The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-19 00:00:00

(alas ! for these conjunctions " nipping in the bud"
the most auspicious premises)—if Lord DERBY really
means what he intimates, and if, in addition to this, he
is enabled by his own party to carry out these bene-
ficent intentions of good government. For ourselves,
we regard the former supposition as so peculiarly
incompatible with the avowed opposition of the Cabi-
net to Parliamentary reform, and the latter suppo-
sition as so utterly impossible, from a thousand
stubborn antecedents, that we look with hope for
England rather to the result of the next general
election than to the supposititious stability of the
DERBY•DISRAELI Government.

The electioneering intelligence is now looked for
with intense anxiety—the rapidly approaching appeal
to the country is the great, the all-absorbing topic of
the day. The different candidates, explanatory of
their political views and aspirations, are closely cri-
ticised. Before any final decision can be arrived at
respecting the claims of the several aspirants for se-
natorial honours, it must be ascertained whether
there are any ambiguities to be explained or ac-
counted for on the leading questions of the day, more
especially on the commercial policy of the country,
and on the great questions of Fiscal, Financial, and
Parliamentary Roblin. On these subjects all should
be straightforward and aboveboard. The opinions
should be clearly, distinctly, and unequivocally put
forward, so that indelible disgrace might attend any
instance of tergiversation, or, as it is more familiarly
termed, " ratting ;" any attempt at equivocation
should be most summarily disposed of. Never was
there a time when the good old principle, "he that
is not with us is against us," should be more closely
followed. There can be no excuse for the man who
seeks to have the most important trust that can
be confided to the charge of any individual committed
to his hands, without knowing his own mind, and
being prepared to avow his sentiments explicitly and
intelligibly. Should he attempt to " dinlomatise," or
leave any matter on which he may be interrogated in
doubt, he may justly be set down as either fool or
knave, and on whichever horn of the dilemma be
may be tossed, he cannot be regarded as a fitting
representative of a free and independent constituency.

The greatest care and deliberation are indeed es-
sential in the selection of a proper candidate. The
electors should not recklessly or indifferently exercise
their franchise, but having once made up their minds
on sufficient data, they should spare no exertions to
bring in the most fitting representative, to confer a
seat in the popular branch of the Legislature on the
man whose political opinions assimilate most closely
to their own, and who possesses the " qualifications"
to fit him for the high position to which he aspires.
The candidate must not only entertain sound opinions,
but he must have the capacity to give expression and
meaning to his views, and determination and courage
to do so, despite of every obstacle.
We recently had the pleasure of directing the
public attention to the well-considered address of an
Honourable Gentleman, seeking a renewal of confi-
dence from a constituency which he had faithfully
and efficiently represented since 1847. In that do-
cument Mr. PETO put forward his views without
disguise or concealment, so that there could be no
possible " mistake" at any future period. There was
candour apparent in every line, and therefore we
held it up as worthy of imitation. We have now
equal gratification in inviting attention to a docu•
meat iseued with a similar object, which is remark-
able for the singular ability with which, in a few
brief sentences, it disposes of all the leading topics
of the day in such a manner as to leave no possible
doubt respecting the intentions of the party.
Mr. Sergeant Witeerxes has not, unfortunately for
the nation, heretofore been in Parliament. The
good cause has been deprived of the powerful
advocacy of a man who could have afforded
the most valuable assistance to the really liberal
party. The extraorfinary eloquence, the indefati-
gable zeal, the unflinching determination exhibited
by the Honourable and Learned Gentleman in any
cause in which he embarks are too well, too gene-
rally recognised to require any notice on our part. It
would indeed be an act of supererogation as useless as
" to paint the lily or cast a perfume on the violet"—
to at empt to give greater prominence to a gentle-
men so well known and so universally respected.
His opinions in political matters are, however, those
requiring consideration ; for we have even within the
past week had occasion to deplore the erroneous
views of men of unquestionable and ;acknowledged
ability.
Toe first point to which the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman alludes is the extension of the sufirage—
the right, in fact, of every man to be heard
by himself or hie chosen representative in
the preparation of the laws by which he is to be
bound. Oa this point he says—" I can discover no
reason in refusing all the rights of citizenship to
every well-conducted citizen. I can very well
understand why they who have only per-
sonal and particular interests to serve and
maintain should advocate the necessity of
confiding them only to particular indi-
viduals, but all have an interest in the common-
wealth ; all are liable for its cost ; all, therefore, in
my opinion, should have a voice in its direction and
support. Every citizen, having ' a local habitation
and a name,' ought to have a vote."

It is not merely the extension of the franchise,
however, that the Learned Sergeant advocates. He
is equally clear on the ballot and the duration of
Parliament. He adds—" To protect that vote from
any undue influence, give us the ballot; and,
that our Members may not abuse our confidence, let
us have short Parliaments. In this I would ap-
peal from the Whigs of 1852 to the sturdy clique
of 1688. Grant us these measures, and perfect
liberty of conscience; economy in our public
expenditure (a matter now of vital impor-
ance to us as a nation, because competition with
foreigners without a diminution of taxation, will
shortly be found impracticable); simplicity in our
laws ; and, as far as human foresight can reach,
integrity in our lawgivers will be insured. Let the
people's voice be heard in our House of Commons,
and what greedy Monopolist will have the hardihood
to attempt Plunder under the mantle of Protection.
It has been well said that Hy pocrisy is the homage
that vice pays to virtue.' "
This is, indeed, a comprehensive programme, the
most extensive measure of Parliamentary reform :
"Perfect liberty of conscience," " Economy i❑
public expiloditure," " Simplicity in our laws," and
"Integrity in our law-givers." With those there
would be no attempt at either grand or petty larceny
in the shape of a bread-tax.

Th,; elecrors of Evesham have now an opportunity
of acquiring the gratitude of the country. By re-
turning such a man as S.rgeant WILKINs,
they will render a service of no ordinary
magnitude to their fellow-subjects. He is indeed
of a very different calibre from the respectable
mediocrity that may come before them in the shape
of either Whig or Tory underlings. They should
recollect that the eyes of the community are upon
them. Every elector should consider that the result
depended upon his individual exertions, and that
every man is expected to do his duty.