Star. — London, England, 1820-03-14 00:00:00

tages.or Misadiantagis of the goods' of fortune, a I distinct order.were created, according to their distri bution, so far was he from thinking that any grati fication could arise from a distinction of that kind, which happily did not exist in this country, that he felt the greatest satisfaction that they were all but one order—(Applause).—He .infinitely preferred being one of a free nation, rather than one of a higher order, while the other class were distinguished by epitintss-degrading • and debasing to their character and feelings—(Great applause ).—He wanted not, then,. the Constitution reformed, but he wanted what even- great and able man had wanted for a century or more. -There had not been one uncorrupt man in that country who had not declared the necessity of a radical Reform in the House of Commons — (Immense applause).—With respect to the means of . effecting this Reform, and, in reply to what had been said of a seat in such a House, it was the voice of the People out of the House that could effect Reform in the House—(Cheers). —No man was so silly as to persuade himself, none so silly as to be persuaded by another, that any eloquence addressed to the un derstandings, hearts, or feelings of that House, could be of any avail, when even the eloquence of Mr. Fox had so little effect, that he characterised the House of Commons in terms of the most pointed reproba tion, in an address too to the Electors of Westmin ster, for which an ex t ificio information should have been filed against him, if that course of prosecution ought ever to be adopted against a Member of Par liament for any communication to his Constituents. Mr. Hohhouse, he learnt, had read the passage to which he alluded on Saturday last. When tbe House . of Commons were so incapable of 'being moved by 'Mr. Fox's transcendent talents that he could not get them to agree in branding the infliction of torture to for cc evidence from accused persons against them selves or against their friends, as atrocious and in human—when Mr. Fox could not get their assent to this proposition, which every person of any under standing considered self-evident—what were they to expect from any arguments applied to that Hour' —(//pp/onse).—\:hat were they to expect on money questions, and questions of general liberty, when all the talents of Mi. Fox failed to obtain from them a reprobation of torture to extort confession ?—(Ap ptrufe).—lf he had the eloquence of Mr. Fox, and were to continue speaking for a twelvemonth, he could state nothing stronger than this fact. But the House of Conimons had not passed an affirmative against Mr. Fox, for he was anxious to misrepresent a none; they had a mode of getting rid of such ques tions, by moving the previous question, which was then adopted, and was a mode of refusing to consi der whether torture was used in the sister kingdom. Mr. Lamb's situation was peculiarly unfortunate; he was unfortunate, as a Candidate, to find so little sup port. But that was his least misfortune;, for he r;:ally thought that he had not been even supported by liimself—(.l/nch laughter)—and was an hich gave an appearance of meaning to jargon s hich was heard in the Ilcuse of Commons, when a man was said to turn his back upon If any illustration could give such an expression meaning, l . it was given by Mr. Lamb's conduct—(Laughter).— But he had been not less unfortunate in his particular friends who came forward with him on the Hustings. If anything could add to the accumulation of his distress, which was indeed so great that he would not press upon it, it was the expression said to have been used by one of his friends, who was represented to have said, "No Cato-street conspiracies." Any thing so false, so unfit in every view, so calculated to ex -i:e i the minds of the citizens of Westmin-ter disgust and abhorrence, could not be imagined. If aay man were determined to mar Mr. Lamb's object, it would he precisely those words he would have used—(Apptaase).—lt would ill become him, it would ill become anv man, when persons were in confinement to be tried for their lives, to make any allusion to the circumstance of their conduci:—(Ap r!anse).—ln proportion as the off,uce charged was odious and abominable, in that proportion would every fair mind abstain from comment and observa tion upon it—(Great applause).— 'There was no cloak th_! power of the State to make any individuals answerable for any offence which could be legally proved against them—(ipplause).—But no. persons had a rig ‘ht to prejudge; and, whatever appiehen !ion or impression any one felt in his own mind, he id no right to say anything—(Great app/auvc)._ more indecent was it to throw out insinuations against those whom no one durst charge—Worded !).audits). He had no pleasure in pressing on a fall ing man, for that was Mr. Lamb's situation ; but when conduct such as he had alluded to occurred, it surpassed human patience to retrain from saying a word in answer. He would now take leave by se questing them to continue their exertions, not to fol low the example of his honest friend whom he had met; for the victory would be rendered tenfold more desirable, their triumph would be tenfold more tri umphant, tenfold more good would be done to the country by the character of the Electors of WeStmin-' stet, if they supported the same