05 Aug 1837 General Election Cumberland (East) - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

05 Aug 1837 General Election Cumberland (East)

                                                             CARLISLE, THURSDAY.
This being the day appointed for this election, the town presented the most
animated scene as the hour of nomination approached. The friends of Major
AGLIONBY and Mr. JAMES were the first to approach the hustings in a cavalcade of
horsemen, the greatest in number we remember to have previously seen. They rode
round the hustings, and then withdrew to make way for that of Sir James GRAHAM,
which was also so very numerous as to lead one to imagine that out of Carlisle
another horse could not be met with in the county. It was evident that a greater
degree of interest and excitement never on any former occasion pervaded the
county.

The arrangements made by the Sheriffs were uncommonly judicious, and the
reporters were placed in an excellent situation in front of the hustings.

As soon as the usual preliminaries were gone through by the Under-Sheriff, owing
to the illness of the High Sheriff,

Sir G. MUSGRAVE presented himself for the purpose of placing Sir James GRAHAM in
nomination, but was received with such shouting that we could hear little of
what he said. We understood him to say that the conduct of Sir James GRAHAM in
Parliament was such as entitled him to the support of the electors, and he
trusted that they would return him triumphantly once again as their
representative.

Captain IRWIN seconded the nomination, and contended that Sir James GRAHAM was
of all others the man best calculated to rescue the country from the hazardous
condition into which it was plunged by restless agitators.

Mr. H. HOWARD, of Graystoke, in proposing Mr. W. JAMES, of Barrack-lodge, said
that that gentleman had served the public for some years, though he had
represented that county in only one Parliament, and in the whole course of his
career no one could accuse him of inconsistency. (Hear.) That, perhaps, in some
quarters would be considered an advantage to him. (Hear, hear.) His enemies said
that he was a tool in the hands of Mr. O'CONNELL and the Pope, and that he was
nearly allied to Mr. ROEBUCK; he was also said to be a revolutionist, but he
could assure the electors he was not such a terrible fellow as was represented.
He certainly held the opinion that the corn laws should be revised, but surely
that was no reason for calling him an enemy to agriculture. They might as well
say that Sir James GRAHAM was an enemy to agriculture, because he voted for
retaining the malt-tax. He was also said to be an enemy to the established
church and religion. This he denied, for on the contrary he was most desirous to
support it, though he wished to extend its usefulness, by reforming those
nuisances which Sir James GRAHAM had said ought to be abated. (Cheers.) He also
thought the bishops should attend to their ecclesiastical duties, instead of
meddling with politics in the House of Lords. He denied that Mr. JAMES could be
considered as a revolutionist; but it was a fact that every man who attempted to
benefit the country was called a revolutionist. Sir Robert PEEL was so called
when he brought forward the Catholic Relief Bill, and Lord GREY was similarly
designated when he proposed the Reform Bill. He should like to ask Sir James
GRAHAM whether he considered the King of Hanover a revolutionist? (Cheers and a
laugh.) He felt bound to state that he opposed Sir James GRAHAM entirely on
public grounds. He gave him every credit for holding sincere opinions, but he
only regretted that those opinions were not better known to the electors two
years ago. (Cheers.) What he chiefly complained of in Sir J. GRAHAM was, that he
asserted he had not changed his opinions. If that were true, what a singular
position the electors were in! They were clearly entitled to the appellation of
so many Jim CROWs. (A laugh.) This, however, was not the case; and the electors
must well know, that if they should elect Sir J. GRAHAM, they would be sending a
Tory as their representative, and would show themselves contented to send
another passenger to the Derby Dilly. (A laugh.) Mr. HOWARD concluded by placing
Mr. JAMES in nomination.
Mr. W. CRACKENTHORPE placed Major AGLIONBY in nomination, a task which, he said,
was as agreeable to him as he believed it to be consonant to the feelings of the
majority of the constituency of the county. (Cheers.) His duty was twofold: on
the one hand it was agreeable to him, for he had to state why he supported Major
AGLIONBY; and on the other it was painful, because he had to state why it was
that he had abandoned the right hon. baronet. A consistent, firm, and determined
Reformer was the man whom they ought to elect, and such a one he was happy to
propose to them in Major AGLIONBY, who was a useful country gentleman and a
magistrate, and whose conduct had caused him to be elected as their chairman by
his brethren in the commission of the peace. He was a determined reformer of
every abuse in church and state, and in such a character he that day presented
him to the constituency, and he hoped that they would give him a more extended
sphere of usefulness, by bestowing on him their confidence in conjunction with
Mr. JAMES. (Cheers.) With repect to the right hon. baronet, he had severed
himself from those with whom he had been intimately connected for more than 20
years, and had linked himself with those whom he had described as the worst
materials possible for the formation of a good government. (Hear.) The right
hon. baronet had subsequently declared that he would not offer a factious
opposition to the Government of Sir R. PEEL, but it was known to the whole
country that he had not hesitated to offer factious opposition to the Liberal
Government, composed of his old colleagues. (Cheers.) He then entered into a
discussion of the conduct of the right hon. baronet on the appropriation clause,
on the Irish Municipal Corporation Bill, and on the Church Bill, condemning the
course he had pursued as being both unjust and impolitic. He concluded by
stating, that whenever the Tories decided upon an opposition to the Government,
the right hon. baronet was always to be found fighting in their ranks, and not
as a subordinate, but in every instance in the character of a leader against his
old associates; and he must say he could not envy the ease with which the right
hon. baronet flung off his old friends and colleagues. Sir J. GRAHAM defended
his conduct by saying, that when he formerly acted with the Government they had
not made a compact alliance with Mr. O'CONNELL; but he asserted that the same
compact alliance that now existed between the Government and Mr. O'CONNELL also
existed, and perhaps more closely, between Mr. O'CONNELL and the Government of
Earl GREY. That noble Lord had admitted that he offered office to Mr. O'CONNELL,
and he would ask the right hon. baronet whether he had then objected to Mr.
O'CONNELL's taking office? (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman concluded by
proposing Mr. AGLIONBY.

