Chapter III: Part 3

When I had lately the Honour of being returned one of your
Representatives in Parliament, I little expected that it
would be necessary so soon to address you again; but seeing
in the County Newspapers, that an Opposition is preparing
against me, I feel it an imperative Duty to come forward with
an Avowal of my Sentiments, and in Vindication of my public
conduct. The Accusation is that _I voted against_ Lord John
Russell's _Reform Bill_. Gentlemen, my Conscience and my best
Judgment revolted at this Bill; so violent in principle, so
hazardous to our well-balanced Constitution, the envy of other
countries, the safety of our own. I am by no means an enemy
to such Reform as Time and change of circumstances may have
rendered necessary; but let calm, and deliberate caution attend
the Measure, neither spoliating the Property of some, nor
destroying the Privileges of others; such a Measure shall have
my best support. I can, with truth say, that the retrospect
of my public life, whether in a Military or Civil capacity
gives me no reproach; I have served my Country independently,
honestly, and faithfully, to the best of my judgment, ever
anxiously promoting the wishes of my Constituents, never asking
favour for myself. Let, then, the trial with my Opponents
come when it will, I will meet it fearlessly; resting on the
Integrity of my own intentions, and on the support of those
numerous friends, who now voluntarily offer me their Services.

With the greatest Gratitude and Respect,
I am, Gentlemen,
Your very faithful and obedient Servant,
HENRY BEAUCHAMP LYGON.

_Grosvenor Place, April 19th, 1831._

This ambiguous address of Colonel Lygon's created a vehement outburst of opposition from the reformers against him, thus--

TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER.

BROTHER FREEHOLDERS,

A factious opposition, and the intrigues of the selfish
Boroughmongers, have postponed that highly beneficial and
absolutely necessary measure of Reform introduced into the
House of Commons by His Majesty's Ministers. Our patriot king,
however, highly approving of the principles of his ministers,
and determined that _the Bill_ shall not be crushed, or his
own and his people's rights longer withheld by the vile
machinations of _the Wetheralls_, _the Lygons_, and the other
partizans of corruption, has exercised his undoubted right of
_dissolving the Parliament_, and "England now expects every man
to do his duty."

On every occasion when Col. Lygon has voted he has _opposed
Reform_ in every shape--however bit by bit--however
moderate--and now he adds to his political delinquencies,
_Insult and Hypocrisy_. In his Addresses, "he begs most
explicitly to declare that he is friendly to moderate and
constitutional Reform, to remove any abuse or improper
innovations which time may have introduced."

_Yet_ he voted against transferring the Elective Franchise of
East Retford (convicted of gross bribery and corruption) _to
Birmingham_!

He is friendly to a moderate and constitutional Reform, _yet_
he opposed the Marquis of Blandford's Bill!

He is friendly to a moderate and constitutional Reform, _yet_
he voted against Lord John Russell's motion to transfer the
Elective Franchise from boroughs (convicted of corruption) to
Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester! Is not this hypocrisy? If
not, what is it? With these facts before the public--facts
known to every individual in the county--he insults them
by sending forth _An Address_, of which the assertions
above quoted form a part, imagining that the Freeholders
in the County of Worcester have minds so contracted, and
understandings so degraded and debased, that a shallow
hypocritical device like this would dupe them for a moment.

_Freeholders_, this _Colonel Lygon_ again solicits your
votes, that he may again oppose the beneficent and patriotic
intentions of His Majesty's Ministers--again oppose every
measure beneficial to the people. You know your answer.

A FREEHOLDER.

_Dudley, April 23rd, 1831._

* * * * *

"READ! MARK! LEARN! AND INWARDLY DIGEST!"
IF POSSIBLE.

TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE COUNTY OF SALOP.

GENTLEMEN,

An ADDRESS to you from Mr. MYTTON has just now been published.
He has an equal Right with myself upon your notice; though in
this act of his it has not my participation--it however obliges
me to declare my intention of setting forward a Canvass, which
otherwise, on account of the immediate day for collecting the
sense of the County at the Nomination, I had forborne to do.

Your obedient,
Faithful servant,
_(Signed)_ J. CRESSETT PELHAM.

_Buildwas Bridge_,
SUNDAY EVENING, _May 1, 1831_.

* * * * *

THE STYLE OF POLITICAL WRITING IN 1831.

MORNING SERVICE.

FIRST LESSON.

AND IT CAME TO PASS in the days of a mighty Monarch, that
he called forth his mighty men and Counsellors, and said
unto them, "Go forth every man unto his place, and if ye are
approved of, return ye; and if ye have not served my people
faithfully, return ye not. But let my people choose for
themselves, those that will counsel with my people, that they
speak their will before me, and plead for them to the intent
that I may make them a great and happy nation."

And of the two men who represented the ancient and loyal
County, even that great County, WORCESTER, one was not found
faithful, and the people murmured greatly, but the Elders and
Rulers of the County said, "_We will return those Men_, let us
make haste," they said, and they did so; and in the morning,
when they were in the Judgment Seat, going to return those
men, the men of the County said one to another, "_Will no one
deliver us from the man we dislike?_" and they were overwhelmed
with despair, for fear of that awful Man which some of the
Elders had elected, having £50,000, lest he should destroy
their liberties, and bring them to bondage for ever! And there
was sojourning that way a MAN OF WAR, and the people ran unto
him within a few minutes of the expiration of the last hour,
and said unto him, "_Deliver us from our oppressors_," and the
MAN OF WAR said, "I WILL DELIVER YOU;" and suddenly there was
a shout of joy which rended the air, and those of the Judgment
Seat were sore afraid, and said one to another, "_What meaneth
this?_" And when he appeared, the Elders and Rulers of the
County were struck dumb, and the hand of oppression withered
at his presence, and the MAN OF WAR said, "_I am come to offer
myself to represent you in the Great Assembly, in the place of
the man who is not approved of_," and the people shouted,

LONG LIVE THE MAN OF WAR!!!

