The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-05-01 00:00:00

SOUTH DEVON ELECTION

EXETER, APRIL 26.—Lord John Russell and his bride ar-
rived in this city yesterday morning .about eleven o'clock, in
his lordship's carriege, drawn by four grays. The noble lotd's
reception was rather cool, as none of his friends were present,
so that not even a solitary cheer greeted the ears of his fair lady
in the metropolis of the west. Lord John immediately repaired
to his committee-room, and returned in a short time, accom-
panied.by Dr. Bowring and another worthy. s His lordship did
not harangue the electors, as there were none assembled. Dur-
ing his lordship's short stay at the New London lon, a deputa;
tints (!) of the Wesleyan body in this city, as they tattled,
themselves, honoured the noble lord with a visit for the Purpose
of obtaining an explanation as to the scandalous and offensive
language published against the methodists by Lord John in a
book written by hint some time since. The deputation con-
sisted of a Mr. Sereomlie, a radical spirit and tobacco merchant,
and Mr. Howe, a radical bookseller, who is now exhibiting a
cusmoraina, representing the burning of the two houses of lAr-
liament, &c., for the edification of the customers who honour
his fancy bazaar with a call, and become purchasers. I mean
es .:r_...... ..1......• . .4........ COO I ta,r,,144.4G,.....G1.11.., 1...10 i
ure tolerably good sort of fellows in their way, with the iixcep-
tioti of being a little too ambitious of notoriety, by openly dis-
playing their " political partisanship;"• but one can't help ,
laughing at such men setting up themselves as a deputation .of
the "Wesleyan body," for, if John Wesley were aliVe, he
would sooner take them for Turkish devotees at. the shrine of
Mahomet, or worldly-miarled members of the Romish commu-
nion, as his meek and humble-minded followers. 'The depu-
tation were, of course, very politely received, and alter a short
parley Lord John Russell delivered himself of the following
explanation, which was forthwith published in handbills :
" The book was written five years ago, and had never reached
a second edition; that the general observations on saethodism
were partly favourable and partly unfavourable; that he be-
lieved mativ of the latter to have been harsh and unjustifiable,
from the impressions he had received from Southey and Night-. .
.ingalceand that it had long been his intention to expunge them
in a new edition of his work; that, in case of publishing a third
volume, he should insert a note with this explanation;.. and that
he 'had given a similar explanation and signified a similar inten-
tion at. Bedford some time ago." •
I do not know what effect this will have as to satisfying the
" Wesleyan body" of South Devon, whether they will imitate
their brethren at Bedford; but most soberininded pedple look
upon it as a jesuitical humbug, particularly those who. have read
his lordship's work on the `'Constitution and Government of
England,"
in which he reviles the whigs, and stoutly defends
the rotten boroughs; and when this is coupled with the awk-
ward " mistake " his lordship so recently made at Totnes re-
specting the bishops, very little credit is nowe put upon his
lordship's " explanations " or veracity. A self-constituted
n committee of the dissenters," who not long since urged, a
separation.of church and state, but who abandoned this project
because the time was nut arrived for its agitation, have also is-
sued an "exhortation" to their. dissenting brethren throughout
the division to vote far the noble lord. Ilere, again, we have
an extraordinary union of Sociniaus, independents, and baptists,
for the purpose of assisting their ft iend ie Pope of Rome, to
lit
triumph over the tolerant, refined chri church of England.
lam happy to state, however, that man the most respecta-
ble orthodox dissenters repudiate this c ion of sections of
'the church of Christ with the synagogue of Satan. NotWitb-
standing this unholy league of infidelity, diisent, and Popery
ranged under a political flag, the real friends of religious liberty
and pure christianity, founded upon the open Bible, are making
throughout the division the most active exertion, and no doubt
is entertained of Mr. Parker's succeie. Lord John left Exeter
fur Mamhead, the seat of Mr. Newman, about an hour and a
half after his arrival. He will deliver is speech at Plymouth on
