Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

but of expediency. And, as to and you will find, perhaps, a couour object, it is to cause the wishes ple, or three, or four, principal of a majority of the community to proprietors of the land. The be spoken by those whom we next class are their tenants. Then shall call representatives of the the tenants of those tenants. Then people; for, we conclude, as we come the unmarried house sersafely may, that the wishes of a vants and lodgers. Suppose the majority of no community can be principal proprietors to be two. against the interests of that com- in number. Will they not go munity. Now, how are we to themselves, or send their stewards, get at a knowledge of these to march their tenants to the poll wishes by confining the suffrage in as good order, and after as to a part of the community? I ask that, and I need go no further. But how are we to ascertain the wishes by addressing ourselves to that part of the community who are necessarily (mind that!) who are necessarily, from their very form take place) make every situation in life, the most de-tenant muster his tenants, as the pendant, and the least at liberty to speak their minds freely?

[ocr errors]

strict a roll-call, as a colonel marches his regiment from one barrack to another? You know they will, because you know they do. And, will they not (if the Lambtonian and Hobhousean re

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

colonel makes his captains, subalterns and serjeants, muster and parade their respective companies

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Here is the ground, the real ground, of all the hankering, on and squads? Here you have, the part of the rich, who call then, the whole regiment of themselves reformers, after the "moderate" reform- voters, householder plan! For, after all, though the number of voters would be augmented, the freedom of voice would not; the Labouring Classes would still be

[blocks in formation]

as they are now; and their wishes would, of course, have no more weight than they now have. Look

at any part of the kingdom.

ནི་་

complete order, discipline, and obedience. This will be so, because it must be so; and, really, such a Reform would be a change for the worse; for, under the operation of such a plan, the aristocracy of State and Church would have the thing wholly in their hands.

ܐܐ,

But, let in the fourth class: let Take a circuit of ten miles round; in the unmarried and non-house

t

[ocr errors]

if they came, by any chance, they would only come to break the ranks, to stimulate others to mutiny, and to throw into confusion the battalion of corruption. Of the two, which is the most independent person, the butcher (or any other tradesman) or his man? The man, to a certainty; and the master will take a good scolding, when the man will give the scolder two words for one.

holder labourers and journeymen, | These bucks would despise the and all the links of the chain of beat of the election-drum; they corruption and oppression are would laugh at the muster: and, snapped asunder in a moment. Here is a restive crew that will take no election hints and obey no commands. It is in vain to threaten them. If you discharge them, their wardrobe and furniture are quickly on their shoulder; they have another master; for, mind, a vacancy must be made for them by those whom you must have to supply their place. You cannot deprive them of a house to live in; and, as to your pay, they give their labour in exchange; and, to your advantage, too; for

[ocr errors]

you must make a profit out of their labour, in some shape or

So that, according to the " mo" derate" plan, all are to vote; all the people are to vote; every man is to have a vote; save and except the man who belongs to other. They have no wives to that class, who alone dare to vote whimper at being removed from agreeably to their own wishes, the vicinage of their mothers and which wishes, observe, are, and sisters, or to be exposed to peril must be, also the wishes of their from unexpected removal at cri- dependent married associates. tical times. They have no ba-Were it proposed to withhold the bies, or sick children, who cannot suffrage from householders, and be removed without danger to to give it to unmarried men, the life. Their minds are not weighed proposition would have something down by oppressive considera-like justice in it. Seeing that the tions. They see what is going latter would assuredly speak the on; they hear things discussed; wishes of the former as well as they form opinions, and have their own wishes. But, Mr. wishes, like those of their mar- LAMBTON's virtual representation ried associates; and they dare plan would give the vote to those, act upon those wishes, which their who must vote as they are ordermarried associates dare not.ed, though against the wishes of

keep it from those who would vote according to their own and to their married neighbours' wishes! Admirable scheme for making the parliament speak the wishes of the people!

their unmarried neighbours, and that Mr. HUNT had the show of hands; and that he got only about four-score votes out of ten thousand; and, that, Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, who was rejected by the show of hands, was elected by the votes? Were the handshowers bribed? That is impossible. Their hands certainly indicated their wishes. But, when the voters; when the householders came; when these had been twice to visit them. When the RUMP had swelled itself out to three hundred in number; when each of these had talked with the masters of the wretched householders; when these masters had talked with the householders themselves, the householders acted very differently from what they themselves had done, when they held up their hands! And thus it is,

If these arguments stood in need of any facts to enforce them, what should we need more than what we see take place at every election called popular? If the single men could have decided the election at Coventry, would it have terminated as it did? It was poor, dependent, married

men,

culled freemen, marked with that appellation, that sent Moore and Ellice to parliament. CURTIS has not a hand held up for him by the livery at a Common Hall; but, those same livery give him a majority of votes.