_SPENCER! FOLEY!_ AND REFORM.

* * * * *

MORNING SERVICE.

SECOND LESSON.

After these things the MAN OF WAR passed over and came unto a
place called the HUSTINGS, in the land of the LYGONITES, over
against WORCESTER, and great multitudes followed him.

And the children of the land rejoiced greatly because of him,
for he was a mighty man of valour.

And the Chief of the LYGONITES went forth to meet him, and
asked him, saying,--

Wherefore art thou come?

And the MAN OF WAR answered and said, for deliverance of the
needy am I come, that the poor may rejoice, and the heart of
the humble be glad.--

Then the LYGONITISH leader asked him again, knowest thou not
that this country is mine? that I am chosen of the Elders of
the Land?

But he answered Verily I say unto you, though the Elders have
chosen thee, thou hast purchased them with Bribes;--yea, they
have received the wages of iniquity.

And when the Chief of the LYGONITES saw, that by words he could
prevail nothing, he set his army in array against the MAN OF
WAR,--and the battle joined.

And lo, the Chief of the LYGONITES, caused men of foolish minds
to enlist under his banners, and they fought till the going
down of the sun.

And on the morrow they hasted to the Battle, and the army of
the MAN OF WAR gained the VICTORY!

After these things there were great commotions and troubles;
and the noise of their tumult was heard afar off.

For the Chief of the LYGONITES gathered other servants
together, and fought against the MAN OF WAR:--But he could not
prevail.

Then was heard great rejoicing, for the people were glad.

And they sung--"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!--break forth
into singing, for the victory is won!"

"For the enemy came forth like a flood; and terrible was his
army of banners!"

"But he has fallen from his high estate, and his name shall
sink into the dust."

"Yea; now are the mighty fallen; and the doom of the oppressors
is sealed!"

NO LYGON,

DOWN WITH THE BOROUGHMONGERS.

* * * * *

A CONTINUATION OF THE BOOK OF KINGS.

CHAPTER I.

And George the King died and was buried with his forefathers,
and _King William the Fourth_ reigned in his stead, over the
Land of Great Britain.

2 And this King William did that which was just and right in
the eyes of the wise and prudent, and was to his people as a
blessing from heaven.

3 He opposed robbers of the public treasury, the
plunderers of the people, the oppressors of mankind, the
sacrilegeous--hypocrites, and evil doers, and all such as did
succumb to them, and brought on them shame and confusion.

4 And it was on this wise:

5 A certain man of ancient extraction, and of great repute, an
Englishman, called _John Bull_, from various causes fell sick,
and was grievously ill-treated by those to whom he trusted
to be preserved, and from their machinations was become as
one going down to the Grave; for many of his _Members_ were
exceedingly filthy and corrupt--disgusting to the eyes of men
to behold.

6 Now it came to pass there were certain good ministers of
the people, who beheld with horror the state of this man, and
shuddered at the contemplation of the baseness and iniquity of
the workers thereof.

7 And they straightway proceeded to the King, and he giving
audience, they reported unto him what they knew concerning this
matter.

8 And the King was wrath and sore displeased at what he had
heard.

9 Then the King commanded them, saying, call me an assembly
together, both of the good and the bad, and set this man's case
before them, so that searching diligently into the truth, we
may relieve his affliction and punish the aggressors.

10 They went forth from the King's presence and did according
as he had commanded them.

11 And when that which had passed was made known to the evil
doers, they consulted amongst themselves how they might repel
the attack, and still hold on in the system of hypocrisy and
plunder: and they, with one accord, cried what _law_ is there
to prevent the continuation of our practices, and who shall say
unto us, "so far shalt thou go and no farther:" and they went
forth, hardened in their sin, to attend the assembly.

12 And the people cried, lo! behold them bold in their
iniquity, for shame hath not tinged their cheeks.

13 And the assembly being met, the man's case was commanded to
be heard: And the man groaned bitterly and cried unto the good
ministers "Save me or I perish."

14 And one of the good men arose, and said unto the assembly,
hearest thou what this man sayeth, and addressing himself unto
the evil doers, he saith, this thing needeth amendment, for the
life of the man standeth in jeopardy.

15 And this good man with the assistance of another, like
unto himself, who had grown _Grey_ in the service of mankind,
prepared a remedy, and he stood up and declared it aloud unto
the assembly, saying,

16 Let the _Members_ of this man that are become so filthy and
impure, so corrupt and nauseous to the sight, and so poisonous
to the man's whole body be forthwith severed therefrom, that
the more wholesome part may not be endangered; for without this
he cannot be saved.

17 And he, proceeding, said let us make him a draught that
might _purge_ him of the filth within him, so shall he once
more enjoy health.