state of the poll as a: its commencement, and during the continuance of the Election up to that moment. Their victory would be tarnished in some respect, if for a moment it ap peared doubtful—(Great applause). One vote, there fore, to-morrow, would be worth two onWednesday, and two on Wednesday would be worth four on Thursday—(Long continued cheering). Mr. LAMB then came forward, and was assailed Kith a tumult of hisses and groans, which rendered it impossible fur him to proceed with any chance of -being heard. Several persons in the crowd called out, " The lower classes !" To which Mr. Lamb re plied, " Whatever class you belong to, I wish you would be silent." The noise having at last in some measure subsided, he Acceded to address the as sembly. He said, that, oppressed and surrounded with misfortunes, as he had that day been represented to be, he would she,* the Electors that he still had the spirit to address them. He could assure them that he was not himself conscious of his alleged mis fortunes, and that he felt at that moment as well in spirits as he had done before the commencement of the Election—(Applause, mixed with disapprobation). However, as it was not often his fate, in the course of his addresses, to please his opponents, he must say little in the way of conciliation, and must thank, them for their courtesy. This he was bound to do, since it appeared, from what had been said by the worthy Baronet, that the exertions which had been Made to bring up his opponents voters to the poll! did not proceed, as he had conceived—(Loud anti continued interruption)—from intentions hostile to him, but from the kindly wish that•he should not be buoyed up with fallacious hopes of success—(Ap plause and groans). He thanked them kindly for their friendly consideration on that particular head, but he must, nevertheless, assure them that their efforts had not succeeded, for he was still buoyed up as much as ever—(Great noise). He should shorten his address as much as possible, since what he had to say was not pleasant to his auditors. Past experience had shewn—for at thelast Election, as well as at the present, it had been the case—that Monday was al ways a prosperous day to his opponents. On looking, however, at the progress which his opponent had made to-day, and knoviing the expectations which he had entertained respecting this day's poll, he was , convinced that Mr. Hobhouse was the disappointed person—(Cries of" No, rton—foi he knew that that Gentleman's partisans had anticipated that he would this day be a thousand a-head on the poll; and had that anticipation even been realised, still he would say that his hopes would have been the same—pies af" Bravo He had one thing more to say, which he expected would be disappointing to many persons who then heard him. He understood that a number of persons had come to the . hustings that day to hear his farewell speech ; and he was sorry that they • should all be disappointed—(Cries of" Mt all!''). — He should not have said all ; but certainly the majo rity of those whom he now addressed would be dis appointed, for he had not yet begun to think of that speech. It was, no doubt, a difficult thing to do well, and of course required some previous prepara tion ; but he could assure them that no idea of that speech had yet entered into his head—(Great disap probation). The Honourable Baronet had stated one thing which positively astonished him. It appeared that he (Mr. Lamb) was more of a Radical Reformer than the Honourable Baronet, because he wished for a Reform of the Constitution, while the Honourable Baronet wanted nothing but the Constitution as it was—( Hisses, and cries of " that's a lie!"). Why, what had the worthy Baronet's joint candidate and friend told them on Saturday last ? He had in formed them that the five new Bills were part of the . Constitution ; and was the Honourable Baronet con tent u ith them too ?—(Mixed applause and disappro bation). Mr. Hobhouse had said in his last address from these hustings, speaking of his Pamphlet, that he had before declared that it was not his intention to incite the people to any anger against the house of Commons, and that therefoi e it was not fair in him (Mr. Lamb) to repeat the accusation on the hustings. Now he did not know what candour might demand, but he thought, that when a man published a book, his meaning .was to be inferred from his words.— To the hundreds who had read that book, what didl it signify that Mr. llobhouse sat at home, and had a snug point of interrog ation to explain his meaning: —(Great uproar.)— H e observed, that they were very noisy, and he was very hoarse, which afforded a double reason for his being astrief as possible. Many of them were noisy against him because they believed him to be a Whig; but he could assure them, that the moment Mr. Hobhouse should set his foot within 'the House of Commons, that moment he would be come a Whig—(Loud disapprobation).—He would be found voting with the Whig party, or he would be nothing—(Great noise), —For he (Mr. Lamb) had had experience of the conduct of the Hon. Baronet, Mr. llobhouse's prototype; and whatever he might say to the Electors of Westminster, he was in Parliament a complete Whig—(Lemensc clamour and disappro bation).—lndeed, he had never seen the Hon. Baro net oppose the Whigs but once, and that was when they wished to punka the corruption of the Borough of Penihyn—(At this moment, a fellow in the crowd struck Mr. Lamb's hat with some . stud).