Mr. T. SALKELD, of Holme-hill, seconded the nomination, and said, he had no
doubt but Sir J. GRAHAM would find that political principle and integrity were
not to be violated with impunity. (Hear.) They had heard much of anarchists, but
it appeared to him that there could be no greater anarchists than those who, by
their conduct, destroyed all public confidence in the principles of public men.
(Cheers.) He trusted that the electors would look to the acts of the right hon.
baronet for the last two years, rather than to the hypocritical cant by which
he, doubtless, would seek to delude them.

Sir J. GRAHAM then proceeded to address the mob, amongst considerable uproar. He
said, "I can assure you that if you will afford me a hearing, it will give me
much pleasure to endeavour to answer some of the accusations which have been
made against me. (Interruption.) I think I can appeal with confidence to the
justice of my countrymen. You have heard with patience the strong accusations
which have been made against me. I now call upon you to hear my answer, and I am
confident that when the passing anger of the present moment shall cease to
exist, you will not regret having acted justly. (Continued uproar.) If it be
your pleasure not to hear me, I will not force myself upon your attention; but
this I will say, that though the gentleman who seconded the nomination of Mr.
JAMES was pleased to call me a renegade baronet, he will find that I am not
about to run away from this contest. I will, at all events, redeem the pledge I
have given, that every elector for this county shall have an opportunity of
recording his vote; for I assure you that no temptation on earth could tempt me
to depart from the assurance I gave in answer to a requisition calling upon me
to come forward, that every elector in East Cumberland should have an
opportunity of declaring his sentiments upon this occasion." (Here the uproar in
front of the hustings became so loud that the right hon. baronet ceased
speaking.)

Mr. AGLIONBY, the member for Cockermouth, addressed the crowd, and called upon
them as Englishmen, and lovers of fair play, to hear Sir J. GRAHAM. Let it not
be said that they had listened to the accusation, and resolved not to hear the
defence.

The UNDER-SHERIFF said, that unless order were kept it would be his painful duty
to adjourn the Court.

Order having been to a certain extent restored,

Sir J. GRAHAM once more proceeded to address the crowd. He said, "Mr.
Under-Sheriff, I thank you and the gentlemen on the opposite side for the
efforts which you and they have made to procure me a hearing. I never yet
appealed to an assembled multitude of my countrymen asking for justice and met
with refusal; and I do not expect that in this my native county, which I have
endeavoured to serve in public for nearly 20 years, you will act so harshly as
to refuse me the privilege of answering the attacks which have been made upon
me. I will therefore, without further preface, proceed to do so. Mr.
CRACKENTHORPE has spoken of rancour and bitterness on my part towards old
friends. I am sorry to say that on the present occasion an example has been
afforded of the truth of an observation which, perhaps, is true of politics as
of the tender passion, that
          "'Love once past is at best forgot,
          "'And oftener turns to hate.'
The gentleman who last addressed you has exhibited not only the heat which
sometimes characterizes political opponents, but made use of language which, on
more calm reflection, I think he will regret. (Cheers and uproar.) I think I
heard the gentleman I allude to say, that I would be taught the lesson that
political honesty was the best policy; and the gentleman who seconded Mr. JAMES
talked of the 'renegade baronet who had run away.' I think my presence here
to-day is a proof that I entertain no intention of running away, and I can
assure you I will redeem the pledge I have given that every elector shall have
an opportunity of recording his opinion by his vote, and until I am rejected on
a full poll of the county, I will not believe that my past services are thought
so lightly of as my opponents represent. I go to the poll without the least
apprehension as to the result. (Cheers and disapprobation.) As to the
accusations which Mr. CRACKENTHORPE has preferred against me, I beg to say that
I do not stand here as a culprit, to be put on my defence. On the contrary, I
stand here the advocate, in a great emergency of public affairs, of certain
great principles on which you have to pronounce your decision. Compared to mere
personal considerations, these matters are of paramount importance. I will not
dissemble in the slightest degree the difference between me and one of the
candidates opposed to me. It is said that Mr. JAMES is consistent in his
political views; I admit it, and it is because he is consistent that I am
directly opposed to him. (Great uproar.) I will tell you the real points you
have to decide. The question is, whether you will elect a consistent
Conservative Reformer for your representative, or a Destructive Radical -
whether you will choose the avowed friend of O'CONNELL, or his decided
adversary - whether your choice will be in favour of those steady, progressive,
but discreet improvements which the Queen, from her throne, has recommended, or
whether you will rush headlong on the violent, fearful, and extreme changes
which are advocated by Mr. JAMES? I allude here to the destruction of the
hereditary peerage, household suffrage, and the vote by ballot. I tell you that
these are changes of a decidedly republican character, and inconsistent with the
form of government under which we live. These are the points on which your
decision is being taken. The eyes of the British nation are fixed on this
contest, and its result will influence public opinion materially. I do not
shrink from the contest." (Here the noise, which had been increasing for some
time in loudness, rendered it impossible for the right hon. baronet to make
himself heard, and he concluded by saying) - "Since it is not your pleasure to
hear me, I will no longer trespass on your attention."

