Welsh Journals

THE USK GLEASTEK A Local Register of Events and Magazine of Information. No. 5. Published by J. H. CLARK, at " The County Observer" Office, Use. PRICE 3d CONTESTED COUNTY ELECTION, 1868. On the 21st of November, 1868, the nomination of candidates took place at Monmouth. The hall was much crowded, and a great number of ladies occupied the grand jury gallery. The proposers and seconders of the Conservative candidates (Mr. Octavius Morgan and Colonel Poulett Somerset) were patiently listened to, but the gentlemen on behalf of the Liberal candidate (Colonel Clifford) had some difficulty in obtaining a hearing. Mr. P. J. Mitchell was the high-sheriff. S. R. Bosanqjjet, Esq., the chairman of Mon¬ mouthshire Quarter Sessions, rose to propose Mr. Octavius Morgan, a gentleman who had been returned for eight successive parliaments, extending over a period of nearly thirty years. Seven times he had walked over the course, without going through the ordeal of a contest, but on the present occasion there was to be an opposition set up. The principle Colonel Clifford was put forward upon was the support of Mr. Gladstone. The question was the disestablishment or not of the Irish Church. Mr. Gladstone had put up the constitution of the country as it were by auction, and he had bid the Irish Church as the price of place. The first pretence set up wras that the measure was introduced to allay Penianism; and the second, that the endowments of the Roman Catholic Church had been taken away from them and given to the Protestants. H. M. Ejennabd, Esq., of Crumlin Hall, in seconding the nomination, congratulated himself that he had the honor of advocating the claims of a gentleman so experienced in parliamentary duties, so universally and deservedly respected, and so highly connected. He doubtless addressed some who would use their right to the franchise for the first time, and he asked them to consider the great responsibility which they had accepted; he asked them not to support any party which sought for radical changes, unless they had solemnly considered that such changes were necessary and desirable. Were they not free ? "Were they not prosperous ? Then why clamour for change. Although he greatly respected Mr. Morgan, he did not give him his vote on that account. He heartily gave him his vote because he recognised in him a man who would support their interests, and would use his influence in supporting them to the extent of his power. Colonel Tynte, of Cefn Mably, in proposing Col. Poulett Somerset, remarked that that gentleman had served his country faithfully for nine or ten years, and had carried out honourably those principles which he promised to fulfil at the outset of his political career. The present was one of the most important elections that the country had witnessed for years. A simple question was placed before them—were they prepared to support the Govern¬ ment that had given them a comprehensive Reform Bill, that had increased the efficiency of the army and navy, and that had by its admirable foreign policy raised the character of England in the eyes of foreign nations, and, moreover, had, under God's blessing, brought to a successful conclusion one of the most remarkable campaigns on record, that of Abyssinia ; or would they support the party whose only policy was to destroy, not only the Irish Church, but the English Church ; and, in conclusion, called upon them to rally round the constitutional candidates, Morgan and Somerset. John Lawrence, Esq., of Crick, seconded the nomination of Colonel Somerset in an able speech. A. D. Berrington, Esq., of Pantygoitre, amidst considerable uproar, proposed Colonel Clifford, who had had a long political career, and who, during twenty years, by his consistent advocacy of the principles which the Liberal party professed, had obtained their confidence. Then, in an earnest and able address, the speaker reviewed the Irish Church and other political questions. Geobge Relph Gbeenhow-Relph, Esq., of Beech Hill, on rising to second the nomination, was assailed by a number of cries, hisses, and groans. Notwithstanding the uproar, the speaker managed at intervals to deliver a few sentences, but, in concluding, he made the mistake of stating that he seconded the nomination of his hon. friend, Colonel Morgan Somerset, which he afterwards corrected. Mb, Octavius Mobgan, on rising, was received with loud applause by his supporters. He remarked that it was now within a few months of twenty- eight years since he first had the honor of being returned to represent them in Parliament, and, during the whole of that period, he had never swerved from the principles which he professed when he first became a candidate for their suffrages.