Star.
London, England, 1809-05-24 00:00:00

4NYITERS4RT OF THE IVESTMINSTER
ELECTION.

YesterdsT a very numerous and respectable Meet
iota of dux Sectors of Westminster took place at the
Crown and Anchor Tavern, to celebrate the Anni-
versary of Sir FRANCIS BURDETT'S Election.
Sir FRANCIS Bunntrr in the Chair.
After the cloth was removed, the Worthy Chairman
proposed—" The King and the Act of Settlement ;"
" The People and the Bill of Rights ;" and " Magna
Chart:: ;" ech of which was drank with appropriate
demonstrations of respect and regard.
Mr. ADAMS then proposed—" The Pride of West.
rniester—Sir I;RANCIS BURDETT," which was drank
with acclamations of applause. Upon their termina-
tion, Sir
,FRANCIS rose, and expressed the' pleasure
and satisfaction which he felt in the approbation of
a meeting so truly respectable. The conduct which
the Electors of Westminster had manifested towards
him was such as could never be effaced from his me-
mory—such as called for the most grateful return in
his power. He would of course be happy to commu-
nicate something to them calculated to gratify their
v.-istes and encourage their hopes ; but, unfortunately,
the duty was imposed upon him which he must per-
form, by stating to his constituents that there ap-
pearel no fair prospect of any amelioration of tie:
condition of the country from that House which was
called, or which,.at least, was in the habit once car
calling itself, the representatives of the people.' (eti.
glasses). On the contrary, indeed, so extraordinary
were the circumstances of the times in which we lived,
that, although frequently' meeting his constituents he
had always something new, and before unthought ot,
to mention to them. Although but a short period
had elapsed since tile last meeting, events had occur-
red which at other periods would have excited uni-
versal astonishment. We were now arrived at a most
important mra in our history. For the first time since
England received its name, or became known in his-
• tory, we had heard in what was called the House of
Commons, corruption unblushingly avowed, and
Members of that Home detected in their iniquity,
most unblushingly defended. (afm/au.rer.) The ex-
. ample of the Electors of Westminster, although in it-
self so eminently entitled to praise, be had always
thought unlikely to operate any material effect upon
the English nation. Indeed, the thing was impossi-
ble for this plain reason, that the people in general
were not in 'such a condition as to be able to follow
such an example. The great body of the people not
having any right of electioa, it would be as absurd to
speak to men shackled in the dungeons of Newgate,
about the benefits of free air and exercise, as to talk to
the other pal s of England about the example of the
Electors of Westminster. (Applauses.) While the
bulk of our countrymen did not enjoy that privilege
which the Electors bf Westminster exercised, the ex-
ample of the Electors must be with regard to them
quite null and ineffectual. (Applauses.) When he
was originally applied to, to become a candidate for
Westminster, he fairly and frankly told them, who-
did him the honour of the application, that which
must now be obvious to every sober thinking man in
the country, namely, that while the system of Repre-
sentation continued as it was, it was impossible to do
any material good for the people by having a seat in
that House—that individual delinquents might be ex-
posed, but that the prolific source of delinquency,
and its main support, must continue. (11fyilauses.)
At the same time he felt it due to truth, to justice, to
acknowledge the services rendered to the public by,
his Honourable Friend near him. [This allusion to
Mr: NVARDLE, who sat on the right hand of the
Honourable Baronet, produced a burst of ap-
plause.] Were his Honourable Friend not present
he would say rya re as to his exertion and merit.
—This much, however, he could not abstain from
saving, that as to his Honourable Friend belonged
all the risk and danger of the undertaking, so to him
was due all the honour that attached to it ( applause: ).
—To him was owl:17, the production of facts which
could not be dellicd. Denial therefore could not
longer avail. The charge of loose assertion and idle
calumny upon public men could no longer be made
—the challenge for accusation in a tangible shape
could not attain be hazarded. No, the experience of
Mr. Wardle's industry arid boldness had proved the
futility of such charges, and the hardihood of such
challenges. But the fact was, that his Honourable
Friend was only granted a hearing at the outset—was
only permitted to proceed in his charges because it
was calculated, very contider:ly calculated, that by
chicanery, by menaces, and by majorities, he would
be borne down. Indeed, he was threatened with dis-
grace, which ultimately fell where it deserved —but
still the calculation to which his success was owing
arose out of the idea that he must fail, and that his
failure would be so signal as to deter any other man,
• in future, from bringing a similar charge against ;:ny
great public delinquent (.afyiplauscs). His Honour-
able Friend, however, completely disappointed the
calculation of his opponents, and gratified the justice
of the people. For neither menaces, nor corruption,
nor numbers, could withdraw him from his purpose,
or relax his endeavours, 1

By nunteer nor bv trample wrought
To take the straight plain pat%,
•
Though singe.
This his lion. Friead acted, and thus he succeeded
in convincing the country that he dealt not in calumny,
but in truth, and that enormous corruptions had long
existed is different departments of the Government.
Honottrabl,t Friend having done this, another
licarcurable Friend on his left (Mr. Madocks) brought
forward a case which he offered to prove, that the
vital organ of the Constitution was polluted—that
seats in the Howie of Commons were bought and sold
by the Minister. But this case was rejected; the whole
House were qh:te unanimous against hearing or eh-
'tering into the investigation ef it, and because the
.thing complained of was practised by both sides of
the House, both sides united in resisting inquiry.—
(Appiausc.r.)
.I.Vhenever such a practice was before
rillectled to exist, the allegation was with all possible
hypreciisy tkoied, aqd the men win) made it 'Were
;:ccen,ed of using gener-al aspersion, and challenged to
bring torward specific proof. Yet when this proof was
1.-ou.2itd it was refused to be heard, both sides of the
shook hand.; and combived against it, because
truly ;1! Ministers did the same thing. *.l'hus the ex.
t! tit rr the crime, wltich accor,Eng to all just',rind-
ple ,h ould be the Call3o of puni.,hinent, was made use
t.l a, 4 flea fur the criminal to escape. (Applaura.)