March 21, 1820 Cumberland Elections #1 - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

March 21, 1820 Cumberland Elections #1

   COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
                                        --------------------
                                   (From the Carlisle Journal.)

The election for this county commenced at Cockermouth yesterday (Friday) about
11 o'clock.

J. LOWTHER, Esq. (one of the old representatives) was proposed by Sir P.
MUSGRAVE, amidst the hisses and groans of those present, and was seconded by Mr.
STANLEY.

Mr. LOWTHER then stood forward, and was received with hisses and groans. He said
they were now met to exercise their elective franchise, and he begged leave to
offer himself as one of their representatives. The last time he had addressed
them he did not expect so shortly to be among them again. The share he had had
in the parliament enactments was always dictated by a sense of duty. He did not
shrink from again offering himself, as he firmly relied upon the kind
disposition of the freeholders alone. Although the duties of his private life
called him elsewhere, he had always at heart the concerns of this county. He
would not detain them any longer, but, as long as he had a seat in the House of
Commons, he would always maintain our happy Constitution, Church and State.
(Hisses.)

Lord MORPETH (another of the old representatives) was next proposed by Sir F. F.
VANE.

Lord MORPETH, after thanking the proposers, said, he was infinitely gratified
with the too flattering reception he had met with on again presenting himself to
their notice. He said, his public conduct was before them, and it needed no
explanation. He was an enemy to the enormous load of taxation, but he had
supported ministers whenever he thought they were right. With regard to the
adoption of the late measures by Parliament, he had the misfortune to differ
with some of those whom he wished to represent, but he voted according to his
conscious judgment. He said seditious doctrines had been sent abroad, which
would make men conspire against Government, and rebel against God. It was the
duty of Parliament to grant a proportionate remedy. These were the principles on
which he had acted; and he without fear threw himself on the favour and
indulgence of his late constituents. (Cheers.)

Mr. DYKES then came forward and said, he was called upon by the freeholders of
this county to perform a duty for which he was inadequate, and rendered still
more so by a severe illness; but he relied upon the generosity of the
freeholders. He was anxious at all times to preserve peace, but it was thought
the noble lord who had just spoken was not altogether unconnected with the other
party. When he listened to what fell from the noble lord, he was astonished that
he did not hear a single word of what the freeholders of this county so sensibly
feel. In proposing another candidate, his reasons were the wishes of the
freeholders for him to stand forward. No man respected the other candidates in
private life more than he did; but personal respect should not be the grounds on
which they chose their representatives. His political opinion should be known
and ascertained. He was not old enough to recollect a certain great election,
but he believed there was a proposition, that if the freeholders would concede
one representative, the house of LOWTHER should have the other. He owned he
should have felt great difficulty in opposing the noble lord if he had given
satisfaction; but, so far from his being unconcerned with the other party, the
friends of Mr. LOWTHER, on Wednesday last, canvassed in Whitehaven for his
lordship. The speaker said, it was not his nature to heap obloquy upon any man,
and it was in the power of his Lordship to contradict it if he thought proper.
He would stop and let his Lordship have an opportunity of refuting the charge if
he thought proper. [Lord MORPETH said it was without his knowledge.] The speaker
continued - The simple assertion of his Lordship, he said, was not a denial: he
did not doubt the word of the noble Lord; but his agents were coalesced, and the
freeholders of this county were cajoled out of their freedom. He said he had no
objection to see them join, but it should not be at his expense - it should not
be at the expense of the elective franchise of the freeholders; he would stand
up for ever and ever in the cause. The speaker then adverted to the
non-residency of his Lordship: he said it had been acknowledged by the gentleman
who had nominated the noble Lord, and who likewise admitted that, when the time
came that his Lordship should be called to the other house, it would be
necessary to have a resident country gentleman for a Representative; but he
would ask, for God's sake, why should we not have one now? Was not residence
among us as valuable now? When the representative and constituent lived in the
same county, was not the representative more able to exert himself in the
constituent's behalf? The person he was about to propose could never but make
the interest of the freeholders of this county his own - it was Mr. CURWEN he
meant. Mr. CURWEN has been known as a senator for 34 years - for 34 years he had
toiled for them early and late - he was enabled to fulfil his duties second to
no man; and his word was often listened to when some other people's were not
noticed, whatever might be their weight or influence. He was proud to say Mr.
CURWEN had no aristocratical influence. When he went as a representative for the
city of Carlisle, he did not merely attend to the interests of that place, but
of the county in general. The speaker continued - He could produce Parliamentary
enactments which would sufficiently satisfy them with regard to his conduct.
Though he was at present elected by the freemen of Carlisle, he knew they would
be gratified by his coming forward for the county. He advised the freeholders to
call to recollection that Mr. CURWEN was engaged in the same pursuits as
themselves. As commissioner of taxes, the speaker said, he could see the
advantage which the small farmers had received by the repeal of the horse tax.
Another thing recommended Mr. CURWEN, and he owned it had great weight with
him - he was not tied hand and foot, and perhaps gagged, but would vote with
either Opposition or Ministers, according as he thought them right or wrong -
that was the man he liked. (Great applause.)