Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

The copyright status or ownership of this resource is unknown.
Hide Articles List

6 articles on this Page

Advertising

Family Notices

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.

[No title]

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

BRECON BOROUGH ELECTION

News
Cite
Share

BRECON BOROUGH ELECTION MEETINGS OF THE LIBERAL PARTY. On Thursday evening week, the 12th instant, a Welsh Liberal meeting was held at the Plough Chapel, Lion-street, J. Prothero, Esq., presiding. There was a large attendance. After the opening address from the chairman, the Rev. E. Matthews, of Canton, addressed the meeting in Welsh, referring to the Irish Church, church rates, and a variety of other topics, and making some very pungent allusions. His illustrations of the condition of the Irish Church excited much merriment, and throughout his address he kept the risible faculties of his audience in any- thing but a quiescent state. The Rev. H. Oliver, B.A., of Newport, next spoke in Welsh for some little time. In the course of his observations, Mr. H. P. Price made his appearance, with the Rev. J. W. Lance, the lecture at the Town-hsill being concluded; and their appearance was the signal for great cheering. Mr. Oliver then spoke in Efiglish, and was followed by the Rev. J. W. Lance. H. P. Price, Esq., proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers, making a brief allusion to politics. The Rev. John Morris seconded the motion, and a similar vote to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. On Friday evening a Liberal meeting was held at the Town-hall, J. Davies, Esq., presiding. Upon the platform were the Revds. Henry Griffiths, John Morris, W. Roberts, D. W, Davies, and R. S. Williams; Messrs. W. Games, W. J. Roberts, John Jones, T. H. Williams, and G. A. Edwards. The Chairman, in opening the business of the meeting, remarked that they had no personal hostility to the gentleman opposed to them. They had no private interests to serve, but were entirely actuated by a sense of duty, which they were determined to do. (Applause.) Personally he had no objection to the Conservative candidate. On the contrary he esteemed and respected him. He had come in con- tact with him on a number of occasions, and had always found him gentlemanly and courteous. In political principles, however, he was opposed to Mr. Gwyn, and therefore it was that they were there. He would also say that the Liberal candidate had never asked any to break his pledge to his opponents. He (the speaker) had canvassed most of the town with the Liberal candidate, and he defied any man to say that Air. Price bad asked any to break a pledge to Mr. Gwyn. He would say to all of them-keep your pledges like men; and he felt convinced, so surely as they met there that night, if they kept their pledges, so surely would Mr. Hugh Powel Price be their member. (Cheers.) The Rev. R. S. Williams addressed the meeting in an energetic Welsh speech, which was loudly applauded. The Rev. John Morris said he believed in the ventilation of public questions-in facts and arguments. He did not believe in the screw, nor in the beer barrel. (Laughter.) He did not believe in tampering with the consciences of poor men. (Cheers.) He believed in the Liberal cause-- it was the cause of truth and righteousnes* it was the cause of the people; it was the cause of God. (Applause.) He advocated the claims of Mr. Powel Price simply because he represented Liberal prin- ciples. (Cheers.) He believed he was a most amiable man, and thought very highly of his personal quali- ties. He thought he was a high-minded, honourable, and able man, and would do them infinite credit in the House of Commons but still, if he were not a Liberal in his political principles, he should not support him. They said Mr. Gwyn was a very amiable man; but he had nothing to do with his person, only his politics and the reason he set his face againstmr. (iayn was because he was an out-and- out Tory—(laughter)—a Tory of the first water and therefore he was determined to resist him to the uttermost. Toryism had no heart. Toryism had no I bowels and as a Tory he very much questioned the kindness of Mr. Gwyn. Was it kindness to flog soldiers. (No, no.) Was it kind to keep Dissenters out of the Universities. (No, no.) Was it kind to attempt to keep on that abominable impost-church rates. (No, no.) He did not call in question the kindness of Mr. Gwyn but he did not conceive that mere kindness entitled him to go to the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) If he wanted a reliev- ing officer perhaps be would be a proper man. (Laughter.) The Tories had always resisted every measure of progress and improvement, and voted for every abuse. They resisted as long as they could liberty of worship they forbad for a long time men and women coming together and worshipping God according to the dictates of their consciences, under penalties of fine and