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THE WELSH LIBERAL BANQUET.…
THE WELSH LIBERAL BANQUET. Oil Wednesday night a grand banquet was given at the Freemasons' Tavern, London, in -celebration of the return to Parliament of twenty-three Liberal members by Welsh constituencies. Covers were laid for over 300, and every seat was occupied. Mr Knatchbull-Hugessen, M.P., Under-Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, presided, and he was supported by Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P., Sir John Hanmer, M.P., Sir Thomas Llovd, M.P., Sir John Ramsden, M.P., Col. Edwardes, M.P., CoL Stepney, M.P., Col. Stuart, M.P., MrC.JJ. Hanbury Tracey, M.P., Mr C. R. M. Talbot, M.P., Mr Dillwyn, M.P., Mr H. H. Vivian, M.P., Mr H. Richard, M.P., Mr E. M. Richards, M.P., Mr Bulkeley Hughes, M.P., Mr Osborne Morgan, M.P., Mr Watkm Williams, M.P., Mr Love-Jones-Parry, M.P., Mr Sartons, M.P., Hon. W. O. Stanley, M.P., Mr S. Morley MP Mr 1 Whalley, M P., Sir Wilfred Lawson, M. P., Mr E. Miall, Captain Murphy, Col. Lyne, Mr Sorton Parry, Mr Wyatt, Mr Morgan Lloyd, Mr A. Rutson, Mr Robinson, &c. Amongst the general company we noticed-Mr Thomas Williams, Goitre, Merthyr Tydvil; Mr Mau- rice Williams, Liverpool; Mr Thomas Williams, M.D. Dwylan, Pwllheli; Mr J. Ignatius Williams, Hendregarnedd, Carnarvon; Mr C. F. Thraston, Talgarth Hall, Machynlleth Mr W. H. Tilston, Wrex- ham; Mr John Soden, Ynys Maengwyn, Towyn; Mr Askew Roberts, Oswestry Advertiser Mr Bnnley Rich- ards, Kensington, London; Mr James Rees, The Htrald, Carnarvon Mr David, Pugh, Dolgelley; Mr Powell Price. J.P., Castle Madoc, Brecon; Mr W. H. Michael, Temple, London; Mr John Matthews, Mayor of Aberystwyth; Mr William Lester, Bron Offa, Wrexham Mr Thomas Jones, Brynmelyn, Corwen: Mr E. S. Jones, Eirianfa, Llangollen; Mr C. R. Jones, Llanfyllin; Mr Alderman John Jones, Wrexham; Mr John Jones, J.P., Vron Dderw, Bala; Mr O. Davies Hughes, Corwen; Mr Thos. Gee, Denbigh; Mr W. L. Foulkes, Temple, London; Mr P. Ellis Eyton, Flint; Mr Anthony Dillon, Bod- °, hyfryd, Wrexham; Mr W. R. Davies, Abercorris, Merio- neth; Mr Benjamin Davies, Pant, Ruabon; Mr George Bradley, Wrexham; Mr Simon Jones, Bala: Mr Hugh Owen, London; Mr R. Griffiths, Llangollen; Mr R. D. Williams, Carnarvon; &c. The following letter had been received by the secretary in explanation of the absence of Mr Charles Edwards, of Dolserau — Hotel des Anglais, Nice, Feb. 20,1869. Dear Sir,—When I had the pleasure of accepting the office of steward, and also promised personally to attend the "Welsh Liberal Banquet," I had hoped that my arrangements would have permitted me to have done so. I venture to assure you that nothing but my health now pre- vents my being present on the great occasion. It would indeed have been a great satisfaction to me to have assisted at this public demonstration in celebration of the remarkable success gained by the Liberal party in the Princi- pality, thus proving that my humble energies and exertions will always be devoted to aid in holding what we have gained, and to assist in further victories. I will thank you to convey my excuse to the Committee, and on my return to England in March, I will hasten to place my gubscription in your hands.—I remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, To the Hon. Secretary, CHAS. EDWARDS, Welsh Liberal Banquet." of Dolserau. The gallery was set apart for ladies, of whom there was' a large and brilliant gathering, and they manifested much interest in the proceedings. The musical arrangements, under the direction of Mr Brinley Richards, were very good, and the vocalists comprised Miss Edith Wynne, Miss Watts, Mr Joseph Parry, and Mr Ellis Roberts, Mr H. V. Lewis acting as accompanist. < Grace was said by the Rev Mr Allen (London), who also returned thanks "after meat." The CHAIRMAN then rose and said he thought it would be fitting that he should express the regret which he, in common with all present, felt at the absence of Mr Henry Austin Bruce, the worthy head of that department in which he had the honour of occupying the second place, who had been advertised to take the chair. Though absent in body, Mr Bruce was present with them inspirit, and heartily hoped that this banquet would be the pre- cursor of future Liberal victories in the Principality, in which he took deep interest. (Cheers.) The following letter from Mr Bruce would fully account for his absence, which was altogether unavoidable :— 1, Queen's Gate, Feb. 22,1869. My dear Mr Owen,—I regret to inform you that having re- ceived the Queen's commands to attend her Majesty at Osborne, I am unable to undertake the pleasant and honourable task of presiding over the dinner given in honour of the Welsh Liberal members, and of the signal triumph of Liberal principles in Wales at the recent general election. I regret this the more as I was very desirous of showing that my recent rejection by a Welsh constituency had not, in the slightest degree, diminished my interest in the affairs of the Principality, nor my desire to promote the welfare of its in- habitants. r I am very sorry thue to put the Committee to the inevitable inconvenience of providing a new chairman, and still more so for my absence from a gathering of my countrymen on an occa- sion of so much interest to the Principality. I am, yours very truly, Hugh Owen, Esq. H. A. BRUCE. The various sentiments of the letter elicited hearty plaudits, and the applause was very enthusiastic at that point where Mr Bruce speaks of his interest in the Princi- pality as undiminished. The loyal toasts, proposed from the chair, were then duly honoured. In giving The Queen," the CHAIRMAN made allusions to the illness of Prinee Leopold, and ex- J pressed a hope that when it terminated, her Majesty ■ would more frequently be seen amongst her loving people. Speaking of the Prince of Wales, the Chairman referred « to his Royal Highness's identity with the Principality by • his title, a reference which evoked loud cheers. The • National Anthem" and God bless the Prince of c. Wa Les were sung in connection with the toasts. The CHAIRMAN, in proposing The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," said that inasmuch as he was a man of peace, •! as he hoped many others present were, he trusted the time might be long before the army and navy would be called upon for active operations in the field; but he was 1 quite certain of this, that if such operations should ever be required, the old spirit of the British army and navy would not be found wanting. (Cheers.) In the operations in which the army had recently been engaged, they had > shown no lack of energy, valour, and perseverance, and -r perhaps there never was a campaign carried on with such J a little loss of life, that reflected so much credit upon < them. The hearts of the men who manned the vessels in <■ the navy-no longer our wooden walls "-were also the same as of yore. Although there might be an opinion prevalent that the Government were practising too much economy in dealing with those two services, yet he thought he might say that the Government, believing economy and J efficiency might go hand in hand, would be as anxious to < preserve the glory of the army and navy as any of their predecessors. (Cheers.) There was no need for him to say much about the Volunteers. Every man present was a volunteer during the late elections, and he thought it c would be admitted that they did their duty well. (Ap- • plause.) i Glee, March of the Men of Harlech." Col. STEPNEY returned thanks for the army. He ob- served that it was so long since he served as a soldier, that he could not help considering himself somewhat of an anti- < quarian. Many gallant deeds were done by the army in those days, though he himself once led a forlorn hope, and he trusted that, under all circumstances, the army would be found ready to do their duty in defending the country. He thought there was some guarantee that the country would not be plunged into useless war in having Lord Clarendon for the Foreign Minister. (Applause.) When v there was peace, they ought to keep it, and not go to war to obtain it, for war was engaged in for the ostensible pur- pose of securing peace. Mr TRACY was called upon to speak for the navy. He said that never, in any former time, was the navy in such a state of excitement and expectation as it was now with re- spect to the course which the present Admiralty intended to pursue. The advent of a Liberal Government brought with it great changes. Mr Childers, the First Lord of the Admiralty, had a most inflexible determination, and he felt quite confident that what Mr Childers thought was good for the navy he would carry out to the best of his ability. (Cheers.) The chairman had stated that it was the intention of the Government, in reducing expenditure, not to deteriorate from the efficiency of the services, and he was satisfied that their