Joseph MacLeod articles in People's Journal April 13 1935

Edited by Joseph's great-grandson, Peter Lawrie, ©2019
[Any comments in italics are mine]

Stirring Election Times in Inverness-shire

By Ex-Bailie Joseph MacLeod, Inverness

In my time I have seen many changes, but few so striking as the general outlook on politics. To me the apathy shown since the Great War is disturbing, particularly when I recall the stirring days that are past. And I often think that we are the worse for the change.

I have seen the time when every hamlet would prodcue a man capable of expounding his views on the subjects of the day with a clarity and eloquence that were amazing. At that time it was difficult to find something for every helper to do. Today, the voluntary spirit is almost dead.

It would surprise some people to learn that in the Inverness of pre-war days I could put my hand on 20 Liberal and an equal number of Conservative speakers who were ready to take the platform at the shortest notice. Sic transit gloria mundi!.

Personally speaking I have always been interested in politics one way of the other. One of my earliest recollections is of seeing Mr Loch, the then factor for the Duke of Sutherland, passing through my native Helmsdale in connection with the seat for the Northern Burghs. How he was hated! The people could never forget that his predecessor in the factorship was the notorious Sellar, the man who denuded the glens of the people and replaced them with sheep. Even in those days party feeling ran high and I can remember the bleating "Meah Meah!" with which the people greeted him.

[Note by PJL. James Loch was first elected for the Wick Burghs (or Northern Burghs) in 1830, he was then regularly re-elected until 1852, when he was defeated, by 119 votes to 80, by Samuel Laing. Loch died on 28 June 1855. As Joseph was not born until 1862, he could not have personally remembered Loch, but would be reporting what his father had told him. The account of Loch being followed by cries of "Meah, Meah" related to the attempts of the Sutherland estate to recruit a new battalion of the Sutherland Highlanders at the time of the Crimean War - again before Joseph was born.]

Although I assisted at many elections in the North, I was more closely associated with the situation in Inverness, where, as organiser, I was kept fairly busy in more ways than one. Still, they were happy times, and once the stress of battle was over, all differences were forgotten.

A True Patriot
Prior to 1885 Lochiel was the member for Inverness-shire. The seat was contested by Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Gairloch, one of the finest and most able men it has ever been my pleasure to meet, bu the chief of the Camerons proved too strong for the Ross-shire representative. I wish I could give you a pen-picture of the late Sir Kenneth, but it is difficult to recall any story which could convey his true character. He was a patriot amoing patriots, and a goodly man withal. I can assure you, I thought a reat deal of him.

At that time, Mr Charles Fraser Macintosh was the M.P. for the Inverness Burghs, which comprised Inverness, Nairn, Forres and Fortrose. He was a crofter's man and as a true son of his county, his highest interests and most cherished studies were centred in the Highlands - in its history, language, literature, and the well-being of its people. Born at Lochend and the son of a salmon fisher, who proved himself an intellectual on more than one occasion, he was once a lawyer in Inverness. Thereby hangs a story. In his business he chose as partner the late Mr Charles Innes, one of the most able solicitors we have ever had. As a very young man, Mr Innes was employed by a number of the Aignish crofters from Lewis, who were on trial for deforcing a sheriff officer. Innes delivered a brilliant speech to the jury, with the result that his clients were set at liberty. The trial created such a sensation that a report of the proceedings was published in pamplet form. I might add that Mr Innes was agent for Lochiel when he triumphed over Sir Kenneth. In fact, I rather think he acted in such a capacity for the Conservative party over a number of years. And a bonny fechter he was!

Useful Training
To return to Mr Fraser Macintosh - who was born a Fraser, but who assumed the latter name with a fortune bequeathed to him by a relative - I must confess that he, too, impressed me with his ability. His legal training stood him in good stead when he succeeded Mr Aeneas Macintosh of Raigmore as the member for Inverness District of Burghs. He continued as such until he was returned for the county in 1885.

In his decision to make the latter change, Mr Fraser Macintosh was swayed by one of the greatest characters the Highland capital has ever produced; I refer to Mr Alexander Mackenzie, better known as the Clach. Strange to relate, the Clach was no friend of Mr Fraser Macintosh's erstwhile partner, Mr Innes. Indeed evey time the latter was urged by his friends to stand for the Inverness Town Council, with the view of ultimately becoming chief magistrate, he found Mr Mackenzie like a lion in his path and ultimately abandoned the idea with disgust.