imprisonment, and even death itself. They forbad dissenting ministers to come within five miles of any corporate town under a penalty of L40. If the refused to take the oath of passive obedience they might be sent to gaol for six months. Thanks be to God-no thanks to the Tories-they could now sit under their own vine and fig tree, none daring to molest them. The Tories resisted also the Test and Corporation Acts. No Nonconformist could then take office in any corpora- tion, in any office, civil or military, without taking the sacrament in church within three months of taking office. A person could not keep a Tom and Jerry shop without taking the sacrament of the Lord's supper. (Laughter.) The Tories were very religious people, and they must have a religious man to manage even their drunkeries. (Laughter.) Certain corporations used to improve these amiable acts. The corporation of London was in the habit of appointing Dissenters to take the office of sheriff, knowing they could not qualify, and when they refused to serve were fined some X400 or Y,500, and it was with these fines the Mansion House in London was built. ("Shame,,) As Lord Mansfield said: If they refuse, punish them if they say yes, punish them if they say no, punish them if they are too short, stretch them; if they are too long, dock them. ("Shame.") Oh the dastardly tyrants No words were strong enough to express his abhor- rence of their acts; and if the Tories had their own way, those monstrous laws would have effect to that day, and disgrace their statute book. The Tories resisted the abolition of negro slavery in the West Indies; they resisted the repeal of the Corn Laws, which doubled the price of corn they resisted the Reform Act of 1832, which inaugurated quite a new era in the history of their country. They put forth frantic efforts to resist that bill; and it was only when they saw that the country was on the brink of a revolution, and that the rioldiers could not be trusted, that they gave in. (Hear, hear.) And they had resisted Reform ever since. The speaker thn. gave a history of the late Reform movement from the time of the bringing in of Mr. Gladstone's Bill in 1866, up to the passage of the late Reform Bill next referring at some length to the Irish Church. The Tories must accept the blue pill of rHsendowment and the black draught of disestablishment; and when this was donehe believed the Irish Church would come forth fair as the moon, bright, as the sun, and terrible as an. army with banners. Referring again to Toryism, as indicated by the opposition to the acts mentioned, he said it was a monster of such hideous mien that to be hated needs only to be seen." (Applause.) Liberalism was for the good of the many, and therefore he said to them—Vote for Liberalism (cheers) vote for Gladstone, (loud cheers) vote for Hugh Powel Price, Esq. (Immense cheering.) He saw the forces were gathering; the sound of battle was in the land; the country was resounding with the clash of arms the two armies were marching towards one another, and soon would be face to face. But he saw another and a mightier army, with new men and that army was the working men of England and Wales. (Applause.) It depended upon them what would be the result of the battle the power was in their hands. Under what banner would they go forth?— the banner of freedom or of despotism? the banner of Liberalism or of Toryism ? He trusted everyone of them was prepared to fight for themselves, for their country, for truth, and for righteousness. (Cheers.) If they only acted as men, if they were resolute, and resisted temptation, a glorious victory would be theirs. They had been slaves long enough be slaves no longer. Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not that they who would be free must themselves strike the blow?" (Loud cheers.) Mr. John Jones addressed the meeting at some length, referring to the time when 15 individuals, composing the Corporation, and chosen by Lord Tredegar, had vested in them the right of electing a member. He then spoke of the Reform Act of 1832, and the large increase in the number of voters, resulting in the victory of Colonel Watkins. going on to speak of the Reform Act, the Irish Church, and other questions. Mr. Edwards proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, making reference to some remarks 01 preceding speakers, and reading some verses from Punch. The Bev. H. Griffiths seconded the vote of thanks. He alluded to the squibs which had been about the town, and said if it were meant to deter him from taking an honest and independent course in regard to this election, they were very much mistaken. If it had one effect more than another, it was to con- vince him he was in the path of duty. (Applause.) He had been convinced that they had neglected to teach and enlighten their people in relation to the great questions of liberty and religious equality. He considered it the greatest compliment to be roundly abused as he had been, and he felt he stood an