On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
parish relief , in case he should apply for it , if fie continued to go to that house , namely , the'Dissenting * Chapel . " Sworn July 16 , 1819 , before me , " THOMAS CALLEY . " The mark m of JOHN BRICKER , a Dissenter . " Witness , M . J . SEMPER . '' This fact put Astley ' s agents to their shifts for it roused a spirit of inquiry amongst the Dissenters , and they began to
draw comparisons between the candidate * in a way they had not thought upon before . It was now generally believed that , which ever way the Dissenters leaned , they could easily turn the scale ; and if they could be kept divided in their opinions respecting the two candidates , thing's would be balanced 5 therefore papers issued from the press , stating that Astley was no bigot , but a very humane man , and friendly to u
Toleration . And certain Militiamen Dissenters were applied to for their signatures , affirming that the Major never interrupted them in their worship whilst in the regiment , but actually suffered them both to pray and preach ! On the other hand , Benett ^ s claims on Religious Liberty rested not on negative qualities . He had advocated the injured , and in his magisterial character on the bench , had claimed for Dissenters freedom
of worship as their right . He also met the charge of Atheism with manly boldness . After noticing * a letter he had received from
a Rev . Mr . Lucas , on the subject of his religious faith , he said to the company present , " I will repeat the words which I used , with the utmost sincerity , in my reply t » Mr . Lucas , —I believe in God and his revealed will , and endeavour to make that will the rule of my faith and conduct . I farther declare , that , as a Protestant Christian , in a Protestant country , I will ever uphold the rights of conscience and
reliijfsous liberty to all . I would ask , Gentlemcn , who can have read with attention
that bonk of beautiful and sacred history , the Bible , without acknowledging- these fruths ? Who can have observed the conduct of our Saviour himself on earth ; who can have read bis divine precepts
without admitting' the principle of universal toleration ? " But , no ! this would not do , his enemies perceived even in this speech Knocking * heresies 5 and it was soon in circulation , that Denctt was friendly to tin ; Uniniriaus , and that the Unitarians throughout
Hie comity had promised him their votes . On Friday , July 16 th , John Hcnett , Esq . uwd bis quondam friend . John Du ^ 'dalc Astlcy , Esq ., were put in nomination , and thr ^ oiling * commenced at the hustings
erected on the Down , between two a ad thrct ! r « nle « from Salisbury . Tho most , provoking * insults aatt slanders v , vw now lesortod U > - but thrs <* not an-
Untitled Article
swering the purpose , ( for a spirit of independence was raised in behalf of Bettetg that made corruption * tremble , lie having polled a majority of 103 on the first day , } it was determined that violence should be used in keeping * back the voters of Benetr , and this plan began to be acted upon .
Astley ' s committee atTrowhndge entered into an agreement with a ferocious molt , hundreds of whom , armed with bludgeons , for the s-nm of half-a-ciown and three shillings each , marched upwards of thirty miles to hinder Benett * s voters from coming tip to the poll . Having- arrived at the theatre of
action , a most serious affray took place : the hustings were beat down * , and the High Sheriff was under a necessity of adjourning' the electors to a large malting , house in Salisbury , where the polling * continued for tlie space of fifteen days , the utmost period , the law allows for tendering
votes . In tlie mean time , the most shocking scenes were displayed at Trowbrjtdge j for the dreg's of the committee havinggiven orders to the dregs of the bludgeonmen , particular houses were devoted to destruction ^ and it is said about fo rty men had thus sold themselves to work
wickedness ; whilst infatuated women carried in their aprons stones that had been torn from the pavement for this work of ruin . Providentially for the town , a heavy and continued rain fell during tlie night , or it is believed the town would have been fired in
many places . Upwards of thirty houses were partly demolished , and others were threatened with being razed to their foundations the next night Though the military were called in from the neighbouring districts , and special constables
perambulated the streets , still the work of destruction went on , and a Benett ^ as he was called , durst not stir out of doors after dusk , but at the hazard of his life ; and , shocking" to relate , some of the principal clothiers , strict Dissenters , sanctioned and lent their names to these horrid abuses
and to the disgrace of men professing Christianity , bigotry and intolerance gained a petty triumph , whilst brotherly love and charity were left to mourn and weep . However , Wiltshire at large has gained a greater victory , as , by a majority of one hundred and sixty-six votes , she has brought in the man of her choice : a man who is a
real friend to civil and religious liberty 5 for whatever his eneuiies may . say of him , John Benett , of Pyt House , wishes to see the poor of the land prosperous and happy ; but he well knows their prosperity and happiness can arise only from a reduction in taxation , and Eng-lan < Ps expenditure always kept within her income .
Untitled Article
5 & 0 Intelligence . —Miscellaneous . The late Wiltshire Election .
Untitled Article
At the : Meeting of tha Royal Burghs of Scotland- in July , it was resolved that thr Burgess oath should n <> nir-w bv ••* Mjuin *«
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1819, page 520, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1775/page/60/
-