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[Page 566]

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF GREENWICH. 

GENTLEMEN, Having been invited by a very large and influential body of the Electors to offer myself as a Candidate at the ensuing Election in conjunction with Sir HENRY WATSON PARKER, I have great pleasure in acceding to their call; I may add, that as a member of a Family so long established in West Kent, it would be most especially gratifying to me to find myself honored by the choice of a Constituency in the same County, and not far removed from my usual place of residence. 
I appear before you as a LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE, - and it is on those principles I have endeavoured to act during the short period that, as one of the Members for Leominster, I have sat in the House of Commons. I would be CONSERVATIVE, as maintaining against attack our ancient and honored Constitution in all its main and guiding principles, - I would be LIBERAL, in applying reform to all or any of its abuses or imperfections.
On this general view, I considered it my duty to give my vote against Mr. GLADSTONE'S Resolutions respecting the Irish Church. 
I regard the Irish Church as an integral part of the United Established Church; and I would not willingly withdraw the right hand of fellowship from the Irish Protestants, for the more than doubtful experiment of satisfying the Irish Roman Catholic body; but, while prepared to maintain as a whole the integrity of the Established Church in Ireland, I am fully sensible of the importance of effecting considerable improvements in it. A Commission, of which my Father was a member, has lately reported in detail upon these points, and I should be prepared to consider most carefully the scope of its recommendations.
However much there may be still to lament in the state of Ireland, the administration of its affairs by the present Government, combing, as they have done, firmness with conciliation, has already resulted in a great diminution in crime, and in a sensible improvement in the condition of the people.
In Foreign Policy, the country never stood so high as at present, and with Lord STANLEY as Foreign Minister, there is an immediate prospect of the settlement of those questions between this country and the United States, which have so long been a source of vexation and uneasiness to both. 
To those Electors who are now for the first time called upon to record their votes, I would venture to point out that this large extension of the franchise, of which they now recap the fruits, was carried not by a LIBERAL, but by a CONSERVATIVE Administration.
As regards matters of local interest, I am far from satisfied with the present state of Greenwich Hospital. I think that it might be made far more available for its noble object, were it to become not only, as heretofore, the abode of those who have suffered in their Country;s service, but also to be rendered conducive to many very important objects connected with Naval Education. 
I think also that the appropriation of the Dockyard at Deptford, and other matters in reference to Woolwich, explained in the address of my honourable brother Candidate, ought to engage the most earnest attention of your future representatives; and in that and all other matters that locally concern you, I would promise you my most diligent care.
Trusting that I may have many opportunities of meeting you before the day of the Election, - and of explaining in greater details my opinions and sentiments, I have the honor to be, GENTLEMEN, Your most obedient Servant, Mahon. 
CHEVENING PARK, SEVENOAKS, 4th November, 1868

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