18 And this draught is called "Russell's Purge" unto this day.

19 When he had thus spoke the good men rejoiced exceedingly and
approved of his counsel.

20 But the workers of iniquity, who sought their own gain,
though at the life of the man, cried most vehemently against
it and said, shall our places be taken from us and given unto
others? Shall we lack our fees which we were wont to receive?
Shall those Members be cast away that afforded us such profit
and source of peculation? Shall the rottenness be purged
away on which we and our understrappers feed? Oh! unjust
sentence.--Alas! our hope is withered.--And Oh! ye our faithful
Servants, who like fattened maggots have so gloriously gorged
upon this man's body, thy day of _Short Commons_ is come.

21 And the Debate was of long continuance, for seven successive
nights rested they not from their labours: and the hopes and
wishes of mankind were great:

22 But the wicked dwelt not so securely as they in their vanity
imagined, for the good men prevailed, and this was made known
unto the King and the People.

23 And the King was wonderfully well pleased, and the people
shouted their gladness.

24 And John Bull failed not in giving honour and praise to
the King and his ministers; But he said unto the workers of
iniquity--

O! ye hypocrites whom I have cherished with my substance,
And who have polluted my body,
Thy day of Punishment--the day of retribution, is at hand.
Thy baseness and cupidity are made known to all men,
And for these thy works,
Know that Tribulation treadeth hard upon thy heels,
And mankind shall curse thee with the curse of _bitterness_.

25 And the people cried Amen. So be it.

26 And they went to their homes rejoicing--praising the
Saviours of their Country, and crying aloud--

Heaven's blessings on our Ministers and supporters--

"God save the King."

(_Thus endeth the First Chapter._)

* * * * *

£50,000 REWARD.

LOST,

At ST. STEPHEN'S, WESTMINSTER, on the 19th of April last, an
OLD MILITARY CLOAK BAG, containing COLONEL LYGON'S POPULARITY;
the TIE by which it was held had been long weak and flimsy, and
it finally gave him the slip at the above spot, along with that
of an OLD TROOPER, one GENERAL GASCOYNE.

The advertiser cannot but deeply lament the loss of this
Garment, as although much soiled and worn, he had hoped with
a little occasional patching it might have proved a good
strong covering for himself and family, for many generations,
and as he valued it more for the facility it afforded him of
forwarding his own Views at the Horse Guards (in which he found
it highly serviceable) than for any application he made to the
service of the

FREEHOLDERS OF WORCESTERSHIRE,

he is very desirous of being reinstalled in possession, or of
procuring some other Garment that may enable him again to enter
ST. STEPHEN'S, he therefore offers the above Handsome Reward
for its discovery, which will be paid on application to LADY
BEAUCHAMP!!

He more particularly appeals to the Attorneys of this and
the adjoining Counties, and he trusts from the large Reward
offered, they will exert themselves to the utmost to effect
the restoration either of the lost Garment, or to procure him
another that may pass for the original, and which from their
known fertility of expedient, and the abundance of Funds at
their disposal, he hopes they will have little difficulty of
doing; but as he apprehends that in future more attention
to DECENT APPAREL and CLEAN HANDS will be required at St.
Stephen's than heretofore, he requests that any counterfeit
Garment may be made of decent stuff, as he wishes to sit near
Sir ROBERT PEEL; RAT-SKIN will do provided the Fur is tolerably
disguised and the smell removed.

N.B. It is strongly suspected that the said Garment has been
picked up and converted into a SPENCER by a Sailor who has been
much about the County lately, and who wears an old WHIG, with
a placard with REFORM stuck in it; he may be easily discovered
as he has grown a great favourite with the FREEHOLDERS, and is
followed all over the County with shouts of

SPENCER FOR EVER!!

DUDLEY, MAY 11th, 1831.

* * * * *

REFORM!

_NO MONOPOLY! NO LYGON!!_

A voluntary resolution of upwards of 360 Workmen in Stourbridge
and its Neighbourhood has been entered into for the purpose of
having no further communications with those persons who were in
opposition at a Meeting, held in this Town on the 2nd of April,
1831, against LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S REFORM BILL.

SUCCESS TO THE
STOURBRIDGE IRON TRADE,
AND
LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S BILL FOR REFORM!
GOD SAVE THE KING.
The BILL, the Whole BILL, and Nothing but the BILL!!

* * * * *

TO THE WORTHY AND INDEPENDENT _FREEHOLDERS_ OF THE COUNTY OF
WORCESTER.

GENTLEMEN,

I come among you as a stranger, and having certainly no
personal pretensions to the honour of your representation; but
I am informed that no approved second Candidate, belonging to
your County, has offered himself to you on the principle of an
unqualified support of the great measure of REFORM, proposed to
the late Parliament by His Majesty's Ministers. This Bill I am
assured, you deem to be of vital importance to the state, and
are anxious to secure, as far as depends upon you, its success,
by returning two Members equally and fully pledged to it. My
political principles being those of my brother LORD ALTHORP, I
am emboldened to aspire to the high distinction of representing
you, for this Parliament only, under the unequivocal pledge of
voting for that most indispensable measure of Reform, to its
full extent, whenever it shall again be brought forward. I hope
that in taking this step for the attainment of such an object,
I am not justly chargeable with presumption; and allow me to
add, that it is only in consequence of the deep conviction I
entertain of the necessity of the constitutional Reform, which
His Majesty's Ministers have brought forward, that I venture at
all, under these circumstances, to offer my services to your
notice.