efficiency would not suffer any deterioration. Although he was in receipt of no special in- formation, he had heard a report, which he thoroughly believed, that in the estimates to be laid upon the table of the House of Commons, a reduction of no less than one million had been made. (Cheers.) The reduction was not very large this year, but there was this to be considered, that it was likely, in the course of two or three years, to be doubled or trebled. (Renewed cheers.) He hoped the present Admiralty would pay greater attention than what had been paid to the reserved forces, so that in time there might be a reserved force which could be thoroughly re- lied upon. He thought he might say, on behalf of the officers and men of the Royal navy, that it would be their great ambition, in the event of war, to show by their deeds t that the future oi the-aervice would not mar the annals of the past. (Applause.) Mr DILLWYN responded for the volunteers, with whom (he said) he had been associated, both actively and inti- mately, since the commencement of the movement. He had never had reason to regret the connection, and at the present time he had the highest opinion of the force. He looked upon the volunteers as the most constitutional army of reserve in this or any foreign country, and he hoped thfe force would be continued, not only in its old form, but as the nucleus of a new army of reserve. (Hear, hear.) The chairman had said that they were all volun- teers, and so, in truth, they were. He was sure that if, as volunteers, they should ever be called upon for active service, their foes would find that they had the whole country to deal with. Wales had come forward nobly in connection with the volunteer movement. In illustration of that he might say that Glamorganshire, he believed, had raised a larger body of volunteers than any other single county in England and Wales, except Middlesex. (Ap- plause.) Mr S. MORLEY, who received a very cordial greeting, said he rose, in obedience to orders, to propose "The Clergy of all Denominations." He trusted he should be forgiven if he anticipated the remarks of some subsequent speaker, when he assured the company how heartily he was in sympathy with the object of the banquet, which he understood to be to congratulate themselves and the country on the progress that Liberal opinions had made in the Principality. He was the representative of a city with a very large Wrelsh element in it, and therefore he was not willing to consider himself out of place on this occasion. (Hear, hear.) It could not be necessary to vindicate the ministers of Wales from the abuse with which they had been visited because they had chosen to interest themselves in the cause of the people at large. The strength of the Welsh ministry lay in the fact that they lived in the affections of their people. They under- stood the meaning of that "community of suffering" which led persons to sympathise with suffering and wrong wherever they found it; and, therefore, in what they had done, they had only proved themselves true to the princi- ples, which, by an enormous majority, they professed, and those were Liberal principles. (Cheers.) They had studied well that book which taught them to do to okhars as they would have others do to them. He could hardly have had a more acceptable task than to propose Itne health of such a body of men, very many of whom he knew, and with a great number of whom he was in special correspondence. The Rev. Mr ALLEN felt great pleasure, as a Liberal and a clergyman of the Church of England, in rising to return thanks for the toast, and the more so because it had been proposed by his friend Mr Morley, who was a member of another communion. He could not resist the bright eyes in the gallery, and therefore must be excused if he turned his back upon the chairman. i-Laughter.) Unfortunately he was not a Welshman-it was quite pos- sible that he might be a better man if he were, but he re- joiced as an Englishman to be present at a Welsh banquet, not simply because it was a Liberal banquet, though he heartily rejoiced in that, but because it was a banquet of Welshmen. One of his kindest supporters in the work of his parish was a Welshman, and by means of that gentle- man lIe had been brought into -constant communion with Welshmen, and he had formed the very highest estimate of the Welsh character. (Cheers.) He thought they had done right, as Welshmen, in thus coming more prominently before the English public, and letting them know the kind of men they were, and the sort of stuff -that was in them. He was one of the few clergymen of the Church of Eng- land who were Liberal in politics. (Cheers.) He had been informed that it was not a very easy task in all parts of Wales to be a Liberal, and he could assure them it was not a very easy task in England, or at any rate in London, to be a Liberal clergyman. He thought the rule that ought to be followed in politics was, to let a man think a thing out for himself, honestly and fairly, and not try either indirectly or directly to coerce others. (Hear, hear.) What they believed to 'be the truth would never be pro- moted by the principle of coercion or intimidation. He did not wish to take up time by speaking on political questions, but there was one point to which he should just like to refer, and that was the Irish Church, a subject round which, as they all knew, the battle of the late elec- tions raged. Those who held Liberal opinions were sup- posed, in certain quarters, to be somewhat lax in their Protestant principles. He ventured to enter an earnest protest against such a supposition; it was not because he was not a Protestant, but because he was a Protestant, that he was in favour of the disestablishment of the Irish Church. (Applause.) If Protestant truth were allowed to run fairly and free before the Irish mind, he believed it would prosper in Ireland as it had never yet done. He trusted ministers and clergymen of all denominations would strive to raise the tone of political life in the coun- try. He hoped they would try to teach their feliowmen the one simple rule of finding out the right principle and living by it, and not impute wrong motives to other people, but be willing to believe that though they differed from themselves in opinion, they might yet he sincere. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. Mr DAVIES remarked that he represented the Dissenting ministers, and he was pleased to have this op- portunity of responding for them. Had he stood up at a banquet to speak on a political subject twenty years ago, he would have lost his ministerial coat—(laughter)—but the strides of intelligence and culture had so much ad- vanced that sentiments cherished a few years ago were now repudiated. (Hear, hear.) He was very glad to see the representatives of Wales present, inasmuch as they icere the representatives and not the misrepresentatives of the Principality. (Cheers.) For many years Wales had been misrepresented; there was no question about that. He could call to mind elections which presented every symptom of misrepresentation, and at which wealthy landlords and men of influence and position coerced those under them to vote contrary to their conscientious convictions. Now, however, Wales was getting free from that thraldom, and he thought he might congratulate the members of Parliament present upon the indications of a Liberal triumph in the Principality. (Applause.) Song, "The Harp of Wales." Mr MIALL, who was loudly cheered, said-With the permission of the Chairman I rise to propose a toast, a comprehensive toast, but usually divided into two parts, combined by special desire this evening. I rise to propose "The House of Lords and the House of Commons." "The House of Lords and the House of Commons." (Cheers.) I am one of those who can in all sincerity propose the toast of the House of Lords, if by the House of Lords is meant a scrutinizing assembly. (Laughter.) I am not very familiar with the proceedings of that house, but I must say that when the members of it do give them- selves to business, they are as competent as any body of gentlemen to transact their business well. (Hear, hear.) But the House of Commons, as a representative assembly, naturally attracts towards itself and absorbs political power. It is a most industrious assembly, as I can testify; it is an exceedingly talkative assembly, and often talks well; it is perhaps the most patient assembly in the world, for it listens to what would be listened to nowhere else—(laughter and cheers);—and on the whole I think it may be fairly claimed on its behalf that it is an assembly, if anything, rather before than behind the general spirit of the period, more especially upon those subjects in which I take a deep and heartfelt interest, namely, subjects con- nected with religious liberty. (Applause.) I hail the events, I may say the triumphant events, which