Mr. JAMES then came forward to address the multitude, but a scene of great
turmoil and confusion took place, which lasted for nearly a quarter of an hour,
during which, from the symptoms of riot which began to evidence themselves, and
the determination evinced by a considerable portion of the crowd not to hear the
Liberal candidates, as the Conservatives would not be listened to, many persons
on the hustings dreaded that a renewal of the scene which occurred in West
Yorkshire would have taken place. After a considerable commotion, however,
silence was at length procured, when Mr. JAMES said that he believed a large
portion of his constituents were anxious he should still continue the services
which they had selected him to perform on the last occasion on which they had
exercised the privilege of the franchise; and he could assure them that,
although he might not have done all he ought to have done, and certainly less
than he wished, yet he could proudly say that he had not done anything which
could have forfeited their good opinion and confidence. (Cheers.) As had been
said by his friend Mr. HOWARD, and truly so, his public conduct, although he had
served them but for a limited period, was, nevertheless, long known to them.
(Cheers.) When he was last before them on the hustings, he had explained to them
his opinions, and had declared the principles upon which he would act if he was
returned by them to Parliament. Since then he had endeavoured to follow up those
principles consistently for the benefit of the country; and if he had again the
honour to be elected by them, he would accept the trust confided to him with
unabated zeal, and would do his best for Cumberland and for the country
generally (cheers and disapprobation), more especially he would endeavour to get
the benefits of that reform for them which they had all struggled to obtain.
(Cheers.) He had still the same detestation of Tory principles and of Toryism as
ever, for he believed them to be subversive of the rights, the privileges, and
the liberties of mankind, whilst the assertions of the party in reference to the
alleged attacks on the institutions of the country served but to alarm the
weak-minded, and to form excuses for the renegade voter. ("Hear," cheers, and
disapprobation.) It was very convenient for his opponents to ally him, as they
did the Ministry, with Mr. O'CONNELL; but his friend Mr. HOWARD had stated to
them the truth when he stated that this was not the case. He did not disavow any
connexion with Mr. O'CONNELL, for he was his friend, and when he thought that he
was wrong, he did not hesitate to vote and speak against him. ("Hear," cheers,
and disapprobation.) But many persons had told him that they would not vote for
him because he supported Mr. O'CONNELL, who was a dangerous man. Now, he (Mr.
JAMES) did not think so (cheers); but if he were, what was it that had made him
so? The wrongs of Ireland. (Cheers.) And how would they render him less
dangerous? By redressing those wrongs. (Cheers.) He had been told that it was
desired by him to establish Roman Catholic ascendancy and Popery in this
country, and the Tories certainly thought that there was nothing too bad of this
nature which was not desired to be done; but he (Mr. JAMES), as the friend of
freedom, would repel the charge. He wished to get rid of the abuses, which would
prove injurious to the constitution, to remedy its defects, and to cause it to
work harmoniously for the general good. And then, in reference to the organic
changes which were spoken of as requisite in the House of Lords, he was not an
advocate for the abolition of that house. He did not think that if the reforms
to which he alluded were carried, it would be necessary to get rid of it, but he
would maintain that if it did not harmonize with the constitution of the empire,
it ought to be got rid of. (Loud cheering and disapprobation.) But he hoped for
better things for the future. (Hear, hear.) He wished to preserve all that was
worth preserving in the institutions of the country, and to destroy what was not
worth keeping. ("Hear," and cheers.) But the reply of the Tories now was the
same they gave whilst the Reform Bill was passing through the Legislature; it
was said that if they got rid of the rotten boroughs they would destroy the
monarchy and overturn the established church. ("Hear," and cheers.) Now, amongst
the charges brought against him were, that he was the enemy of religion, and
wished to overthrow the church; but he would say, that if he were the enemy of
the church - the church which he wished to reform, and was therefore declared to
be its enemy - if he were the enemy of the church, the thing by which he would
most gratify his enmity would be not to promote a reform of it (cheers and
disapprobation), for he knew that it was by withholding it the real danger would
be created. (Cheers.) He was, and had been all his life, a sincere member of the
Church of England - he had done his best to promote its interests and its
usefulness, he wished to give it his honest support, and he knew that a reform
of it would be the best means of strengthening it. (Cheers.) He did not want to
alienate the revenues of the church from strictly religious purposes; but he
thought that a redistribution of church property should take place, by which
they would afford the greatest possible amount of instruction to the greatest
number of persons, and by remunerating the clergy according to the amount of
their services. (Hear.) At the same time he thought it right that all men should
enjoy the right to observe the form of worship which they believed to be the
best; whereas the Tory principle - that of Sir James GRAHAM - was to denounce
the religion of a large portion of the people, and thus alienate their
affections. The hon. gentleman then referred to the opposition of Sir J. GRAHAM
to the Irish Municipal Bill, although he might perhaps vote with the Duke of
WELLINGTON next session. In respect to the Irish church, Protestantism was not
the religion of Ireland; and therefore the state had a right to deal with any
surplus which might remain, after the religious instruction of the Protestants
was provided for, to the purpose of the instruction of the majority; and this he
considered would be instrumental in promoting peace and prosperity in that
beautiful land, whereas at present there were there now 800 parishes in which
there was hardly a resident Protestant. (Hear, hear.) Many of the clergy had
their thousands a-year without any congregation, while in other places there
were congregations without pastors. With regard to the agricultural interest,
his private interests were bound up with it, but he was anxious that justice
should be done to all parties. He wished for an abolition of the present corn
laws, and the adoption of a fixed rate instead of a fluctuating scale of prices.
He wished that the farmer should have a fair price for his corn, and that the
workman should buy his loaf at a reasonable price. Mr. JAMES then quoted Sir J.
GRAHAM as an authority in his favour, and quoted a passage from the publication
of the right hon. baronet to sustain his recommendation of a fixed rate of duty.
With regard to slavery, he would say that if he were sent to Parliament, he
would do all in his power to carry out in its spirit and in its letter that bill
which had cost the country so much money. Sir James GRAHAM was in the habit of
saying that the present was a weak and inefficient Administration. If it were
so, the electors had the power to render it less so, by turning the right hon.
baronet out. The contest was not between Sir J. GRAHAM and himself, but between
principles; and God grant that the electors might choose the right for the
country's interest. He was happy to tell them that our gracious Queen had
discharged from about the Court every man, woman, and child that was a Tory, and
he hoped the electors would follow out such an illustrious example by turning
out of Parliament as many Tories as they could.