He well knows the tie by which

they are bound; he knows that

they dare not vote as they please; and he laughs at their hootings and revilings. "Think of my family: think of my wife and

66

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

2

་་

attack from him, on places and land, that, too, observe, because sinecures absolutely indecent: it went too far! Bless'us! They this being the case, let me put it will see something go a little farto any man of sense, whether the ther, I believe, before they get people of Westminster would the Debt paid. LORD MILTON have chosen him as a member, if has changed his mind since the the unmarried and unfettered time when he was younger. men had had a vote at the elec-Well: so far so good: but, it is tion? very naughty, you know, to be

366

No wonder, then, at all this inconsistent! However, he is in hankering after the householder the right road; and, let us hope, plan! It is of all plans the very that he will get along. He thought, worst, if we could suppose it that the householder plan would possible for it to be permanent. endanger the Constitution. That It would, indeed, take the money would be a pity; for the Conbribes away from many who now stitution gives support to some of receive them; but, if men be to the prettiest gentlemen and ladies vote against their consciences; if in the world; and it gives Burke's the wishes of others, and not their Executors two thousand five hunown wishes, be to direct them dred pounds a year, which a real what to say, it is as well for them reform of parliament would, in to get money by the peeping as all likelihood take away! It. not a false oath is still a false secures to us the use of the lawoath, whether procured by inspir-giving talents of Messrs. SCARing fear or giving money, and LETT, BROUGHAM, ABERCROMBIE, whether there be many or one MACKINTOSH, and a great many engaged in the subornation. others, which a real reform of So much for Mr. LAMBTON's parliament might, by possibility, abortive attempt at "moderate take from us; and, therefore, Reform," at the " prepara-such a constitution is not to be en"tory school" for which Signor dangered. Lord MILTON, in 1816, Waithman enjoyed the happiest said, he wished to come to close day of his life. But, it is worthy quarters with the Reformers; the of remark, that the far greater next year, when he appeared part of those, who spoke in favour likely to be gratified in this reof going into a Committee, dis-spect, he spoke and voted for approved of the householder plan; a bill to screw up their mouths.

66

[ocr errors]

3.

}

[ocr errors]

To close quarters with such re-ruption more than she ever was formers as Messrs. LAMBTON and belaboured before. The 'mid-' HOBHOUSE, with whom the callsdling classes, we are now told, of nature are so powerful as to want reform. Want it! Why, abstract them from the field in they always wanted it; but, they the heat of the fight, his lordship did not dare mention the word, may safely come; but, I am half till some of the Landlords wanted disposed to believe, that he would to put out the ministers by the not, with the real reformers, carry sound. Faith, the Ministers, are on a combat for any length of not to be driven off by sounds. time, without calling aloud for They are not afraid of blank protection from Bills of some cartridges. sort or other. When Mr. MAD- However, let us leave this DOX brought forward his memo- "moderate" stuff to its fate, and rable motion relative to the seat look a little at that, which is really of Quintin Dick, Lord MILTON interesting to us; namely, the ef was the man, who said, that he forts that are now making by the did not think the worse, on that land-people to raise and keep up account, of those who had been the price of Corn! They preengaged in the transaction! How- tend, that this is for the good of ever, Lord MILTON was young-commerce and manufactures; and, “er" then than he is now; and daylight does not follow dark is a great deal younger now than more certainly, than the adoption he will be in a few years hence, especially if the wheat keeps falling in price!

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

t

of their scheme would totally ruin both, which, indeed, are already more than half-ruined. They wish to have no warehousing, and to have a duty imposed as high

"The state of Corruption is very perilous, and, not less perilous on account of our tranquillity. The as the full price of corn ought to Six-Acts really did Corruption be. Wages, and particularly harm. They deprived her of the in commerce and manufactures, use of those lies and bug-bears, could not be raised; and, of course, with which she used to deceive and hundreds of thousands must help frighten the timid. "That ge- themselves, or die quietly from

neral working of events," of hunger. Yet, it is very certain, which Lord Castlereagh speaks that the Landlords and the Bigso eloquently, is belabouring Cor-farmers must come down to a

« НазадПродовжити »