The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-30 00:00:00

SUSSEX COUNTY ELECTION.

Tee whole of last week was passed in a state of bustle and ex-
ettement rarely felt or known, except on these occasions. to
Beighton it was particularly so. perhaps in a greater degree than it
would therwise have been, had not the genes of the opposition to
Arr. Curteis been matured here with more than ordinary industry.
A great number of the tr.uleemen and others, it must be allowed,
ease espoused the cause of Sir Godfrey Webetne with an earnest.
Less and -al that we did not expect to see, when weconeider the
est-politic-a character of Sir Goiteey, and remember bow very
e"eurious he was of his attend Ince whilst in Parliament. elr.
:r es has certainly been a useful :Member, as tar as the routine
of bneinees can constitute one ; yet we cannot but regard luau
rether as the mere organ of the agricultural beeriest. than as
the enlightened legislator. The protection test has been
given to the landed interest by the Corn lies, is viewed 'aim
an eye of great jealousy by all commercial men, and espe-
daily by the labouring classes In towns, who consider teat
tee high price of provisions is injurious to them, without re-
d _cling that if the farmers were ruined by not getting a remune-
ruing price for their produce, trade must suffer in proportinn to
the muss of ruin produced. This was manifest in the years 11122.3.
't'o say nothing of the principle which governs all men, of geeing
os much as possible for their property, it is manifestly unjust to ex-
sect that the English farmers, loaded as they are with taxes, should
quietly acquiesce in allowing foreigners in come into their own mar-
ket and undersell them. But the cuckoo cry of " No Corn Bill !"
is, like many others, ride d to furnish the mob with the means of
annoying the unpopular candidate. We are strenuous advocates
tar cheap bread and cheapness in everything ; but in order to this
we know other measure', must be taken, and the prices nt provisions
Mill then naturally find their own level. Sir G. coming forward at
,s time lied concentrated the opposition of the county, and as an ab-
stract question, welt ke to see the tiering public merit. which I. eeee-
tiled ia no part of the world with so few serials results as in ling-
lee d ; but we cannot conceal from ourselves that this popular effete
emeence is often most egregiously misapplied, and let visionaries
ttoj what they will, we are tirmle of opinion that the popular voice
ever was, and ever will be, the erroneous one. Sir G. is, however,
the popular Candidate—the cliWu. the Chain Pier, and Parade were
on Simile! crowded with thousands of elegantly dressed females,
elect:arks in their Sunday clothes, servants nut of livery, with their
bodes as stiff as their master's elothes•hoeve„—in short, with per.
SOD, of every description, to view Sir Godfrey's yacht, which cane
Oldie town in the afternoon, freighted with voters from Hastings
wad the eastern pasts of th t county, for the " darling of Brighton
and Chichester." They were loudly cheered by the people on
'wore. which was returned by those on board the vessel, and after
bring a gun or two, she proceeded to Bognor, where carriagn were
prepared to convey the electors to the poll. It was reported that Sir
Godfrey would arrive about two o'clock ; he did not come, however,
till about a quarter past six t but tew persons attended, therefore,
to witness his eider ; about that time he came rattling down North
-Street in his carriage, with four horses, and as he passed the
cod of Eat-street. one of the horses, on which the postilion sat,
topped and fell. The man fortunately jumped off, and escaped
uriturt, bat the horse was dragged along the ground several yards,
and scented a good deal injured. The crowd then took due homes
tenon the carnage, and dragged it through Catale.square to the
York Hotel. In the evening Sir Godfrey attempted to take a walk,
but he was soots surrounded by an dense a crowd, that he was glad
to secure his retreat by jumping into the window of the Committee
room at the back 10 the hotel. The same evening an immense
crowd had assembled in front of the hotel, waiting to see hint off to
Bognor, and about a quarter to ten he got into hi+ carriage, and
briefly tuldressed them. He said, as well as the noise and bustle
would allow us to collect, that it being Sunday night, he could not
say much to them, but a time would shortly come seen he
would speak to them at more length. The crowd, thus satisfied,
gradually dispersed.
Mr. Cunen, several days before this, had been canvassing st
Brixhton, in which he woe assisted by his friends. Mr. Cartels
poems particularly kind and affable to all whom he addresses.
'Phis might by some be attributed to electioneering finesse, but we
Save had the means of aseertainlng that many pone persons who
letve lived in hi+ immediate neighbouthood speak of him in terms
oe the warmest gratitude, and with that bluntness, which they use
to express it meant* those, and dose only, who they know are en.
titled to their respect. There is a veil of mystery thrown over the
coodect of Mr. Cavendieli, which. if that gentleman expects ever to
be returned for this county, must be withdrawn. It is too late in the
ear for any future candidate* ever to expect to conic in on any par.
Loiter interest inertly, without Meaning vast expenses; for
the present contest 'hews that there are many hundreds of Sils-
bee voters, who, rather than the candidates shall walk over the
course, will support, free of expense, any one who may offer him-
self. though with scarcely a shadow of reason to suppose he will
succeed in the contest. A large assemblage of proems gathered
sowed the White Horse and York Hotel,' again on Monday night.
-who smustel themselves with making the most hideous noises of
ditopprobauon when (:urteis parties came in from the poll, and
loudly cheered those of his opponents. For sererel days the con-
duet of the populace was so violent, that Cuetei.'s voters did not
Cat to run the rusk of wearing his colours; but, since special Cell
stables have been sworn in, we observe, we think, more blue co-
lours than pink and purple. A number of slides have been circu-
lated, and balladetingem may be heard every clay, Pinging the
praises of Sir Godfrey, and the miseries of " Bed hrtring Soup."
A bill was posted last week, signed by a timber of ?eaten able per.
sons, expressing their determination to support Mr. Coterie ; MN)
afterwards snottier, primed so as closely to ennoble it, was pub.
Misled, in which the name* were ludicrously travestied. Mir end-
1-ey'a miry were still in pretty high spirits till Tunes, after..
noon, when, having learned that he had oily polled seven votes at
noon, and that Mr. Curteis had polled ed, the troth appeared to
break upon them, and dispel every hope that they had entertained
of their " Champiob's" return. This has eeitainly been a most
eettentdieary contest. erlien Sir Godfrey started, we believe, the
general opinion was, that he would not stand three days. It was
esown tie had not n.oney is defray the expenses usual ten these ne-
sesions. He had never taken any part or interest in the local affairs
ut the county. It was several years since the mete past of the free-
Making had even heard of him, particularly in a political point elf
wet... ter the freeholder's troubled ilseniselves but little about the
political squabbles of Chichester. He was unsupported by say great

