The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-17 00:00:00

TO THE CHARTIST ELECTORS

AND NON-ELECTORS OF BATH.

Fellow-Citizens,—As the representatives of an Association
rendered powerful by its continued advocacy of
.principle, we
beg leave to address you on this occasion, believing that more
good can be effected at the next Election, that the people may
derive more real benefit from that event, than they have from
any preceding one, if they take a prudent and decisive step.
We are most anxious to throw our influence in the scale, to
rouse them to a sense of duty, that their energies may be em-
ployed in repelling the insidious attempts of those who are en-
gaged in sowing discord and strife, that they may the more
eassly divert the minds of the people from the great object
they are in pursuit of.
We are not about to enter into a disquisition on the
correctness of our principles—that has been fully esta-
blished nor on the soundness of the measures pro-
posed by her Majesty's Ministers. We are confident some-
thing must be done, in the present state of parties, to pro-
mote the cause of Reform, and put down the common enemy
—and this can be done only in proportion as we are disposed
to unite with those who have the cause at heart, and who are
willing to unite with us, to secure the return to Parliament of
such men as have by their actions proved themselves to enter-
tain a regard for the rights of the working classes. We cannot
withhold the fact, that attempts are being made to demoralize
the people with feastings, and many other species of corruption.
None of our party will be so duped. We exhort them to
use any influence they may possess over the minds of the un-
wary, and induce hll, for the honour of our cause, and the
memory of those whose lives have been spent in its advo-
cacy, and who would rather at any time have sacrificed those
lives, than have lived a disgrace to the principles they professed.
We urge them by these, nay, by the most endearing ties that
unite them in the various relations of life, to take up this sub-
ject, not merely on a political, but on a moral ground, and
show those would-be " Conservators of morality and religion,"
that though they cannot successfully appeal to our reason and
intelligence, they shall not succeed in an appeal to our passions ;
that we are determined, from this time, till the election is
over, to take a stand against everything like corruption, as
well as intimidation; to use our influence, individually and
collectively, in opposing all attempts to debase the minds of the
people, and render them in any way subservient to party per-
Pr!'

We differ it, many most important points from the two can-
didates, Lord Duncan and Mr. Roebuck ; yet it does appear,
that under existing circumstances, it is a matter of duty as
well as policy, to combine our exertions, for the purpose of se-
curing their return, more especially hen we remember that
in the late division of the House of Commons mans of the
Liberal Members voted for Duncombes motion for the return
of Chartist prisoners, whilst the Tot ies to a man opposed it.
As a body we have a great electoral influence, and it should
be our object to use that influence so as to gain the esteem of
others ; to create a powerful public opinion in our favour; so
that by these means we may advance the principles we advo-
cate. In order to do this it is necessary that those who have
votes should be duly canvassed and advised with, that they may
be prepared to take advantage of any circumstances that may
arise. For the above purpose two persons from your own
ranks are already appointed to wait upon you.
Friends,--Be firm and united; we has e an important duty
to discharge to ourselves and to our country. Let us discharge
that duty with honesty and manly independence !
Faithfully, your Radical Brothers,
J. TWITE. Treasurer. C. CLARKE, Sec.
R. K. PHILP, G. BARTLETT,
H. BARTLETT, T. BOLWELL,
C. BOLWELL, J. HOPKINS,
Members of the Council.