The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-03 00:00:00

MUNDERLAND ELECTION.

' SUNDERLAND, Tuesday.—The election of a member
of Parliament for this borough, to supply the vacancy
caused by Mr. Digby Seymour's acceptance of the office
of Recorder of Newcastle, in the gift of the crown, took
place yesterday, in front of the Exchange-buildings,
situate in the main street of the borough. At mid-day,
the time fixed for the nomination, many thousands had
assembled, and the greatest interest, not- to say excite-
ment, prevailed throughout the proceedings. The candi-
dates were Mr. Wm. Digby Seymour, who seeks re-
election, and Mr. Henry Wm. Fen wick, who on a
former occasion unsuccessfully contested the 'seat with
Mr. Seymour. Both gentlemen are barristers by pro-
session, but Mr. Fenwick, having come into possession
of considerable wealth, has for some discontinued prac-
tice, and has shown great eagerness, first at Sunderland
and more recently at Durham, to obtain a seat in the
House of Commons. Mr. Seymour, from some cause or
other, has forfeited the support of many influential
parties, and a very great proportion of those who repre•
sent the wealth of Sunderland were found to range them-
selves on the other side of the hustings. The Mayor
(Mr. Anthony John Moore) officiated as returning
officer.

Alderman WiLsoN, a member of the Society of
Friends, nominated Mr. Seymour. With respect to that
gentleman having accepted an office of trust and profit,
he observed it was one in which he could act indepen-
dently of any government ; and if the friends of the
people were never to have place, how were they ever to
have a people's government ? He denied that in accept-
ing this place Mr. Seymour had laid himself under any
obligation to promote Newcastle interests in preference
to those of Sunderland. On the contrary, he had worked
hand in hand with Mr. Lindsay, tha member fur Tyne-
mouth, to free Sunderland and Shields from the tram-
mels of the Newcastle Trinity-house. The opinions of
Mr. Fen wick were as much opposed to the views of the
shipowners as were those of Mr. Seymour ; and he
would ask the shipowners to consider whether they
would not best consult their own interest by electing a
man of energy like Mr. Seymour, who had done a great
deal for the shipping interest while in Parliament, rather
than.by electing his opponent, who had never been to
Parliament, and was consequently an utter stranger to
its duties.