Major AGLIONBY said it must be perfectly unnecessary for him to offer any
apology for his appearance there. Living in retirement in the bosom of his
family, and entirely occupied with agricultural pursuits, he was happy in his
station, secluded from politics, and seldom exceeding the limits of his own
field, and anxious only to do a good turn to his neighbours when he could, he
was contentedly going along the stream of life; but being called upon by a large
body of the electors to represent the eastern division of the county along with
his friend Mr. JAMES, he could not resist the call of his country. He thought it
proper and respectful to the electors to say that he concurred in all the
liberal and enlightened views of Lord MELBOURNE's Government, and acknowledged,
in common with the rightly thinking people of the country, the deep debt of
gratitude which we owed to our gracious Queen, for having, with all the cordial
confidence of an open heart and generous feeling, placed herself in the hands of
that Administration. With respect to our youthful Queen, he would say, in the
words of SHAKESPEARE, "She promises a thousand thousand blessings on this land,
which time will bring to ripeness. Holy and heavenly thoughts accompany her."
Who can read without admiration that passage in the Duchess of KENT's answer to
the address of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the city of London, in which she
said that the greater the diffusion of religious knowledge and the love of
freedom in a country, the more orderly, wealthy, and industrious were its
population? As long as our gracious Queen acted consistently with such lessons,
she would be sure to promote her own happiness and glory, and the prosperity of
her subjects. Although he agreed with the principles that governed the MELBOURNE
Administration, yet he wished it be understood distinctly, that he never would
become a partisan, and if the Government continued to resist vote by ballot and
the repeal of the Septennial Act, or proposed a renewal of the pension list, he
would oppose them. The ballot he thought necessary as a protection to the poor
voter against undue influence. He would advocate triennial Parliaments and the
abolition of church-rates. It was said that they were no grievance, for that
property was bought and sold with those rates as a tax upon it, and therefore
the price was proportionate; but it might just as well be said that the house
and window taxes should be perpetual, because houses were bought and sold while
those taxes were in being. (Loud cheers.) He would also support the
appropriation clauses of the Irish Tithe Bill, believing that the measure was
calculated to promote the education of the Irish people. He trusted, however,
that this question would be finally and satisfactorily settled in the next
session of Parliament. He should feel great pleasure in supporting Mr. SPRING
RICE in reducing the expenditure; and if the right hon. gentleman should propose
the reduction of the malt-tax, he should also support him, for a more unjust or
iniquitous tax he believed never had been in existence. He called upon them to
make the representation of East Cumberland such as it ought to be, by returning
two Reformers to represent them, and he trusted that they would remember that
the eyes of the empire were upon them; and in these circumstances that they
would remember the signal of NELSON at the battle of Trafalgar, "England expects
that every man will do his duty." (Loud cheering.)

The Sheriff then called for a show of hands, and certainly a large majority were
held up for Messrs. AGLIONBY and JAMES, and the sheriff accordingly declared
them to be duly elected.

Sir J. GRAHAM immediately demanded a poll, and the sheriff appointed it to take
place on Monday morning.

________________________

Since the nomination Sir J. GRAHAM has addressed the following letter to the
freeholders of East Cumberland: -

"TO THE ELECTORS OF THE EASTERN DIVISION OF CUMBERLAND.

"Gentlemen, - I had hoped that I might be allowed to obtain a fair and impartial
hearing in the Sheriff's Court, this day; but my appeal to the justice of the
audience was made in vain; they listened to my accusers; they refused to hearken
to my defence. Fortunately, however, the ground on which this contest rests is
cleared by the proceedings of this day. Explicit declarations have been made by
my opponents in favour of the repeal of the existing protection to agriculture,
in favour of triennial Parliaments and vote by ballot, in favour of the
appropriation of church property to secular uses; in favour of an extension of
the present suffrage, and in favour of the abandonment of the British colonies.
The proposal to expel the Bishops from the House of Lords has been openly
vindicated, and the reform, and even the possible abolition, if I mistake not,
of the House of Lords itself, were deliberately contemplated. To one and all of
these measures I am decidedly opposed, and the question at issue on which you
must decide is narrowed to this - Will you prefer a radical to a revolutionary
reformer? Shall East Cumberland be represented by the friend of Mr. O'CONNELL,
or by one of his uncompromising adversaries? Is your choice in favour of steady,
progressive, but 'discreet improvements' in our institutions, or will you rush
headlong to violent changes, in which the national peace will be risked, the
security of property endangered, the Protestant religion as by law established
overthrown, and liberty itself exposed to the hazardous conflict of extreme
opinions? I have not shrunk from the assertion of my principles - I promised
that every freeholder should have an opportunity of recording his opinion by his
vote. Rational constitutional reform is here fairly pitted against republican
and revolutionary change. The battle is your own. I have performed my part, and
notwithstanding the tumultuous boasting of my adversaries, I am confident of
success. Be at the poll on Monday morning at 9 o'clock; an early effort is
important; but the poll shall not be closed till every voter has had an
opportunity of voting, and England will not be disappointed in her expectation
that East Cumberland is still true to the principles of conservative reform.

"I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your faithful and obedient,
                                                           "J. R. G. GRAHAM.
"Carlisle, Aug. 5."

_____________________

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
                                        ----------------
                                EAST CUMBERLAND.
                               (From the Carlisle Journal.)

                         DECLARATION OF THE POLL.

Thursday was the day appointed for declaring the state of the poll by the
Sheriff, and at 11 o'clock a considerable crowd had assembled in front of the
hustings, and exactly at that hour the members and their friends arrived,
accompanied by a band of music and upwards of 40 flags of various kinds. Amongst
the new banners was one bearing the inscription of "the Queen and Constitution,"
in blue letters upon a white ground, and decorated with white feathers and
favours.

