The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-01 00:00:00

DORCHESTER.

Mr. Sheridan has issued the following address to
the electors, principally in reply to that of Sir D.
Wolff :

"In expectation that a dissolution of Parliament cannot
long be delayed, I consider it my duty again to offer my-
self as a candidate for the honour of your suffrages. As
my Parliamentary duties have been urgent, and measures.
of importance every day being discussed in the House of
Commons, I should not probably have ventured to take
this step so early in the session if I had not
been forced to do so by an address to the electors of
your ancient borough which has just been forwarded to me.
I need not remind you that in 1852 I came forward by
the invitation and express desire of the Liberal party to
contest the presentation of the borough.. I fought for them
the battle of the Constitution' under the most adverse
circumstances. The cry was Freedom and Independence.
Need I say we were triumphant ? The victory then ob-
tained for ever set free 'the electoral choice,' and the scan-
dal of 'the narrow circle of local connexions' was effaced.
By the strenuous support and enerKetic exertions of those
friends in the borough who advocated Liberal principles, I
was enabled to obtain for them an independent voice in the
representation, from which for years they had been de-
barred. In the course of 13 years that have since elapsed,
during the whole of which period I have had the honour
of being your representative, I have never received an in-
timation in any form that either my votes or the principles
I advocated met with disapprobation, or were in any way
opposed to the views of the majority of my constituents.
You can imagine, therefore, my surprise when I learnt from
the recent address of a stranger to the electors 'the very
unsatisfactory state of your ancient and constitutional
borough,' and ' the dangers and anomalies' of a position in
which, at least, you have been enabled to choose your own
representative. It seems to be implied by the terms of the
address that a few persons, calling themselves an in-
fluential section,' are determined, as they presume to say,
to correct and reform the independent position you have
for the last 13 years maintained, by nominating some
one whom they aro pleased to consider better able to fulfil
the duties of your representative than the member you
yourselves, not as a section but as a majority, returned
to serve you in Parliament. It is at all events satis-
factory to receive the assurance that the opponents of Lord
Palmerston, although they are quite prepared to eject
him from power whenever an opportunity occurs,
nevertheless' greatly reverence his name and career,' since
his policy, which has so obviously added to the wealth and
increased the power of England, would thus appear at length
to command approval from both sides in politics. Are you
content to be told that no personal or factious opposition'
to that policy will be offered ? Would you not prefer trust-
ing to performances rather than to promises, however fair ?
I am able to say that I have supported ' measures emanat-
ing from Lord Palmerston's Government,' that I have advo-
cated 'non-intervention in the affairs of other countries,'
that I have been ' anxious to promote economy in every
branch of public expenditure,' and that I have support-
ed a policy which has already considerably 'lightened
the as far as is compatible with
cy and et all, that 1 have always con-
efficien taxation of
safety;'
the country,
above
con-
sidered the Church as an essential element in our Consti-
tution,' and should ' any endeavour at any time be made to
separate Church from State,' I would most strenuously repel
any attempt to effect such a revolution. It is needless,
finally, to add that I have always felt ' a special interest in
the prosperity of Dorchester.' From the close connexion
between us, and those friendly associations which have so
long subsisted, I think you will admit that I am more likely
to be interested in all your local affairs than a gentleman
who comes among you as an utter stranger. I cannot,
therefore, perceive so much difference between the opinions
on which I have hitherto acted and those now put forward
as would justify you in changing your member from a tried
to an untried man. Already I have given proof in support
of my convictions, which surely should be more satisfactory
to you than the bare declaration made by another of his
views on political subjects. I have reason to know you are
just and generous. If you see any reason to disapprove the
manner in which I have discharged the duties intrusted to me
I should expect you to elect, and I am sure you would not
hesitate to elect, a member more to yoursatisfaction ; but,
on the other hand, if you believe I have acted faithfully
and conscientiously, I am equally sure that you will not be
deterred by a ' section,' who call themselves ' influential,'
from again placing me in the proud position I have so long
held."