3-052-563 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The General Election: Lord Hartington at Over Darwen, North-East Lancashire, 1880. 'The contest in North-East Lancashire, which derived great political importance...from the position that Lord Hartington holds as one of the leaders of the Liberal party, terminated on Friday last week by his triumphant return, with Mr. R. W. Grafton, their majority over the Conservatives being more than 1300 votes. The result of the poll was declared at a late hour the same evening to an enthusiastic multitude assembled in front of the Townhall at Blackburn, and Lord Hartington briefly addressed them with an expression of his thanks, and a promise that the Liberal party would do their best for the welfare of the country. His Lordship remarked with satisfaction that the present contest, though arduous and exciting, has been carried on in a fair, honourable, and truly English manner. "There has been, I believe," said Lord Hartington, "little personality, little abuse, little ill-feeling".' From "Illustrated London News", 1880.