[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 09 Mar 1816 - Election (6)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 09 Mar 1816   (p. 2, col. 4 - p. 3, col. 4)

 

[Extracts only - there were too many lengthy speeches, some of which I have left out.] 

 

THE ELECTION. 

 

[continued] 

 

On Wednesday morning a council was holden by the Corporation, for the purpose of enabling persons to take their freedom, but there
not being members enough to constitute a court, they adjourned. On this day the poll languished very much and little discussion took
place on the Hustings. The audience, however, were somewhat relieved from this dull monotony by some gentlemen who handed round
"those quips and cranks, those paper bullets of the brain" which are allowed and amuse at Elections. So great was their profusion
that an honourable gentleman on the Hustings thought it rained Epigrams, and another favoured the audience by reading several of
them aloud, which appeared to be highly relished. We mention these circumstances, because we are always ready to encourage and to
applaud a legitimate joke.-At the close of the poll- 

 

Mr. CURWEN again addressed the Hall.- He said he had once more to thank the Freemen for their exertions in his favour. He appealed
to the Hon. Baronet whether or not he could reasonably entertain any hope of success? The Hon. Baronet had said on the preceding
evening, that from the accounts received he still had confident expectations. Now these expectations must be centered in the Freemen
of Carlisle resident in London; and here he could assure the Hon. Baronet that little faith ought to be placed, as he (Mr. CURWEN)
by letters received from several of the parties, was assured, that the majority of these Freemen were in his favour. When Mr.
STEPHENSON avowed himself as a Candidate, a meeting of the Freemen of Carlisle residing in London was called, and they were strongly
solicited to support Mr. STEPHENSON. But this the greater part declined doing as soon as they were acquainted with Mr. CURWEN's
intention of becoming a Candidate, for they thought no man more fit to fill the vacant seat than their old member, and were anxious
to see him replaced. Where then rested the hopes of the Hon. Baronet, Mr. CURWEN was at a loss to conceive.-A man who voted a short
time since said to him-"Squire CURWEN, I like YOU well enough, but I do not like your PRINCIPLES."-Now he should be glad to know if
such men knew for what principles they voted: for he had the greatest reason to think that were Sir Philip MUSGRAVE to declare his
political sentiments they would be found to be strictly in unison with his; and he called on the Hon. Baronet to declare publicly if
he was not right in his surmises. The present contest might be protracted, but it would not avail notwithstanding all the unhandsome
influence that had, or which might be resorted to. Mr. CURWEN had not the least regret at the opposition, because his triumph would
only be the more conspicuous. He had not seen a single voter come into his opponent's box, whose suffrage gave him any uneasiness,
because he had no right to expect his support-he did not calculate on it. The opposition to him would prove the real sentiments of
the majority of the Freemen of Carlisle-would prove that they were determined to support their franchises in a truly independent
manner. And the populace too, he had no fears but a revolution would take place in their sentiments respecting him, when the
delusion which had been momentarily thrown before their eyes had subsided. To the independent Freemen he looked for his triumph, and
he was confident that their unbiassed voice would soon replace him in his old station. He was only sorry he was not in the House at
this time while so many momentous questions were under debate, in order to add one to those who lift up their voice in favour of the
people, and the well-being of the country. In this light only he could possibly allow himself to regret the vexatious opposition he
met with. But it would avail nothing: truth would triumph over faction and deceit, and the cause of Independence would prosper. 

 

Sir PHILIP MUSGRAVE rose. He observed the assembly he was sure would readily over-look any embarrassment which such a novel scene
might cause in one of his inexperience. He could not be expected to speak with the fluency of Mr. CURWEN who had enjoyed years of
practice, but he would assure the Freemen that his conduct should always be guided by what is strictly honourable. It was not his
wish or intention to keep open the poll merely to harrass Mr. CURWEN-he still had hopes of success, not merely by reliance on the
Freemen resident in London, but in various other quarters. As to his political sentiments they were easily defined. If he was
returned to Parliament, he was determined to pursue a line of conduct strictly independent of any party whatever, and on all
occasions vote according to his conscience. He should ever be attentive to the local interests of the city of Carlisle-be anxious to
support them by all the means in his power, and attend at all times to the wishes of his constituents. He concluded thanking those
Freemen who had come forward so liberally in his favour. 

 

Thursday evening, Mr. CURWEN again addressed the Hall in a very long and energetic speech. 

 

[Speech not transcribed.] 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

 

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