The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-16 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH is, 1857.

ELECTION INT ELLIOENCE.

BRIDPORT.

Mr. E. T. SMITH who arrived, at Bridport on
Thursday evening, on Friday addressed a numerous
meeting of the electors and others, from the Grey-
hound Hotel, where are his head-quarters. His re-
ception by the large body assembled in front of the
hotel was enthusiastic, as that of "the man of the
•people," which has become his distinctive appella-
tion. Quiet having been obtained,
Mr. G. W. M. REYNOLDS stepped forward, and
said he experienced much pleasure in introducing
Mr. Smith to the people of Bridpert. He (Mr.
Reynolds) having, on a past occasion, had some
communication with the leading Liberals of the
borough, in reference to its representation, and
likewise presuming on the fact that, as the proprie-
tor of the leading journal of the industrious order,
he might claim friendship with the members of that
order, wheresoever he presented himself, felt con-
vinced that it would not be deemed a liberty on his
part thus to address the friends of true freedom at
Bridport. In glancing at the political aspect of
the town, it was impossible to close one's eyes to the
fact, that, amidst the confusion of parties, there
was a most iniquitous conspiracy
on foot to destroy
the independence of the borough. (Cheers.) This
base and insidious treason against the cause of right,
truth, and justice, had, for its object, the thrust-
ing of a particular individual upon the Bridport
constituency, as one of its representatives. Who was
Mr. Mitchell, that he should claim to exercise, this
seignorial power in Bridport ? And who was Mr.
Hodgson, that he should take the position of a dic-
tator in the borough 1 The political conduct of the
former had already rendered him utterly unworthy
of the confidence of the Bridport people ; and now,
as if completely reckle!s in the pursuit of his un-
principled course, he was conspiring to buy and
sell the electors, as if they were so many sheep.
(Tremendous cheers.) As for Mr. Hodgson, he
appeared to entertain the idea that money was the
only needful qualification for a representative ; but
the electors of Bridport would disabuse him of his
error, and, while doing honour to themselves in the
result, would at the same time and by the same
proceeding, cover him with shame and confusion.
(Cheers.) After some more remarks on the sub-
ject, and a few passing allusions to the prominent
political topics which naturally suggested them-
selves on such an occasion, Mr. Reynolds proceeded
to observe that, in presenting Mr. E. T. Smith to
the people of Bridport, he had the satisfac-
tion of introducing a gentleman of tried politi-
cal integrity and known liberality of principle
—a gentleman who, in his capacity of lessee of
Drury-lane Theatre, as well as in that of proprietor
of the Sunday Times newspaper, had given the
amplest proofs of his symathy with the course of
progress. He (Mr. Reynolds) would solemnly un-
dertake to promise, that if Mr. Smith were re-
turned to Parliament, he would prove worthy of
the confidence reposed in him. He was indepen-
dent alike in social position and in mind, and there-
fore wanted no favour from the Government. He
was prepared to vote for, as he had ever advocated,
the widest and most comprehensive measures of
reform in all the branches of the State ; and,
pledging himself to no party, he would support
" measures" only, without reference to " men."
Such was the candidate whom Mr. Reynolds had
much pleasure in introducing to the people of
Bridport. (Great cheering.)
Mr. E. T. SMITH then stood forward and was
' again warmly greeted. After thanking them for
the expre sion of sympathy with him and his ob-
ject, of which, he was gratified to say, he had heard
much since his arrival, he proceeded to address
them upon the prospects of the general election,
and the position of parties, especially of that great
party—if it were lawful to call it so—the people.
There were all sorts of candidates in the field, here
and elsewhere—Liberal, Radical, Conservative,
and he knew not what. He found it difficult to
class himself with any one of them; he was rather
like the "three single gentlemen rolled into one,"
Liberal, Radical, and Conservative. The truth
was, that he did not care a single fig about political
parties ; what he wanted was good measures—not
measures to make a mere show and pretence of ad-
vancieg in the right direction, but measures which
would really effect something, ay, and a good deal,
to bring the instil-nth-Ts of the country into har-
mony with the well-being and material and moral
elevation of the industrial classes. All his politics
were subordinate to this great object ; and, if they
