To this spurious independence the Friends of our present Representatives lay no claim.  They assert in the face of the world that those Representatives hold their seats by free election.—­That has placed them there; and why should we wish to change what we do not disapprove of—­that which could not have been without our approbation?  But this County has not for a long time been disturbed by electioneering contests.—­Is there no species of choice, then, but that which is accompanied with commotion and clamour?  Do silent acquiescence and deliberate consent pass for nothing?  Being contented, what could we seek for more?  Being satisfied, why should we stir for stirring’s sake?  Uproar and disorder, even these we could tolerate on a justifying occasion; but it is no sign of prudence to court them unnecessarily, nor of temper to invite them wantonly.  He who resorts to substantial unruliness for the redress of imaginary grievances, provokes certain mischief; and often, in the end, produces calamity which would excite little compassion, could it be confined to its original author.

Let those who think that they are degraded proclaim their own dishonour. They choose to regard themselves as shackled Conscripts:—­we know that we are self-equipped Volunteers.  If they cannot be easy without branding themselves as slaves, we would endeavour to dissuade them from such abuse of their free-agency; but if they persist, we cannot interfere with their humour:  only do not let them apply the iron to our foreheads!  They cry out that they have been in a lethargy; why do they not add that they would have been asleep to this hour, if they had not been roused, in their vales and on their moors, by an officious and impertinent call from the dirty alleys and obscure courts of the Metropolis?

If there be any honour in England, the composition of the Lowther Party must be loyal and honourable.  Its adversaries have admitted that a large majority, they might have added nearly the whole, of the leading Gentry; that the Magistracy—­all but a single Individual; that the Clergy and the Members of the other liberal Professions—­with very few exceptions; and a vast body of Tradesmen and Manufacturers, and of substantial Yeomen, the honest Grey-coats of Westmoreland, have already declared themselves of one mind upon this appeal to their judgments.  Looking to a distance, they see the worth and opulence, the weight of character, and the dignity and respectability of station, that distinguish the numerous list of Freeholders resident in London, who have jointly and publicly testified their satisfaction in the conduct of our present Representatives.  The discontented see and know these things; and are well aware also that the Lowthers cannot justly be accused of inordinate and disrespectful family ambition, inasmuch as it was not their wish that the County should be represented by two Members of their House.  It has long been no secret that if any other Gentleman of the County properly qualified, whose political principles did not substantially differ from their own, would have come forward, he would have been sure of their support.  If they resist to the utmost persons of opposite principles, the points in dispute being scarcely less than vital, the more must they be respected by every zealous Patriot and conscientious Man.