The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-30 00:00:00

EAST SURREY ELECTION.

A public meeting of the friends of Mr. Alcock took
place last evening at the Spread Eagle Tavern, Wands-
worth. The Liberals of the town and neighbourhood
mustered in great numbers. . The large room of the
tavern was crowded to excess, and the utmost enthusiasm
was manifested. The chair was taken soon after seven

o'clock, by George de Larpent, E,q• Mr. Alcock, on
ascending the platform, was received with the most en-

thusiastic cheering.
The CHAIRMAN felt great pleasure in having the oppor-
tunity of introducing to his brother electors of the Liberal
interest a gentleman whose principles, character, and
conduct ho was sure would meet with the approbation of
an enlightened community.—(Cheers.) He (Mr. de
Larpent) had lately contested the represen ation of the
borough of Ludlow with that gentleman, and had bad
many opportunities of becoming intimately acquainted
with his public sentiments, which he was sure would prove
amply satisfactory to every sound and judicious Reform-
er..—(Cheers.) He (Mr. de Larpent) had been re-
quested to offer himself as a candidate for their suffrages
on the present occasion, and Mr. Alcock amongst others,
had put his name to the requisition, He had, however,
declined to do so, for private reasons, which it was unne-
cessary for him to mention publicly. He bad referred to
the elections at Ludlow, because a report had got abroad,
and was industriously circulated by the opposite party, that
the decision of the Committee of the Flame of Commons
with respect to that election reflected discredit upon the
character of Mr. Alcock, and rendered him unworthy of
their suffrages. Although himself opposed to that Ho-
nourable Gentleman on that occasion, it afforded him sin-
cere satisfaction to be able to state that all that he knew
of his character and conduct, during that election, re-
doundcd to his honour and credit.--( Loud cheering.)
The present contest, no doubt, would be an arduous one.

Their opponents were aware of their exertions, and were
making proportionate endeavours to secure their own
success. Now was the time for every honest and in-
dependent elector to be up and doing.—( Cheers.) They
bad the influence of both purse and name arrayed
against them. That should only arouse them to in-
creased exertion. If once that young gentleman ( Mr.
Antrobus) was allowed to fix himself on the county, there
would be the greatest difficulty to get him out on a future
occasion.—( Hear, hear.) But that was not the only or
even the principal reason that should induce them to make
a bold stand on the present occasion. When they con-
sidered the vast importance of the questions about to be
discussed in Parliament—questions, the right decision of
which involved the ruin or prosperity of the trade and ma-
nufactures of the country, the peculiar unfitness of the
Tory candidate must be apparent. lie was possessed
neither of years nor experience —( Hear, hear.) On the
other hand, he offered them a man of maturity of age nod
judgment, and one who had made those great questions
the subject of his peculiar study and observation.—
(Cheers. ) The truth of these remarks was so evident
that ho need not press it further upon their attention—
( be would now conclude with asking
t( ihelearirc'ordial support for Mr. Alcock during his present
arduous struggle for the representation of the county of
Surrey.—( Cheers.)
Mr. ALCOCK then rose : he was received with loud and
reiterated cheering. He could assure them that be had
not rashly embarked in his present contest. He had at
first been unwilling to come forward, feeling there
were many amongst the Liberal gentry of the country who
might have greater claims to their support.—(Cries of
" No, no," and " Alcock for ever.") He could assure
them he felt littered by the warmth of his reception,—
(Renewed cheering.) He felt the importance of the in.
terests that were at stake. He had not come forward
without due and proper deliberation; not until an influen-
tial popular demonstrat'on bad been made in his favour.
And finding that none other of his party offered, ho deter-
mined no longer to suffer their interests to remain unre-
presented, and to come boldly forward.—(Cheers.) Hav-
ing
fight
t to the last.—(Cheers.) Having once
mounted the saddle, he was resolved to ride to the end
of the journey.—(Tremendous
—(Tremendous cheering.) They would
nownaturally
d o ni
te s
oou, they might depend upon it that he would
xpeet some short explaeation of his poli •
tical
n
With respect to the right of voting,
s e
nr neen yt.e
s
he should continue favourable to the Ballot until he saw
some way in which every elector could vote in a
manner perfectly unbiassed.—( Hear.) If it was decided
that landlords should have influence, the natural way
would be to gee each so many votes according to the
extent and value of his property. While tenants had votes
they ought to be able to dispose of them according to their
consciences.—(Cheer=, a d cries of " Hear, hear.")
From the opinions he entertained respecting the neces-
sity of a chant in the Corn-laws, be was told that ho
should be sadly mauled in some of the agricultural dis-
tricts of the county. His sentiments were designated as
rash and violent, and certain, if carried out, to bring
ruir, upon the farmer and agriculturist. The truth was
the very rashness attributed to him his opponents
themselves were guilty of.—CHear, hear.) If any one
. would be ruined he would be amongst the first that would
suffer ; and he could assure them he had not adopted
a resolution so (as was alleged) contrary to his oen in-
terest without due deliberation. He would not mind ar-
guing the subject, and while he had reason on his side,
be did not fear to meet any body of men, however for-
ey might be represented. But the fact was
was a trick of the Tories to intimidate, if
trehiadtab this
l s
possible. But they would be disappointed, for be had no
fear whatever on the matter; for wherever the question
Wa3 coolly di cussed in an unprejudicA rr.anner, his im-
pression was that the impoiicy of the Corn-laws would be
evident.—(Chaos.) They brought total destruction on