6 MAY 1837, Page 13

PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUDDERSFIELD NON-ELECTORS.

BETWEEN Sir JOHN RAMSDEN on one side and the non-electors on the other, the constituent body of Huddersfield, it would seem, have exceedingly little to do with the choice of a Member to succeed Mr. BLACHRURNE. Sir JOHN is the proprietor of the greater part of the borough ; the tradesmen hold their shops at Iris mercy, and of course dread his displeasure; while the non- electors are the chief consumers of the articles sold in these shops. Sir JOHN says, " Vote for Mr. Ellice junior—he is my candi- date :" the non-electors make "demonstrations," the meaning of which is perfectly evident, though not distinctly put forth in words, in favour of Mr. RICHARD OASTLER, of Fixity Hall. These " demonstiations," they tell the electors, are kindly meant; they will not "take any one by surprise, nor give any friend cause hereafter to blame himself;" but, it is added, the non-electors " have only the following alternatives—either criminally to sup- port their Whig enemy, or, by a shameful neutrality, permit him to walk over the course triumphant." The Morning Chronicle, in apparent alarm for the result of the election, denounces these proceedings, and asserts that all the " respectable" men of Huddersfield are in favour of Mr. ELLice. It may be so : the Reform Bill, however, was not carried by " re- spectable" men, but by proceedings similar in tone and spirit to those adopted by the Huddersfield Democrats. Itslo doubt, it is

disagreeable to the Whigs to perceive that the denial of the suf- frage to the masses only forces them to exercise their power in an irregular manner, and by no means destroys it. It is the more unpleasant because this power of the masses will almost invari- ably be used against the Whigs, who, being in office, are now looked upon as "enemies." We expect that the next general election will call forth most of the non-electors in opposition to the Whigs.

Then, perhaps, it will occur to the Ministerial opponents of ex- tended suffrage and the secret vote, that their safer course would

have been to conciliate the masses and to protect the elector. To irritate the non-electors, and then refuse to the constituent body the only means of protection from their active enmity, was most un-

wise. It is probable that a large proportion of the 10/. voters, especially in those towns which have derived benefit from the Municipal Act, are well inclined to support the Whigs ; but how can they support them, against the angry masses on one side, and the wealthy and unscrupulous Tories on the other ?

Despising the hypocrisy of the Tory double-dealing in regard to the Poor-law prejudice, we yet have little sympathy with the complaints of the W higs in reference to the proceedings of the

Huddersfield non-electors. How comes it that these men are violent? why do they threaten and bully ? For this above all—

that they have power, which the Legislature will not suffer them to exercise peacefully and legally. Give them the right of voting, and then they would become jealous of undue influence of every description. But you must alter the constitution of human nature before you can force men who think themselves aggrieved, and believe that they have the means of redress in their bands, to re- frain from the use of thoae means.

The proceedings at Huddersfield will be taken as an example in other parts of the country. The Whigs should receive them

thankfully as a warning ; and when Mr. Husie's motion for Household Suffrage is brought forward, show that experience has not been without its effect on their policy.