Mr. THOMIS THOMPSON, solicitor, seconded the no-
mination,

Alderman ALLISON nominated Mr. Fenwick, but the
noise and clamour caused by the friends of Mr. Sey-
mour, who seemed resolved not to hear a word that
could be said on that side of the hustings, made him
quite inaudible.
Mr. JOHN T. ALCOCK, shipbuilder, seconded Vie no-
mination.
Mr. SEYMOUR then addressed the electors. The union
of the most hoterog,enolle elements, he said, had given oc-
casion to a contest not of principles, but of the meanest
personalities. He defied any one to point out a single
vote,given by him in Parliament at variance or inconsis-
tent with the principles on which they returned him. It
was urged against him that he was a placeman. So were
Sir B. Hall and tie W. Molesworth, who still, however,
represented such boroughs as Southwark and Maryle-
bone. He considered the appointment given him by the
Government as a proof of the triumph of radicalism, and
he trusted the day would soon come when the voice of
the people tiaould compel her Majesty to select her ad-
visers from the popular ranks. The office he had accepted
could not compromise his independence, fur it was an
office which he could hold for life—not only in spite of
Newcastle, but in spite of the Government who gave
it. Mr. Seymour proceeded to deny that when
he was at the meeting in Sunderland on Wed-
nesday, he knew of his appointment as Recorder. He
knew his name might be, with others, before the Go-
vernment, but -he had received no intimation that the
Recordership would be given to him. It had been said
that by taking that office he became bound in allegiance
to the Trinity House of Newcastle, hut he utterly scouted
the charge. The Newcastle Trinity House was a "mon-
strous humbug," which had nothing to do with the cor-
poration of Newcastle ; and he pledged his honour that
he would never hold a brief, or raise a voice except in
denouncement of the Trinity House and its charges.
(Cheers.) With respect to his vote for throwing ope❑
the coasting trade, he would observe that that bill was
carried without a protest on the part of the representa-
tives of those who then assailed him. Why did not
Messrs. Lindsay, Hudson, Liddell, Hersfall, and other
gentlemen connected with shipping, previously condemn
the course he took if they thought he had acted impro-
perly? Mr. Seymour then defended his vote on the
Maynooth grant. It had been said that he had sup
ported that grant. It was false. He was against all
religious endowments whatever, and if he opposed Mr.
Spooner's motion it was not because he was in favour of
Maynooth, but because his resolution wai less radical
and comprehensive than that of Mr. Scholefield. After
referring to his votes on the Roman Catholic Nunne►ies
Bill, and the grant for Roman Catholic Chaplains at Kit-
mainhain, Mr. Seymour concluded with a sarcastic
sketch of the shifts to which his opponents had been put
in their quest of a candidate to oppose him, and im-
plored the electors, as they wished to see radical freedom
in place Whig dictation, to vindicate their independence
by returning him again as their representative.
Mr. FENwscK addressed the electors amidst the up-
roar of the opposing party, and was but Imperfectly heard.
He said, in the course of his speech—l have come for-
ward as a candidate on this occasion, because I was in-
vited by a, deputation representing a ln,rso electore
of this town, including amongst others a deputation of
the shipowners of the borough. They came with a requi-
sition signed both numerously and respectably, not
only gentlemen who were my own friends when I last
appeared as a candidate, but those who were at that
time the friends of Mr. Seymour. When I asked the
cause of this change in their feelings towards him, the
shipowners, as a body, declared, through their secretary,
not that they were dissatisfied with Mr. Seymour's
having given votes contrary to their wishes, but that
he had misrepresented their views ; that in the House
of Commons he had made use of the shipowners' name,
and stated that they had intrusted him with messages.
(Interruption.) The former supporters of Mr. Seymour
in that deputation declared that they had been deceived
in him, inasmuch as he had made promise on that •c-
-casioa which he had since systematically broken, and
that with regard to the place which he had lately accep-
ted, they declared that that place had been the price
paid to him far breaking the promises he had given. A
large and influential body of gentlemen also complained
that they bad not received that Attention at Mr. Sey-
mour's hands which they ought to have done. Mr.
Seymour had declared specifically that he would vote
against Roman Catholic endowments ; but he goes to ,
the House of Commons and votes directly contrary to '
his promises. The protestant dissenters find fault with
Mr. Seymour, net tbat he gave the voters he did, but
that he voted contrary to the promises he had made.
They thought, and thought very properly, that a man
who had broken his promises on one occasion would
likely do so on another whenever he had sufficient rea-
son. No one will deny the great importance of the
shipping interest of Sunderland. You are aware that
in the eye of the law the Wear is a creek of the port of
Newcastle, and as a creek it pays large sums of money
every year to the port of Newcastle in the shape of
shipping dues. Mr. Seymour has obtained a place in
the corporation of Newcastle, which, I must tell you
candidly, renders it impossible for him to retain that
place without betraying his duty either to them or to
us.

The excitement amongst the crowd had now risen
to a high pitch, and several missiles were thrown
at the honourable candidate, but without doing him any
injury. The Mayor interposed, and some degree of
order being restored, Mr. Fenwick proceeded with his
address. He said, I am sorry to see the feeling used
against me on this occasion, and I am sorry the cause
of my hon. opponent shoull require such support. Is
it right to use such strong arguments as large stones
against me ? I think it would be wrong, considering
the tumult, to address you at any further length. I say
again, it is a question of character, and I ask you to
support me on that ground.
A show of hands was then taken, and the preponder-
ance was in favour of Mr. Seymour in the ratio of at
least three to one.

The friends of Mr. Fenw•ick having demanded a poll,
it was appointed to take place this morning at eight
o'clock, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of
thanks to the Mayor.