—The Hon. Gentleman said, with considerable warmth, that he would not subm;t to he insulted : they might say what they liked, but if he was to be spit at or struck, he would not appear there again— (Cries qf" Bravo!") —The l Iran. tim inlet had complained, that while he (Mr. Lamb) voted with him on the subject of Re• thrm, some parts of his speech had been against him. But what had the worth Baronet been doing all along? Why, he had always been speaking against the Whigs out of Parliament, and always voting with them in Parliament. la short, whatever Sir Francis Burdett and Mr. flobhouse might say on these hust ings, the Electors would always findahem voting as he did in the house of Commons—(Disapprobation). —Mr. Hobhouse, continued Mr. Lamb, is at present a-head on the poll, and I hear that circumstance, I hope, with some good humour. Now I wish to make a bargain with you. When I leave him a long way behind , as I shall soon do--(Loud cries of" !so, no!") —Now, you are all in a passion already at the mention of such a thing; but when I itnive him be hind, 1 hope you will evince the same good humour thlt I have done. The lion. Gentleman then re tired; but, as Mr. Hobhouse was about to commence his address, he again stepped forward, and bugged to add a few words on a subject which had been ad verted to by the Hon. Baronet. He did not differ from the Hon. Baronet in the remarks he had made on the manner in which the Cato-street conspiracy had been merqioned on Saturday ; and begged it to be understood, that that exclamation had not been made on any suggestion or hint of his. The Gentle man who had used that expression was present, and had commissioned him to say, that be stood on his own ground, and that he (Mr. Lamb) had nothing at all to do with it. Cries became general for the person who had used the words animadverted on to come forward, and Mr. Hobhouse waited till he was told that he was not to come forward. Mr. Iloanouss was loudly and generally cheered. Mr. Lamb had told them that he (Mr. Hobhouse) was. disappointed by being 323 a-head on this. day's poll. He hoped he should be so disappointed every day— (Applausc).—As Mr. Lamb knew what disappointed him, it would be no great presumption on his part if he conjectured what disappointed Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb was-grievously disappointed that public men met with so little encouragement for conduct which he thought so meritorious—(Much laughter).—Mr. Lamb had told them, that if he (Mr. Hobhouse) did not get the same reception from them now as before — it was, in fact, the same reception from them whom he addressed—but Mr. Lamb meant, that if the re sult should not be the same, it would be very little encouragement for public men—(Laughter and ap- platag).--He would tell diem what sort of encou-, icagentent was given to Tublic pea, and to men, friendly " to popular rights.. Whatever Mr. Lamb Might think of that pamphlet, upon which he had spent so much of their time and of his own breath; when the author underwent persecution for it, be it right or wrong, without making any unmanly de fence or apology, it was lids encouragement if it "Should be ever regarded as an opprobrium—(Ap plause).,—This was the encouragement which Mr. Lamb would give to men who came forward and ran the hazard of sacrificing themselves at the shrine of liberty—(Applause).— He would not have noticed so . trifling a sacrifice as that which he had made, it' Mr. Lamb had not come forward and imputed to him as a crime what the voice of his country—if he might be permitted .to use such an expression—had rather applauded as a virtue—(Loud chee, ing).--Mr. Lamb had tdld them, that he (Mr. Hohhouse) would turn a complete Whig the moment he entered the House of Commons. Well, there was some merit in being a complete anything ; but that merit, he was sure, did not belong to Mr. Lamb—(Laughter).--- That the Hon. Gentleman w•ai not a complete Whig was clear from this—that the Whigs had never jus tified those severe measures which the House of Commons had taken against him (Mrillebhome)s If it were necessary to prove that this was the case, he could quote the opinion. of almost every great man who had laid - down the law respecting arbitrary imprisonment; but he should not go beyond the organ of Mr. Lamb's own party, The '►forning Chro nicle. The Editor of that Paper had done him the honour to speak of him, and had said, ‘. that he is pursued in a most illegal and unconstitutional way is certain, but it is manifest that, if recourse had been had to a trial by Jury, Lord Erskine's cele brated Act would have been his preserver." This was the manner in which The Chronicle talked on the subject ; but Mr. Lamb had expressed a different opinion in his letter, and had afterwards confirmed that opinion by his protestations on the hustings. If this aas to• be a complete anything, he knew not how it was to be de ignated, unless as a complete slave to the arbitrary power of •the House of Commons— (Apphnise).—Mr. Lamb had represented himself to be more of a Radical Reforeuer than Sir Francis Burdett ; but he should convince them in ten words that the lion. Gentleman dill not know what was meant by a Radical Reformer (Laughter and ap.