interest in the county. The agriculturists almost to a man were in
favour of their organ, Mr. Curteist. The nobility, gentry, and clergy
were opposed to him on account of his political opinions. With all
these disadvantages, however, he act off in a gentle canter, and has
continued the contest so long as to surprise both parties. This, with
the report that his friends at Brighton were determined to support
him as long as a m in could be polled, or means be found to send
him voters, gave an entirely new aspect to the affair, and Mr. CUI,
telt; fountlOt necessary to take up the matter with fat more gerinus-
ness than he at first thought it required. Most of Sir flodfrey's voters
gave him plunipers, and cc imagine few Candidates in the king-
dom have received so many, either for a city or minty, as he has.
' This appears to have excited some surprise in Mr. Burrell, as it
is said he asked the Brighton voters, with some warmth, what he
had done sp Brighton, not to receive their split votes. Colonel
Lloyd 4pnil the Rey. Mr. Everarti also railed on stir Onelfrey's
Committee at the York lintel, to disclaim, on the part of Mr. Bur-
rell. any coalition, direct or implied, with Mr. Conch'.
On Tuesday night we were visited by one of the moat severe
storms we have had toe several yeses ; the clouds appeared to burst
asunder, when the bright and dazzling effulgence of the lightning
darted through their dark anti ponderous masses. and the thunder
roiled its dreadful tones over our heads . • the rain descended in
torrents, and the hail fell as large as small marbles. This effectu-
ally prevented the crowd from assembling, and gave the special
constables relief from their duty.
Of the result of the contest there is no longer any doubt. Still
Sir Oadfrey's partizans regard even their defeat as a victory 1 and
we certainly think the independent feelings of the county were
never MT? excited, and that Brighton never stood so high in a
polirul relatiion as she dors at present. We only wish she had a
better aileneate for her euffragre
Mr. Tilden Snii:h. jun. and Mr. James Smith were severely
wounded on their return from the Chichester el -ction, in their way
through Battle. The former gentleman was confined to his bed
for several days. Irons the it.juries lie received, and the wounds
of Mr. James Smith attracted the notice of every one at Bother.
field fair.
We believe that the Baronet has discontinued the hand-bill.
wherein he want out of his way gratuitously to attack the Caven-
tlishes, the nobility. and the clergy. Ale. Curteis's Committee
however etill circulate them, and they have more effectnelly served
Iris cause than anything which he has published. " Defend me
from my friends!" is a common exclamation ; the Baronet should
be told in •• defend himself from himself." We know that in the
midst of the war of the last election, when raging In its utmost
fury Mr. Cutlets and his friends never presumed us utter a syllable
of disrespect against the family of Cavendish, though he differed
from them as to Popery. the Corn Laws, and other great national
questions. With regard to his present opponent, we trust that there
is nothing of any sort or kind in which he concurs with him; if
there were, he would have but a miaerable chance of being returned
as the Representative of the count). of Sussex. 'rhe eunten with
the Caveralishet terminated in a victory Options to the county;
but in the present contention. though there would be no triumph in
victory, in defeat (if it were possible) the disgrace would be
infinite.

