This broadside, printed at the Aberdeen Herald Office by G. Cornwall, was most likely issued around the time of the general election of 1835. We can gather this from the figures in attendance. Three of these were Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864), the Lord Provost James Blaikie (1786-1836) and Arthur Farquhar (1772-1843). Both Bannerman and Farquhar are nominated to stand as candidates in the general election for the city in 1835, and various attendees give speeches. In the election, Bannerman defeats Farquhar. The Scotsman (21st January 1835, p. 4) reports that these events took place on 14th January 1835.

The broadside begins with the Provost nominating and introducing Bannerman. In his speech, Bannerman promises to defend the institutions of the country. He says that in order to do so, they must be reformed: "by lopping off the old useless branches and clearing away from the trunks those excrescences and funguses?" Bannerman also ridicules Conservatives. The broadside reports the occasion to be jovial, with Bannerman eliciting cheers and laughter repeatedly. The broadside reports Farquhar's address being poorly received.

The 1832 Scottish Reform Act gave Aberdeen 2,024 new electors and its own MP. Alexander Bannerman stood for the position and was elected unopposed. Previously, Scotland's electorate had been a mere 0.2 per cent of the population, compared to England's 4 per cent. After the Act, the electorate increased thirteen-fold to 65,000. Bannerman stood in these election as a Whig.

The Aberdeen Herald was a reform supporting newspaper.

Document Type

Broadside

Document Reference

HD04_25

Keyword

Elections

Collection

Aberdeen Local Studies

Magnifier?

Yes

Public Access

Yes