• plause). When he took the liberty, on Friday last, of stating his opinion that the extension of suffrage to all inhabitant householders would be a Radical Reform, Mi. Lamb shrugged np his shoulders, and said " No, no!" (Loud applan.e). They should hear, however, the opinion or Mr. Tierney on this sub ject. On the 4th of January, 1798, Mr. Tierney said that "he meant, by Radical Reform, to give to every inhabitant householder of Great Britain, the right of voting for a Member of Parliament" (Cheers). And he added, " and that new Parliaments should be more frequent than they were at preseat." Vet now a person on that hustings, coming forward un • der the banner of Mr. Tierney, shrugged up his shoulders, and expressed his dissent on hearing this opinion stated. For his own part, he thought that such an extension of the elective franchise would be a Radical Reform in the system of Representation ; but if it were trkappear, on trial, that such a change would not do, then he would be disposed to have re course to something else—(Applause).—Mr. Lamb's idea of a general Reform, however, was confined to the disfranchisement of such rotten Boroughs as were detected in the practice of corruption, and the transfer of their rights to more populous places; and thus, in fact, he held that a part was equal to the whole— that a partial Reform was the same as a general Re form—(Laughter and applause ) —They needed not, therefore, take the trouble of asking the Honourable Gentleman what Sir Francis Burdett meant by a Ra dical Reform. Mr. Lamb had asked him on Satur day why he would like a seat in the House of Com mons if it was so corrupt and dishonen as it had been represented, and he believed he had given a very sa tisfactory answer in the words of Mr. Fox. There was one reason, however, which had not occurred to him on Saturday, but which he would now state; and it was, that he intended at all times to express his opinion of the House of Commons, but did not wish to be always in Newgate !—(Loud applause and laughter). He did not flatter himself with the hope of being exempted from danger, by having a seat in the House ; but, let the worst come that could come, he would then be sent to the Tower ! —(Laughter)..— He would, moreover, be able then to defend himself, and would not be sent to prison without a hearing. This was with him one decided reason for wishing to be in the House of Commons; and he thought such a precaution more particularly necessary, when he found that the sentiment of the propriety of sending a person to Newgate under such circumstances was so widely diffused. He had, indeed, imagined that such a sentiment would not have been entertained by a Member for Westminster ; yet, as he had found that Mr. Lamb held and avowed that opinion, he thought he had good reason for preferring the House of Commons to Newgate ; though, if there were any better place between them, he should prefer it to either—(Laughter and applause). In case Mr. Lamb should think that the question was not yet satisfac torily answered, he would read another extract from the speech of Mr. Fox, on Parliamentary Reform, in the year 1798—the same occasion as that on which the speech of Mr. llerney, to which he had already referred, was delivered :•44 But you still keep your seat in Parliament,' say they. Why, yes, I do, Sir, and I have no intention of applying to the Right /lon. Gentleman opposite for the Chiltern Hundreds, in order to vacate that seat. 1 confess lam not very sanguine in my expectations of the House of Com mons; but I think it may, from circumstances, com mence measures which may lead to an entire and radical reform.' ' But you do not expect to be able to persuade the House of Commons to commence this work ?' 'Why, no ; not by my speeches, cer tainly ; and yet I think that they may be persuaded. 4 How ? " By the Public. I hope such an opinion' will be so expressed as to induce this House to see the wisdom and necessity of the measure ; and I am afraid it will never appear to this House to be wise, before it appears to be absolutely necessary.' " After such an explanation of his object in wishing a seat in the House of Commons, he would not, spoil the effect of the words he had quoted by adding any comment of his own ; and he, therefore, should detain them no longer, especially as Mr. Starch had a few words to address to them. He only begged that they would disappoint him to-morrow in the same manner at they bad done that day—( Laughter, and long-con= tinned applause). Mr. STURCH was greeted with general cheers. He was afraid it was top'much to ask.. them to listen te him ; but recollecting their indulgence on former 06. , casions, and being an old Elector, he felt desirous, if they had five minutes to spare, of telling his mind rem specting the present contest. At the last Election, he had carefully abstained from taking any part. He had then been deeply impressed with the treat im portance of that City, as a portion .of the Electors throughout the kingdom, and a portion to which the eyes of the country were turned for example and en couragement. He had recollected, too. that it had been represented by the greatest men. He was old enough to remember, and he had evert taken a part as an Elector, when Mr. Fox, to whose talent, as of the first-rate eminence, Sir Francis Burdett bore tee timony, had been returned in 1780—(Ap . plaude).