The Under Sheriff opened the poll books and cast up the numbers, and then
declared them as follows:-

          AGLIONBY   -   -   -   -   -   2,294
          JAMES -   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,124
          GRAHAM -   -   -   -   -   -   1,605   (Cheers.)

He therefore declared that Mr. Francis AGLIONBY and Mr. William JAMES had been
duly elected knights of the shire for the eastern division of Cumberland.

Major AGLIONBY then presented himself, and was received with very hearty
cheering. He said, Mr. Under-sheriff and electors of East Cumberland, the last
words I addressed to you from the hustings were, that "England expected every
man to do his duty;" and to that appeal, which has never been made in vain to
Englishmen, whether the fate of empires or the security of the elective
franchise depended on the result East Cumberland has nobly responded. (Cheers.)
The battle, never doubtful, has at last been won by the persevering exertions of
the high-spirited electors and gallant yeomanry of the division. Who stood
foremost in the ranks? The princely house of HOWARD (great cheering) - that
house which, whenever the standard of liberty was unfurled, was the first to
rally under it. (Cheers.) Where are the requisitionists, the undaunted and
misrepresented requisitionists? They have enrolled their names in that page
which history will record to the honour of East Cumberland. (Cheers.) There
were, doubtless, some traitors, but they were few in number as they were
insignificant in character. (Cheering.) Where is W. JAMES, the friend and
supporter of Daniel O'CONNELL? My friend stands here to-day in the county court
of the High Sheriff, the freely chosen representative of the yeomanry and other
electors of East Cumberland. (Great cheering.) And I must repeat what I said to
you before, that a more honest representative never entered the House of
Commons. (Cheers.) I have said the success of the battle was never doubtful; but
if ever there was a doubt upon the subject, the display of Thursday last must
have banished all illusion. On that day were seen between 800 and 900 men,
mounted on horseback, escorting the candidates of their choice to the hustings -
a spectacle such as the proudest county in England never saw surpassed.
(Cheers.) The standard we then reared bore the emblem of Reform - that which now
flutters in the breeze is crowned with Victory. (Cheers.) Cumberland has ever
been the admiration of the stranger for the splendour and grandeur of its
scenery: the gallant position you have now taken will henceforth be the
admiration of the stranger and the pride of the native. And let me impress upon
you this truth -

          "Princes and lords may flourish and may fade -
          "A breath will make them as a breath has made;
          "But a bold yeomanry, their country's pride,
          "When once destroyed can never be supplied."
                                                                     (Cheering.)

Having mentioned Mr. O'CONNELL, let me assure you that no man is more anxious
than myself to see the power of that man destroyed; and I will tell Lord
MELBOURNE that if he wishes to put an end to the influence of that powerful
individual, he must redress the wrongs of Ireland, and then his power will be
dispelled, "like the baseless fabric of a vision, and leave not a wreck behind."
(Great cheering.) Then will the influence of Mr. O'CONNELL cease, except that
which boundless talent, patriotically directed, must always command. (Loud
cheers.) I now congratulate you on the result of this gallant struggle; and on
the way in which the intelligence of it has been received in every part of the
division. I myself, on the first day of the poll, heard the welkin ring in the
little town of Kirkoswald, amongst my honest and simple-hearted neighbours; and
yesterday the roar of cannon announced to the wide district of Alston the glad
news, and its echoes were heard on the west of Cross Fell. (Cheers.) And here,
Sir (turning to the Under-Sheriff), I feel bound to acknowledge my obligations
to you for the way in which you have discharged the important duties with which
you have been entrusted; and I assure you that my esteem for your private
character is now only surpassed by my admiration of you as a public officer.
("Hear, hear," and great cheering.) Brother electors, I told you when last upon
these hustings that the eyes of the country were upon you, and I ventured to
express a hope, in the words of the poet, that you would make East Cumberland,
"Freedom's home or glory's grave." You have fully realized my hopes; and our
county is now, and long may she continue to be, the chosen residence of the
mountain nymph - Liberty. (Cheers.) You have placed in my hands a great trust,
that trust I hope never to abuse. I shall always adhere to the cause of the
Queen, to the cause of the people, and the cause of reform. A Reformer I am; a
Reformer I have always been; and a Reformer I trust I shall always be while a
single abuse remains unredressed. (Immense cheering, which continued for some
time.)