I shall with the least possible delay pay my respects to you
personally; and have the honour to be

Your humble Servant,
FREDERICK SPENCER.

ALTHORP, APRIL 26th, 1831.

* * * * *

TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD OF DUDLEY.

In your election of a County Representative, you are called
upon to shew yourselves to assert your Independence, by
affording your support to a Man who will endeavour to
promote your Interests by a conscientious discharge of his
PARLIAMENTARY DUTIES. Tell the self-styled Aristocratic
Supporters of COL. LYGON, that you will not compromise your
_Birthrights_; that you will not be intimidated, and that

"_Gold shall not prevail_;"

but that by unanimity and the identity of your cause with
yourselves, you will Stand or Fall. Tell them again, and tell
them too, _you_ use no undue influence, but that the justice
of your cause constitutes its strength. Tell the partisans of
oppression (who lament their Candidate's loss of Interest less
than their _own_) that you will return a Man who will bring to
maturity the Plant nursed by your PATRIOTIC MONARCH and his
Ministers.

Rise then, Brother Freeholders, and by your energy preclude
the everlasting stigma being attached to your County of its
representation being any longer considered the PATRIMONIAL
INHERITANCE of the LYGONS!

Let me, I conjure you, by all the ties which bind Man to Man,
to give effect to the great and glorious Cause in view; let it
be your pride that you have defeated the Machinations of Party,
and that you have given to your Country a Member who will
emancipate you from the thraldom of _Family Influence_! let
then our cry be "God for England, Spencer, and our Cause."

_I am, Brother Freeholders, Yours Faithfully_,
A FREEHOLDER.

* * * * *

THE SECRET OUT!

MR. FOLEY HAS COALESCED WITH CAPTAIN SPENCER.

Why?--BECAUSE Captain Spencer's BROTHER is CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXCHEQUER; and a Place in the Treasury, with a Salary of a
Thousand Pounds a Year, will be no inconvenient or disagreeable
REFRESHMENT after the Expense of a contested Election.

_So much for Mr. Foley's INDEPENDENCE and INTEGRITY._

Kidderminster, May 10th, 1831.

* * * * *

WORCESTERSHIRE ELECTION.

_STATE OF THE POLL_, FIFTH DAY.

FOLEY. SPENCER. LYGON.

FIRST DAY 191 131 206
SECOND DAY 370 301 288
THIRD DAY 361 321 200
FOURTH DAY 323 280 263
FIFTH DAY 279 252 178
---- ---- ----
Total 1524 1285 1135
---- ---- ----
Majority in favour of 389 150

_Committee Room, Bush Inn, Dudley, Wednesday, May 11th, 1831._

* * * * *

THE TORIES' DOWNFALL.

Oh dear, what can the matter be,
Dear Oh, what can the matter be,
Oh dear, what can the matter be,
Tories are dying away.

They flatter'd, they promis'd, they pledg'd, and intreated,
The Whigs to let Sutton the turn-coat be seated,
But brave Abercrombie their forces defeated,
In spite of all Bobby could say.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Though Francis was absent, and Stanley was praising
The Tories, whose Gridiron was fearfully blazing,
Yet brave Abercrombie with prowess amazing,
Soon drove them all out of his way.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Their Captains and Corporals so fond of excess,
Bet great odds on their _Manners_, their _Speech_ and _Address_
But the brave Abercrombie soon left them to guess,
How to finish their comical play.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Old Billy the Emp'ror who stood far away,
Expecting the Vict'ry was struck with dismay,
When the brave Abercrombie's men shouted Huzza!
Huzza for _Old_ England, Huzza!
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Poor old Billy who never could fight nor yet preach,
Expected that day to have _read_ a long speech,
But the brave Abercrombie whom none can impeach,
Made Billy and Bob run away.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

So frighten'd was Billy and "_Buy-a-Broom_" too,
That his Speech for a few days he couldna' get through,
But the brave Abercrombie and all his brave crew,
On Tuesday _forc'd Billy_ to bay.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Great numbers of Tories who join'd the retreat,
Of Old Sutton, refus'd with old Billy to meet--
Abercrombie for fear of another defeat,
So they wisely kept out of the way.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Their flag they have "hoisted and nail'd to the mast,"
'Twill suddenly 'neath the proud ocean be cast,
But brave Abercrombie's for ever shall last--
And Reformer's shall carry the sway.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

As for Nosey who acted supreme for a week,
The Bold Hero of _Ney_ and the friend of Old Nick,
'Gainst the brave Abercrombie is worse than a stick,
And Old Nick will soon take him away.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

Then let's stick to our colours and give ten-times-ten,
To the Members who've prov'd themselves true Englishmen
To brave Abercrombie again and again--
Success and a hearty Huzza.
_Chorus._--So it's Oh dear, &c.

DUDLEY POLITICS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BIRMINGHAM JOURNAL.