- A short time before the last Election, they lad re turr.cd a man Who, to the greatest ability, had added the greatest integrity, and sound political principles. 'He meant the late Sir Samuel Itomilly-(Applause). Had his life been spared, Sir Francis Burdett would have received from him immense assistance in the great cause of Parliamentary Reform. For or the years, too, they had been represented by Sir Francis Burdett, who, for high character, great abilities, or sound political principles, was not inferior even to Mr. Fox—(Applause).—At the last Election it was, therefore, natural to wish for a Representative who should not only possess talents and integrity, but whose character should be tnlly established.— He had not known a great deal of either of the two Candidates, although he respected them as tar as he did know theM, and he still respected them. None of them appeared to him, then, to have that long established and high political character. hich would qualify them to Represent Westminster. He had, therefore, wished for delay in fixing upon a Candi date; he had not succeeded in obtaining that delay, and therefore he had determined to be neutral ; this neutrality he had preserved almost down to this pe , tied. If he had been neuter at this Election, he would have committed no breach of promise, and he had been inclined at first to give a plumper to fir Francis Burdett. But what had taken place since, every thing he had heard, had produced a qdite clear and decided conviction on his mind that Mr Lamb had not expressed himself on Parliamentary Reform in a way that ought to give satisfaction to an inde pendent and enlightened Elector . of Westminster (las 4 ,tense cheering). That trifling, petty Retbrm, which in the course of five hundred years might do some thing, was not worth alluding to—(Applause).— So far was Mr. Lamb from supporting Parliamentary Reform, that he appeared to him to ne averse to it : but he (Mr. Lamb) might, if he pleased, call him a quack, and the place on which he stood the moun tebank's board ; but he considered Reform, a tho rough and effectual' Parliamentary Reform, the pa nacea (he hoped Mr. Lamb would admit the pre. priety of his pronunciation; Mr. Lamb assented), or, in plain English, the infallible remedy, and the only infallible remedy—(Lnmense applause).—He consi dered this .Reform urgently necessary ; he eerily be lieved the great majority of Westminster, and by far the great majority of the country, who turned their attention to politics, to be of the same opinion—(Ap plause). Feeling, therefore, anxious to promote Par liamentary Reform, and having the strongest reason to believe that Mr. Lamb was not friendly. to it, he not only would not vote for him, but he would do every thing he could to prevent him from becoming their Representative (Applause). He had accordingly made up his mind, and had, about an hour ago, voted for Burdett and Hobhouse (Immense cheers, and cries of " 0 Lamb, Lamb!") In doing so he had brokers no promise; there had been no such thing as any engagement on his part. What he had himself done he recommended to his friends (Loud cheering). The multitude then dispersed. BRIDPORT, MARCH 11. FROM A CORRESPONDENT. The Election of Members of Parliament for this Borough, has been warmly contested. The Candi dates were JAMES Scori, Esq. of Rotherfield Park e Hants ; CHRISTOPHER SPURRIER, Esq. of Uptoa House, near Pool, in the County of Dorset ; and Sir HORACE D. C. ST. PAUL, of the County of North umberland, one of the late Members. The polling lasted four days, a period beyond all former precedent in this town, as the case of almost every voter was debated, which exhibited the super lative talents of Mr. ADA ms, who was Mr. SPURRIER'S Counsel ; his signal ingenuity, and impressively en gaging eloquence, combined with his ready reference to establish legal facts to the view of the Assessor, rank this Gentleman among the most eminent of his profession. The greatest judgment and discrimination was also displayed .by Mr. BATLEY, the Assessor ap proved and selected by . the Solicitors of each Candi date, who decided the cases with the strictest impar tiality, and in every instance assigned the reasons which actuated his mind in declaring judgment. Sir HORACE ST. PAUL'S Solicitor, Mr. WRIGHT, from London, combated the various opinions of Mr. ADAMS with manly firmness, ingenuity, and spirit. Mr. NICMOLETTS, Solicitor and Agent of JAMES SCOTT, Esq. likewise displayed considerable skill and legal knowledge, during the poll. The Election commenced on Wednesday, and con cluded this day, at three o'clock, when the numbers on the books appeared as follows : Jaw Scary, Esq. C. SORRIER, Esq. Sir H. D. C. Sr. PAUL 174 123 101 The two former Gentlemen were accordingly de clared duly elected, amidst such an extraordinary burst of independent spirit towards the successful and popular Candidates, as shook the Town Hall to its foundation. The Members were immediately conveyed to chairs elegantly ornamented, and carried through the town, preceded by various colours and appro• priate banners, together with the town band, playing the most loyal and patriotic airs, amidst the accla mations of thousands of spectators. add ho reg led * 2 tak tba 4 TO Fre entl fide deli my wh add hay reg a nd tei tak tlia and t • Ce Ci Cu in fo • at g i b] II j CI g i WI al fa Li hi it r a 1 1 • 1 r 1*