Another good friend of Mr Fraser Macintosh was Mr Kenneth MacDonald, late town clerk of Inverness. It was said of them that they were like David and Jonathan. At any rate, Mr MacDonald, as agent for his friend, fought many a Parliamentary battle. Their friendship was of the closest nature.

Changing Fortunes
It was at this time that Mr Robert Finlay, afterwards Lord Finlay, made his debut in Highland politics. He stood as a Liberal-Unionist against Mr Bright MacLaren, an out-and-out Liberal, and won the Inverness Burghs seat. Indeed, he held office until 1892, when he was sensationally defeated by Mr Gilbert Beith who won by a majority of 52 votes. But the Beith victory was short-lived, for an election took place shortly afterwards, in which the Finlay camp got their revenge. Of Lord Finlay I have many happy memories. He was the man who put Nairn on the map as a seaside resort, and his brilliant brain was ever on the alert. Although I was organiser for the opposite camp, I must confess that he was a good man. His abilities were soon recognised. He was knighted, made Solicitor General and eventually Lord Chancellor. I can still visualise him on the political platform. No-one was better able to deal with questioners and hecklers. He had some favourite expressions, such as :- "In my judgement it is not so", "This matter is urgent and imperative, and when it appears in measure it will have my earnest consideration", and "You can rest assured that I shall do what I can to forward your interests". And he was dignified.

Lord Finlay held the seat until defeated by Mr J. Annan-Bryce, for whom I acted as organiser. That was in 1906, the most hectic election of my whole career. Indeed, I think it must have been one of the greatest in the history of the Highland capital. I shall never forget it. At that time we persuaded Mr Henry Campbell-Bannerman to come north to support Mr Bryce, and, knowing that such a political occasion would invoke enthusiasm, we decided to hold the meeting in the building occupied by Messrs Macrae & Dick as a garage. What a night that was! We seated over 4500 people, and several hundreds were housed in the Music Hall. The scenes of enthusiasm baffle description.

Apt Retort
After the great demonstration - so the story was told to me - a fervid Bryce supporter met one of the opposite camp, who referred to the great success of their meeting held on the same night in the market and addressed by Lord Balfour of Burleigh. "So you went to the stable with your candidate," the political enemy remarked. "Yes", replied my friend, "and we harnessed him there. But you went to the market with yours and sold him!". And he was right for Mr Annan Bryce carried the day by the record majority of 880.

I have a pleasant recollection of that occasion. The day after our great meeting, I went to the station to see Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman away. With me was Sir Henry Munro, well known to all old Invernessians; and Dr F. M. Mackenzie, a native of Glenurquhart, and for many years chairman of the local Liberal Association. The great politician - he was great in almost every respect - shook my hand and paid me one of the finest tributes I have ever received. "I have never had the privilege nor honour," he said, "of addressing a finer demonstration. I congratulate you on your organisation". That little speech made my labours seem well worth while.

At that time, Sir John A. Dewar (afterwards Lord Forteviot) was the county representative, and I acted as organiser for him. When the old political system was set aside and the burghs merged in their respective counties, I was also chosen by Lord Morison, now a well-known judge, to act in a similar capacity. As he was unopposed the job was an easy one. That was the cheapest election of my career. In all it cost only £80. Both Lord Forteviot and Lord Morison were capable men. The former had a great financial brain and was one of the finest men I ever came across. He was easy to approach, and even the opposition could not fail to like him. If I might make a confession, I should say that he never forgot the poor folk whom he represented. Many a crofter was saved from chill penury by his hand. He never tired in well-doing.

Good Choice
There is no need for me to write of the coming of Sir Murdoch MacDonald, who has held Inverness-shire since 1922. I need not tell of his ability - that is and has been widely recognised - nor of his love for his native county. Suffice it for me to say that I think the county has chosen a worthy representative.

Another politician for whom I acted as organiser was Lord Alness (then Mr Robert Munro). That was when he contested the Northern Burghs - Dingwall, Cromarty, Wick, Dornoch and Kirkwall. I was chosen to superintend the work from Dingwall to Dornoch, so I was kept fairly busy. Truth to tell, there was nothing outstanding about the election, although I recollect that he had as a supporter a coloured doctor, one of the most able speakers on free trade that it has ever been my lot to meet.

Yes, political enthusiasm is but a shadow of its former self. Gone are the days when a joyous Inverness public lit tar barrels in Queensgate and the Exchange: almost forgotten the tunes when effigies of prospective candidates were burned in the streets of Wick and Thurso. Sport has taken the place of serious political thought, and the youth of the Highlands is little concerned about the more serious things in life. It is not for me to say that a return of the old days would be of intellectual advantage. That will yet be discovered.