Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/198

 election in 1837, which was a contest between whigs and tories, two tories were returned. At the election for 1841, no whig candidate could be found, and the free traders did not think themselves strong enough to contest the county without whig aid. In 1837 the whig candidates had majorities in only two out of the ten polling districts. In 1844 the free traders had majorities in six of the ten districts. In 1841 the free traders knew that they would be out-numbered by 2,000 votes; now, so much had their principles spread, they were within 500 or 600 of their opponents. They saw victory before them. It came, and South Lancashire was represented neither by nominees of the great whig nor the great tory aristocratic families, but by one of the greatest of the Liverpool and one of the greatest of the Manchester merchants, both representing faithfully the best interests of commercial and manufacturing Lancashire. Mr. Brown was one of several who, at this period, were not so desirous to be in the House of Commons themselves, for the gratification of a selfish ambition, as to excite such a spirit, in the places where they were candidates, as would make free trade principles victorious at the next contest. Would that more frequently candidates could, with equal sincerity, say, "Not me, but the cause!"