this- day is intended to celebrate. Wales has at last, after some period of comparative dumbness and inarticulation, found her tongue. True, she speaks yet but imperfectly and in syllables. The next time that she exerts herself, I have not the slightest doubt that she will make her eloquence felt throughout the kingdom, and felt in behalf of Liberal principles, for the Welsh are a nonconformist people, and must of necessity, at least if they are consistent with their principles, be Liberal in their politics. (Cheers.) Wales has been Liberal, but has not sufficiently manifested her Liberalism. Now, however, she is beginning to do so, and I believe her voice will go, almost unanimously, after the next political change, in favour of those great truths which are comprehended in the term Liberal. When I speak of the representation of Wales, I do not speak simply of the representation of her Nonconformity. The time is very near at hand, if it has not already arrived, when we shall no longer ask what a man's religious creed may be when he presents himself to us as a candidate for our votes. (Hear, hear.) May that time speedily come. It is no desire of mine—I think it can be no desire of yours-that Wales, although chiefly a nation of Nonconformists, should be exclusively represented by Nonconformists. She has one representative of Nonconformity by me [pointing to Mr E. M. Richards], of whom she may well be proud, and it will be her duty in future, not to seek so limited—I may say-a representation, as the representation only of her political and ecclesiastical principles, but to seek that kind of representation which will give full expression to her patriotic feelings and sentiments. I have much pleasure yhan sen ime in proposing "The Houses of Parliament." (Loud cheers.) Lord GROSVENOR, in returning thanks, stated his deep regret that there was not a more able member of either house to undertake the duty. Mr Miall had truly said that it was uncommon to couple the two houses together, and there was equal truth in his remark that when the House of Lords applied themselves to work, they discharged their duties in a very satisfactory manner. During the last few days the members of that house had manifested a desire to obtain work. At the beginning of*a session they had to spend a short time in idleness, but towards its close they had quite enough to do, and he did not think any one could say that their duties were carelessly or slovenly per- formed. (Hear, hear.) The House of Commons was always looked upon as a reflex of the people. The increase in the wealth and intelligence of the people within the last twenty years had been enormous, and he did not think it could be said that the House of Commons, as a reflex of that intelligence and wealth, had retrograded. He very much regretted the absence of Mr Bruce, although that gentleman's aide-de-camp, as he might call him, had most ably officiated in his stead. The only misfortune under which the chairman laboured to-night was, that he was not a Welshman. (Laughter.) Song, The Ash Grove," by Miss Edith Wynne, which was encored, when the accomplished artiste substituted The Bells of Aberdovey." The Hon. W. O. STANLEY said the toast of Her Majesty's Ministers" had been placed in his hands. He felt assured that no portion of her Majesty's subjects would drink that toast with more enthusiasm than the present company of Welsh gentlemen. (Hear, hear.) It was a toast which was at all times interesting, but more so under present than under ordinary circumstances. A new Parliament had been returned by more extended constitu- encies; in boroughs every householder now had a vote. The verdict which was to be given by the country had been pronounced, and pronounced in no doubtful tones. The electors of the country had decided that the prin- ciples held by Mr Gladstone, and not those of Mr Disraeli, should be the governing principles of the land, and a large majority of members professing Liberal views had been returned to the House of Commons. (Cheers.) Mr Glad- stone, who was designated by the country as her Prime Minister, now was the Prime Minister. (Renewed cheers.) Mr Gladstone had summoned around him able men, for the most part young men, though there were amongst them some old ministers,—who had been trusted and tried before. Some of the young men now in the Cabinet had held subordinate situations, in which they had so con- ducted themselves as to entitle them to the fullest con- fidence. The Ministry was composed of men who were well fitted for the duties which they would have to perform. (Hear, hear.) He was sorry that Mr Bruce was not present. They had confidence in that gentleman, and felt satisfied that he would well fulfill the arduous duties which would devolve upon him. He begged to propose Her Majesty's Ministers," coupled with the name of Mr Knatchbull Hugessen. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast. He greatly regretted the absence of Mr Bruce, because if that gentle- man had been there, not only would he have spoken with greater weight than he himself could hope to do on behalf of the ministers whose health had just been drunk, but in listening to him the company would have felt that they were listening to one who was an honour to themselves and a credit to the Principality one who, in the position he held as a minister of the Crown, would so dis- charge his duties as to reflect credit upon those who were as preud to call him their countrymen as he was to think they were his countrymen. (Cheers.) Like a rev. gentle- man who had previously spoken, her Majesty's ministers, he (the Chairman) felt sure, would look straight forward, and he believed their course would be such as to meet with the approval of all present. They had succeeded to power at a moment of great difficulty, at a moment when it was requisite thatthehelm of the state should be guided, not only by men of ability, but by men possessing the confidence of the public, and able to steer the vessel upon those great principles which were so plainly put forward at the last general election, and so fully and completely endorsed by the people of the country. What was the basis of the principles professed at the last election, and of the creed enunciated by Mr Gladstone ? It was equal justice to all classes and all creeds. (Cheers.) It had been well said by a reverend gentleman this evening that it was not an anti- Protestant creed for which they were fighting. The Liberal party thought that Protestantism, if it was worth anything at all, would stand on its own ground. The Government were therefore determined to place religious relations on -a just footing in Ireland. An established religion might be of benefit to a state in that it increased the opportunities of inculcating religious truth and spreading religious principles, but still so faT as religion itself was concerned, no religion or church ever gained by connection with the state. (Applause.) Religion itself was a sacred thing between man and his Maker. No religion and no church could thrive and flourish, unless it had a hold upon the affections of the people, which would secure for it more valuable aid than could be afforded by any state .assistance. He held that, according to the doctrines propounded by the late Opposition and the present Ministry, or the Liberal party in general, it was not ne- cessary, in dealing with the Irish question, to be either a supporter of, or opposed to, the spirit of an establishment. (Hear, hear.) If an establishment were a good thing in itself, it could not be a good thing where it had failed in every essential particular. He believed in Protestantism, but he believed also that next to persecuted truth, there was nothing so strong as persecuted error. He thought that in placing all religions upon an equal footing in Ireland, they would not only be acting wisely, but doing the best thing for the Protestant Church of that country. (Hear, hear.) There were many political subjects to which he might refer, but time did not permit of his so doing. The company had drunk the health of her Majesty's ministers, and they had a perfect right to do so, because by the representatives whom they had re- turned, they had done a great deal towards placing the present ministry in power. It was not for him to lay down any programme as to what her Majesty's ministers had to do, but he believed he might say that they were worthy of the confidence reposed in them. (Cheers.) It was their intention not to deviate from the principles sup- ported at the recent elections, which they were prepared to stand by as the endorsed sentiments and opinions of the various constituencies of the country. Their opponents were fond of calling themselves the Constitutional party, but there never was a title adopted with so little claim to it. He had always felt that the great merit of the Con- stitution was, that it was capable of adapting