inch higher than ever before. He felt that the Tories did not exactly believe in holding meetings them- selves, nor in their (the Liberals) holding meetings. (Laughter.) The speaker also referred to the fact of the Tories having gone to the advertising columns of the BRECON COUNTY TIMES, knowing that the Liberals had no chance of replying before the election. They would be glad, however, to meet the Tories on that platform, and reply to them. (Applause.) The statement of Dr. Thomas with reference to the 199 parishes in Ireland without a single Protestant, was alluded to. He said Dr. Thomas quoted from the census of 1861; but in numerous instances the parishes had been grouped together—sometimes two, sometimes seven, some. times nine-into one ecclesiastical district, and now they said there was only one benefice in Ireland without a Protestant. He did not think this made the state of things any better. (Hear, hear.) In concluding his observations, the rev. gentleman said a more thorough, uncompromising, fearless, and earnest Liberal than their chairman did not exist. (Loud applause.) The Chairman having responded, the proceedings terminated. THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION. A torchlight procession in Brecon is not a very common occurrence-in fact, it is almost, if not quite, unprecedented, if we may judge from a remark which fell from the lips of one whose grey hair betokened the near approach, if nothing more, of hoary old age,—to the effect that it was the first torch- light procession he had ever witnessed. The rarity of the occurrence may also be gathered from the fact that "all Brecon" turned out to see it, excepting of course those who, living in the line of route it was to take, preferrea, seeing it from their own win- dows rather than being crushed in the crowd. Actuated probably by various motives, it was decided at a committee meeting of the Liberal party held on Saturday evening, to have a torchlight pro cession, and to draw Mr. Hugh Powel Price, the Liberal candidate, in an anticipatory triumphal manner through the town. Probably some of the onlookers on Monday evening thought that the demonstration was very like, as the phrase goes, "coullting your chickens before they are hatched," and that it would have been much better if it had taken place after the election, had Mr. Price been at the head of the poll. In these days, however, show goes a great way and there is nothing like eftthu- siam itself to impart a similar feeling, and-just as the last straw breaks the camel's back-to cause the hesitating and wavering to decide one way or the other. But whatever the motives, it was resolved to have a Liberal demonstration. Accordingly pre- parations were made, and at seven o'clock on Mon- day evening a large number of the Liberal party met at the Wellington Hotel, and the procession was then formed four deep. A brass band was also in attendance, which took the lead, and the procession took its course through High-street, and along tha Struet, followed and accompanied by large numbers of persons, who shouted vociferously. Arrived at the bottom of Priory-hil!, a few torches were lighted, which cast a bright reflection upon the large assem- blage. It had been arranged to meet Mr. H. P. Price at Pendre gate at half-past seven. That point was reached shortly after the appointed time, but then some little delay occurred through the non- arrival of the hon. candidate. In a short time, however, he made his appearance in his carriage, accompanied by Mr. Bright, the ex-mayor, and Mr. J. Davies, aud followed by a large number of his tenantry and others on horseback. Their coming was the signal for general and prolonged cheers the horses were taken from the pole of the vehicle, and plenty of willing and lusty arms took hold the band struck up torches were lighted cheers rent the air, and the procession, which, with followers, could scarcely have numbered less than a thousand persons, moved on its way down the hill. In passing along the Struet numberless windows were opened, thronged with spectators, and handkerchief8 were waved by fair hands, and at every turning on the march crowds gathered to witness the unusual sight. The procession wended its way along the top of Ship-street, through Wheat-street and Glamorgan- street, and then down the Watton and back to the Wellington Hotel. Here a splendid blue light was set fire to in front of the hotel, from every window of which, as well as from the adjacent houses, eager faces peeped forth. As the carriage containing the hon. candidate was brought up to the door loud and prolonged cheers were set up by the assembled mul- titude. Mr. Price then descended from his carriage, and went into the hotel, re-appearing at the window over. the portico, on to which he stepped. The cheers were again and again renewed as he did so, and when silence was restored, he briefly thanked them for their unparalleled kindness, and for the unparalleled demonstration of that evening. When