2nd.—Who have been the consistent supporters of all Educational Schemes, by which the employer is secured an intelligent and moral servant, in the place of a mere tool, without thought or respect for himself; and in opposition to that other weakly theory that insists upon keeping the people ignorant, lest they should discover the ignorance of those called their “betters?”
3rd.—Who have (and without ostentation) supported schemes of Public Amusement and Relaxation? Those who believe that the “Great Unwashed” are often whiter and cleaner than those who sit in high places;—those who, as before stated, are anxious to promote the general good!
4th.—Who have, from first to last, advocated the exposure of all they do to fair criticism, and voted for the Admission of Reporters to Newspapers, in the very face of other gentlemen who desire a secrecy as strict as the Inquisition of old?
5th—Who is it—that can create any hope within you, that whatever of rottenness there may be, even in the rottenest end of Dudley, shall be cleansed in due time?—
The answer—you have already anticipated, is that which will determine you to Vote for the Rev. Dr. Browne, Messrs. Richard Smith, Elliott Hollier, S. D. Fereday, W. C. Wood, and G. J. England.
Be not deceived! These Gentlemen are recommended for your adoption because it is evident you may trace in their past conduct that openness and that independence which must ever constitute true manhood; that intelligent persistence in efforts for the general good, which is the best guarantee of any “Trusteeship” being wisely sustained; Who have displayed an indifference to be governed by any one man—or even by any doubtful hero—whose chief recommendation could be, that he “swears heartily,” and “foams” angrily when he finds any one near his august presence that deigns to think for himself.
Look to it well, you men of Dudley and the District, that you select only such men as can act for themselves, without first asking what Mr. So-and-so thinks. Depend upon it, that in this case, as in many others, “it is better to bear the ills we (are alleged to) have, than fly to others we know not of!”
“AREOPAGITICA.”
TO THE INTELLIGENT RATEPAYERS OF DUDLEY.