The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-27 00:00:00

corrupt Norwich—where the longest purse has,
from time immemorial, been sure of victory, the
Whigs, to maintain a decent existence, have been
compelled to unite, not as formerly with the
Tories, but with the Radicals, and they have
united on "purity principles ;" indeed, as Mr.
PETO stated, and as we knew before from the best
sources, at the last election "nothing whatever
was done for which any honest man need blush."
It thus appears that even in constituencies once
thought hopelessly corrupt Liberals of all classes
may unite vigorously. Extreme Radicals may
abate somewhat of their demands, extreme Whigs
may drop somewhat of their hauteur, or carry it
clean away to the Tory camp; and, as in the pre-
sent case, both parties may coalesce cordially in the
election of one staunch Liberal (though rather
partial to Lord JOHN RUSSELL) and another not
many removes from a Radical, although connected
with the aristocratic classes.
It reflects no small credit on Norwich to have
returned two such representatives as received
on Thursday night, in its fine old Hall, the
hospitality of the city. Mr. PETO is every
way worthy to represent a commercial and
business city. He is never ashamed to con-
fess that he began life in the practise of the
manual labours of his profession, and all Eng-
land, and nearly all Europe too, is aware that
he has risen not only to princely wealth, but
that he enjoys also the confidence of almost the
civilised world in his own department. Aga course
has been marked equally by political independence
and generosity to the classes whom he so largely
employs. Probably there is hardly a railway
contractor in the world who is more respected by
his subordinates and workmen ; and certainly
none who has so conscientiously and liberally
provided for the religious instruction, as
well as the comfort, of his men. Mr. PETO'S
efforts and example in promoting the welfare of
his " navvies" has been as beneficial in its way
, as the labours of Mrs. CHISHOLM amongst our
emigrants and emancipated convicts.
Mr. WARNER is a younger man, and it must
be regarded as a remarkable triumph that he
should, on the first trial, beat the Marquis of
Douno, who had been 15 years Member for the
City, by a majority of 500, only 50 less than that
of Mr. PETO. He is a young member of con-
siderable promise, and when practice shall have
added, as it will do, fluency to his speaking, he
will be by no means an inefficient debater. He
leaves on the mind of every hearer the deep im-
pression of his sincerity ; absolutely free from
affectation and mannerism, and destitute of any
of those external qualities which frequently secure
popularity, he has by his straightforwardness and
good sense chiefly, completely gained the confi-
dence of the masses in Norwich.

Amongst the signs of the times we may almost
regard it, that the Chairman, Lord BURY (the son
of the Earl of ALBEMARLE), declared himself con-
vinced of the necessity of the Ballot. He would
much prefer, as every one else would, the present
practice of open voting, if it were possible with it
to prevent intimidation, but, being convinced by
all lie read and knew that it was not possible, he
gave his cordial adhesion to secret voting. The
declaration was received with the utmost enthu-
siasm. It would be so at any meeting of Liberals ;
and if it be intended that the promised bill should
be so popular as to enlist the enthusiastic support
of the country, there is no question that offering
the Ballot would make its authors omnipotent at
the hustings, should it bring about a dissolution.
We trust the tenants-at-will of East and West Nor-
folk will not overlook such an avowal as this
from a Peer's son. Lord BURY is evidently a
young politician of no humble parts. He fulfilled
his duties exceedingly well last night, and nothing
would please us better than to see him speedily
introduced into the House of Commons. Con-
nected as he is by family ties with the county,
inheriting the urbanity of his ancestors, a young
man of promising abilities, and willing to give the
farmers the political liberty which so few of the
aristocracy as yet are prepared to accord them, we
know of no one to whom the Liberal electors of
Norfolk could look with greater propriety.