Mr. JAMES then presented himself, and was received with very hearty cheers. He
said - Gentlemen, I beg you to accept my cordial thanks for the gratifying
manner in which you have testified you approbation of past services, by again
returning me as one of your representatives to Parliament (cheers), and I offer
you my hearty congratulations upon the extinction of that system of neutralized
representation under which you have recently suffered. (Cheering.) "My voice
will no longer be humble, nor my vote vain," for I have now the pleasure of
being yoked in harness with an excellent and willing colleague, prepared with me
to trod steadily forward on the road to reform, in the place of one who was
always pulling one way whilst I was pulling the other. (Cheers and laughter.)
Now that the contest is over, I venture to exeress [sic] a hope that many of
those who have voted for Sir James GRAHAM will divest themselves of any
prejudice they may have imbibed against me by reason of the multifarious and
unceasing calumnies so industriously circulated against me during the last few
weeks, and be prepared to become my supporters on a future occasion, should they
find my parliamentary conduct deserving of it, and such as to merit their future
confidence. (Cheers.) My election, as it is proper and right it should be, has
been wholly gained by you. It is you, not I, who have gained the victory; and to
you, not the humble individual before you, be all the praise and all the honour
attached to my return. (Cheers.) Upon me you have imposed an additional weight
of responsibility. I assured you from the first that I did not desire your
suffrages from any idle ambition or wish for distinction, neither from any
private personal interest, or party object, but from a sincere desire to render
what service was in my power to you and my country, and that I might employ such
share of ability, of health, and strength as it has pleased God to give me,
together with those advantages of education and opportunities of experience
which I have had, in contributing my utmost to advance the prosperity of my
country, and the welfare and happiness of my fellow-countrymen. (Cheers.) As
your representative, I shall consider myself bound to take a lively interest in
every event affecting the national prosperity; in affording my support to and
furthering every design which promises to relieve its burdens, improve its
commerce, extend its liberties, or promote its welfare. (Great cheering.) The
principles I have always advocated, those of true reform, and opposition to
every species of corruption and misgovernment, which have hitherto always
actuated me, I am now more than ever confirmed in, if that be possible. I do
assure you that I gratefully acknowledge my high sense of the importance of the
trust you have again placed in my hands, under such gratifying and flattering
circumstances. I shall endeavour, as heretofore, to fulfil its duties to the
best of my abilities, and in conformity with those principles which I have ever
avowed, and upon which I have ever acted, and, if I know myself at all, upon
which I shall ever continue to act - principles from which should I ever
unhappily recede, may I meet with a similar punishment to that which you have
now so signally, so properly, and so justly inflicted upon a deserter.
(Long-continued cheers.) I join heartily in the just panegyric of my worthy
colleague on the conduct of the Under-Sheriff, and in admiration of the
impartial way in which he has discharged his duty to the High Sheriff, the cause
of whose absence we all so deeply regret, and to the country. For myself I will
only in conclusion say, no exertion I can put forth shall be wanting to deserve
your continued approbation and confidence.

Mr. H. HOWARD, of Greystoke, then presented himself, and said - Gentlemen, it
now becomes my pleasing duty on the part of the Reform Association, of which I
have the honour to be chairman, to congratulate you upon the splendid success
you have achieved. (Cheers.) If each member of the association stood in the same
position in which our hon. representatives now stand, we could not feel more
proud than we do at this present moment. The requisition, about which so much
has been said, originated with a very small and comparatively insignificant
body, and at first received but few signatures. It was in its progress through
the county that it received weight and authority from the numbers who attached
their names to it. The Committee claim no credit for this: we were but
instruments in your hands. It was your well-known wishes that induced us to send
out that requisition. We told the electors that it was their cause as much as
ours; that if you were indifferent on the subject, we neither would nor could go
forward. You know how the requisition was answered by our opponents, who said it
was a deception, whilst the Tories called it a farce. They now, I have no doubt,
think it a tragedy. (Cheers and laughter.) We then appealed to the faith of the
requisionists, and we have not been deceived. They have done their duty, and
redeemed their pledges. (Cheers.) There have been some defaulters, but not many.
Those who did not not care for their own good name amongst their neighbours
would care but little for their remonstrances. (Cheers.) They were, I am glad to
say, few and far between; and their motives for thus breaking the pledges they
had given are as well known as their persons. (Cheers.) The causes of the few
defections we have met with may be summed up in two words - the fear of
punishment and the hope of reward. By acting so, they have earned the contempt
of all parties, and to that we may leave them. (Cheers.) The success of the
fight I mainly attribute to the excellent local committees - to the intelligent
and active men of each district who canvassed their neighbours, and undertook
the whole labour of the contest. To them the merit of the victory is due. Our
arguments were not addressed to the mouths or the pockets of the electors, but
to their minds; we offered them neither to eat nor to drink; but we gave them
plenty to read. (Cheers.) It was in this way that our victory was achieved -
that we obtained in "three hours a majority" which we were told our opponent
would produce. (Applause.) The election which has thus happily terminated is one
which will be long remembered in every part of England, and which in East
Cumberland can never be forgotten. I trust that you will ever bear in mind that
it is to yourselves you owe this victory; and to a union amongst Reformers. The
Tories found us a bundle of sticks which they could neither break nor bend.
(Cheers.) And the best advice I can now offer you is, that you should stick
together, and if you do so, never again will a Tory dare to set foot in East
Cumberland. (Cheers.) I agree in all that has been said by your representatives,
more especially in what they have said of the conduct of Mr. SAUL, the Under
Sheriff; and, however much we may regret the absence of the High Sheriff, it
must be a satisfaction to him to know that the dignity of the office has not
suffered by being in Mr. SAUL's hands. I, therefore, have much pleasure in
moving the thanks of this Court to that gentleman.

Mr. H. A. AGLIONBY, M.P., said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion
which had just been made, and spoke in high terms of the attention, firmness,
and impartiality of Mr. SAUL. He then proceeded to say, that the electors had
most gloriously fought and won a victory, the fame of which would resound from
the Land's-end to John o'Groat's-house. (Cheers.) The eyes of the whole country
had been upon them, and not in vain; for they had made up for other degraded
counties, the conduct of whose constituencies was deserving only of pity and
contempt. (Cheers.) They had made a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull
altogether; and by so doing had secured a noble victory. One remark only would
be made on the conduct of the backsliders from the requisition. Those who had
kept back through the fear of losing a little custom, who had refused to perform
their duty to their country lest some one above him should be offended, were
deserving only of their pity, and to their own consciences they might be left;
but those who had knowingly put their hands to a document, and then acted
contrary to their pledge, either to please their landlords, for love of drink,
or for the sake of yellow gold, such men were deserving only of scorn and
contempt. (Cheers.) He hoped, now that the struggle was over, that all further
irritation would cease. It was only for those who knowingly did wrong that he
felt contempt. Every man had a right to the conscientious exercise of his own
opinion, and so long as he acted from a pure motive, we had a right to respect
him, however much he might differ from ourselves. He begged to impress on the
electors the necessity of not going to sleep over their victory. They had an
active and persevering enemy to contend with; but if they kept together and
acted in unison as they had done upon this occasion, they would never see any
but a friend of the people the representative of East Cumberland. The Blue would
ever be triumphant. (Cheers.) In whatever struggles they had to encounter, his
services should ever be at their command; they had but to point out how he could
serve them; he would always be ready to render his humble assistance. He
concluded by proposing 3 cheers for "Blue fore ever!" which was heartily
responded to. Some one in the crowd called for three cheers for the Queen, which
were also given very cordially, as were three cheers for "Her Majesty's
Ministers, and may they continue in the right path."

