate, it is perfectly clear that the landowner will say to the tenant My land now pays no tithe you must pay me the present value of it." Isaythatthetitheis not paid in Ireland as it is in England -directiy by the tenant: the landlord himself pays the tithe, and therefore it presses really upon no person individually. (Applause) It has been left by pious intelligent parties originally, and increased from time to time by State endowments and I say therefore that I must offer a resistance—I fairly tell you,- I feel bound to offer a resistance to that disunion of Church and State, which I believe-I know you differ from me-to be of essential value to that branch of the kingdom-Ireland. (Applause.) As my honourable friend has given you one quotation from Mr Gladstone, I will give you his own words, which I believe are truer than those which he has lately uttered. Mr G'ads one. says —When foreigners express their .astonishment at finding we support in Ireland the Church of a small minority, we may tell them that we support it on the high ground of conscientious necessity for its truth. (Applause.) It is a question of spiritual truth in Ireland arrayed against a Church which we sorrowfully hold to have hidden the light that is in her amidst the darkness of her false traditions, and which adds to the evils of false doctrine those of schism. (Loud applause.) These, gentlemen, were Mi* Gladstone's opinions they are mine at this moment. (Applause.) Without, wearying you with any further remarks upon the Irish Church, I boldly and frank'y d dare that on that point I differ from my gallant opponent, and I cannot- give nay allegiance to Mr Gladstone. (Applause.) I will only add, gentle- men, that I shall be prepared, ebould it be your pleasure to return me to the British House of Commons, to pay that attention which the seconder of my hon. and gallant opponent, thinks is so important to your local wants and to your local administrations and I am disposed to think that the promotion of these ends will be materially increased by sending gentlemen of united Conservative pinions to Parliiine' as it seems probable will be dona ia tho CLunfy aud ILfotuh of Pembroke, andasvoii are about to do here. (Applause.) I r, 'T)'t impress upon you too strongly that I never visit Milf ird Haven without thinking that there is a want of hearty action among the members of W;des to keep up these Dockyards. (Loud applause.) I am sure the gallant baronet who has so long represented those boroughs, hns a hearty and honest de- sire to do what he can but I ask whether united pressure upon the Government is not, likely to be a more powerful instrument? (Applause.) And when Chatham and Portsmouth are continually ringing in the cars of the Lords of the Admiralty, and some persons go so far as to suggest that it is better to net rid of Pem- broke Dockyard altogether, I think it is a question that demands the most earnest attention. (Ap-o'ause.) I can never look at Milford without thinking of th; words of a man who said that within its waters the fleets of the world can anchor: I think what a great advantage it is to a county to have an arm of writer running up into it large enough to contain the fleets of the world, and I believe it is of the utmost importance to this district that Pembroke Dockyard sh)uld be preserved. (Ap- plause.) The amount of mo; ey spent there weekly is very great the establishment, too, is the cradle of men of science (hear, bear,) ,-it has given shelter ffnd eaiphn mer.t to a vast number of persons, and to their sons, and it appears to me to be impossible to overrate its importance and I fear that of late it has been to) much neglected. Gentlemen,-upon all other points by which we can decrease local taxation, I am not at issue with my hon. opponent I am in thorough accord wi:h my gallant friend, if he will per- mit me to call him so. (Applause.) I am sure of this that a reduction in our expenses is more and more needed: but I wsrn you ag inst being mishd--(uproar)—I don't mean here: I have often been misled myself, and therefore as an old fox-hunter I am rather cautious as to what hallo I follow. (Laughter.) I candidly tell you this, that whilst vou anxiously desire to see a re- duction of the expenditure, you must guard against a too parsimonious expenditure in the public service, whether it emanate from my side or from the other; and while you impress upon other nations the disarmament of their large forces, it will befcr us, while avoiding any excessive and lavish expenditure, to see that we are not put off our guard. (Applause.) For if the island of England is not prepared to hold its own at any mo- ment, and to protect our commerce,-and our exports exceed those of any other nation,-I think if such a ,bte of things were to be brought about, it would be a terrific mistake and every one would deplore it. (Ap- plause.) I have one word to say before I sit down I thank my friends who have so long laboured to attain the object which we hope to accomplish by to-morrow at four o'clock. (Applause.) I will not confine my thanks simply to my own friends who have so generously supported me, but I also express my grateful thanks to those who differ from me for the politeness and courtesy I have received from them, and which I think does honour to Wales. (Applause.) When I hear of bar- ricades being erected in other cities not very far from Wales,-when I find that preparations are made in other places as if they were actually at war,-when I look round this room, and see how men listen calmly and quietly to gentlemen occupying the position that Colonel Edwardes and myself do to-day-ivhen I see men of energy in all departments of life listening kindly to the observations that are made on the right and on the left hand, I use no vain flattery when f say that I am profoundly giateful to you for your courtesy, and for your forbearance. (Loud applause.) Gentlemen,—I thank you once again for the very great kindness I have received from you for the long period of three months in doing battle for the Government which I believe will honestly and fairly do its duty to the country. £ 1 he hon, gentleman resumed his seat amid the most v cifirous cheering.] Mr W. Bowen Rowlands, next addressed the electors at great length with his usual pbility. He referred more especially to the Irish Church, and strongly supported Mr Gladstone's Irish policy. Mr Whicher Davies Mr High Sheriff, Brother electors--Ladies and Gentlemen—It is my turn to speak — [Interruption]—and I-am determined to speak if I keep you here all day. [Hi.-ses from the Liberals ]■—I take it as a complimeat t) be hissed by some of those men. (Laughter.) I am going to say tliiei- that I will not detain you long; and I did not intend to get upon my legs at all. had not an old saying been very forcibly bronght to my mind this day. That old saying is— Wonders never cease.' (Liugbter) ,Gentlemen-to think of Mr William Owen being the seconder of the Hon., Colonel Edwardes! (Laughter) Is not th4t a wonder? (Laughter) There is fio m^n ia Haverfordwest more opposed to the Hon. Colonel Edwardes than Mr William Owen. He is one jf thoas gentlemen who held a Lib«al meeting soma three month* ago: and Mr \Yilli^ Davies, the lawyer, (Conlinued in the fourfage)