SIR,--I was much surprised on receiving your paper of last
Saturday, to find a most impudent statement made by Mr. John
Williams of this town, relative to his exclusion from the
Bowling Green. In my opinion, he only met with his deserts,
for it is an invariable rule with us to _cut_ any person who
differs from us in politics. It was our wish that Colonel
Lygon should have been again returned to Parliament for the
County of Worcester, and of course expected no opposition;
it was, therefore, with feelings of the deepest indignation,
that we saw Mr. Williams's name announced as Chairman of the
Committee of a rival Candidate, in direct opposition to Lord
Dudley's agent, the meek and amiable Chairman of Colonel
Lygon's Committee. Yes, Sir, Mr. Williams is right, in saying
it was the election and that alone, which was the cause of
his expulsion, and surely it was enough to rouse the blood of
Englishmen (accustomed as we have been to rule the town) to
find our power gone, and our influence laughed at by the party
which Mr. Williams espoused. Our feelings are so tremblingly
sensitive on this point, that one of the gentlemen whose names
have been so unwarrantably exposed, actually dined with Mr.
Williams, at his own table, and from it walked down to the
Bowling Green Committee, and voted for his expulsion, so that
we do not allow private friendship to interfere with public
duty; and as we have, besides, the sanction of two intelligent
County Magistrates, we have little to fear.

It is a source of poignant regret to us, that none of the
other members of the Reform Committee could be punished in
the same way, for although for the most part composed of
highly-respectable individuals, yet as we wished to keep the
"Green" select, we did not send them any invitation to join
us, for we have been long accustomed to love unanimity, and if
persons thinking differently from ourselves on public matters,
were to be admitted, there would be no end of discussion, which
we much dislike, having but few talkers amongst us, and others
not choosing to give their opinions to be carped at by their
opponents.

We have been taunted with having signed the Reform Petition
a few months since; but what of that? Surely we have as much
right to support and vote for an anti-reform candidate, as
we had to sign a petition praying for reform. And, moreover,
what has supporting a candidate to do with our having signed a
petition? What if Colonel Lygon has opposed all reform? What
if he be an enemy to Civil and Religious Liberty? What if he
has been the undeviating supporter of the reckless expenditure
of the people's money? What is all this to us? _We_ could
always afford to pay the taxes! _We_ have thriven under the
old system! and yet we are to be told, forsooth, that we have
forfeited our consistency, in supporting a man, than whom a
more consistent being does not breathe. He subscribes a few
pounds annually to our charitable institutions, and we are
really fearful lest these should be discontinued now that
his political connexion with us has ceased. Such are the
consequences to be dreaded from this new state of things. It
was very strange Mr. Williams could not take his dismissal
quietly, without publishing his disgrace in the newspapers,
as it never was intended, out of a sincere regard for his
feelings, that it should be known beyond our own circle.

I am, Sir,
A MEMBER OF THE BOWLING-GREEN.

_Dudley, June 9th, 1831._
(_From the Birmingham Journal of June 11th._)

* * * * *

A "SQUIB," ISSUED AT THE FIRST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN FAVOUR
OF MR. JOHN CAMPBELL.

March to the battle field,
The foe is now before us,
Each heart is Freedom's shield,
And vict'ry's smiling o'er us;
The great St. Paul, with tripe and all,
We quickly made surrender,
In proud disdain we'll break again
Each Tory link asunder.

Who for a Campbell brave
Would shrink 'neath Tory power?
Who our just cause to save
Would rest e'en for an hour?
Our noble cause,
Our homes and laws,
'Gainst Tory power sustaining;
We'll hold in spite
Of Tory might,
Or die our rights maintaining.

Haste to the poll, my boys,
The foe is near expiring,
The Tories all have lost their joys,
And homeward are retiring.
The great St. Paul,
With tripe and all,
You quickly made surrender;
In proud disdain,
Then break again,
Each Tory link asunder.

The old town of Dudley, with the outlying hamlets of Netherton and Woodside, having been created into one of the New Reform Parliamentary Boroughs (allotted to send one Member to Parliament), the whole town became awakened to its newly endowed responsibilities, and many an ardent admirer of his native town rejoiced in the fact that Dudley had been restored to its ancient Parliamentary honours and privileges, which had been taken from it, viz.: disfranchised by Oliver Cromwell's Parliament for its fidelity to the Royal Stuarts. As a matter of course, Dudley proclaimed for Reform, and there was no gainsaying the opinion that the new Reform Bill had made Dudley into a real borough; therefore, we must have a Reformer to sit for Dudley. The old Tory party thought different, and considered that the world was going wrong, that revolution and the destruction of Church and State was near at hand, despite the exuberance and hilarity of the Reformers; and they succeeded in inducing Mr. Abiathar Hawkes, a local Glass Manufacturer, to issue his _moderate Reform Address_, conveying the impression that the man was to be elected for some virtue in himself, not for his pronounced political opinions.

However, Mr. A. Hawkes soon retired from the attitude that he and his too zealous friends had strung him up to, for _he retired_ before the first election came on in 1832, and his place was supplied by the well-known Tory, Sir Horace St. Paul, Bart. The Reformers in the new borough were far from falling asleep, and after one or two futile efforts to procure a local candidate, they succeeded in inducing plain Mr. John Campbell, Q.C., from Edinburgh, to fight the first battle of Reform in the maiden borough of Dudley. Sharp and fierce was the contest, but as the majority of the 800 electors were somewhat _raw and green_ at electioneering adventures and tactics, they did not come up to the style and vigour of electioneering "pleasure and relaxation" which was witnessed at our hustings and in our streets in later years. The close of the poll shewed Mr. John Campbell the winner.

1st. ELECTION, 1832.