Mr. S. SAUL, amidst general cheering, begged to acknowledge the handsome manner
in which his services on this occasion had been noticed. (Cheers.)

This concluded the business of the hustings, and the members and friends,
accompanied by the Under-Sheriff, went into the council chamber of the
town-hall, where the return was signed.

                                  THE CHAIRING.

An open carriage, handsomely decorated with blue silk and laurels, and drawn by
four beautiful gray horses, the drivers dressed in scarlet jackets faced with
blue, and bearing blue favours, was now brought in front of the Town-hall, and
the members took their seats in it amidst the most enthusiastic cheering. The
music and banners were then marshalled in the order of procession, and the whole
moved forward up English-street, followed by a numerous body of yeomanry, and
other friends of the cause, arm-in-arm, four abreast, and a very great concourse
of people. The procession then proceeded down Botchergate, where it was joined
by the carriage of Mr. HOWARD, of Corby, Containing Mrs. HOWARD, Mrs. AGLIONBY,
and the Misses AGLIONBY; then along the Crescent, Lowther-street, East
Tower-street, Rickergate, Scotch-street, Fisher-street, Castle-street,
Abbey-street, Caldewgate, and thence back to the Cross, round which it paraded,
the band playing, "See the conquering hero comes." The members then alighted at
the coffee-house, and soon afterwards addressed the crowd from the window of the
inn, in short congratulatory and pithy speeches.

Along the whole line of the procession the streets were crowded with people, and
almost every window was occupied with spectators, almost all of whom exhibited
blue favours. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm of their reaction, and not the
least gratifying part of the day's proceedings was the admirable order and good
temper which was observed throughout. The day was very fine, which added not a
little to the exhilarating effect of the whole scene.

THE DINNER.

Thursday afternoon a public dinner was given to the newly elected members at the
Coffe-house Assembly-room. A little after 4 o'clock nearly 400 gentlemen sat
down to a sumptuous repast.

Mr. Henry HOWARD, of Greystoke, as President of the East Cumberland Reform
Association, took the chair; and Mr. H. A. AGLIONBY, M.P., filled the vice
chair.

On the right hand of the chair sat the newly-elected members; and amongst the
company present we observed Mr. H. HOWARD, of Corby Castle; Mr. C. F.
FEATHERSTONHAUGH, of Kirkoswald; Mr. C. FEATHERSTONHAUGH, of Kirkoswald; Mr.
Thomas SALKELD, of Holm-hill; Mr. P. H. BOWARD, M. P.; Mr. Joseph SALKELD, of
Penrith; Mr. C. RIPPON, M. P.; Mr. John DIXON, of Knells; Mr. P. DIXON, of
Warwick-bridge; Mr. W. EWART, of London; Captain LOWTHIAN, of London; Mr. C.
BURROW, of London; and a great number of the most influential yeomanry of the
division.

The CHAIRMAN then said, the first toast he had to propose was one which he was
sure would be received with enthusiasm in every part of the kingdom, and by none
would it be more heartily responded to than by the electors of East Cumberland.
The toast to which he alluded was, "the Queen;" and he was sure he need not
recommend how it should be drunk. (Drunk with three times three, and great
applause.)

Chorus - "God save the Queen."

"The Duke of SUSSEX and the rest of the Royal Family."

The CHAIRMAN said, the next toast he could not do better than give in the words
laid before him. It was - "The Duchess of KENT, and may she live to see her
royal daughter carry into effect the noble principles she has instilled into her
youthful mind." (Great applause.)

"The Navy and Army of Great Britain."

The CHAIRMAN said it would not be necessary to call for a favourable reception
for the toast he was now about to propose. He was about to give the members whom
they had just elected for the eastern division. (Immense cheering.) For some
weeks past they had been in the habit of drinking the health of those gentlemen
as their candidates. In the performance of the duties imposed upon them they
would require all their good wishes. They had all thought the canvass very hard
work, but that was nothing to serving in Parliament. On the hustings last week
he had to defend his friend Mr. JAMES from some of the many attacks their
opponents had made upon him. Since the nomination they had directed their
attacks upon Major AGLIONBY, for they had found out that he was the Radical and
Destructive. (Cheers and laughter.) He had looked over what the major had said,
to discover the cause of this; and he had found that he had said some very
strong things against the pension list. Could that be the cause of their
hostility? It was no small triumph for a man to receive such compliments from
the Tories, and such he called them; and he hoped Major AGLIONBY would long
continue to deserve them, and if he did so, he was sure to continue to find
favour in the eyes of all Reformers. Those whom they had now the pleasure to
call their members had come forward to fight their battle - the battle of
independence and reform; and he trusted they would long continue to fight the
battle of reform, of good government, and of civil and religious liberty in
England, Ireland, and Scotland. (Immense cheering.)