itself to the ever changing state of the country. Those were the best Constitutionalists who so altered the Constitution as to preserve it. (Hear, hear.) The life of a state like the life of a man, could not stand still, but must go on. If a state was not improving, it was deteriorating. At the close of the last century, it was difficult to hold the prin- ciples professed by the Liberal party, but what was the case now ? By their own inherent merits, those principles had become so popular, that their opponents were anxious to get them for themselves. He saw the other day the re- port of a meeting of a Working Men's Constitutional Society, and one thing which was advocated, and for which the majority of those present were evidently anxious, was the ballot. (Laughter.) The Tories had been wrong in opposing the advance of Liberal principles in time past, and they owned it. Was it not likely that they might be wrong in opposing the Liberals now ? (Cheers.) Slavery had been blotted from the statute book, men of different creeds had been placed upon an equal footing as regarded municipal privileges, the corn laws had been repealed, and the press made free. Against those measures the Con- servatives arrayed themselves, and honest as the members of that party might be now, it could not be forgotten that they were the children of those who killed the prophets. (Laughter and cheers.) A great deal had been done in the recent elections, but it must not be supposed that the work of the Liberal party for all time was finished, as there was much yet to be done, to which they must assidu- ously devote themselves. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the Liberal members returned at the last election in North and South Wales, a toast which was drunk with great enthusiasm. Mr TALBOT, M.P., in replying to the toast, said he was one of the oldest members of the House of Commons, who had passed through the ordeal of the Reform Act of 1832. There were not half-a-dozen of the members who could say they had sat in that House since 1829. Forty years long was he grieved with this generation- (laughter and cheers) -and he was glad they were now going to reap the result of the seed which had so long been sown. (Cheers.) It was with great regret he found that his right hon. friend, Mr Bruce, was not able to be present at that festive meeting; as he might say that when he first came forward as a candidate in Wales, he could not get any gentleman to propose him until at last the father of Mr Bruce came forward and did so. (Hear, hear.) They might feel assured that there was no danger so great as that of standing still, and he hoped they would set a good example to the entire Principality. (Cheers.) But notwithstanding their recent great Liberal triumph there was one thing which he could not but re- gret, when a man like Mr Bruce had to go to Scotland to obtain a seat in Parliament, At the same time it showed the country at large was looking to the character of re- presentatives rather than to their local influence, when a Scotch constituency elected a man like Mr Bruce. (Cheers.) Sir J. HANMER, iM. P., said the constituency he repre- sented had never, within the memory of man, returned a Tory; and of this he was perfectly certain, that they would gladly give their support to the Liberal Gouernment with vigour and energy. (Cheers.) Sir JOHN RAMSDEN, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Manufacturing and Commerciel Interests of the Princi- pality." He could not point to a brighter page in the his- tory of their party than that which recorded the victory it had won in the cause of commercial freedom. (Cheers.) It was the Liberals who might fairly claim credit for and rejoice over the great prosperity which Liberal principles had established by free trade. He would, therefore, ask them to be true to those great principles. (Cheers.) The toast was duly honoured. Mr VIVIAN, M.P., having referred to the excellent fabrics for which Wales was famous, proceeded to show the importance of Wales, looking at her great mineral re- sources. They had the largest iron works and the largest copper works in the world, and nine-tenths of the tin pro- duced in England was produced in Wales. They had the largest silver productions in the world. They had also extensive lead works, and their steam coal was known throughout the world. (Hear, hear.) Mr WATKIN WILLIAMS, M.P., in proposing the health of the chairman, said he thought the Welsh members had something to complain of as to the great Church question being brought forward solely with regard to Ireland, as the issue raised was really an Imperial issue, and one that applied to every part of the United Kingdom—(cheers)— and unless the Government were prepared to carry out the principle they propounded universally, he did not see how they could, by-and-bye, meet the claim that would be made by the Roman Catholics for separate endowment, as that would seem logically to follow from going no further than the disestablishment and disendowment of the Church in Ireland. (Hear, hear.) The Welsh members would support the Government, but they would give them an independent support, and thus endeavour to keep them up to the mark. (Cheers.) The toast was drank amid cheers. The CHAIRMAN having briefly replied, Mr RICHARD, M.P.. who was received with loud cheering, proposed the toast of the "Welsh Liberal Press." The hon. gentleman said nothing could be more in accordance with his feeling than the task he had been asked that evening to perform. Welsh newspapers were divided into two classes-viz., those published in the English language, and those published in Welsh. He felt a special interest in the latter, and it might be news to many present that a large current literature did exist in Wales, and that between thirty and forty weekly periodi- cals were printed, and that not one, except three or four of the feeblest of them, was Tory. (Cheers.) With regard to the late Liberal victory at the last election, if he were asked how that victory had been won, he should say by the power of the popular element. (Hear, hear.) The land- lord influence had been just as active at the elections as at any prior ones but then the people themselves came to the front and asserted their Liberality by choosing their own members. The landlords in Wales were very angry at their defeat, and the language they used was like the language of another assembly of defeated heroes recorded in Milton's "Paradise Lost." (Laughter.) They also had been excluded from even a pleasanter place than the House of Commons. The reason the landlords assigned for their defeat was that they had been taken by surprise. He had no doubt they were, but they would find at the next election that their overthrow would be still more complete. (Cheers.) It had been said that the Dissenting Churches in Wales had brought pressure to bear, but he was there to give that statement a most emphatic denial. (Loud cheers.) No doubt, persons found themselves sur- rounded with a public opinion which they could not pre- vent, and which they ought not to try to pre- vent. (Cheers.) But there was a screw—(cheers)—and if the Tory landlords of Wales intended to avail themselves of their powers to oppress their poor tenants, they were provoking a power which would recoil upon themselves- (cheers)—and which would make a clean sweep of them altogether. (Renewed cheers.) From the very first the Tory members of Wales had been against any proposal for advancement in justice and humanity. They opposed re- form in the criminal law; they were against the abolition of West Indian slavery; they were against the Reform Bill of 1832; they were against the repeal of the Corn Laws, and they were against the abolition of the taxation on knowledge. (Hear, hear.) Therefore the people said to them, "You may be respectable gentlemen, but 'never mora be officers of mine. (Cheers.) Here Mr Richard read a letter which he had just received, stating that at the burial of the late lamented Mr Rees, the incumbent of the parish had absolutely refused to let one of the large number of Dissenting ministers present address the people —(loud cries of "Shame !")-and he (Mr Richard) now en- gaged the noble lords and hon. and right hon. gentlemen who were around him to support the measures which would soon be brought into the House of Commons for ex- tending to England and Wales what had already been given to Ireland and Scotland-the right of performing religious services over their deceased members in their own parish churchyard. (Loud cheers.) Mr GEE responded to the toast. Mr BULKELEY HUGHES proposed the toast of the "Liver- pool Reform Association, and the Electoral Association of North and South Wales." Mr EVAN MATT. RICHARDS proposed the Stewards," which was responded to by Mr SORTON PARRY. Other toasts followed, which brought the proceedings to an end, a little before twelve.