1. Mr. John Campbell, Reformer 318
2. Sir Horace St. Paul, Bart., Tory 229
----
Majority for Campbell 89

Thus the Reformers of Dudley distinguished themselves at their first effort at electioneering, and happened to secure the election to St. Stephen's Hall of one of the soundest lawyers of his day, besides becoming one of the most accomplished Historians of his country, for Lord Campbell's "Lives of the Lord Chancellors of England," can never die in historical readings.

DUDLEY ELECTION.

THE SPEECHES of SIR H. D. C. ST. PAUL; SIR JOHN CAMPBELL, and
others;

Delivered on the Hustings, on Monday Dec. 10th, 1832, being
the day of Nomination of a Candidate for that New Borough.

On MONDAY last the election for this borough commenced. The
candidates are Sir HORACE St. PAUL, a high Tory, and Sir
JOHN CAMPBELL, the Solicitor-General. A great proportion
of the houses in the town were decorated with laurel, and
exhibited the colours of the Solicitor-General; and on Monday
morning public enthusiasm was wound up to a great pitch in
favour of Sir John. The hustings were erected immediately in
front of the Town hall, and at 9 o'clock Sir John Campbell,
accompanied by his committee and numerous other friends, made
his appearance, amidst the loud cheering of the populace. Sir
H. St. Paul shortly afterwards arrived from the Hotel, and was
greeted with mixed sounds of approbation and displeasure. The
latter, however, greatly predominated. The applause appeared
to proceed from, perhaps, some 200 special constables and the
more immediate friends of the hon. baronet. The necessary oaths
having been administered to Mr. Cornelius Cartwright, the
Returning Officer, and other formalities gone through,

Mr. CARTWRIGHT expressed a hope that the electors would
discharge the duty imposed upon them with temper and
moderation; and, by doing unto others as they should wish to
be done by, display a truly Christian spirit. If they did
this, whatever might be the issue of the contest, they would
secure the reward of an approving conscience, and though then
divided, the town would again subside into a state of peace and
happiness. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. DIXON, on rising to nominate Sir Horace St. Paul,
congratulated the electors of Dudley on their being now
qualified to return members to the representative branch of
the Legislature, and he hoped, for the credit of the town,
they would send that man who, from knowledge, connexion,
and political principles, would prove their most faithful
representative. He was about to propose as a candidate for
their suffrages, a gentleman who had large property in the
neighbourhood, and who was in every way a fit and proper person
to return as their representative to Parliament. He begged
to nominate Sir Horace St. Paul. (Great hooting, with slight
cheers, and cries of "No tripe." Sir Horace, we believe,
nightly treats the supporters with tripe suppers.)

Mr. SALISBURY had great pleasure in seconding the nomination of
Sir Horace St. Paul, as a gentleman, from his well known honour
and high integrity, well qualified to represent the borough of
Dudley in Parliament. (Groans.)

Mr. TWAMLEY, who was received with loud cheering said, however
inadequate he might be to perform the task he had undertaken,
he solicited their attention while he offered a few words on
the glorious, happy, and momentous occasion on which they
were then assembled. (Cheers.) He had to introduce to their
notice a gentleman as a candidate for their suffrages, who had
long been before the public, a gentleman of great talent and
commanding eloquence, and who was competent to do every good
to the country which it was possible for any individual man to
do. (Cheers.) It gave him, Mr. Twamley, supreme felicity and
pleasure to propose Sir John Campbell, as the representative of
the borough of Dudley in Parliament. (Loud cheers.)

H. BRAIDLEY, Esq. then presented himself to second the
nomination of the Solicitor-General, when he was vehemently
opposed by the friends of Sir Horace St. Paul, on the ground
that he was not properly entered in the register. It appeared
that by mistake his Christian name was stated on the register
to be John instead of Henry. Being thus disqualified as a
voter, it was contended that he had no right to take part
in the election proceedings. The point was argued at length
before the returning officer, by Mr. Whitcomb the barrister,
on behalf of Sir J. Campbell, and by Mr. Hildyard, on behalf
of Sir Horace St. Paul. Mr. Whitcomb contended that the act
had provided for any misnomer and wrong description, and that
it was merely necessary when such a mistake occurred that the
party claiming a vote should swear at the time of election that
he was the person described "as A B" in the registration. The
returning officer, after receiving a protest from the friends
of Sir Horace, allowed Mr. Braidley to proceed.

Mr. BRAIDLEY, again presented himself, and was again assailed
by the interruptions of the Paulites and the cheers of his
friends. Having at length obtained a hearing, he began by
observing the glorious cause having triumphed, he then came
forward to second the nomination of Sir John Campbell. (Loud
cheers.) Who was his opponent? Sir Horace St. Paul,--a Tory,
who during the 20 years he had had a seat in Parliament, had
on all occasions given his silent vote in favour of all the
wasteful and extravagant expenditure incurred by successive
Tory Governments. (Groans.) Within the last few months, as far
as the scope of his abilities would permit, he had done all in
his power to destroy the elective franchise, which the people
panted for, and which they now enjoyed; and yet had now the
daring assurance to ask the electors of Dudley to exercise
their new privileges in his favour, and return him as their
representative. (Groans and hisses directed at Sir Horace.) The
time was now arrived when the electors must honestly perform
their duty to themselves, to their children, and to posterity.
Let them throng early and eagerly to the poll, and the triumph
of Sir John Campbell, whose nomination he seconded, was secure.
(Loud cheers.)

