The Sun.
London, England, 1835-05-01 00:00:00

SOUTH DEVON ELECTION.

TO THE ELECTORS OF SOUTH DEVON.
MY COUNTRYMEN—There ntver was a contest on which
the earnest attention of the nation at large was more fixed
than that in which you are now engaged. Do your duty,
and your country will honour you for it. Your VOTE is a
PUBLIC TRUST, not personal property—employ it faith-
fully, as conscience enjoins. Were I one of you, I would
come from any distance to share in the exertions by which
I trust your noble candidate will be made again your Re-
presentative. I witnessed your first struggles in the great
cause of enlightened liberty ; and I have joyfully observed
your successes since. _ Surely yon will not degrade your
country and yourselves by going backwards, when the world
around you is going forwards.
You have doubtless read the Address to you from the
Statesman who again offers himself for your choice. Read,
again and again, Its manly appeals to plain good sense. It
is intelligible to all ; and yet is entitled to the attention of
the most profound. It is universally felt to be an ADDRESS
TO THE NATION, and it has been read by millions with un-
mixed satisfaction, and calm hopefulness. Its principles
are those of PRESERVATION and IMPROVEMENT ; and the
liberal-minded who rank among the Conservatives, see that
it is on such principles alone that we may hope for national
welfare and tranquillity. False terrors plunge into real dan-
gers. We never need fear the effects of justice, and JUS-
TICE To ALL is stamped upon this admirable Address, in the
characters of truth and frankness.
Russell is a name dear to the friends of freedom, who
read the history of past centuries. It is destined to go
down with distinguished honour in the history of the pre-
sent. Among the Statesmen of this eventful period, none
will stand higher for enlightened and comprehensive views,
steadfast perseverance, sound judgment, frank uprightness,
and wise moderation, than Lord John Russell : and shame
would rest on your district if it should be said, " Disap-
pointed ambition, interested fear, malignant calumny, and
personal and party rancour, rejected such a man." Shame
be to every one among you whose vote, so influenced, tends
to this result.

Party spirit disregards the dictates of even common pru-
dence. Were the opponents of the Home Secretary to
succeed in the present contest., they could not drive him from
the post of high responsibility and influence to which he
has been so justly advanced. The voice of the country is
too strongly pronounced in his favour ; and he is not the
man to yield where public duty requires firmness and
.stabi-
lity.. Why then, says prudence, risk hiS hostility ? They,
rely, I doubt not, on his magnanimity. - They know that
he regards power, as you ought to regard your vote, as a
TausTfi)r the general welfare. Why then oppose him at
all ? It will make many a heart sick to vote against him ;
and conscience will prepare a bitter reckoning for those
who, from fear or favour, now slight its requirements ; for
those still more who, by threats or promises, endeavour to
make you violate the trust committed to you for the welfare
of your country.
And who are those who most strenuously oppose him ?
Men whose principles, if they had the ascendancy, would
goad Ireland to insurrection, give increased power to conti-
nental despotism, and probably soon engage our own
country in warfare. The principles of Russell are peace,
liberty, and justice. lam a Protestant on deep and earnest
conviction, but I fear nothing for Protestantism from jus-
tice to Ireland. We may not have yet learnt to place full
confidence in Mr. O'Connell ; but it is encouraging to see
his great power over his countrymen employed on the side
of political wisdom. Should he, however, forget moderation,
let us remember justice. Measures of justice and wisdom
for Ireland will disarm him of his power for evil. We may
well hope they will secure his power for good. In Ireland's
prosperity Great Britain cannot fail to share.
Be just, my countrymen, and fear not. Let every man
among you, When he goes to the poll, remember that his
vote belongs not to himself BUT TO HIS COUNTRY !
April, 1835.