The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-26 00:00:00

STAMFORD-LAMBETH.

TENNYSON'S ADDRESS to the ELECTORS of
the BOROUGH of STAMFORD.

Gentlemen,---On my return, this day, to the metropolis, I
am met by two of your 'moat respected fellow-townsmen, my
old friends and allies, deputed to place in my hands an invita-
tion to become, once more, a candidate for the representation
of your Borough, when a dissolution of Parliament shall take
place. . . . .

The requisition is signed by a multitude of names, which
awaken all those sentin'.ents of affectionate respect which the
patriotic conduct of tlie inhabitants of Stamford indelibly im-
pressed upon me when we were fellow labourers in the public
cause. It is most gratifying for me, also, to see before me so
flattering a testimony that your personal kindness towards me
is undiminished.

Our separation arose, alone, from my conviction that an
attempt to rQ.tain my seat as your representative was hopeless
at that period, in consequence of the increased power acquired
by the patron of your Corporation. The result of the elec-
tion of 1832 showed that I was not mistaken. Your brilliant
example to the country, and your ultimate success, had con-
tribu',.ed to achieve the Reform Bill. You, unhappily, became
tr,mr,rary victim of its generalizing arrangements. It could
scarcely be expected that you should at once be ready for a
w effort, and as Reformers then wielded the power._ ;;;. the
Government, it might seem to you less necessAr-i to make it,
at the private sacrifice which I saw you encounter while Par-
liamentary Reform was in prospect,
But now when a desperate and reckless attempt is to be
made by the old enemies of public liberty, not only to arrest
the progress of national regeneration, but to paralyze all the
beneficial changes effected by a reformed Parliament, and
doubtless even to rescind the reform of Parliament itself ;
now, when by corruption thus upheld, revived and increased,
they anticipate the restoration of their golden age, and specu-
late upon maintaining it by military force ;—the men of
Stamford again resume their proud station--again prepare to
afford to the people of England a new, vigorous, and animat-
ing example of generous and patriotic self-devotion, and at
every risk to stand by the liberties of our country.
I am indeed proud that we should have fought in the same
field, and that you should deem me worthy of again becom-
ing your leader. Prouder still should I be, if it were now
in my power to accept your invitation ; but having been
adopted and returned to Parliament by a Vast majority of the
electors of Lambeth—having established with them the samo
relations which existed formerly between you and myself, re-
ceiving daily testimonies of their goodwill and of their deter-
mination to place me again in the House of Commons if the
expected dissolution should take place, I should be without
excuse if I abandoned the post their confidence assigns to me,
even if I appreciated less highly than I do the honour of
representing so important a constituency.
Satisfied, however, as you are, and—after the statements
made to me—as I am also—that you are now able to counter-
act the baneful influence which overshadows you, and to assist
your countrymen in giving a death-blow to the faction which
again threatens them—l doubt not that some one more
worthy of the distinction, and better qualified for the discharge
of so important a duty, although not more devoted to your
your interests than myself, may readily be found. To be the
champion of such a body as the electors of Stamford, at such
a period, with such hopes and objects, and with the bright
reward of national admiration which will attend your victory,
is not a station to be refused by any one who is fit for the
office and free to accept it.

If I can personally or otherwise aid you in the contest—
command me freely. Every sentiment of private attachment
and public duty will stimulate me to exertion on your behalf,
and no one will more ipyfully hail your triumph than the in-
dividual who once hr.al the happiness to share it.
Pelieve me to be, Gentlemen,
Year attached friend and grateful servant,
CHARLES TENNYSON.
Park-street, Westminster, Nov. 24, 1824.