Sir H. ST. PAUL was received with loud cheers by his friends,
and the most uproarious disapprobation by his opponents. It
then became his duty to address the electors of Dudley, and
would preface what he was about to say, that he should not
offer any observations of a personal nature as regarded his
hon. and learned opponent. He bore no enmity to the learned
gentleman nor to any of his supporters; and he hoped the
contest would be conducted, and if possible concluded, in
perfect good humour on both sides. The political principles
he had hitherto entertained he still adhered to, and should
ever continue to maintain them. (Loud disapprobation.) He
had held those principles when they were in good report, and
now, when they were for a short time out of favour, he should
not cowardly abandon them. (Groans, with applause from the
Paulites.) His principles had ever been those of practical
economy, and it was upon these principles he acted when he
opposed the present Ministry in the grant of 5,500,000_l._
to pay the Russian Dutch loan. (Cries of "Oh, oh.") He
recollected, and they would all bear in mind, that this sum
came out of the pockets of the industrious labourers. (Cheers
from the Paulites.) Again he had opposed the sum of 800,000_l._
guaranteed to the new King of Greece. What, he would ask, were
all the trifling savings effected by the present Government
compared with those enormous items of expenditure? Upon the
same principle, when Parliament assembled, and he was returned
as their representative, of which he had not the slightest
doubt, when His Majesty's servants came down to the house--a
most disgraceful war--(immense uproar, shouts from the
Paulites, and groans from their opponents,)--he claimed fair
play--he said a most disgraceful war, for it could lead to no
good, but at the same time occasion great depression and ruin
to the English trade. Many who now heard him already felt its
disastrous effects. If the trade of the manufacturer by this
war--this damnable war--(great uproar,) They must excuse him,
he could not but speak strongly because he felt strongly. He
could not but think of the sufferings of the inhabitants of
Antwerp, forced to leave shelter and property, subject to the
peril of foreign and intestine war. He was, however, about
to state, that if in England, the merchant and manufacturer
suffered from this disgraceful war, the sufferings of the
artisans and the industrious working classes must be much
greater. Formerly, the man who opposed the Government was
deemed an independent man. He who now opposed the present
Administration might, he hoped, claim the same character.
(Laughter.) Before he concluded, he might be allowed to
allude to one other circumstance. Englishmen had hitherto
been considered as being particular lovers, and particularly
proud, of their country. They were always proud of the flag
under which they had fought and conquered--a flag respected
throughout the whole habitable globe,--he alluded to the old
English union jack, which, by the bye, was their English
tricolour. Why, then, should an Englishman borrow the colours
of the French? (alluding to many tricolour flags waving from
the windows of the houses in the opposite street.) It was bad
enough to think what had occurred within a few weeks under that
flag, without being publicly insulted by its exhibition in the
streets of an English town. Formerly, the English navy knew
nothing of a French ship in her ports except at the tow of
an English ship; but recently, to the disgrace of the British
Government, her fleet had been placed under the command of
a French admiral, in fact, under the auspices of the French
flag. It was for wars like these their pockets were drained,
and the national character humbled. The Government and its
supporters might talk of economy,--but while they merely talked
of economy they practised extravagance. Under the British flag
their heroes had fought, and conquered, and had died,--and God
forbid that Englishmen should ever be ashamed of it. The hon.
candidate retired amidst most conflicting demonstrations of
opinion.

