County Galway Election
The Galway Advertiser, 15/9/1832
An active canvas has commenced for the representation of dur County, and James Daly; of Dunsandle; Sir John Burke of Marble hall, Christopher St. George, of Tyrone and Thomas Martin of Ballinahinch are already in the field; soliciting the suffrages of the electors. We think there will be not work of it and at this stage of the proceedings, it might be considered premature in us in offering any remarks on the pretensions of the different candidates. But this we met with in the county, has put his return beyond all manner of doubt. The contest in our opinion, will then be between the three gentlemen already named, unless any other way enter the list with them - a thing not at all improbable.
Mr. James Daly certainly comes before the electors of Galway under very peculiar, and we might even add, very favourable circumstances, and him has been fully verified the old adage, "seldom comes a better" for these who were so anxious in displacing him before, are now equally desirous of sending him back to that station which we believe to be the summit of his ambition - the representation of his native county. It is not our desire, as we said before; to enter into a discussion on the subject at present, we shall wait doing so until the proper time, when the different candidates shall have addressed the public. But by the way, we must take occasion to observe, that we shall do our utmost to oppose any Candidate who will indiscriminately take "the pledges". We wish to be properly understood. We know that it is necessary for every man who sets up for the suffrages of the people, to state the grounds upon which he rests his pretensions, and to give a routine of the manners in which his public acts are to guided, to the advancement of the general good of the public, and so fair, full, and impartial representations of the wishes and feelings of ALL, as far as may be in his power.
Bet on the great and important political questions, in which the great bulk of the people must be divided in opinion (and was there ever a great public questions yet mooted about in which a difference did not exist) it is a preposterous to bind any gentlemen to them, and a member, in our opinion, returned under such, auspices, must be considered much more the representative of a party that that of the people; and it is a question after all, when their under circumstances, are will be able to keep his honour unsullied , or he will not, with out doing so, be able to budge one inch from the ground on which he took his stand. Oh!
For a member under circumstances; and he must be a mere serf who, in order to have M.P. stock at the end of his name, would pin his political existence on the sleeve of any man, or body of men; and well might we ask him.
"To what end did God give you a judgement of your own. If that of another is to be the rule of your life."
It must be admitted that, however, (speaking impartially) that many gentlemen start on the interest of those who general politics are in accordance; such man cannot be called, "a grovelling Parliament hunter"; but even so to the very act of his being under the influence of a party shrews that he seeks of that he is rather "bound" to deprive others of that which himself adheres to so tenaciously: so that even in the most favourable that we can view it, not "pledged" man must be not only a party man, but representative of a party. We protest, we speak not our sectarian feelings or principles, much less are we of a party. We take our stand on the broad basis of the palladium of the British liberty - the representation - the whole representation of the PEOPLE. It has surprised as often that men who wish to be proverbially noted for political honesty, blindly turn aside from the apparent ills that afflict their country, and will seize upon that which, while it may be the means of the attainment of some darling object, will be instrument more officially of attracting the attention of the giddy multitude, giving full vent at the some time to the spouting orator, and the self interested Patriot. Unhappy Ireland yours has been the lot to be the suffer by such scenes. We hope, however that the wishes for hour of yours regeneration is not far distant. Freemen of the County Galway, do your duty. Send into Parliament FREE UNTRAMMELLED and Independent members; but if you swerve from your political integrity.
"Cropped are the flower-de-luces in your arms"