SCOTLAND.

Sir John Campbell arrived in Edinburgh on Friday the 16th, and on Saturday attended a meeting of the electors, held in the Waterloo Rooms. He was introduced by the Lord Provost and Sir Thomas Dick Lauder. The Provost took the chair ; and Mr. Andrew Skei,e, advocate proposed Sir Jobn Campbell as a candidate for the represen-

tation of! the city. Bailie Thomson seconded the motion ; and then Sir John rose, and was greated with hearty cheers, waiving of.hats, &c. Ile referred to the previous nomination of Sir John llobliouse ; nhichi did not in the least mortify him because it proved that he 'as the man of their free choice, and not ;he nominee of Government, us some would insinuate. He presented himself as " plain John Campbell"— one of their own countrymen, who had done his best to earn their good opinion. He was born in Scotland, and gloried in the mole of Scotch- man. His father was the pastor of a Scotch parish [Copal.] for fifty- four years, and Sir John deslared that he had not forgot the lessons he

instilled into him in his youth.

" I believe (he said) the Church of Scotland to be the purest, the most Christian, and the most useful establishment which ever appeared upon earth. I will not say that she may nut be capable of improvement ; that she may not have errors to be corrected ; but I say, let no sacrilegious hand touch the fabric of the church of Scotland. ((ireat cheerinj.) Let it be a ell understood, however, that I %%mild wish to see removed all the grievances of those who conscientiously dissent from her doctlines."

He alluded to his exertions in favour of the Reform Act, and Law Reform ; and said that he hoped his office of Attorney-General would not be considered a disqualification, though it was not a recommenda- tion. He then eulogized the conduct of the Whig Ministers, especi- ally their efforts to effect a commutation of tithes. He promised to devote himself to the study of the local interests of Edinburgh, and professed his extreme astonishment at learning that there was a privi- leged class in the city who paid no taxes to church or poor ; and lie

pledged himself to do his utmost to inaku. rho! tLe Annuity- tax. With regard to his opponents, he said, that although Mr. Lear- month's talents and integrity were undoubted, it ought to be a sufficient disqualification, that he was brought isss;vassi by the Tory party. Mr. Aytoun was the representative of the Ultra. Radical party ; a party whose schemes were calculated not for improving, but for overthrowing Church and State ; and whose opinions led to revolution and convul- sion, and ultimately iss despotism.

The Honourable D. Erskine asked Sir John what he thought of capital punishment ; and professed himself satisfied with the reply, that "whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."

A person in the crowd asked what he thought of Septennial Parlia- ments ? Sir John said, he thought them too long; but he had not made up his mind as to what ought to be their precise duration.

The same person then continued Lis eatechism as follows.

Quest. " Corn Laws ?"—Ans. " That is a very wide field. I am a most devoted friend to free trade, amid wish to see it in corn as well as itt every other commodity." Quest. •• What do you think of the Pension-list ?"—Ans. " I think it a reproach to the Tories ; while they acre in power all the objectionable pensions were granted." Quest. " llow would you have voted on Mr. Whittle Harvey's motion?' Ans. "As I was not then in Parliament. I cannot pretend to talk of possibilities as to what might have happened or might not have happened."

It was then resolved by acclamation, that Sir John Campbell was a fit and proper person to represent the city of Edinburgh in Parliament ; and the meeting broke up.

[ Sir John Campbell's speech is very different from that which we had a right to expect from him. We have been in the habit of admiring his independent bearing in the House of Commons, and hoped that he would have maintained the same character in his dealings with the Edin- burgh constituency. The Courier a few days ago quoted with appro- bation a speech which he delivered on the 21st of March 1833, when presenting a petition from Dudley in favour of Ecclesiastical Reform. In that speech, we find the following passages : " He entirely con- curred in the sentiment, that men of one religious persuasion should not be taxed to defray the expense of the worship of another ;" and he declared, that "although connected with his Alajesty's Government, he was speaking as an Independent Member of Parliament." These were

Sir John Campbell's words when he represented the Liberal con- stituency of Dudley. How is it that so great a change has come over him? He is now either all for Establishments, or be speaks equivocally, on the Church question : and on other subjects so far from speaking

with freedom and independence, he falters and hesitates—declares that he has not made up his mind as to the proper duration of Parliaments, and refuses to state how he should have voted on the Pension-list ,division ! He would have been plain-spoken enough on these points at Dudley. Are we to conclude, that Sir John is not a man of fixed political principles, but that they vary according to the peculiar circum-

stances he may happen to be placed in? and now that he is surrounded by the clique of Edinburgh Whigs, win undertake for the Government, has he become an unsteady trimmer, who shuffles, instead of declaring his sentiments boldly and without reserve?] The Waterloo Rooms were again crowded on Monday night by the friends of Mr. Aytoun. Mr. Thomas Ireland, merchant, was voted into the chair. Councillor Tait then spoke for some time in favour of Mr. Aytoun ; whose talents, usefulness, and integrity he highly eulo- gized. Mr. Aytoun was received with great enthusiasm by the meet-

