The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-04 00:00:00

.ffl`sing a Bill, the necessity for whirl they cannot
judge c 4 and the effects of which they cannot cakulate.

Ttv 3 two elections of Nottingham and Southamp-
ton, i vhich have now commenced, are distinguished
by a feature worthy of attention. Both are contested
tl le one hand by the representatives of the most
Alba al opinions of the day, and on the other by the
rept esentat;.ves of the most ancient ultra and thread-
bare prekAdices.

• A ottingham, JOSEPH STURGE, the Quaker, the
Aro pion of Corn-law repeal, and of extended
Iffr age, fights the battle against Mr. WALTER, the
he .mpion of ultra-Toryism. Against the latter we
Ave, we believe, no prejudices. We rejoice to see a
man lifted into great power and wealth by means of
'his connexion with newspapers. Belonging, like
Mr. WALTER, to the Press, we share, in some mea-
sure, in his elevation. It is reflected over every jour-
nal of the empire. At the same time, our class pre-
judices cannot induce us to wish Mr. WALTER success
in his present undertaking. He goes to Nottingham
to earnz; into effect that compromise which was a vir-
tura •sale of the electors. He is the prominent instru-
rnent for reducing to practice one of the corrupt cora-
prainises which a Committee of the House of Com-
p ions has just denounced, and which the House itself
was only prevented from visiting with its severe dis-
pleasure, by its pre-engaged faith not to punish what-
ever delinquencies might be brought to light. For
Nottingham, therefore, to elect Mr. WALTER, will be
to admit that its electors are bought and sold, and
that they are unworthy of possessing the franchise.
We know Mr. WALTER only through his connec-
tion with the Times, and that journal has lately taken
on itself the task of sneering at those who have en-
deavoured to procure the repeal of the Corn-laws. It
has held the Conference up to odium, and defended the
alaominable law which is ruining Nottingham. To
elect Mr. WALTER will be to vote for the destruction
of the town. Supporting the principle of protection
to agriculture, and appealing to the prejudices of the
people in horror of the old Poor-law, which degraded
all the working classes into paupers, Mr. WALTER is
in every way the friend of measures which .pauperise
the people. In the speeches, too, of his supporters, in
opposition to Mr. STURGE, he is held up as the friend
of war. He disparages that gentleman as unfit to
represent Englishmen, some of whom at least are
peaceful. He is a Friend, and therefore opposed to
war. Mr. WALTER appears, then, in the field at
Nottingham as the advocate of bloodshed and strife.
He stands on the old Tory principles of electoral
corruption, of popular debasement, and of war abroad
to preserve oppression at home.
Mr. STURGE stands on principles the reverse of
these. He is a firm and decided friend to peace, not
only because peace is lovely in itself, but because
men can scarcely enter into war without submitting
to be slaves. He wishes for the independence of
the people, and their enfranchisement ; and while he
advocates a large extension of the suffrage, he
eschews all those corrupt practices which debase and
enslave them. He stands on the democractic prin-
ciple of free trade and free elections, and may be
taken as the representative of principles which are
only now beginning to have weight in society, but
which are destined to be the guides of future gene-
rations.

The same contrast is visible at Southampton, where
Mr. G. Tuompsox, invited by the electors, appears to
oppose Mr. HOPE, the rejected, we believe, of Wey-
mouth, and Mr. MILDMAY. Mr. THOMPSON says, in
an excellent address he has published
have nothing to recommend me but humble talents,
honest intentions, liberal principles, and a public life,
every hour of which has been devoted to what I be-
lieved to be the cause of justice and humanity.—(Cheers.)
Rank, fortune, family influence, political connections, I
have none. Gentlemen, I come to take a share in an
honourable struggle for an honourable post. A battle is,
before us. Let me tell you how I intend to fight that
battle for myself. I shall fight it—not by bribery-,--
(Great cheerin—not by treating, not by rude perso-
nalities directed against my opponents,_ not by fawning
and flattery bestowed upon my friends, not by promises
or pledges of any secular kind to the poorer members of
this constituency. I shall fight the battle before us
upon principle. Upon the principle of purity, as regards
the conduct of this election ; and principle as respects
i the political views which I hold. My appeal will
neither be to the cupidity of one party, nor the fears of
I another."
His principles he thus announces
" Gentlemen, there are two great measures which I
shall earnestly prosecute. The one is the total abolition
of the Corn-laws—(Great cheering)—the other is the ex-
tension of the suffrage.—(Renewed cheers.) I will
not cease to demand for my countrymen both food and
freedom."

He is, therefore, completely one of the democracy,
and he stands upon the most enlarged and most mo-
dern principles now advocated, to secure the ascen-
dancy of the people. Like Mr. STURGE, he appears
as the opponent of that terrible corruption which has
affixed a stigma on Southampton, as well as Notting-
ham. We can form no opinion how these elections
will terminate, but it will not pain us for our cause
should both be decided against us ; that ;•ill only
be the continued success of old vices and old arts ;
while should they be decided in favour of the new
men and the new principles, it will be indeed an un-
expected triumph. We hope much from the energy
and skill of Mr. STURGE and Mr. TnomrsoN, and
their friends, and their success would be a great
honour to Southampton and Nottingham. It
would inspire new life and new enthusiasm into the
popular party throughout the empire. The electors
of Nottingham have, heretofore, been distinguished
by their services in the cause of popular rights. We
have no recollection that Southampton ever-merited
such approbation. It has now an opportunity of ac-
quiring a great name in history, and Nottingham
may wipe away the stain lately cast on its reputa-
tion ; for either to miss the opportunity will expose it
to censure and disgrace. The eyes of the kingdom
will be fixed on them, eager to see which of the
great principles, now brought into avowed conflict,
the men of Southampton and Nottingham will suppoi t