Sir George Crewe, one of the Tory Members for South
Derbyshire, deserted his party on the Irish Municipal question ; and has stated his reasons for declining to vote, in a letter to his constituents. Sir George last year supported Lord Francis Egerton's proposition ; but he admits that he has since seen reason to regret that vote-
" After listening," says Sir George, "attentively to the arguments and statements on both sides, I have decidedly felt that I could not reconcile the plan ;proposed by the party with which I have the honour generally to act, with my ovvn sentiments either as to the iustice or the policy of refusing the demand of Ireland to receive an equal participation in civil rights and privileges which had been fully granted to England and Scotland. Under this convic- tion, my first impulse was to declare in my place in the House the course which I should pursue and the reasons which induced me to take it : but here I felt that I should be purchasing perhaps a little popularity in opposition to those ninon I am proud to call lily friends, and this in courtesy to them I wishid to avoid ; I therefore left the house without voting at all."
This is rather sneaking conduct, Sir George. You should have sup- ported the measure that you deemed politic and just to Ireland—even though it gained you "a little popularity" from the Opposition. It appears, too, that reluctance to give a vote that might turn out the _Ministers, also influenced Sir George Crewe on this occasion. Really this is rather curious.
What has become of Greisley "the inspired," the other Member for South Derbyshire, who last year voted with Lord Francis Egerton ? Has he too conscientious qualms about treating Irishmen as aliens ? Is he reluctant to turn out the Ministers? We suspect that both of these timid gentlemen have no gr-..:t relish for the coming election.
A great number of the old freemen have been swept off by the in. Suenza. The Tory agents in Liverpool and elsewhere are busy in procuring substitutes for the dead—representatives of men in their graves—to vote at the next elections. Let the Liberals watch. A mortality among the freemen. ought to be advantageous to all except the bribers.
Mr. O'Connell received on Thursday a singular letter from Ireland, written in a female hand, inclosing notes for 100/. The communica- tion runs thus: "A tribute of gratitude to Mr. O'Connell, for making Ireland respected. Feb. 19, 1837."
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