Palmerston's foreign policy as one that ought not to have caused a war with China, and afterwards stated that he was so suffering from an affection of the chest that he was unable to say more. He thanked them for their patient listening, and concluded amid cheers.
A Rival Meeting. On the following Thursday evening, Mr. Dodson's supporters assembled in the same room, when, on the motion of Mr. S. Putland, Mr. F. North. M.P., was voted to the chair
Mr. North, in opening the proceedings, said he had great pleasure in assisting at that meeting - first, because it gave him an opportunity of meeting many valued friends, and - second, because he should be able to introduce Mr. Dodson to them [Cheers.] There seemed to be a probability of their having to carry on one of the most important transactions which it was possible for freemen to be engaged in. They were about to have, or they thought they should have had, a day or two ago - to choose a member for East Sussex. How that might yet be he knew not, for Mr. Frewen still clung to his seat in Parliament. But, at all events, it would not be very long before they would have to exercise the franchise. It might fall to someone better than himself to introduce Mr. Dodson, but he doubted if that gentleman wanted any introduction. Many of them voted for him at the last election and would for him at the next [Cheers.] They would have two candidates - Lord Pevensey and Mr. Dodson. He had no sources of information concerning his lordship, but the public prints. He would not say anything disrespectful of Lord Pevensey, but he thought he was like those ancient ruins which they had to pass, two stations off, in coming to Hastings. There was much that was respectable and venerable, and, perhaps, admirably adapted for the feudal times in Lord Pevensey's opinions, but not adapted for our times. He (the chairman) had been suffering for a week past with an ailment in his throat, but he felt sure they would pardon his deficiencies.
Mr. Dodson, who rose amid cheers, and that his object in calling that meeting was to make a statement of his political opinions, and to point out the measure which he should support if they should make him their representative. It was rather difficult among the many topics of the day to select the one he should first notice, but there was one which must come home so entirely to the feeling of everyone that he could not be wrong in selecting it to begin with. He referred to the additional 9d. which was imposed in consequence of the war into which the country was -