Major AGLIONBY then rose and was received with renewed cheering, which continued
for some time. He said it would ill become him to disguise how deeply he felt
the flattering reception they had given to him. Of this, however, he was sure,
that so long as he was honoured with the censure of the Tories he would have
their praise. (Cheers.) I am unconscious (he continued) of any merit on my part
which should have induced the electors of East Cumberland to select me as their
representative on this important occasion. My political opinions were but little
known, and perhaps would not have been known at all, had I not, upon several
occasions, proposed Sir James GRAHAM as a representative for this county.
(Cheers and laughter.) On those occasions I always openly and fearlessly spoke
my sentiments; and they were such as, I trust, were not discreditable to me as a
free-born Briton. I have studied attentively the constitution of my country, and
being myself one of the people, my leanings and prejudices are in favour of that
democratic portion of it. To the liberty of the press I am strongly attached,
and would remind you of the beautiful sentiment of Junius, "Let it be impressed
upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the
press is the palladium of the civil, political, and religious rights of
Englishmen." (Cheering.) I admire trial by jury, and have had many opportunities
of seeing its utility and esteeming its value. In religious matters, what I
demand for myself is freedom of opinion - it is my birthright, and I will not
surrender it but with my life (great cheering); and that which I demand for
myself I am willing to concede to others. (Renewed cheering.) When the day
arrives when I shall surrender the trust you have placed in my hands, I hope I
shall have so discharged my duty as to receive the meed of your approbation -
the only reward to which I aspire. (Applause.) The only return I can give you
for the honour you have conferred upon me, that of representing my native county
in Parliament, is to discharge the duties it imposes with zeal, with
perseverance, with honesty, and I trust with perfect independence. (Great
cheering.)

Mr. JAMES next rose, and was received with the most enthusiastic cheering and
clapping of hands, which continued for some time, and was renewed on his
attempting to speak - evidently much affected. He said: - I assure you most
unaffectedly that I want words to express my feelings at the present moment in
acknowledging the very kind and cordial manner in which you are pleased to greet
me on rising to address you on the present occasion. You may be assured I am
truly proud once more to occupy the distinguished station of your
representative. I know of no honour so gratifying as to be elected by the free
voices of a noble-minded and independent constituency like yours (great
cheering) - men upon whom Tory influence and intimidation has had little
influence, and to the poorest of whom Tory gold has had no allurement, so nobly
have they discharged their duty to their country. You have chosen me
unquestionably, as I have before told you, with a due sense of my inadequacy to
do all that I ought or could wish for you. You have, however, been pleased to
think favourably of me, and I can only in return for your kindness tender you my
grateful thanks, and straightforward honest intentions. (Renewed cheering.)
Undoubtedly a dozen years' experience of Parliamentary life has taught me that
the post, although highly honourable, is one of great anxiety and fatigue. But
having resolved to give up my time to your service, and to the country, I am
ready to the best of my power to protect your interests with vigilance and
assiduity. (Cheers.) Somewhat differently situated from my friend the major, my
political opinions are well known to you. You know that my principles are long
cherished ones, and have never been assumed to obtain a passing popularity.
(Cheers.) I am one of those who consider the duty of a member of Parliament to
be the most sacred trust with which any man can be invested for the good of his
country. I will do my best so to discharge that duty that whenever the trust
shall expire, be it sooner or later, I may have entitled myself to a similar
reward to that which I have now received at your hands - I mean your
acknowledgement that I have done my duty. (Great cheering.) I do assure you that
it is no easy matter to be a good member of Parliament. Indeed, it is almost
impossible, amidst the numerous duties imposed upon a representative, not to
fail in some degree. No member can go through the whole of the duties required
of him - for instance, I do not believe that our excellent friend the member for
Cockermouth, one of the best and most industrious men in the house (cheers), can
read through a quarter of the Parliamentary papers of the session, which, if it
were possible, ought of course to be done. But, to give you an idea of their
magnitude, I will tell you the weight of those of last session; and I really
believe, if my friend the major could breed his beasts to weigh as much per
quarter as they weighed, he would find farming a better trade than law-making.
You will hardly believe it, but I had the curiosity to weigh them, and found
them to be upwards of 15 stone. (Great laughter.) So that you see it is really
impossible for us strictly to perform the whole of the duties required of us.
But, gentlemen, however deficient I may have been found during the many years
that I served my excellent friends, the electors of this city, the gratifying
manner in which they always cheer me on, and the kind reception they ever gave
me, besides the very flattering testimonial which they presented to me after I
had retired from their service, which I shall ever recollect with the deepest
feeling of affection and gratitude, certainly proves that they did not consider
my deficiencies to have arisen from either design, negligence, or inattention.
(Cheers.) I shall henceforth exert myself in your service so as, I trust, to
justify me in looking forward to a long continuance of that friendly confidence
you have again so kindly reposed in me. (Applause.) I will only again thank you
from the bottom of my heart for all your kindness. I do assure you I shall ever
consider it as one of the happiest and proudest days of my life upon which I
formed so close and interesting a connexion with the yeomanry of this division
of the county - a body of men who by their public-spirited and patriotic conduct
upon all occasions, but more especially upon this memorable one, have proved
themselves entitled to the appellation by which the poet, so happily quoted by
my friend the major this morning, has so beautifully and so justly designated
them - I mean "their country's pride." (Cheers.) The hon. member concluded with
proposing "The health of the Yeomanry of East Cumberland." (Loud cheers.)

Mr. WARNCOP, of Holm-gate, returned thanks.

Mr. C. FEATHERSTONAUGH proposed "The health of the members for the city of
Carlisle."

Mr. P. HOWARD, M.P., returned thanks in a short and eloquent speech.

The CHAIRMAN said Mr. MARSHALL had been mistaken as to the day on which the
return would be made, or he would have been present. He (Mr. HOWARD,) had also
been under the same mistake, and had only learned late on the preceding night
that that was the day fixed upon. He would now propose as a toast - "Her
Majesty's Ministers." (Cheers.) He should have been glad if other counties had
done as well as East Cumberland, to afford them support in the House of Commons.
This county, however, had done its duty in returning Major AGLIONBY and Mr.
JAMES to support them in all liberal measures, and enforce economy in the
application of the public money. (Drunk with three times three and great
cheering.)

After the health of the Chairman had been drunk in a most enthusiastic manner,
several other patriotic toasts were proposed, and the company did not separate
until a late hour.