one s heart was full words were wanting, and he could not find words to sufficiently thank them. He would but remind them that their cause was one of truth and justice and equity. (Loud applause.) Being so, he felt assured it would triumph. (Renewed applause.) There were but. a few hours between them and the day of election. He would ask his friends to rally round him on Wednesday, as we^J*s on Thursday, and show by their presence and by their votes that the opinion of the large majority of the voters of Brecon was true blue." (Loud cheers, and true blue for ever.") Mr. Price and his supporters then went into the hotel, and the crowd outside gradually dispersed. One fight occurred, however, at the close of the address of Mr. Price, but it was soon quelled, and was the sole disorderly proceeding arising out of the demonstration, which could not have been of a more orderly character. A committee meeting was held in the hotel, which was numerously attended. Dr. Lucas was voted to the chair, and made an earnest and eloquent speech, and he was followed by Mr. Price, the Liberal candidate. Mr. J. Prothero, Mr. W. Games, and other gentlemen afterwards spoke, and the proceedings were continued till a somewhat late hour. THE NOMINATION OF THE RIVAL CANDIDATES. The nomination of candidates for the suffrages of the electors of the borough took place on Wednesday morning, at eleven o'clock, at the Town-hall. Long before the time named, however, the precincts of the hall evinced more than the usual bustle and animation, and a large number of strangers and others congre- gated in High-street.- Shortly after ten,o'clock the numbers increased, and at half-past ten the Conser- vative electors, who had met Mr. Howet Gwyn at his temporary residence, at Buckingham House, Glamorgan-street, accompanied him in procession to the Town-hall, taking their position on the left of the room on entering. Amongst those on the platform with Mr. Howel Gwyn were Major Conway Lloyd, the Revs. C. Griffith, Herbert Williams, Rees Price, J. D. Williams, H. Howells, J, Jones; Messrs. D. Thomas, J. North, James Williams, D. W. J. Thomas, E.Thomas, F. Watkins, E. W. Malet, E. C. Phillips, Evan Owen (Builth), Henry Williams, Thomas Jones (Llandovery), J. A. Jebb, G. Cansick, T. B. Jones, B. Price, Thomas Thomas, John Wil- liams, Thomas Williams, &e. While waiting, cheer afcer cheer was continually given for Mr. Howel Gwyn by his supporters. The body of the hall was gradually filled, and about a quarter to eleven Mr, Hugh Powel Price, the Liberal candidate, entered the ball with his supporters, having come in proces- sion from the Wellington Hotel. Theil" entrance was the signal for great cheering from the Liberals, mingled with hooting from the opposite party. Mr. Price was attended on the platform by the Revs. J. Morris, W. Roberts, David Price, Henry Griffiths, D. W. Davies, R. S. Williams Dr. Lucas, Dr. Tal- fourd Jones; Messrs. P. Bright (ex-Mayor), Mordecai Jones, George Overton, J. Davies, J. R. Cobb, D. Jeffreys Powell, W. Games, E. Watkeys, Roberts, J. Prothero, T. Trew, John Mainwaring, John Wil- liams, W. P. Price, John Jones, H. C. Rich, John Morris, J. D. Williams, A Henshaw, Lewis Jones, &c. A large number of Mr. Price's supporters wore blue rosettes, many of which had the hon. candidate's photograph in the centre. Mr. Gwyn's supporters, as a rule, wore no colours; but a few had orange and blue rosettes. The gallery was occupied by ladies (among whom was Mrs. H. P. Price, the wife of the Liberal candidate), and most of them wore blue rosettes with photographs, or a "true blue" badge of some kind, only one or two wearing colours of an opposite character. The interval between the arrival of the Liberal party and the commencement of the proceedings was occupied by each party cheering its respective candidates, the cheers being responded to by hisses, hooting, catcalling, &c., from the other side, in addition to shouting, the noise being completely deafening. Punctually to the hour named1, W. de Winton, Esq., the Mayor, arrived, accompanied by S. B. Evans, Esq., the Town Clerk. They were greeted with lond cheers from both sides. The hall- keeper opened the court with the usual proclamation, and his doing so was interrupted by loud Cries and hooting. The Town Clerk then read the writ, which was received in silence, cheers being given at the conclusion of the reading. The Mayor, as returning officer, then took the usual oath to conduct the election impartially, before the ex-Mayor and Mordecai Jones, Esq. The Mayor then advanced to the edge of the plat- form-which had been boarded up and covered with pink canvass—and was received with loud applause. He said Brother townsmen,—We have met here this morning for the purpose (A voice: Of getting Mr. Price in) (cheers and biases, and cries of "order.") I hope you will give everybody to-day a quiet and peaceable hearing. (Hear, hear, and "Yes, we will.") I hope those gentlemen who address you will be heard