Sir JOHN CAMPBELL presented himself amidst the most deafening
cheers, which lasted some minutes. He was proud to present
himself before the electors of Dudley, and solicit their
suffrages as their member in the first reformed Parliament.
(Cheers.) It had been said by his enemies that he was only
supported by the rabble. Let them look at the rabble that stood
around him. (Cheers.) First, he was proposed by a venerated
inhabitant of the town, than whom a more respectable individual
did not exist in the world. He alluded to his friend Mr.
Twamley, who for half a century had lived respected and beloved
in the town, and who was now enjoying an ample fortune as
the reward of his industry and integrity. (Cheers.) The next
of the rabble (laughter) by which he was surrounded was his
friend Mr. Braidley, against whom a strong effort had been
made by a quibble (and it was only from such quibbles that
any doubt could be entertained of his, Sir J. Campbell's,
success) to deprive him of the power of taking any part in
their proceedings. Through the impartiality of the returning
officer that attempt had failed, and he (Sir J. Campbell) had
been honoured with the support of Mr. Braidley. Another of
his rabble was his friend Mr. Foster, (cheers) a gentleman at
the very head of the most important manufacturing concerns in
the district, and who employed more men than all the rest of
Sir Horace St. Paul's friends put together. (Loud cheers.)
Indeed, he believed he had the good opinion and suffrages of
the vast majority of the respectable inhabitants of the borough
of Dudley. The individual who now presented himself to them
was no stranger; they had known him, and he them, for a long
course of years, accustomed as he had been to practise among
them in that profession to which his studies had been chiefly
devoted. In the course of his practice in that profession he
had been called to defend his friend Mr. Cooke, whom he saw
near, who was prosecuted, or rather persecuted, by the Tories
of Dudley, for doing that only which he thought it his duty to
do, (cheers) and through his instrumentality he might assert
he escaped unmerited punishment. He (Sir J. Campbell) was not,
however, alone known to them by his professional practice,
but also as a public man. He Would defy any man to produce,
during the time he had the honour of a seat in two successive
Parliaments to find a single sentiment or a single vote he
ever gave against the rights and liberties of his country.
His friend, Mr. Foster, one of the rabble (laughter) had sat
side by side--many a weary hour they had spent within the
walls of the House of Commons. They invariably supported the
interests of the people. (Cheers). But where was Sir Horace
St. Paul? He would take care to say not one word discourteous
of the hon. baronet, but as a public man he had a right to
comment on his political conduct. Never then, when the ayes or
the noes went, were his friend Mr. Foster, and himself, to be
found in company with Sir Horace St. Paul. His hon. opponent
was always against the bill, and anything but the bill. He
(Sir J. Campbell) had been much amused with an expression
of Mr. Dixon on moving the nomination of his opponent. The
gentleman set out by congratulating the electors of Dudley on
the obtainment of the elective franchise. Now this struck him
as singular, for having anticipated such dreadful consequences
from the bill, instead of terms of congratulation he should
have expected terms of condolence. (Laughter and cheers). Mr.
Dixon ought to have commenced--"Electors of Dudley, I condole
with you on this melancholy occasion," and instead of the
brilliant colours now exhibited by his opponents they ought
to have been habited in mourning and crape. They who thought
the constitution had been overturned ought not to make it a
subject of congratulation, but of condolence. In the language
of defeated men they ought to say "We are beaten, but we will
do all in our power to restore Old Sarum and Gatton, and the
rest of the rotten boroughs, and perpetuate every abuse, both
in church and state." Sir John, after indulging in a strain of
happy ridicule, said if Dudley, at the present time, returned
an acknowledged Tory, the town would be for ever memorable
in the annals of infamy, for he believed that there was not
one new borough in either England, Scotland, or Wales, except
Dudley, where an Anti-reformer had dared to show his face. In
some of the old boroughs, where corruption in a degree existed,
Anti-reformers had presented themselves as candidates; but he
believed Dudley was the only new borough in which a candidate
professing such principles had offered himself. He could not
believe that the electors of Dudley would stain themselves and
posterity with such unspeakable discredit (Cheers). It could
not be, for he knew that, with few exceptions, it was with the
electors of Dudley "Campbell and Reform." (Loud cheers). If
they were ashamed of the franchise which had been conferred
upon them, they would return Sir Horace St. Paul. (Cheers).
He (Sir Horace St. Paul) had told them, as a honourable man,
that he entertained the same principles that he had always
professed; that he was the advocate of again enslaving and
enthralling them under the mastery of those under whom they
already smarted. Sir Horace was for the old state of things,
although he claimed their suffrages under the new bill. He
(Sir Horace St. Paul), to be consistent, would say, reform
being bad, the sooner we revert to the old state the better.
He would support a bill to disfranchise Dudley, and support
another to enfranchise Old Sarum. (Cheers). The repeal of the
Reform Bill was considerably too desperate a measure ever to be
expected, and the object of the Tories was therefore directed
to the destruction of its objects, and if possible to render
it a mere dead letter. It would indeed be a dead letter if
the constituency of England returned anti-reformers--men who
had exerted all their power to prevent reform in the church,
the law, and the state. The Reform Bill would prove no good
to the country unless they returned to Parliament, which the
King's writ had just issued to assemble, men prepared to
carry out into beneficial effect ulterior measures, which its
framers and supporters contemplated, when by their efforts it
became the law of the land. (Cheers.) The learned gentleman
went on to state, that when he first offered himself for the
representation of Dudley, he was induced to do so by a highly
respectable body of requisitionists, and that, although since
that time he had been requested to stand for other boroughs,
both in England and Scotland, where it was supposed he would
be returned with less difficulty, he had declined doing so,
because every day brought with it fresh reasons for his
rejoicing in his original determination to stand for that
borough. After once pledging himself to the electors of Dudley,
he should have considered himself the basest of mankind had he
deserted them. ("Why don't you go to Stafford?") Some gentleman
called out Stafford. He could only say, that he had no doubt if
he had gone to Stafford, he should have been returned, as well
as other places, with little trouble. He had already contested
that borough with a gentleman whom he saw standing near him,
and one of his present opponents (Mr. Hawkes), although that
gentleman then went to Stafford under the colours of reform,
and he (Sir J. Campbell) had in both cases defeated him.
(Cheers). He repeated he had no doubt that he should have been
returned for Stafford without difficulty, but he considered he
should be more honoured in being returned as the first member
for the virgin borough of Dudley. (Loud cheers). The resolution
he had formed he had no doubt would be crowned with a glorious
victory. (Cheers). The learned gentleman was about to enter
into certain charges of intimidation he had to prefer against
a supporter of Sir Horace St. Paul, but first wished to be
informed by the returning officer whether, if he mentioned the
name of a person, the accused would be allowed to reply.

The RETURNING OFFICER, said, any gentleman whose name
might occur in the discussion should certainly be heard in
explanation.

Sir JOHN CAMPBELL was glad to hear that declaration from the
worthy Returning Officer, as he could then have no difficulty
in naming the gentlemen to whom he alluded, and calling upon
him to explain the circumstance he (Sir J. Campbell) was about
to detail.

The RETURNING OFFICER said if Sir J. Campbell was about to
bring forward any matters of accusation against private
individuals, he would rather that he refrained from so doing.
He did not think the present the time for discussions of that
matter.