The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-07 00:00:00

WALSALL ELECTION, AND THE

CORN-LAWS.

(From the Morning Chronicle.)

We insert a letter from the Secretary of the Anti-
Corn-law League at Manchester, in answer to some
strictures passed by us on Saturday last on the conduct
of a deputation from that body at Walsall. Tha Secre-
tary assumes that the various constituencies which return
Representatives in this country are in a condition to act
on their own independent convictions, which every man at
all acquainted with England knows is very far from being
the case. We do not quarrel with the fundamental
object of the League—" the total and immediate repeal
of the Corn arid Provision-laws," and we go further ; we
say that the League ought to use their utmost exertions
to obtain, wherever they can, a pledge from candidates
that they will advocate in Parliament " the total repeal of
the Corn and Provision-laws. But the question is one fur
constituencies rather than candidates. If the constituencies
meaning by constituencies the majorities, are thoroughly
converted to this fundamental object, and are in a condition to
.4er, on their convictions, there cen be no difficulty about the
matter. The candidate must either pledge himself, or
withdraw. But if the constituencies are nut converted,
but, on the contrary, either ignorant or ind:fferent, or
subject to corrupt influences—and if a deputation front the
Anti-Corn-law League cannot influence a majority of the
electors, but by its interference merely deprives the Übe-
rel candidate of the chance of being returned, and thcreby
secures the return to an advocate of the Coro-laws, we
hold the interference to be decidedly improper, and even
at variance with the true object of the League itself. It is
not enoagh to say, that the interest of the community do.
mends the total and immediate repeal of the Corn and
Provision•laws. We advise, nay, we urge you to exert
yourselves to the utmost to make the community sensible
of their interest, and to dispose the people to act on their
convictions. Work as extensively as you can upon con-
stituencies.; but, if the conatituencies have been neglected,
or if circumstances preclude the possibility of their exer-
cising an independent suffrage, do not step fur werd, and
assume what ie not the fact, acd drive from the field 2
man who may not be all that you could wish, but who ie,
notwithstanding, better than any man whom you can hope
to carry.
We say nothing of the proceedings at Walsall. If the
electors return Mr. J. B. Smith, why then we say the jus-
tification of the Anti-Corn-law League is complete. The
inure decided the opinions of the candidate for the repre-
sentetion of Walsall, the more he is to our taste. ; but then
these decided opinions must be acceptable to the electors.
Mr. Acland, a member of the deputation, whose letter we
elsewhere insert, speaks strongly of the honest enthusiasm
of the people in the cause of the League. We wish from
the bottom of our hearts that this enthusiasm may gain for
Mr. J. B. Smith his election. We go farther—if we have
any influence with the electors of Walsall or with any to
whom any portion of the electors of Walsall look up we en
treat them to look only to the great point of throwing out
a Tory. A time will come when, fer the slice of avoiding
a repetition of dangerous mi takes, it may be necessary to
overhaul the proceedings from the commencement of the
Walsall election. But we are sure the present is not that
time. Let every Liberal, whatever his shade, think only
now of a common exertion to return the Liberal candidate,
Mr. J. B. Smith. There may be something on all sides
to forget and forgive. But at present the question which
every Liberal ought to ask himself is. how can I best se-
cure the return of Mr. J. B. Smith? Every man must
put his shoulder to the wheel. The constituency of
Walsall must not disgrace themselves by returning Mr.
Gladstone.