Star.
London, England, 1831-05-12 00:00:00

GENERAL ELECTION.

half-past ten o'clock the whole party, both pedestrians and
horsemen, ranged themselves opposite the hustings on
Penenden-heath, occupying an immense space, in the shape
of a semicircle, the ground on the extreme verge being
lined with carriages. The ladies in them seemed to take a
very lively interest in the scene ; and most of these fair spec-
tators were either arrayed in blue, or presented blue scarfs
to the public gaze. The assemblage altogether, when drawn
out on the heath, must have comprised upwards of 40,000
persons, and numberless bands struck up, " Gun save the
King," " Rule Britannia," and various other loyal and
patriotic airs, in the interval before the proceedings com-
menced.
At a few minutes before 11 o'clock Mr. Hedges and Mr.
Rider took their station on the hustings, and the usual
forms being gone through, under the direction of Bedell
Powell, Esq. the High Sheriff,
The Hon. RICII ARD WATSON (Member for Canterbtiry)
stood forward to address the meeting, as the proposer of
Mr. Hodges. In the course of his speech he rronounceti an
animated eulogium on the zeal and integrity with which that
gentleman had discharged the duty confided to him by his
constituents. It would be now for the freeholders of this
great county to say whether or not Mr. Hodges was again to
be the object of their choice—(" bravo! he is, he has cone
his duty well.") Every device that art and ingenuity could
invent was resmted to by their opponents, for the purpo:.,c. of
checking the expression of public feeling and public opinion,
but as %Yell might they attempt to stop the coerse of that
noble river,whicli formed one of the boundaries of the county
of Kent. (Cheers.) The Ministers were accused v:1111 r
desire to retain their places at the expense of the public in-
terest, as seeking what some were pleased to call tavern po-
pularity. Was it necessary for him and the other friends
of reform to refute such a groundless charge ? Yet it ap-
peared they were called upon to do so.
o We must refute the lie so oft o'crthrown,

The imputed tea-h an.l uon6enee not our own."
The Hon. Gentleman then went on to urge some general
observations in support of the great cause of reform, and
after admitting that the conduct of Sir Edward Knatch-
bull was unexceptionable, so far us it related to all proceed-
ings connected with the county, said, however, that upon
one vital question he was not the man who ought to re-
present the feelings and wishes of the people of Kent, hut
that such a person was Mr. Hodges, whom he (Mr.
Watson) had the greatest pleasure in now proposing to the
freehohleat—(great applause.)
Mr. Cows Gwooo (of Hawkhurst) seconded the pro-
position in a speech which was very cordially received. No
person who had seen that which could not be termed Mr.
Hodges's canvass, but his triumphant progress through
every part. of the county, could doubt for a moment how
that gentleman and his friend, Mr. Rider, would bo received.
The freeholders, in all quarters, gave them the spontaneous
support of their time, labour, and money. Mr. Hodges had
redeemed every single pledge he had given them. His
attention to the local interests of the county was not inferior
to that of the hon. Baronet, his late colleague ; hut in all
that regarded the paramount question of reform he stood
pre-eminently forward, as a steady, uncompromising advo-
cate. If Mr. Hodges was at all times welcome to the free-
holders of Kent, how munch more welcome was be now when
he came accompanied by one who, like Iriorself, was
pledged to the great measure of Britisb freedom ? It
was said of Falatejf, that he was not only witty himself,
but the cause of wit in others; fo it might be said of Mr.
Rider, that be was not only a reformer himself, but the
cause of making reformers of others. (Cheers.) Their
opponents would tell them that the prosperity of England
was not proved by its being a temperate climate and a fertile
soil, but by its having a considerable number of rotten bo-
roughs. The great organ of the party, the Quarterly Peview,
said that nothing saved the people from their own suicidical
acts but the intervention of the borouglimongers, as other-
wise they would lay violent hands on themselves. But he
would ask were the two gentlemen who stood forward as
candidates on the present occasion such persons as were
likely to ride tilt against the King and all the institutions of
the country ? (No, no.) Was it then to be endured that
such language as this should be addressed to the people of
England It would seem that all had now become converts
In reform, yet many had long contrived to hide their
conversion in their bosoms. He knew not if there
were in this assembly any one who was called a bit-and-bit
reformer. The Duke of Wellington had said that the rotten
boroughs were the soundest parts of the Constitution. Moat
assuredly this was not paying all the other parts any very
great compliment—(a laugh). The Duke had said that on
the rotten boroughs depended all our happiness and great-
ness, and that to meddle with them would be nothing short
of insanity. Now he might illustrate the Duke's argument
by a very plain case, which must come home to the un-
derstanding of any body. Suppose any one of those now
present had a oecayed tooth, which caused his jaw to ache,
and his face to swell, so that he could neither eat by day nor
sleep by night, while, from the agony he felt, he con, inually
neighboursdisturbed his wife and the around him. Suppose
in such a case he should consult a dentist, and the dentist
should hay to him, " What! call you that a bad tooth ? why
there is not a sounder or a better tooth in the universe ; it
only creates a little sensation, which will contribute to
your ease and comfort." (Cheers and laughters.) How
would the party act who heard this opinion delivered ?
He would, of course, think the pain for his advantage, and
keep his precious tooth a little longer. (A laugh.) But sup-
_