[No title]
The dead body of a child was recently found near Wem, and an inquest was held upon it. It is now stated that the body had been previously found by two farmers, and that they had thrown it into a stream, to prevent any further trouble to themselves! At a Chester Penny Reading, the other night, just as a reader came to the lines, in Tennyson's Dora," Whose child is that ? What is it doing here ?" a baby screamed, much to the amusement of the audience, but to the dis- comfiture of the mother, who, no doubt, thought the question personal.
THE CONFERENCE OF WELSH LIBERALS.
THE CONFERENCE OF WELSH LIBERALS. On Thursday morning at eleven o'clock, -a large number of influential Liberals from various parts ef the Princi- pality assembled at the Freemasons' Tavern to confer on the best means at their command for keeping the ground they had already gained, and for winning still more seats from the Conservatives. On the mtion of the Rev. T. THOMAS, of Liverpool, seconded by Mr MATTHEWS, Mayor of Aberystwyth, Mr E. M. Richards, M.P., for Cardiganshire, was asked to preside. The Rev. M. DAVIES, of Cardiff, was the first speaker, and he moved a resolution pledging the meeting to re- newed-exertions in the Liberal Registration Society, and in the course of an interesting speech spoke very warmly of the benefit even South Wales had received from the existence of the Welsh Liberal Association inaugurated in Liverpool by Mr Bright. (Cheers.) He then rapidly noticed the various associations at present existing in Sorfth Wales, and said that but for one of these one Liberal member now in the House would not have gained his seat. (Hear, hear.) Mr O. DAVIES HUGHES, of Corwen, seconded the resolution, and narrated the circumstances connected with the Merionethshire election, and the good effect the form- ation of the Liverpool Society had had upon the last contest. At this juncture the CHAIRMAN put it to the meeting whether reporters should be allowed to take notes of the proceedings. He did not think it was usual to report con- ferences, and thought the reporters might have the resolu- tions afterwards.—Mr HENRY RICHARD, M.P., suggested that perhaps the reporters would submit their notes for correction. This did not seem to find favour in the gal- lery,' and Mr ASKEW ROBERTS, on behalf of the press, said that it would be better for the committee to supply their own report rather than adopt that course.—Mr CHARLES JAMES said the people of Wales knew of the conference, and looked forreports, and he did not like the press to be under censorship.—Mr DAVID PUGH remarked that the reporters present were men of discretion, who were earnest supporters of Liberalism themselves, and he knew the supervision of their notes could be safely left to them- selves.—The CHAIRMAN said if the reporters were allowed to remain, by all means it should be left to them what to publish. The business then proceeded. The second resolution was in favour of extending the operations of the Liverpool Welsh Reform Association all over the Principality; but the CHAIRMAN opposed this, and suggested that local associations worked much better. They wanted no flourish of trumpets; the real work was done quietly, often by one or two good men. (Hear, hear.) He thought if in North Wales they allied the several as- sociations with the Liverpool, and in South Wales they allied themselves with the South Wales Electoral Associa- tion, the projects might be aided, but the real work must be done locally. (Applause.) Mr HENRY RICHARD supported this, and spoke of the hard work before them. It was not the screw they had now to fear, but a new and more subtle power. There had been a meeting at the Penrhyn Hall, Bangor, pre- sided over by the Bishop, in which religious zeal seemed to be stimulated by political motives—(laughter)—a meet- ing seeking to convert the Welsh, not to Christianity—for that was done already—but to the Church—(laughter)— so that while their souls were looked after their votes could be looked after too. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr Richard spoke hopefully of the future, for he believed they would soon have the ballot, but they must act as if they were not to have it, if they wished to retain the seats they had won, *and win more seats to Liberalism. (Applause.) Mr GEE strongly opposed allowing the Liverpool society to exercise any control over country associations. He always preferred local government to centralization. They did not want a large association with a soundihg name. but a committee in every parish of each county. (Hear, hear.) It would be well to have a central board in Liver- pool, where deputations from the counties could go and confer with their friends in Liverpool, but the county associations should be independent. (Cheers.) Mr REES, Carnarvon, supported this. Mr M. WILLIAMS, a member of the Liverpool associa- tion, did not believe their association sought power over other associations. They had plenty to do in Liverpool in their own elections but he was sure they would always be glad to assist their friends in Wales. (Cheers.) Air MORGAN LLOYD, in an interesting speech, spoke of the way in which Mr David Pugh, Mr Davies Hughes, and Mr W. Williams had worked the registration in Merioneth. They knew to a man how all would vote; knew whom to object to in the registrar's court, and whoseV claim to support. (Cheers.) This could never be done by a general association. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. J. THOMAS said the meeting at Liverpool, at- The Rev. J. THOMAS said the meeting at Liverpool, at- tended by Mr Bright, gave great impetus to the reform movement there, and at the recent elections the association there did all they could for Wales, in every part of the Principality in which their assistance was asked. Of course they did nothing as to the registration, for it was absurd to think of a central association taking care of the registration in different counties. It was said there ought to be one association for the whole of the Principality, and that the Liverpool people were desirous of monopolising election matters. There was, however, no such wish; the Liverpool Association had been glad to do what they could for Wales, but they were ready to give up all that they were doing, if another body would take to the work and carry it on effectually. He thought it was important that there should be a connecting link between North and South Wales, in order that they might have combined action when such was necessary. (Hear, hear.) He would like to be able to thoroughly rouse the people of the Prin- cipality in a single week. Mr DAVID PUGH made a few observations respecting the registration in Merionethshire, and went on to remark that he considered Mr Gee's plan quite feasible. He then recurred to the registration question. Mr 0. MORGAN said the relative advantages of county and general associations were very fully discussed at the meeting held at the Westminster Palace Hotel some time ago, which was attended by many gentlemen of great practical experience. He went to that meeting "preju- diced in favour of a general association, but the state- ments of opinion by three or four experienced gentlemen, such as Mr Pugh, Mr R. D. Williams, and Mr Breese, led him to adopt a different view. He now held that the real field of battle in connection with Parliamentary elections was the registration court, and he thought the best mode of dealing with the registration was to confide to each county the duty of looking after its own share in the matter. (Hear, hear.) Mr W. LESTER advocated local associations in combina- tion with a central association. It was necessary, he argued, to have local associations, in order to carry out the practical work of the elections, and union was absolutely essential for complete success. He thought Liverpool ought to be the centre of the North Wales associations. At the recent election in Denbighshire, much valuable support was obtained from Liverpool, and his opinion was, that if they separated Liverpool and North Wales, they would detract very much from their own strength. (Cheers.) The Rev. EVAN EVANS testified that if it had not been for the Liverpool association there would have been but few contests in North Wales. He could not see why there should not be two associations, one for the North and the other for the South. Some gentlemen present seemed to be desirous of demolishing, but he thought that instead of pulling down, they ought to build up. (Hear, hear.) He was afraid their Liverpool friends would go away disheartened and hurt in their minds, and he should be very sorry for that to be the case, seeing how much they had done for the Principality. (Hear, hear.) He thought there was a little jealousy between the two assof ciations, which he was sorry to see. He did not know o- any reason why they should not combine them. In Car- narvonshire the Tories were setting to work with great energy, and it would not do for the Liberals to be behind- hand in organisation and action. The Tories were doing all they could to discover the secret of the strength of their opponents, and it was necessary for the Liberals to watch their movements very closely. He thought there should be a large association to look after election matters in general, and a fund from which aid could be obtained wherever it might be needed. He, however, was in favour of upholding the two existing associations, and he hoped they would be of greater service than ever when next they were wanted. (Cheers.) Mr W. WILLIAMS assured the meeting that the only desire of the Liverpool Association was to assist the different constituencies in Wales. It was not their wish to dictate to the electors of the Principality, neither were they jealous of any other association. (Hear, hear.) They