REPRESENTATION OF HUDDERSFIELD AND LEEDS WE trust that there is
no chance of Mr. SADLER being elected for Huddersfield. We are ready to allow that gentleman all the merit to which he can fairly lay claim; and we object to the indiscrimi- nate abuse which is poured upon him from some quarters. But, notwithstanding his benevolence, his industry, and talent for spouting, he is utterly disqualified, by his political opinions, from being the representative of an important manufacturing borough. In proof of this, we need only refer to his conduct on the Reform question, and to his viewseen the Corn-laws : on both subjects he shuffled when questioned by the Huddersfield electors, in a most discreditable manner. It seems beyond doubt, that Mr. SADLER, if returned to Parliament, would be a mere tool in the hands of the Conservative faction. What infatuation then it is in the Huddersfield Radicals to prefer such a man to Mr. BLACIEBURNE! This gentleman appears to have addressed the electors in a manly and uncompromising tone—meeting those questions boldly from which his opponent had skulked, and stating clearly what it was Mr. SADLER's aim to mystify. Mr. BLACK- BuRNE, we observe, disclaimed all mere party connexion with Whigs, Tories, or Radicals ; but avowed himself an independent friend to popular rights. He declared his conviction of the neces- sity of the Ballot to freedom of election; his decided opposition to the Corn-laws. He thought that the Dissenters ought not to be taxed for building or repairing churches ; but that they should pay their tithes until tithes are abolished. This latter avowal may make some enemies for Mr. BLAcKBURNE, among the most igno- rant of mankind ; but no honest person of common information on the subject holds a differentopinion. Owing to the noise and uproar of his opponents, Mr. BLACKBURNE s. speech was imper- fectly heard and reported; but we think we see enough in it, taken in conjunction with his previous reputation, to justify us in con- sidering him as an independent and trustworthy man. Some , persons, we perceive, have been so unreasonable as to object to him, on account of his holding the office of Chief Com- missioner in the Corporation Inquiry : for this he is stigmatized with the name of placeman. But it seems to be forgotten, that there is nothing dishonourable in the service of the public, or in being fairly remunerated for that service. We hold that Mr. BLACKBURNE'S appointment, which is the reverse of lucrative.
to a person of his professional standing, was highly honourable to him ; and shall continue to think so until it can be shown that he has slurred over his duties as Commissioner. Nothing can be more unfair than the conduct of those persons who are perpetually blaming Ministers for not promoting men of independent principles in the service of the State, and yet turn round upon all such who do take office, and stigmatize them as being on that account une worthy of public confidence. We have one or two remarks to make on the subject of the ap- proaching election for Leeds. The 'Whig party have determined to support Mr. BAINES, the well known editor of the Leeds Mer- cury, and the friend of Lord BROUGHAM. On many accounts, we consider this choice a discreet one ; and think it would be advan- tageous to have many men in the House of Commons of Mn BAINES's habits of industry and his extensive information. But it seems to be apprehended, and on plausible grounds, that he is too closely allied with the Whig party to allow him to act with perfect independence. Before the electors choose him, therefore, it would be advisable to make him undergo a thorough catechism. On many questions of importance, his opinions are undoubtedly accordant with those generally held by the independent electors M Leeds; but he should be pinned down on those points on which the Whig Ministers and the Nation are at variance. We are not aware that any other candidate has yet come forward; though a determined Radical, Mr. BOWER, is talked of. As, however, he is not fairly in the field, it would be premature to discuss his quali- fications.
Previous page
