Politics [ Politics & Society / Feelings & Emotions ]
… reflected a serious breach of the unspoken contract of sociability between candidates and crowd. An example of the riot which took place at the hustings on the afternoon of the second day of the poll for the Bedford election of 1830 is … however, to show respect to their audience throughout (and to take their hats off when they addressed the crowd). The riot in Bedford was precipitated by a speech at the end of the second day’s polling by one of the candidates, William … of themselves and the speaker, who had called forth such a dangerous display of the public wrath […]. (44) A full riot was prevented only when Polhill forced his way to the front of the hustings, and succeeded in talking the crowd …
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