The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-05
Mr.. CURTAINS SPEECH.
NE WRY ELECTTOW.

Ga Saturday morning last, being the
sixth day of the Poll, Mr.. CuRRAN rose
and addressed the Court in substance near
ly as follows: He said lie had been indu-
ced by some of the most respectable Elec-
tors OF the Borough to offer himself Can.
didate. As;to himself, he could have no
wish to add to the weight of his public du-
ties; and as to serving the country essenti-
ally, he thought very moderately indeed of
has own powers but Under circumstances
like the present, Under such Rules, and III
such a state of popular Repre- entation, or
rather. Misrepresentation. he was perfectly
convinced, that no force OF any individual
or even of n: my joined together, could do
much to serve us, or to save us. In addi-
ton to this personal disinclination, he was
ignorant of the exact state Of the Borough,
and, OF Course, of the likelihood of his sue
cess; but yet, though without personal
wish or probable hope, he thought himself
bound, as public man, to Cbey--because
though the victory was doubtful, the value
of the contest was incaiculabIe, inasmuch
as it must bring before themselves, and be-
fore the rest OF Ireland, not only an exact
picture OF their situation, and of the public
.naic<y under which they were sinking,
but must also make AN infallible exDeri-
ment; it must decide to the commonest OBJ
server, the principle OF the disease-the
weakness and misery of public distraction
the certain success if the sufferers could
be combined, by the sense of common dan
ger, III q common effort, to throw off the
odious incubus that sits upon the public
heart, locking up The wholesome circulation
of its blood. and paralySing its action
Ihe experiment has now been made and
has failed of immediate success it was an
effort nohiy supported Ly every generous 6.
honest man within the limits OF the borough
mi &c fri, TNltN dali
want of uuion--,5y the apostacy of the per-
Edious-by the vile detection Of others,
whom opuienCe could not reconcile tn duty
and independence -" Yet" said he, mot
withsts nding this sad coalition of miserable
men against themselves and their children
/ do not hesitate to announce to- the gene
rous and honest Electors who hear me,
that, thorrh their triumph is deferred
their Borcugf Is from this moment free, and
that error has ceased to reign ever il -
You have poiicd q greater number of honest
and independent Voters than ever have ap-
. pearcd heretofore for your most successful
Candidate. Look now, for moment, a.
gainst what torrent OF adverse circum-
stances You had to act; the object of your
support, personally n stranger, giving pub
lie notice that lie wculi not solicit single
individual. The moment a coniess was
apprehended, Corruption took the alarm
and Public Officer, in my orinion most
unbecoaiipgly, appointed so earT day Tor
the Election, rs to make all preparation
whatsoever on my part impossiblN If you
remember the indignant laugh that wos
excited in The course ofthe Poll, when the
Returning Officer demanded Of the Poll
taker how many had voted for the Master
OF the Polls, and how many {" for MS ~
you must, | think, be satisfied that there
must be something base in this business
Sad indeed Is The detail Of this cdious and
]udicrous transaction. but it is too instruct
i've to be passed over in silence When ;he
Election opened, IN old Gentleman rose,
and proposed my gallant Opponeat, rs be
ing Gc"Ncwaa Of great influence IN the
Borough" and had served It Tor three Par
hamenis--thatis is, III other words, Il Cen
tleman who had drcgs Of its population IN
der Dis feet, and who had for three Pariia.
ments been the faithful adherent end &c.
morselces enemy, 50 far as a dumb vote
rcnld 81, e.! this devoted Island. And in
deed, wi'1- could YOU expect from a Cen.
1cinan tc.n another country who could