March 29, 1825 Carlisle Election #1 - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

March 29, 1825 Carlisle Election #1

The Times, Tuesday, Mar 29, 1825; pg. 3; Issue 12613; col B

ELECTION FOR CARLISLE. - (From the Carlisle Patriot.)

The death of Sir James GRAHAM, Bart., having caused a vacancy in the
representation of the city of Carlisle in Parliament, Sir Philip MUSGRAVE,
Bart., of Edenhall, has again offered himself as a candidate, according to his
promise, in 1820, that he would come forward on the next opportunity; and so
strong is the general feeling in his favour, both among the freemen and all
classes of inhabitants, that it is not probable any one will be really hardy
enough to step forward in opposition to his well-founded claim, although another
gentleman, a stranger to Carlisle, has issued a very ambiguous intimation to
that effect. The hon. Baronet is expected here early this morning; and he will
immediately pay his personal respects to the resident electors. The news of Sir
James GRAHAM's decease arrived here on Wednesday forenoon, per mail. Instantly,
the leading freemen in the blue interest were apprized of the event; and in a
couple of hours, out came a hand-bill, requesting a meeting of freemen at the
Coffee-house, on Thursday evening, in order to induce some person of their
choice to declare himself a candidate, that the influence of the House of
LOWTHER might be put to shame and confusion. This is the old rallying cry - the
cant by which the freemen have been often gulled; much, therefore, was expected
from it. The effect, however, falls far short of the expectation. There was a
meeting of freemen at the time and place appointed, but the lack-strength spirit
which characterized it, denoted a foregone conclusion - namely, that no man that
the contest-loving conclave could fix upon was more worthy of even their support
than the hon. Baronet who has already declared himself. Not a score of persons,
we are told, were present. Mr. DOBINSON took the chair. The debates were
vigorous, but all the speeches possessed the commendable quality of brevity. A
contest, of course, was deemed indispensable. But then, who would come forward -
above all, who would consent to pay the piper while the freemen danced? There
lay the point of the question. The names of four gentlemen were mentioned: Sir
James GRAHAM, Bart., of Netherby; Sir Sandford GRAHAM, Bart. (son of the
deceased member); H. Molineux HOWARD, Esq., of Greystoke; and Rowland
STEPHENSON, Esq. In the teeth of what this very party said in 1816, about
"interloper," and that "our city would be lost to all public feeling if it
returned Mr. STEPHENSON to Parliament," they at length agreed to nominate that
gentleman at the ensuing election; but they did not decide upon sending a
deputation to him, because, as one of the speakers very pertinently observed,
"it was not worth while." Thus the matter stands at present. The admirers of a
contest shake their knowing heads and look gloomy.