had no desire to monopolise any part of Wales, but they were willing to give what assistance they could, wherever it might be required. Hitherto the people of Wales had been trodden down by the landed proprietors, but now they were beginning to assert their political and religious rights. They had sent something like twenty- three Liberals members to Parliament, and he hoped their representatives would do their best to secure for them the protection of the ballot. (Applause). Until they got the ballot they would never be a thoroughly independent uation; but if the ballot became law, there would be an end to Tory members for Wales indeed, he questioned if there would be a Tory candidate more than once. (Laughter). Mr HUGHES, (London), thought the jealousy spoken of existed only in the imagination. There was harmony, after all, between north and south, and he believed that all pre- sent would go away with true unanimity of feeling. (Hear.) His opinion was, that every county, borough, town, or parish, should have its own little association, and that all the associations should be united (Hear, hear). He was quite certain that a union between the Liverpool and South Wales Associations would be a good thing, and have great influence in bringing about a general triumph of Liberal principles. The central or general association should have a special fund, to be available for the purpose of thoroughly arousing their friends in districts or places where the people had gone to sleep, or were only half awake. He was delighted to see the unanimity that pre- vailed, and felt satisfied that, upon broad principles, there could be such a union formed as would end in the ultimate triumph of Liberal opinions. (Cheers.) Mr GEE thought they ought to understand the limits of their own individual action, and the basis upon which they were united. To illustrate that, he related a circumstance which occurred after the meeting at Liverpool. A meet- ing was held at Denbigh to arrange about the work in the registration courts, and a respectable person who had been at the Liverpool meeting, was asked to subscribe to the local association. In reply he said, he did not see why he should do so, as he was going to subscribe to the Liverpool Association, which he understood would attend to the regis- tration and every portion of the business. He (Mr Gee) did not precisely understand the limits of their individual action, nor did he know how the council of the Liberal As- sociation was to be elected. He, therefore, had great plea- sure in proposing :—" That each constituency in North and South Wales, and Liverpool, be requested to form an as- sociation to attend to their own local interests, and that two central boards be established, one in the north and one in the south. The association in South Wales to meet at any place or places to be agreed upon, hereafter, and to be called The Liverpool and North Wales Liberal Electoral Association.' The members of each board to be elected, in equal numbers for tach constituency, and to meet as often as may be conve- nient for conference and taking all steps that may be ne- cessary to secure the complete triumph of the principles of progress. (Cheers.) He should be extremely sorry to think that any of the Liverpool friends had been hurt by anything which had been said. They were much indebted to the Liverpool Association for the help afforded in the late contest, and they would be very sorry to say or do any- thing likely to wound the feelings of their Liverpool friends. (Hear, hear.) In passing the resolution which he had proposed, he thought they would be assisting, rather than interfering with, the Liverpool Association. Mr MAURICE WILLIAMS suggested that the resolution should be modified so as to leave all details to the Boards which it was proposed to form. As the resolution stood, it practically extinguished the present Liverpool Associ- ation, and he did not think that step at all desirable (Hear, hear.) They must remember that there was a lar^e number of Welshmen in Liverpool, and if the mountain would not come to them, they must go to the mountain. j c5>n81^ered that two associations, one for the North and the other for the South, were necessary, but further than that he thought they ought not to go. Dr EVAN DAVIES remarked that there was an association like those proposed to be established, with the exception of some details, in full operation in South Wales. If the resolution before the meeting was passed in the form in which it stood, it would be a polite intimation to the Liverpool and South Wales Associations to commit suicide. (Laughter, "hear, hear," and "no, no.") The speaker gave a sketch of the work recently done by the South Wales Association, and said that in Carmarthenshire 1 700 persons were put upon the register, and 1,100 of them gave plumpers for Mr Sartoris. He thought that as ad- vanced Liberals, they would have to be on their guard against the aristocracy and the moderate or old Whicrs who he was afraid would prove a clog to them. He was exceedingly anxious that the improved representation obtained for the Principality should not be allowed to suffer deterioration. Mr LESTER seconded the resolution, on the condition that Mr Gee would fully explain it. Mr GEE accordingly entered into an explanation.—He said the Liverpool Association professed to do nothing more than give assistance to the different counties in Wales, by sending lecturers or delegates to help in carry- ing on the business of the elections. They would not take care of the registration, or attend to the local business of any constituency. He wanted the Liverpool friends to do more than they had hitherto done. Inasmuch as they would not look after the local interests of the Welsh con- stituencies, he wished them to appoint a certain number of gentlemen belonging to their own organisation to meet with a certain number of the members of the South Wales Association, for the purpose of deciding upon future action. This resolution would not at all interfere with the existence of the Liverpool Association, which he did not wish to extinguish. (Hear, hear.) Mr JOHN LEWIS was of opinion that Liverpool should be omitted in the resolution. The Liverpool Association had a separate existence, and there could be no question that it had rendered great service to the Liberal cause in Wales. (Hear, hear.) He would sugest that a resolution recognising the propriety and necessity of establishing two associations, one for the North and the other for the South, should be passed, leaving Liverpool entirely out of the question. The Rev. DANIEL EVANS (Llanelly) agreed with what had been said as to its being desirable not to interfere with local action, and he moved the following amendment: —"That each constituency in North and South Wales be requested to form an association to attend to its own local interests. That the Welsh Reform Association [Liver- poolj be requested to give any assistance that the con- stituencies in North Wales may consider would be best afforded by a central association; and that the Electoral Association of South Wales be requested to discharge the like duty for the constituencies in South Wales." Mr LEWIS seconded the amendment. Mr GRIFFITH (Llangollen) said he believed the intention of Mr Gee was, not to destroy the Liverpool Association, but to extend its influence and make it more useful. At the last election for the county of Denbigh, the Liberals were placed at a great disadvantage because of the want of information on certain subjects, and he thought there ought to be a central association formed from which in- formation might be obtained. j Mr J. GRIFFITHS (Gohebydd) suggested the passing of JaNesolution recommending the reorganization of the Liver- pool Association on some such plan as Mr Gee had spoken of. After a little further discussion, the voting took place, and the original resolution was declared carried. Mr WILLIAMS then proposed another resolution, as follows: That the central associations already in ex- istence in North and South Wales remain as they are, and that local committees be formed in every locality where they may be deemed necessary, those in the north in connection with the Liverpool and North Wales Asso- ciation, and those in the south in connection with the South Wales Association," Mr J. GRIFFITHS moved an amendment in accordance with the suggestion which he had previously thrown out. Dr EVAN DAVIES also proposed an amendment-" That the Liverpool Reform Association be requested to appoint delegates from their own body to represent them at the North Wales Central Association." It was desirable, he thought, that the existence of the Liverpool Association as a separate body should be continued, and, on the other hand, that the interests of the Welsh constituencies should. not be left altogether in the hands of a body in which they were not represented. Mr L. WILLIAMS observed that any local association subscribing two guineas a year might be represented in the Council of the Liverpool Association, as there was a rule to that effect. Mr DAVIES (Holywell) seconded Dr Davies's amend- ment. Mr GEE contended that the proposal of Dr Davies was embodied in the resolution which had already been passed. Dr NICHOLAS thought they had no right to interfere with any existing association, and that it would be well to have two associations, one for North and the other for South Wales, in addition to the one at Liverpool. Ultimately Mr J. Griffiths withdrew his amendment, and the resolution proposed by Mr Williams falling to the ground for want of a seconder, Dr Davies's amendment was passed. On the motion of the Rev. J. Thomas, the thanks of the meeting were accorded to the Chairman, and after Mr Richards had accnowledged the compliment, the audience gradually dispersed.
