_To the Editor of the_ DUDLEY WEEKLY TIMES.
SIR,--During this week the _Free and Independent Electors_ of
Dudley have had the opportunity afforded them of receiving
at the hands of their representative an account of the
trust placed in his hands in March last; and the meagre and
insignificant attendance at the Lancasterian School room in the
afternoon, and the more important (especially to Dudley men)
dinner attendance at the Hotel, too plainly tells the tale of
the _altered opinions_ and _dubious proceedings_ of those _very
vociferous supporters_ who figured so prominently at the last
election. Now, Mr. Editor, most men of anything like probity
of character and honesty of purpose, more especially those who
have a little fame to sustain, usually manifest some decent
regard for their public actions and motives; but in this case,
a _more political case of apostasy_ (and upon a large scale
too), has not disgraced the annals of our local political
traditions. We well know that six months ago influential
electors of all shades of opinion were lustily crying out for
freedom, denouncing in unmeasured terms the lordly interference
with their political rights, proclaiming the day of Dudley's
political emancipation at hand; and using the most strenuous
exertions to support their _new born ideas_ by placing Mr.
Sheridan in the proud position of representing _their views_
and sentiments in parliament. Such, Sir, were the doings of
the past; but alas! to what more genial atmosphere has that
rampant spirit of personal antagonism and offended dignity
taken its aerial flight? Is the once powerful coffee room still
the abode of its blinded ambition and political inconsistency?
Has not the recent disseverment plainly told us that party
purposes, not political liberty, were the sole objects of that
unnatural alliance. Was it to be expected that ultra Toryism on
the one hand, and exploded Chartism on the other, were elements
likely either to sustain a six months' political union, or
awaken anything but a spirit of derision and contempt? Such,
however, were the incongruous elements with which Mr. Sheridan
obtained his seat in parliament, and as the M.P. for Dudley
he is entitled to that respect and courtesy which belong to
his office, and the position of a gentleman. Why then this
shameful lukewarmness and public apathy on behalf of his recent
supporters? Has the honorable gentleman _altered_ his political
sentiments, thereby bringing down the offended ire and silent
estrangement of his once eager listeners? Well, truly may _he_
apologise for their non-attendance, _at the proper place_, to
hear the exposition of his political stewardship, for truly
a more insignificant demonstration never graced the public
reception of a public man. If, Sir, the _present_ elective
franchise _can thus_, by interested partisans on the one hand,
and political demagogues on the other, be made the sportive
instrument of demoralising all consistency of conduct in the
virtuous, and can thus be dragged forth to inflame the unholy
passions of the blind and vicious, what must be its operations
when the long anticipated Reform Bill extends its privileges to
a more extensive, uneducated, but not less dangerous class of
_such like free_ and independent electors? If the past should
unhappily contain the germ of the future waywardness of spirit,
and vindictiveness of action, displayed by the head and front
of the promoters of the last Dudley election, we may indeed
expect marvellous acts of pitiable abandonment of reason and
reflection, and the future M.P. for Dudley _may pray to be
delivered_ from his friends.
Your obedient servant,
AN ELECTOR.
_Dudley, September 18th, 1857._
Died, September 29th, 1857, Mr. Edward Terry, Grocer, Market Place, a
very upright and honourable gentleman, who twice served the office of
Mayor, and had a handsome service of Silver Plate presented to him.
Aged 70 years.
An important and influential Public Meeting was held at the Old
Town Hall, under the presidency of John Renaud, Esq., the Mayor,
to remonstrate with the Local Railway Companies, at the very
unsatisfactory accommodation afforded to the public at our Dudley
Railway Station.