ing; and made a speech, which occupies three columns of the Edin- Int ryh Observer, in explanation of his political principles, and in pointing out the defieiences of his opponents. " have been called into the field (he said) by the independent party of Edinburgh —by that party alio have nothing in common milli the two great factions which Ovid* the State. the Whigs and tile Tories—whose only object it is to promote measures beneficial to the empire—measums by which our burdens may be lightened, our liberties secured. and equal rights and equal justice, both civil and religious, may be de al% out to all classes of citizens ; and by which the Ileform hill may be made a means tO an end—the means of obtaining cheap and good government ; amid not a mere dead lettea in the Statute-book, effectiug nothing but the triumph of one faction over anolher- (Loud and continued cheering.) Culled into the field by the Iudependeut party of Edinburgh. I have felt myself hound in honour aud in duty as a good citizen to respond to that call. And I now take my stand, hoping to carry my election, but at all mantle determined to go to the pull. (Immense cheering, which continued for some time.), Ts that I pledge myself. If I may augur atty thing from the numerous assurater of support a Inch I have received,1 kapt every right to expect a successful termination hi the canvass."

his opponents made brief work of their explanation of their prin- ciples— " All that Mr. Learmouth has to say is, • I shall always vote with Sir Robert Peel e and the Forbeses, the Hundasses, the Hopes, et hoc genus tonne, will at once prone/nee him the right man. Again, Sir John Campbell has only to reniind his requisitiobists that he is the Attorney-General of the Grey Administration, and is uf course bour& down neck aunt heel to vote with the Cabinet on every occasion ; and his supporters of t lw Parliament house, Whig and Whigling, advocate, writer, and solicitor. expect auks of Judge-hips, Sheriffships. Depute•Advocateships, Crown agencies, Ste, aill fling up their hats in the air, and cry out, ' Hurrah ler Campbell! place and emolument for us ! ' and attempt to gull the Fa. honest citizens whose heads are too thick In sea through, their interested and selfish mot ives. C('/seers and laughter.) Mr. Aytoun, however, thought it incumbent upon him to be more explicit. He was in favour of short Parliaments; and, if elected, would annually present himself before his constituents, to give an ac- count of his conduct, and offer to resign his seat. Ile was also infa- your of the Ballot, a free trade in corn, the revision of the Pension.. list, the total separation of Church and State, and rigid economy in all departfnents of Government. He thought that his acquaintance with the local affairs of Edinburgh gave him a decided advantage over Sir John Campbell. As to the Ministry, he had no bitter hostility to them, and would gladly see them resume a Hire of conduct which would insure them a return of his support. Ile ridiculed the idea of an At- torney- General being really independent of the Government, and re- ferred to Sir John Campbell's votes, which had been invariably on the side of Ministers; and of course they always would be, while he re- tained his office. It was an insult in the Ministers to try to fasten their rejected officials on Edinburgh, as if it were a rotten borough. They would not have dared to offer Sir John Campbell for London* Westminster, or Southwark. " It is ridiculous to rh•ny that he is the nominee of Government. his supporter% and the manner in which he a as introduced, sufficiently prove this. Who are his sup- porters ?—the place.hunters and the place-givers of the Parliament House. And hos has he been brought forward 'A not her gentleman was first proposed by the more liberal part of the Whigs ; but this being not so agreeable to the Government. as they mouthl rather have their Attorney .General in Parliament than a mere supporter. the latter zentlernan gets hint to refuse, and the Attoriley.General mimes post flown front Londeu, a ithout any requidt bin ; being well assured. that having the Ministerial fa- vour, be will be at once adopted by the Alinbterial clique of this city."

After some further remarks, nir. nytnoe ... *es.. •

electioneering speech ; and was voted a proper person to represent Edinburgh, amidst the loud acclamations of his party.

We stated in part of our impression last week, that Mr. Learmonth, the Tory candidate, had been nominated on the previous WeduesdaT, and had delivered a good electioneering speech on the occasion, in which he gave the Ministry some hard raps. Ile was proposed by the eccentric Mr. Patrick Robertson ; who read an old speech of Sir James Gibson Craig, in which Mr. Learmonth was highly eulogized. This testimonial, said the facetious barrister, was a proof of uncom- mon merit, for even a leading Whig had been ready to admit it. Mr. Learmonth has since been actively canvassing the electors, and'his party profess their perfect certainty of his election. He bolds the usual Conservative opinions, and is especially in favour of the Corn- laws and an Established Church.

[The Edinburgh constituency is, or ought to be, too discerningiand well-informed to need advice or instruction from London as to which of the three candidates they should elect. But, judging only lions public speeches and avowals, we are led to conclude, that beyond doubt Mr. Aytoun would be the fittest colleaguefbr Mr. Abercromby ; whose vote will be neutralized on some important questions, if either Mr. Learmonth or Sir John Campbell, between whom we regret to find,the difference so small, should be returned.]

The day of nomination is fixed for Wednesday, and the poll will be taken on the Friday and Saturday following. We have received a letter this morning from an Edinburgh correspondent, who is confident of Mr. Aytouris success; but perhaps the "wish is father to ,the thought" in this case.

Mr. Murray's election for Leith may be considered certain, notwith- standing the boasts of Mr. Aitchison's partisans. The nomination' takes place on Tuesday, and the polling-days are fixed for Thunglay and Friday.