THE PROPOSED UNIVERSITY COLLEGE…
THE PROPOSED UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AT ABERYSTWYTH. An influential meeting in furtherance of this movement was held on Thursday, at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, under the chairmanship of Mr Osborne Morgan, M.P. Amongst others present were—Mr Watkin Wil- liams, M.P., Mr Morgan Lloyd, Mr Hugh Owen, Mr John Matthews (Mayor of Aberystwyth), Rev. D. Charles (secretary), Rev. Owen Evans, Rev. M. D. Jones, Rev. Robert Jones, Rev. W. Lloyd, Rev. J. Thomas, Dr. Nicholas, Mr O. Davies Hughes, Mr W. Lester, Mr T. Gee, Mr S. Evans, Mr J. M. Evans, Mr W. Lister, Mr J. Griffiths, Mr G. Griffith, and Mr E. Griffith. The CHAIRMAN said there had been such a deter- ination of Welshmen to the metropolis, in order to cele- brate the recent Liberal triumphs in the Principality, that the friends of this undertaking, which had now assumed the proportions of a national movement, thought so good an opportunity of pressing its claims ought not to be thrown away, and therefore they decided to convene the present meeting. The only feeling of regret which he entertained in taking the chair was, that the post had not been assumed by some one more closely connected with the undertaking. More interested in the movement, and more concerned for its success, however, no one, he thought, could possibly be. (Cheers.) About eight or nine years ago he met with three friends of his, Mr Hugh Owen, Mr Morgan Lloyd, and Dr. Nicholas, and they came to the conclusion that 'the time had arrived for Wales to have a national educational establishment of her own. Steps were accordingly taken towards securing such an institution, but his professional duties prevented him from doing much in the matter himself. The boat seemed to have got upon a little reef, and the committee had called this meeting in the hope of getting it fairly afloat again. There was not the slightest wish to silence or stifle discussion as to the past history of the movement, but still it should be recollected that the chief business was to arrange about the future, and not to criticise what had already taken place. (Hear, hear.) Mistakes were made at the commencement of every such movement; things were done that ought not to be done, and other things left undone that ought to be done. In a few words he would state the financial condition of the movement. When Dr Nicholas, the late secretary, gave up office, the total amount promised was 212,000, and since the present indefatigable secretary had obtained promises to the extent of about £ 2,500. Those two amounts made nearly 215,000, which was a large sum, when the clouds which had hung over the undertaking and the difficulty experienced in convincing people that it was a bona fide affair were borne in mind. (Applause.) He was sorry, however, to say that the payments did not bear a proper proportion to the promises, but that was no doubt due, in a great measure, to the financial difficulties of last year. There were other things which interfered with the collection of the money. When the movement commenced it was anticipated that substantial assistance would be received from the government, but unfortunately, the friends of the movement had never yet been in a position to go to government. That acted adversely. When they went to their Welsh friends, in the hope of making a good round sum, so that they might have something to go to government with, some of them said, Get government aid, and then we will help you." That placed the com- mittee in a very difficult position, and it was felt that something must be done, for people who wished well to the cause would not trust them until thev saw them doing omething. In order to remove that difficulty, the com- mittee determined to purchase a building, which, thanks to the commercial depression of the times,' they were en- abled to obtain at a very low figure indeed. The splendid hotel at Aberystwyth, which he believed cost 4:80,000, they got for £ 10,000. Unfortunately, however, their resources were so slender that they had to borrow about E6,000, at a high rate of interest, in order to complete the purchase. To roof the building and make it presentible would cost between 2200 and C300, and more money would be wanted for other purposes. He thought he hardly need appeal to those present, as Welshmen, on behalf of what he would venture to call a national under- taking. There was one thing about the proposed univer- sity college which would commend it to the sympathy of all Welshmen it would be based upon principles of true religious equality. (Cheers.) Those principles had been consecrated, he might say, by the politi- cal battles which had recently been fought and won; they had been solemnly ratified, and he did not think there was a Welshman worthy of the name who would wish to depart from them. (Hear, hear.) Some well-meaning-friends said it was best for Welshmen to go to Oxford or Cambridge to be educated, and that the time was rapidly approaching when the religious tests would be abolished, and Nonconformists admitted to the benefits of those universities as freely as members of the Church of England. He trusted that time was not far distant, but very near. (Applause.) Although no one felt a deeper interest in the work of the English univerities than him- rl self, he was bound to confess, from what he knew of these institutions, especially the one at Cambridge, that thev could never become poor men's universities. They took their tone from the gentry and richer classes, and so long as the social feelIng at those places remained as it now was, there would be that which would compel young men, who liked to imitate those above them, to spend money. The institution which they were proposing to establish at Aberystwyth was one at which he trusted young men would be enabled to obtain as good an education as could be obtained at either Oxford or Cambridge, and at one- half the cost. (Cheers.) One argument that had been urged against the movement was that the people of Wales wanted a college, and not a university. The friends of the undertaking met that objection in this way: they said they intended to establish a college, in the first instance, in the hope of ultimately making it a university. (Hear, hear.) He thought a col- lege upon the model of Owen's, at Manchester, would meet all objections. He was extremely sorry to say that the movement appeared to have hung fire, and he was quite ready to admit that the shortcomings of its original promoters, of whom he was one, might be the cause of the tardiness shown by the public in subscribing to the funds He hoped all present would join with him in doing what they could to secure success. The quarrymen of Merioneth- shire and Carnarvonshire had set an example to the gen- tlemen of Wales m the stimulus which they had given to the movement. He thought they must adopt some new plan, and set the People to work for themselves. Thev must teach them that it was a people's question, just as they taught them some months ago that the Parliamentary representation was a people s question. (Loud applause.) The Rev. D. CHARLES was then called upon and in the course of a lengthy and interesting address, which we have not space to report in extenso, he gave a minute account of the steps taken since he became secretary, and fully explained the present position of the movement. Mr MORGAN LLOYD was the next speaker, and he de- livered an eloquent address in support of the movement his remarks eliciting frequent an(f enthusiastic applause He counselled the friends of the undertaking not to do their cmmtr^en M t0;J oft?n done—quarrel, and while fighting tor the shadow lose the substance. He said he should be glad to forget any little difference which he might have had with anybody, providing that would tend to the good of the cause. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he proposed the following resolutionThat the proposed University College would, in the opinion of this meeting, 1 advantage to the Principality, and that the efforts which are being made with the view of its estab- lishment deserve the earnest support of all who are inter- ested in the social and intellectual advancement of the Welsh people. Mr WATKIN WILLIAMS seconded this resolution, and enlarged upon the benefits likely to accrue from the col- lege, which he put before the meeting in a very forcible manner. The resolution was then formally passed. Mr. GEE made a capital speech in submitting a second resolution, as followsThat the establishment and maintenance of a University College for Wales are objects which may be properly brought under the notice of her Majesty's Government, with the view of obtaining for the aid of those objects a Parliamentary grant; and that this meeting recommends the committee to appoint a deputation to wait, at the proper time, upon the Prime Minister on the subject. The Rev. M. B. J ONES, seconded the resolution, and it was supported by the Rev. J. Thomas, and Dr Nicholas, after which it was put to the meeting and adopted. A vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by the Rev. R. Jones and seconded by Gohebydd, brought the pro- ceedings to an end.
