East-Sussex Representation
Whilst Mr. C. H. Frewen still represented East Sussex in Parliament he publicly stated that he should decline to be a candidate at the next election, and that Mr. Dodson, of the same political opinions as himself, would be the candidate. In consequence of this anticipated retirement two candidates - Lord Pevensey, a Conservative, and Mr. Dodson, a Liberal - came before the electors. Both parties commenced active operations in this borough and neighbourhood, and on Saturday, Feb 7th, Lord Pevensey addressed the farmers and others who were assembled at the Hastings Corn Market. About 4 p.m., when there were about 150 persons in the Market Room, his Lordship, and some of his political friends, entered and prepared to address the company.
W. D. Lucas-Shadwell, Esq., who acted as chairman said they were aware that Mr. Frewen was about to withdraw, and that Lord Pevensey had consented to be a candidate. His Lordship had not been among them before, but those who had read his truly Conservative address would, he thought, approve of it. He called it Truly Conservative because true Conservatism was not old Toryism, but something that marched forward with the times, and kept pace with the necessities of the nation. [Hear, hear!] In this important agricultural district it was highly necessary to have a man to represent them whose interest was strongly connected with agriculture - not a man who would support that to the damage of other interests, but one who would forward the interests of all. Those who lived on the land and by the land ought to be represented by landed proprietors, because such could understand them better than those interests were not bound up in agriculture; and he therefore thought Lord Pevensey was a very proper person to represent them in Parliament, The questions which agitated the country some time ago were now settled, and they did not wish to alter them; but there were still subjects which claimed their attention, one of which was the Income Tax. [Cheers.] They all felt this because it touched their pockets. The war tax, without regard to other taxes ought to be withdrawn immediately [Hear, hear!] He believed Lord Pevensey would take the same view as himself, and when returned to Parliament would do his utmost to remove such part of the said tax as was not assessed as a peace tax only. We had returned to peace, but Lord Palmerston had not encouraged the country to cultivate the arts of peace. There were one or two points of permanent interest to which must refer. They were most of them true Protestants, and he thought they would not record their vote for any candidate who would not pledge him-