pose he went to another dentist, who should say to him, "It
is indeed a very bad tooth, but pray don't take it out all at ,
once; if you allow me, I'll take it oat bit by bit." What ,
reply would the party make in that case? Would he not sny,
" Away you impudent quack ! you are mocking my com-
' forts for your own gains !" Would he net immediately go
to an experienced dentist, who, seizing the tooth with his
forceps, would extract it from the rout, and, after causing the
individual to make some wry faces, would soon restore him
to ease and comfort. Mr. Collingwood proceeded at some
length in a similar strain of figurative application, and then
Mr. W and proposed Mr. Rider, of whom he spoke in the
highest terms. Sir John Tylden seconded the nomination
in a long md eloquent speech, in which, after descanting on
the merits of both candidates, he described the progress
which reform was making in all puts of the empire, con-
tending that no person on earth could aow resist it, and that
its opponents had adduced no ono argument that was founded
either on reason or common sense. So soon as that gen-
tleman hnd concluded, the High Sheriff asked if any
other candidate was to be proposed, in addition to the two
now present ; and none te.pearing, Mr. Hodges addressed the
freeholders amidst reiterated cheers, assuring them that the
proudest object of his ambition was to assist in bringing the
Reform Bill to It successful and triumphal close. At the
conclusion of a very long speech he expressed himself in
these terms —" You now send me to Parliament for the pur-
ose of aiding the King's Ministers in carrying his Majesty's
gracious intention into execution with regard to this bill,
and I'll do so, so help me GOD." Mr. Rider was also
greeted with loud acclamations, and made a similar acknow-
ledgment of his determination to give•'his most strenuous
support to the bill. Mr. Hodges and Mr. Rider were then
declared duly elected. Each gentleman briefly returned
thanks ; and the usual testimony of respect being offered
to the Sheriff, the meeting separated amidst incessant cheers
for the King and reform.

GENERAL ELECTION.
PROCESSION TH RO UG H MAlDSTONE.—Extraordinary
as %vas the animated spectacle on Penenden-heath, yet it

did not surpass that which was witnessed in Maidstone
shortly after the olectioa was over. The various bodies,
of all ranks, that had come from all parts of the county,
far and near, and who had recently covered the whole
area in front of the hustings in one compact mass, bay-
ing atm separated themselves into their respective sec- .
tions, entered the town in that order, forming a proces-
sion vf a most novel and interesting character. Each

section was preceded by an excellent band, and con-
spicuous in the array were observed the two newly-elected
le:onibers, mounted on splendid chargers, and girded with
st-oi de, as Knights of the Shire. Both gentlemen were most
grested from the windows as they passed along,
ar:d they bowed repeatedly on each side. In the line of pro-
ce: sion was seen, at occasional intervals, every description of
equince that has ever been met with in England, from the
Co 'eh-and-four, with all its proud garniture, down to the
cumbrous waggon with its plodding team, and the light and
aim* car with its solitary nag. All these equipages, of what-
ever description, were decorated with blue favours, and several
of the carts and waggons presented a very picturesque ap-
pearance, being tastefully arched over with green branches,
intei mingled with blue drapery. Several of the largest stage
coacl:es that could be procured were hired for the purpose
both of convenience and display. Two or three were ob-
served which paiticnlarly fixed the public eye. They were
decorated with great attention to effect; and immediately
close in the rear of one of them was a waggon, on the top
of which stond a tall athletic young fellow,bedizened in a blue
paper vest that hung down to his heels, and having on his
head an immense cocked hat, of the same colour. The
figure he presented was highly grotesque, yet his dress so
harmonised with :some other attributes of thisremarka-
ble pageant that it did not provoke laughter. Among the
most prominent of the sections or detachments, in point of
display, was that of Roche.-,ter, Chatham, Canterbury, Sit-
: tingbourne, Margate, and Lenham. The equestrians were
exceedingly numerous, and the appearance of the parties in
I general indicated that substanti:d respectability which the
mind is wont to associate with the strength and importance
of the empire. The proce,sion traversed all the principal
I streets of the town, and tlrugh composed of persons of all
' I classes, degrees, and conditions, yet not the slightest occur-
rence rence took place, which could tend to mar the eclat of one of
the most extraordinary scenes which the " men of Kent" had
ever before gazed on with delight and wonderment.

