The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-05 00:00:00

MANUFACTURERS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS.

TO THE ELECTORS-OF THE BOROUGH
OF GRAVESEND.
GENTLEMEN,
With the approval of the Committee of the Liberal party
in your new borough, I offer myself as a candidate for the
honour of becoming your representative in the next
Parliament.

A considerable portion of my life has been passed in the
service of the State in India.where for several years I have
been at the head of the Goverment of Gude ; but during
my absence from this counf**hove ever watched closely
the course political events ; and have had deeply at
heart the triumph of Liberal principles.
I rejoice in 'the extension of the suffrage effected by the
recent Act; for I hold that the safety of our institutions
lies in admitting the people to a large share of political
power. But I consider the measure of redistribution of
seats quite inadequate, and I trust that the attention of the
Reformed Parliament will be early given to remove the
glaring anomalies of the present scheme.
Viewing with aversion the employment of any kind of
intimidation or moral pressure with the object of influ-
encing a man's •vote, I will support the Ballot as an
effective protection to the elector in the free exercise of
his right.
For the suppression of bribery I have faith in the im-
proved toneof public opinion on this subject; but I would
also like to see the giving and receiving bribes made crimi-
nal offences, with the heaviest penalty to fall on the giver.
Foremost among the measures that will have my hearty
support are the abolition of church rates and of flogging in
the army, the equalisation of poor rates, the settlement of
the Irish Church question, the opening of the Universities
to members of all religious denominations, and a compre-
hensive system of national unsectarian education.
In foreign policy I am for non-intervention, though my
sympathies as a Liberal are with the friends of constitu-
tional freedom in every laud.
I naturally take deep interest in the affairs of India, and
much of my attention would be given to them. My view
of our duty to the people of that country is to fit them for
self-government by diffusing education, and by freely ad-
mitting them to offices of trust and emolument, for I hold
that a foreign rule can never be popular whichexcludes the
natives of a country from all share in its administration.
I should recognise as leader of the Liberal party that
great statesman and sincere friend of the people, Mr. Gla-
dstone, to whom the satisfactory result of the recent mea-
sure of Reform is mainly due, since nearly all his demands
were complied with by the Government.
Should I be honoured with your choice, I hope that the
habits of application to business which 1 have acquired in
the course of my career. in India may render me not in-
competent to discharge to your satisfaction all the duties
that solicitude in your local interests may impose on me.
I hope for an early opportunity of meeting you, when
I will be ready to
quired of my views on the above and other subjects.
give any explanation that may be re-
I have the honour to remain,

Gentlemen,
Your most obediont servant,
CHARLES WINGFIELD.
10, Great Cumberland-street.
All communications to be addressed to T. Gilbert, jun.,
47, Charing-cross.