A body of gen tlemen of the!' ghost respect ability have formed them-
selves into a Committee for the support of the caus, of Mr. Crateis,
and they atisemble daily at the York Hotel. Bridge street, Black.
friars. In the Borough they have bad peculiar succe,sin their canvass,
from the eircuinsian-e of Mr. Curios having done so much fur the
benefit of the hop.planteni in the hour of their d harms. The duty
on hops fur the year 1824 was entirely remitted, and the duty of last
year has been delayed for nine months.
The Bill for the removal of the place of polling to Levee was
not the voluntary act of Mr. Curteis. He introduced it in conse-
quence of instructions given him be • county Meeting, solemnly
convened by the Shniff. Under these circumstances, it was not
possible for him to have done otherwise. How cou'd lie have %hewn
his face to the freeholders, if he had been deaf to their instructions ?
especially as he has always held the doctrine of obedience to consti-
tuents.

Notwithstanding that Lord George Cavendish has distinctly rt.-
dared himself to be neutral in the present contest, and in the hand-
somest manner has allowed his friends and tenants to act as they
see fit, yet to our astonishment we find that the friends and adhe-
rents of a great personage at Amide! Ca•tle arc in the fullest acti-
vity. Houses are opened, and there is every appearance of support
to the Rstheal Baronet. This has, as it ought to do. excited the
real of the friends of .Ilr. SUMICI, and will, we doubt not, at no
tlist.int period, secure to him his return for Shorehans and the Rape
of Bramber.

Sir 0 slfrey Webster has no plate of residence in the county of
Sussex ; we believe that he is the only instance of a Candidate not
having a dwelling in the county which he has to represent. Whe-
ther he be the eastern or western Candidate we scarcely know. His
strength is in the west. We believe that western Sussex does not
seek to re:urn the two county Members, and it would be too much
for Chichester to return one or both the two county Members, in
addition to their own.

It would be very extraordinary if the Candidate for Chichester
who has been rejected kr that city. should be forced down the
throats of the freeholders of the county of Sussex. It would be
wrong fur the county to interfere with the city election ; but it is
really too much that Chichester should dictate to the county who
we to be the Representatives of Sussex. Can that which is too bad
fur Chichester be good enough for the county ? At the lastelee-
don, the point in issue had to relation to party, nor has it in
this ; the only question between the Candidates on that occasion
was, whether what we called the Six Bilk were or were
not necessary as a temporary measure—the coun•y judged that they
were requisite at that juncture ; they are now at an end and have
expired, and our liberties are safe; the only question now to be
tried is Radicalism or the contrary, or, in other words, religion,
morals. and property, against profligacy and a general scramble.
A friend of the B rennet said on the hustings, that many were
coming for them front Rye. Mr. George Darby, Mr. Conches
Counsel, replied, that he judged all their supporters to be Rye men,
for certainly they had all wry faces.
As there are some errors in the report of the speech of Sir.
Curteis, addressed to the freeholders at the meeting at Lewes,
called by Sir George Shifter. as given in the Lewes Paper of the
Stith instant, we are induced to make the following s.atement, as
[ handed to us by an auditor. which he believes to be more correct.
Mr. Curtein observed_•• That though there was not the smallest
connexion between him and the family of the Cavendishes, yet it
must be admitted on all hands that they were a great, powerful, '
and honourable family—perhaps the most important, on the whole,
in the kingdom, which was under great obligations to them, as
haring been always friendly to the rights and liberties of the
People—that with regard to the Catholic Question, he differed
front them, and on other crest national points—they or he
might be right—but from. his present opponent he differed in
every thing. The Honourable Baronet, for so he would call
him, though he called himself the Radical Baronet, had been
rejected at Chichester; was that city to give laws to the county ?
Was the person who was insufficient in the view of the ti•izens of
that place to represent them, to be considered as an adequate
Representative of the county P Was the cast-off Candidate for that
city to be crammed down the throats of the freeholders? It was re.
pooled that a subscription list) been entered into of ten pounds, or of
some other sum, by the tradesmen at Chichester, for the purposes
of the present election ; and the Honourable, but Radical Baronet,
had declared that his object was to punish his opponents—but was
it decent towards the county to talk of punishing those whom the
county had bought lit to elect r.s its Members, slough it be only by
expense ? The map was a denunstration that the pi esent was not a
convenient piece for the polling of the reecho' ters, but he was not
responsible for the hill which lie had introduced into Parliament—
it was in consequence of instructions received by him from the
County Court of the freeholders, convened by the Sheriff. Ile.
pledged himself, if lie should receive similar instructions again, to
act a■ before ; but the foundation of his proceeslitigs must be the
commands of the county."—We believe the remainder of the
speech to have been as correctly reported as such sudden effusions of
the moment usually are. Vie cannot think that Mr. Curteis could
have done otherwise than he slid with regard to this Bill, after he
had received the instruc.ions of the county.
The following is the state of the gross poll daily sine* ou► last ;
Tliiirsitay Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday
Burrell 12711 1482 111431 17113 1934
Curteis 1 iii 1334 1507 1653 1815
It* chafer ; 8.10 llO4 1039 1116 E