impartially, and as soon as they conclude their addresses you can cheer and express your feelings as you like. (Cheers.) The Rev. Rees Price then came forward, and was. received with mingled cheers and hissing, and noises of every kind, which prevented anything he said being heard by any body in the body of the room-scarcely by those nearest him. He, however, commenced his address, but as the hooting increased rather than diminished, Mr. Hugh Powel Price came forward, and was received with cheers. He requested silence, and that a hearing should be given to the rev. gentle- man. The request was applauded, but as soon as he retired the cheers and hooting were renewed. The Mayor afterwards came forward and asked and im- plored the audience to keep order, and give a fair hearing to the speakers. The tumult of voices was so great, however, that the request, though shouted at the top of the voice, could only be heard by a few. The Rev. Rees Price, however, continued his observa- tions, but was only apparently heard, and that im- perfectly, by the reporters. In the course of his ob- servations several penny whips were produced by those in the body of the hall, and were received with much laughter, and counter-shouts by Mr. Gwyn's supporters. Later on in the meeting a cat-o'-nine-tails was exhibited, and shaken above the heads of the people. Then a piece of red cloth made its appearance, and was placed on the back of a man, and some one then flogged it. A blanket was also hoisted on a pole, and a coal hod, containing a blanket and the red piece of cloth, aforesaid,was likewise lifted up. On each occasion a burst of laughter and applause took place, accompanied by a contrary demonstration. Bills and squibs of various kinds were also handed about by both parties, or held up as if in mockery to the two candidates. This state of things was kept up throughout the proceedings. Not a single speaker was heard for the noise and shouting, and the speeches were bawled into-the ears of the reporters, who even then could hear with the utmost difficulty. The Rev. Rees Price, vicar of St. David's, said I appear before you on this platform to discharge a very important and responsible duty- It is that of pro- posing a fit and proper person to represent our views and opinions, and to promote our wishes and interests in the Imperial Parliament of this United Kingdom. We live in days when questions involving the most momentous issues, affecting us and our children, are deeply agitating the public mind from one end of the Kingdom to the other. It becomes every man in days like these to be awake to the calls of duty; and how- ever humble my position as a private individual, I do not shrink from my allotted task,—to do what I can to promote the object, which has brought us together this day. Gentlemen, I beg to propose Mr: Howel Gwyn to be our representative in the Commons House of Parliament of this nation. I have every confidence In his ability and willingness to serve us well,—to promote such measures as shall conduce to the national welfare, as well as our own more immediate interests. Looking at his address, we observe that he has been a consistent supporter of the present Govern- ment, which, by the admission even of its oppoients, has displayed great talent and ability in the adminis- tration of the various departments of the State. Lord Stanley has exhibited so much skill, tact, and delicate judgment in conducting our public and diplomatic transactions with other nations as not only to steer clear of many serious and perilous com- plications that have from time to time arisen, but has greatly raised the national prestige, and earned uni- versal respect and admiration both at home and abroad for his open, manly, and conciliating manage- ment. Not the least of his triumphs is the recent ad- justment of the terms on which the international dis- pute between this country and America-a dispute bequeathed to us by Earl Russell, and which required all the skill and resources of Earl Clarendon to bring to a satisfactory settlement. May this nation long continue to possess Lord Stanley at the head of Foreign Affairs, and benefit by his unrivalled political abilities and statesmanship. The Home Secretary has been no less successful in the conduct of his de- partment. He has with firm and gentle hand curbed effectually the power of that turbulent and wicked spirit of Fenianism, which at one time seriously alarmed the public mind and disturbed the peace of the country. The Abyssinian expedition, undertaken for the release of our captive countrymen, and redress of the cruel wrongs and sufferings inflicted on them by a half-civilised and savage tyrant—the care and foresight and admirable arrangements made for the supply of the army, and for ensuring the success of the expedition and its ultimate achievement, reflect the highest credit on the government under whose auspices it was carried out. It was under the leader- ship of the present government that the Reform Bill