returned him as one of their representatives, as he
had not the least doubt they would do—(cheers)—
they would find him as steady and true in the pur-
suit of that object, as is the needle to the pole. He
was not for any faction, how much soever it might
vaunt of what it would do; what he wanted was
measures, he did not care from what men they
came. But there was an immediate object to be
achieved in Bridport,. that was the maintenance of
its independence. (Loudcheering). It was rather
too bad, at a time, too, when so much was said, as
well as thought, about the liberty and honour of the
country, which ought to mean the liberty and
honour of the people of the country, and every part
of the country, and especially of every constituency
of the country ; it was rather too bad, he said, th it
in spite of all this, there should be an attempt
made, by a gentleman whom the electors of Brid-
port had made their representative in the House o. f
Commons, to dictate to them who should be their
second member. (Cheering.) As h;s friend Mr.
Reynolds, had asked, who was Mr. Mitchell, that
he should assert that ho would make Bridport a
pocket borough ? No, no ; the time had gone by
for these things. The electors of Bridport had be-
come too enlightened and independent to permit.
any man to usurp their functions, and monopolise
the seats of those who ought to be their freely and
honestly-chosen represen. atives in the House of Com-
mons. He had been invited to help to break down
this unwarrantable conspiracy to override the free-
dom of the intelligent people of Bridport, and,
please God, he would do it. (Great cheering.) He
had male himself a resident in the county, and his
abode being but a few miles from Bridport, he
intended to see what be could help to do for the
borough, for its charities, its industry, and its
general prosperity.
He did not ask them to elect
him, that he might take his seat in the house, and
leave them to go to the devil; he should come
amongst them, week by week, and identify himself
with them. They would not have to send deputa-
tions to London to hunt him up ; he should be here,
hunting them up, and working with them in every
practicable way, so that they might have to boast
that Bridpert was not only one of the freest, but
one of the most prosperous boroughs in England.
(Cheering.) In conclusion, he said, if they elected
him, as he was sure
they would do, and he should
not fulfil their expectations, let them at any time
call a public meeting of the electors, and pass a
resolution to that effect, and he pledged himself
that he would at once resign his seat. (Cheering.)
Mr. CARPENTER then presented himself, and was
received with great applause. He addressed him-
self especially to the " base" attempt that was being
made to override the free electors of Bridport, by
the sitting member, in thrusting upon thorn a
second man, and told them they would be eternally
disgraced if they did not put it down. " Look,"
said Mr. Carpenter, "at that frightful beast
(pointing to a hydra, on the front of an opposite
house. Hercules iu the act of striking him down)
—that very fairly symbolises that revolting com-
pound of impudence, tyranny, and imbecility
which Mr. Mitchell has introduced into Bridport,
and that Hercules is Smith striking it down
albeit, Smith is a much better looking fellow than
the
and artist has made Hercules." (Groat laughter,
cheering.)
The immense meeting seeming much indisposed
to separate, although the rain was falling heavily,
Mr. Reynolds again addressed them and Mr. Smith
and his friends retired amidst great applause.

A YLESBURY. —A Conservative candidate has ap-
peared—a Mr. T. T. Bernard, of Winchenden
Priory, who bases his claims chiefly on local grounds.
The two present members (S'r R. Bothell and Mr.
Layard) have also issued addresses soliciting re-
election.
BARNSTAPLE. —Mr. Buck retires from the bo-
rough to contest the seat for the county (Northern
division), which his father vacates. Mr. James
Taylor, jnn., of Birmingham, the originator of
freehold laud societies, who describes himself as "a
working man and a Teetotaller," has offered himself
as the exponent of advanced Liberal opinions.
BATH. —Sir Arthur Hallam Elton, of Clevedon-
court, High Sheriff of Somersetshire, has accepted
the invitation of the Bath Liberals to come forward
as a candidate for the seat for that city. The ex-
treme Radical party, who are dis,atisfied with Mr.
Tite, and also with the choice of Sir Arthur Elton,
notoriety.BEßKSHl RE. —Mr. George ward, of the Oxford
talk of nominating Mr. Henry Vincent, 'of Chartist
Circuit, intends to offer himself as a candidate for
the county of Berks.
BRIGHTON. —Mr. E. S. Creasy, barrister, finding
that Mr. Coningham was in the field beforei
and prepared to maintain the present contest on