CONSERVATIVE APATHY.
TO THE EDITOR OF JOHN BULL.
Sir,—It is more in sorrow than in anger that I venture to address these few lines. There appears to have been a strange apathy amongst the Conservatives lately. Three seats have been lost to the party since the General Election last July owing entirely to either recklessness or indifference. The places I allude to are Aberdeenshire, Bridgwater and Petersfield. It was thought a family compact could be snugly arranged between Mr. Leslie and Sir James Elphinstone, which the electors of Aberdeenshire did not feel inclined to endorse, consequently Mr. Fordyce, the Whig, was returned by above 1,000 majority. The Conservatives in this case made themselves the laughing-stock of the world. The next is Bridgwater, where Mr. Patton was elected some seven weeks ago by the narrow majority of 8. One would naturally have thought that the Conservatives would not have risked the seat after such a hand to hand contest; yet Mr. Patton accepts the office of Lord-Advocate, appeals again to his constituents, and is defeated by a majority of 37 votes, Mr. Vanderbyl having only been sent from the Reform Club three days previous to the election. Last but not least in the black list comes Petersfield. One would naturally have supposed that after having been represented for something like thirty years by a staunch Conservative, Sir Wm. Jolliffe, the electors would have looked out for one of similar political opinions. When lo and behold! to the surprise and dismay of every Conservative throughout the length and breadth of the land, a Whig Radical, Mr. Wm. Nicholson, is actually returned unopposed, without even a shadow of opposition from the Conservatives. It was rumoured that Mr. Patton was to stand, but like the ‟baseless fabric” of a vision, there appears not even to be a “wreck” left behind. Why, I ask, could not a gentleman have been sent down from the Carlton if a local candidate was not forthcoming? Let the electors of Petersfield answer this question? A deep and lasting stigma will rest on them so long as they remain in their present lethargic condition. Would the Radicals have given seat up in so indifferent and careless a manner ? I say they would not, they would have fought to the last man. If there is one thing that I admire in the Whig Radicals it is their indomitable pluck in electioneering, they never leave a stone unturned, and yet a portion of the Conservatives, after their party have been placed in power, appear to be acting in such a lukewarm manner that they don’t think it worth while even to offer a show of opposition. Shame on the Conservatives for such indifference and apathy. If this is to be their game they had better adopt Lord Russell’s motto, ‟Rest and be thankful.” You invariably find the Radicals contesting every seat where there is the slightest chance. Let the Conservatives take a leaf of their opponents’ book. Let them give a "long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.” Whenever a seat is vacated let it be contested, no matter if the chance to win appears very ‟small even as a man’s hand, by-and-by it will hang o’er all the thirsty land.”
Onward, brother Conservative electors, I say onward to the battle, and never rest satisfied until your enemies are made your footstool.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
C. B. THOMAS.
Leeds, July 24.