DEVOAAHIRE.

EXETER, TUESDA V.—This was the day fixed upon for
the election of the Membc;s for this count,. The morning
was exceedingly fine ; the houses in the streets were adorned
with branches of Lure' ; crowds were coming into the
town in all direction, and pouring towards the Castle-
yard. Shortly before ten o'clock Lords Ebrington
and Russell approached the hustings. The High Sheriff
having opened the Cent, the two candidates were then
proposed, and seconded, and elected. Captain Buller
in }imposing Lord Ebrington, said the freeholders
had won the race, and so easily that no horse
coins start whose better they had not distanced. He named
the man whom they had already chosen, for whom they had
fought and conquered ; be named Lord Viscount Ebrington.
He was fit for them, and they for him--and why for him ?
because he fought for all. Thus let• it ever be. No more let
proud dictation stifle the freeman's voice; no more let lordly
power usurp their rights and oppress them. They had chosen
for themselves, and won their choice—chosen such as they
had thought would serve them well ; and, in serving them,
serve all. No nominee or lordly power had directed them.
They had chosen for thc•tnselves ; were free ; and let them
fight for other's freedom. The glorious Bill unrolled
ehouln be their banner. London, Liverpool, and other
places, had kicked out those who were not reformers.
Lord Ebrington congratulated the county upon the ho-
nour they had done themselves in returning Lord John
Russell. He adverted to the struggles that had taken place
for years in the county. Where were the new convei is to
that nondescript moderate reform ? They had, he sup-
posed, retired to the fastnesses of Tiverton and Totness, to
determine on a canvass for the next Parliament; but they
were too late for this, and too early for the next. The
Reform Bill he would support, in every way be could.
Lord John Russell said that, when first invited to become
a candidate for this county, he had questioned himself
whether they were prepared for this measure. They had
this day answered it in the affirmative. He, therefore,
felt a double pride and satisfaction in going to Parlia-
ment ; he should go there fortified by the good-will and
assured by the conviction and support of the freeholders of
Devon. The Noble Lord then adverted to their having been
considered as mad ; but the people now had shown them-
selves most strenuous supporters of the measure by returning
only those who were advocates for it.

Money has lost its usual powers in the present election.
It is well known that some of the candidates for counties,
who retired even without going to the poll, spent from
4,0001. to 10,0001. in retaining fees, committees, travelling,
engaging inns, adrertizing, printing, &c. &e. while the sup-
porting of a poll has cost them from 2,C001. or 3,0001. a
day, but all to no purpose. On the contrary, it Is helievd
that the return of no popular candidate has yet exceeded
4,0001. and, in general, their returns have been effected for
less than half that sum.

In some places the Tory candidates, depending on atrergth
of purse, have engaged all the inns and public houses, not
.only at the place of election, but in the market towns. For
example, in HUNTINGDON, the two Lords opposed to Mr.
Rpoper engaged every house of public entertainment in the
place, so that his Committee were obliged to meet iu a pri-
vate house ; and to entertain the yeomanry and populace, a
vast tent was ohliged tole erecteil. So it has been in other
places, yet no obstacles served to stifle the public voice, virile
the creation of them added ruinously to the expenses of the
over-crafty candidates.
Much extravagance has resulted from a false reliance 'on
the Charles-street funds. Display in terrorent was- con-
sidered politic, and then the funds failing, and the money
being spent, retreat became unaveidahle as soon as popular
cant:iciates started. Pence some of those sudden retreats,
after the lavish expendittee of thousands. The sinews of
war failed at the critical juncture, and the public voice for-
bade further speculation.
Whether the Clergy have acted wisely for themselves, in
acting in direct opposition to the sense of the nation, time
will disclose ; but the of inion of the t'eople is not to he col-
lected from a class, the hunk of which is always found ar-
rayed agaiest improvement, and which, in tills instance,
has been notoriously actuated by interested considerations.
The total majority over Mr. Cavendish was 176, and the
majority of priests alone for Mr. Goulburn was 247: thus
demonstrating that the result of the Cambridge election was
wholly attributable to the bestility of the great body of the
Clergy to reform. It would be unjust, however, not to ob-
serve, that more than half of the supporters of Mr. Cavendish
and Lord Palmerston were Clergymen, and those distin-
guished by their superior intelligence, as is incontestibly
evinced by the fact, that of the 18 professors, 13 voted in
their favour. The large proportion of the corruptionists
1 consisted of the Clergy of the Isle of Ely, Suffolk, and
I Essex.