Cobbett's Weekly Register

Mr.WOOD.-Oh, yes-I forgot'; but I intended to speak from my window-but if it is desired, I can do so here.

week, my canvass books showed sent. If I am wrong, then I that I had votes sufficient to should be brought to a severe ackeep up a constant supply of count-if I merited it, 'I hope to fair and free suffrages. If there be applauded. (Here Mr. W. have been delays they are not of was about to retire from the front my seeking. Gentlemen, I told of the hustings, when Captain you that whatever I could do Polhill, who was standing in the would be effected by me in Par- Mayor's box, said-" Mr. Wood, liament for your interests; that remember to do what you pro. one man could not work miracles mised." there-but that as far as an active, sedulous attention to any business which you may wish to carry on in Parliament-so far as a readiness to receive suggestions, instructions, petitions, communications, from you—so far as a strong desire to do you service can make me worth your acceptance, I will prove deserving of it. I said, as I say now, that all my votes on the different questions proposed in Parliament, no matter by what quarter they may be proposed, shall be given on the side that will be most conducive to the interests of England. Whenever I give a vote, or take a part in Parliamentary proceedings, I could wish that every elector should be pre

Captain POLHILL here, if you please.

The MAYOR.-It is best to do it here.

Mr. Wood then proceededHe had the other night taken an opportunity to reprobate the conduct of some person who, wearing his colours, had insulted a gentleman in a carriage. He did not know at that time that the gentleman so insulted was an officer in the King's Guards.

Captain POLHILL.-The King's Dragoon Guards.

Mr. WOOD-The King's Dra

goon Guards, who accompanied | second on the list; I have, how-
the detachment that was brought ever, a very respectable mino-
here for the purpose of preserving rity. I protested against the vio-
the peace of the town. He would lence and injustice used towards
tell them plainly, that he had my friends. I protested against
joined the other candidates in re- the validity of the election. That
questing the Mayor to send for protest is now in the bands of my
the military, and those who could legal friends, and I shall be dis-
throw stones or insult that officer, appointed if I do not meet you
had acted most disgracefully. If again in March. Mr. Stanley has
those wearing his colours thought said, that though shattered and
they consulted his interest, they weather-beaten, I had fought to.
were mistaken-they were a dis- the last, and gone down with
grace to the colours they wore. flying colours. In March you
His cause was the cause of truth shall find me the same, and then
and justice. By reason and fair I have no doubt of coming off
argument let them defend it, and triumphant.-(Loud cheering and
they had nothing to fear. Abuse groans.) To those voters, who at
he never would descend to. Such the risk of their lives, came up to
outrages could only disgrace the vote for me, I have not words to
good cause, and sully the success express my thanks. To Mr. Stan-
which they had that day achieved. ley I return my hearty thanks.
Captain BARRIE next came for- His conduct all along has been
ward, and was received with hisses friendly, and candid, and gentle-
and groans from a certain part of manly. From the other, and his
the multitude. His friends, how- party, I have received nothing
ever, cheered him enthusiastically, but insults. (Hear, hear, and:
and at the request of the Mayor, groans.) Good-bye, Gentlemen,
the people listened to him at we shall meet again.
length with attention. I dreaded, cheering.)
said he, all along, the situation of
the poll-not from the want of
friends-not from want of voters,
but from the violence that has been Captain Barrie returned to his
used in preventing them from hotel, accompanied by a great
coming up to the poll. With fair number of the most respectable
play I could have been this day part of the inhabitants, and ad-

(Loud

The Court was then adjourned, amidst the most boisterous and enthusiastic acclamations.

dressed them shortly from the quietly moved on to see the two successful candidates mount their horses for riding the town.]

window. He had protested, he said, against the election, the protest was in the hands of his legal advisers, and should in due time be brought under the notice of the House of Commons. He had no doubt that the election would be declared void, and that they should see him again in March, and if he gave them his word, they might depend upon it he would keep it.

THE RIDING.

In about an hour after the hustings were cleared, the ceremony, of the " Riding" took place. The two inns from which the success

ful candidates were to proceed respectively, are opposite to each

other; and consequently, those who were to form the processions of each were under the necessity of joining each other, and thus united they formed a very numerous and imposing multitude, It should be observed that early in the morning, the following bill was posted about the town :

Captain COLQUITT concluded the scene in words to the following effect:-Gentlemen, you all know that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. What you have this day witnessed proves the truth of the saying. The cup, however, is not won, and depend upon it we shall have a new start.-(Laughter.) We shall start in March. Gentlemen, prepare for the race, and rally round the man who comes forward in the cause of the King and Constitution. Ladies, I call upon you to use your influence. Apply immediately to your husbands and sweethearts, and tell them if they vote not for my Gallant Friend, they shall find no favour in your eyes. You have much in your Do your duty, and then the victory shall be ours. [The multitude gave three cheers, and

power.