NORTH WALES TEMPERANCE ELECTORAL…
NORTH WALES TEMPERANCE ELECTORAL ASSOCIATION. Several of the influential members and friendsof this associ- ation breakfasted together on Thursday morning at the Free- masons 1 avern. Sir John Hamner, M. P., took the chair, and amongst those present, who numbered about eighty, were Sir Wilfred Lawson, M.P., Mr M. R. Dalway M.P., Mr Osborne Morgan, Al. P., Alr Whalley, M.P., Mr Carter, M.P., Rev. John Thomas, Rev. Evan Evans, Rev. Dawson Burns; Rev. Thomas Levi, Rev. S. Roberts, Rev. M. Lloyd, Mr Evan Williams, Mr J. H Raner Mr Morgan Lloyd, Mr P E Eyton, Mr J. Lloyi jS, Mr 9" D- ^U|,hes' ¥r, W- Lester, Dr Williams, Mr T. B faSeb^dT Mr P' Jon™'Mr and Mr iiJs^sa^Hfh^ tLTning the after-breakfast proceed- ings said he had the happiness of being united with the society m promoting temperance and sobrietv. hear.( The subject was a difficult one, 10000 opinions differed respecting it. He himself liked a glass of wine as well as any one, and did not drink water. He agreed, however, in the desirableness of the proposition of the hon. baronet beside him (Sir Wilfred Lawson), and he would assist in carrying it if possible. (Cheers.) Great difficulties existed as respected the licensing system, but Parliament might surely deal with it in a certain degree. (Hear, hear.) H their friendship were passed, and the question sub- mitted to a popular vote whether places for the sale of intoxicating liquors in defined localities should be opened or not, he (the chairman) did not think that such an expression of public opinion would be either tyranny or oppression. (Cheers.) Mr OSBORNE MORGAN moved the first resolution, which was as follows: lhat this meeting, recognising the great obstacle to social, moral, and political progress which intemperance presents, and believing the legalised facilities li ir11!! largely foster the drinking system, rejoices in a enorts to limit the number of public houses and beer- shops, but is especially grateful to Sir Wilfred Lawson for the introduction of his Bill by which the inhabitants of any parish may be enabled to prevent the granting of licences in their district, and trusts that the representatives of the Principality will be found amongst the best sup- porters of the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill. (Applause.) Alderman CARTER, M.P., in seconding the resolution, gave his election experience at Leeds. He had declared himself in favour of (legislative interference in the sale of liquors, and thereupon incurred the opposition of from three to four thousand licensed victuallers, which was formidable, but in the face of this he had shewn himself in favour of the Permissive Bill. (Cheers.) He did not wish it to be understood that he was wholly in favour of the Bill as drawn by his friend Sir Wilfred Lawson, but that would not prevent his supporting it. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps the Bill might be improved in passing; there cer- tainly were difficulties attending it, and at the risk of being wearisome, he wished just to point out one of these difficulties, which was its working in large boroughs. It was never well to act too violently with vested interests: they might gradually limit the number of licences, but they ought fairly to compensate any who suffered. (Hear, hear.) Alderman Carter then spoke of the way in which public-houses spring up in new neighbourhooda of large toWns, to the detriment of the poor. The rich took care to prevent this, and they never heard of a public-house at the corner of a fashionable street, but he believed were Eaton-square to be suddenly peopled by working men, a public-house would at once be placed in the corner. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He wished to see a veto placed on magistrates' decisions. He deprecated free trade in drink, for it was a traffic that ought to be restricted. (Applause.) Sir WILFRED LAWSON spoke in support of the resolution, and in allusion to the chairman's remarks, said there were many of their supporters who were not teetotallers. In- deed, it was their boast that they belonged to no party or politics. Five years ago, when he first introduced the Bill, there were not many arguments used against it, but there were many votes. (Laughter.) And he was happy to say that Wales had nobly supported the Bill. (Cheers.) Indeed, in proportion to the number of its members, Wales had been the best supporter it had. (Cheers.) In North Wales only one member had supported the Bill and that member was their chairman, Sir John Hanmer. (Applause.) He was glad to find from Mr Lester that when the Bill was again submitted it was to be supported by a majority of the members for Wales. (Hear, hear.) Sir Wilfred then sketched the Bill in outline, and re- marked that Permissive Bills were not contrary to Parlia- mentary usage. He would still leave it to the magistrate to say if a man was qualified to sell gin, but let the people have the power of deciding whether gin should be sold at all. (Applause.) He had no objection to compensation, and he was sure Parliament was never averse to take care of vested interests. There were many Permissive Bills on the statute book. Mr Bass brought in a Permissive Bill to give people quiet by removing barrel-organs. He wanted a Bill to keep people quiet by removing Mr Bass's barrel. (Cheefs and laughter.) The resolution was carried. Mr WHALLEY moved the next resolution, which was as follows— That this meeting recommends the friends of the religious and social well-being of the people through- out the Principality, to render during the present session every legitimate support to the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill, and suggests that, in addition to public meet- ings, numerous petitions should be presented in its favour before the second reading." He remarked that it re- quired some saorifice to support a Bill of this sort, and it reflected great credit on the Principality that it had so nobly supported it. (Hear, hear.) He referred to the 500 Acts of Parliament on the liquor question, which had miserably failed. Parliament had failed, and now was the time for the power to be put into the hands of the people in their several localities, and he felt convinced that Sir Wilfred's Bill would be superior to all the Acts of Parlia- ment now in existence. (Applause.) Mr J. THOMAS seconded the resolution, which was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by Mr Dalway, M.P., and seconded by Mr Gee, closed the pro- ceedings.
Advertising
The Liverpool Mercury is publishing a list of subscribers to the Gladstone Testimonial. The other day the list contained the following acknowledgment"Collected by Miss Llamoost, at Dixon's New Hotel, Carnarvon, Is. 9d." Dixon's Hotel is the County Gaol! Of course the North Wales Chronicle manufactures a "gentlemanly" insinua- tion out of the hoax. The suggestion that thieves had subscribed to testimonialize "the robber of the Irish Church was too tempting to be resisted.