Monday, and then visit the towns of the division,
(From Woolyner's Exeter Gazette.)
The greatest activity prevails in the southern division of this
county, and the most intense anxiety is manifested for the result
of the contest. The friends of
theirottbeeonse canvass,rvativec d their
returns,candidate, Mr.
Parker,
w
have,
aver'e informed,w
ebelieve completed
are so satisfactory as to leave not the
slightest doubt of success; they must not, however, " rest on
their oars," but continue the same active xeal,in the cause of
Our protestant church and constitution—for it is upon this prin-
ciple the battle is to be fought—to the last, which A believe will
alone secure Mr. Parker's return. The extraordinary efforts
making by the supporters of Lord John Itussell,sto procure his
re-election are unprecedented in our election annals. Lord
Ebriugton, Lord Seymour, Mr. Divett, Mr. Collier, Mr. C.
Buller, Dr: Bowring, Mr. -Bewes, Mr. Fellowes, Colonel Seale,
Mr. Wakley, and Jr.N Parrott .(all wen:Mess-of parliament) are
indefatigable in their personal canvass; indeed, if the existence
of the present administration solely depended upon Lord John's
return, they could not be more anxious or more strenuous in his
behalf.. Although we-have been generally opposed to the po-
litical course of Lord Ebrington;.we have never shown such op-
position by offensive language, of indulged under ally circum-
stances in personalities respecting the noble lord; but on this
occasion we cannot help remarking that, as heir-apparent to the
earldom of Fortescuc, and acknowledging himself the acting
lord-lieutenant of the county of Devon, by and through whom
all the magistrates and deputy-lieutenants are appointed—
through whose sanction the commissions in the militia and
yeomanry cavalry are. granted—it is not discreet, it is not fair,
it is not honourable, it is not constitutional for his lordship to
be interfering, and that, trio, publicly, with the election of a
candidate for the Conunous House of Parliament on any occa-
sion, more especially in this county, where, from his office of
lord-lieutenant, he must possess such immense influence. A
venerable and noble peer, who has not given. a single shilling
towards the election of Mr. Parker, ,has been accused and
charged by the radical prints with having subscribed £1,01.)0 to-
wards that gentlemen's election, and much vituperation has
been maliciously heaped upon the noble baron in consequence.
Independent, however, of the influence and exertions of Lord
Ebrington in behalf of the Russell cause, it has been hinted that
more than one noble peer has exercised his personal influence
on behalf of Lord John ; but it is no less strange than true, that
with some, who make a boast of the purity of their liberal prin-
ciples, the political tactics ate perfectly just, honourable, and
constitutional in their party, whic.h are most unjust, dishonourable,
and unconstitutional, if adopted by the conservatives. 'fhe no-
tions of political liberty are certainly very convenient, at least
with theta, as the end to be obtained always justifies. the means
used, however questionable. ' .
We have heard, and it will be a high gratification to the pro-
testants of Devon to have it contirineil, that Sir Thomas Dyke
Ackland will propose Mr. l'arker at the nomination on Friday
next. .. .

We have a file of the Malta Gazette, by which we learn that
the quarantine of observation established by the island, in con-
sequence of the cholera at Marseilles, had been withdrawn, the
measures taken by the Board of Malta having been found
adapted to the emergency.. There was, therefore; irgainthee
pratique between Malta, Sicily, and Naples.
. . •
Conn-ins Com: I DENCE.7-li. is notorious that when
..the first
news of the approach of the French army by the field of Water-
loo reached the British., Wellington and his officers were en-
gaged at a ball. It is traditionally reported that on an occasion
riot less important to the interests of England, when intelligence
of the arrival of the Spanish Armada off the • coast reached.
Drake, that officer, and several of the principal commandeis of
the English fleet, were on shore at Plymouth playing the then
fashiouithle rune of bowls upon the hoe. It is added .that Sir
.Francis insisted on the match being played oat, saying that
"there was plenty of time to win the pato and heat the spa,
Wards. too?'