To the Electors of the Borough of
Preston, professing the Roman
Catholic Religion.

The poll will close this day at three o'clock, and the result can be no longer doubtful. You electors who have been debarred from exercising your undoubted right of voting at this election, are invited to join the procession, when the two successful candidates, Hon. E. G. Stanley and J. Wood, Esq., are chaired. You will thus evince your gratitude to them for their liberal and honourable conduct, in dispensing with the Oath of Supremacyan oath which is so obnoxious to every conscientious man. It is posed to meet in Fox-Street, at three proo'clock; and those who intend to appear with crimson or scarlet rijoin the procession are requested to bands.

Signed by about thirty-eight of the the melted pomatum, their hair, most respectable Catholics in the

town.

In consequence of this announcement, about a thousand of the principal Catholic inhabitants, decorated with crimson scarfs and rosettes, formed themselves into a procession, headed by a band of music and a very elegant flag,

which had emblazoned, on a white ground, the arms of England. The flag was trimmed with green, and was ornamented with orange and green rosettes, the colours of theccessful candidates. Mr. Stanley's procession advanced from the Bull Inn, in this order:

A Standard.
Band.

Trades with Flags.
District Standards.

Mr. Stanley, on a gray charger, profusely caparisoned with orange ribands. The procession of Catholics, headed by the Rev. Mr. Morris. The Friends of Mr. Stanley. Bands, &c.

It is usual on such occasions that the horse o which the Member rides should be led by men in shirt sleeves, wearing scarfs, and their hair powdered.

dishevelled, and their costame most laughably disordered.

The procession having performed the usual round of streets and squares, returned to the Bull Inn.

The same language would almost describe the riding of Mr. Wood, except that his caparisons. consisted of green ribands instead of yellow.

As the respective processions passed the Cas le Inn, Mr. Cobbett appeared at the window from which he usually addresses, the people, and as Mr. Stanley's party passed, he gesticulated a litt in a laughing way. As Mr. Wood's procession went by, Mr. Cobbett made some motions to the crowd which accompanied it, that appeared to that Member not in, tended to be very respectful, for he put on his hat in a significant manner, and took it off when he had gone a little further.

The evening was spent in great rejoicing.

Mr. Stanley left Preston in the course of the evening, unattended by any of the electors.

On this occasion, too, the grooms appeared in full costume, but unluckily they were not in rea- Mr. COBBETT, about eight diness at the proper time, and o'clock, presented himself at the contented themselves with run-window of his hotel. He came ning as fast as they could after forward with such a placid smile the procession, all bedewed with-with so much good nature de

picted in his countenance-such gave votes for me when I was an air of ease and happiness, that present, gave plumpers.-These all appeared at once to enter into wort y candidates boast this evenhis feelings, and greeted him with fing, that they have ridden through the most enthusiastic applause. the town; but you all know, that Gentlemen, said he-Gentlemen but for those deal boards and -This day ends four weeks since scantlings I should have been the I came to Preston. It ends a first to ride through the town. calendar month; and I can assure These contemptible creatures have you that that month has been the the baser.ess to say, that they have happiest to me that I ever passed achieved a great victory; but that life. (Applause.) We victory, as they shall find to their have had a tough battle to fight, sad experience, I will soon debut we have stood it out to the stroy.-(Bravo.) I will soon set last. We have not flinched from aside the election, and oust these our posts. Those that boast of half idiots from their seats. The having received your almost una contemptible creatures have said nimous approbation-those that much about their colours, about boast that they are the men of green and ye ow. What signifies your choice, have all sneaked the colour of a candidate? the away by this time, I dare say, or colour is ridiculous. You have will sneak away in the dark. I all heard of some evergreens, the will not sneak away in that man- clippings of which are destructive ner. I will go away in day-light, to man and beast-and one plant and I dare say not one of them that unites the colour of these would venture to go with me.- victorious candidates-the night(Laughter.) One thing I wish to shade-is the most poisonous of impress on your minds-this is plants. (G eat laughter.) That no election; it will not stand. If plant has the green and the yellow l'oppose it if I petition, all is combined, and such a plant in over with them; and petition I time I trust I shall pluck up by the will. Next March, you shall hear roots-(Good lad.) If you could more of the matter; nay, by the submit to be represented by these 5th of February, my petition shall creatures, I should call this the most be before the House. My num-contemptible rotten borough in. bers are low; but you must all England. Lord Derby counts recollect, that most f those that upon one

member, and likewise

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Cobbett's Weekly Register, Volume 59