Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

283

Her

[graphic]

been confined in a dungeon for advocating thought that they were right, under such this very same Reforms and he certainly never circumstances, to take the consequences) difia expected then, to see that House yield to the force refusal. He knew what it was to be in gaalza of the saying of Lord Chatham, that if re- (a laugh) he had been confined two years form did not come from within doors, it would and a half, (Question" and laughter,) and he t come from without with a vengeance." The knew that persecution never made converts. hon. Member for Calne had observed, with (Hear.) Although he looked with respect on truth, that there was no desire to attack the the right hon. Baronet near him (Sir R. Peel)T rights of the thronel A good deal had been and venerated his high talents, he rememberedis said about the greasy radicals who went walk the time when he was in his custody; (loudia ing about the streets of London. (A laugh.) laughter;) but, bating the high talent the p He was as thorough a radical as any in exist-right hon. Baronet possesses, be, (Mr.s ence; but where was the man who could say Hunt,) as Member for the borough of Presi that he had ever said a word against the rights ton, stood now quite as high as he did, ands of the throne? He had, as it was his duty to considered himself fully his equal. (A laugh.) do, protested against the profligate extrava- He knew no way in which his constituents gance of members of the Royal Family. (Cries were touched by this measure; but, if theyis of Question," and "Order." He would not were, and a great constitutional object was s object to the passing of a Civil List, but he about to be achieved, he should be willing to f did object to the profligacy of that Femily make the sacrifice, (Hear, hear.) He begged which had brought the institutions of the it, however, to be remembered, that he con-s country into disrepute, and which had en sidered the borough of Preston as good as any d couraged the demoralization of that House. other in the kingdom, Was it because they t (Question) To the situation to which that possessed universal suffrage, or something likem House and the country were then brought, it, that it could be said they chose improper the Royal Family, he contended, had mainly men to represent them Certainly not.ro contributed. He hoped, however, that the They had for their representatives at different f measure before the House would be car periods members of some of the highest ried, if it was only because it gave the country families in the kingdom; and the exercise) an increase of 500,000 electors; although he of their privileges had never been found faults would tell the hon. Member for Calne, that with. He, it was true, had not much prais teng times the number of good and honest perty. The late Government had taken carens voters would still be excluded. He trusted, that he should not become rich; for it hadis that when the hon. Member had occasion to placed him in gaol (hear, and a laugh;) but is speak on the subject again, he would re- did he seek the suffrages of the people of id member this, and deliver himself with a dif- Preston ? After the massacre of Manchester Is ferent temper and tone when he had occasion ("Question") he had been invited to stand for b to mention the state of the people. (Hear. that borough, then under the influence of the q He was told that ten pounds was the proper great manufacturers, and although the goodsds qualification, but he thought that the best will was as great as it had been since, he was to vote was that which came from the industrious defeated, and 400 families were afterwards.pm artificer or manufacturer, who earned from in the year 1820, expelled from their homes.o thirty shillings to three pounds a week, and in consequence of having voted for him. (The of he was determined in the course of these dis- hon. Member was here interrupted by loudow cussions to take an opportunity of submitting cries of Question") The noble Lord, the dr a proposition on that subject to the considera- Member for Devonshire, (Lord Ebrington,) ita tion of the House. He repeated, that all who had been permitted to say how he got into o paid taxes should have a vote, and he knew Parliament for that county, and he hoped theup the feeling to be strong in the Metropolis, same indulgence would be granted, without that a number of persons who had no vote re- claiming any thing on his own account, forw turned that circumstance as a ground of ex- the ancient borough of Preston During the o emption on their militia-paper. (Cries of last election he was proposed, without any O "Oh.")He repeated, they considered them- canvass or solicitation on his part, and imoa selves exempted, and demanded exemption, three days, he polled 3,029 votes. The o because they had no share in the choice of people of Preston did this, not from any sa representatives. In the North, he could tell hostility to the right honourable Gentleman, them, that many of the young meu were de- the Member for Windsor, (Mr. Stanley,) otrose termined to rot in guol rather than serve in from any dislike to his family but hell) the militia, unless they obtained this pri- would tell the House why they did it. They of vileges (Cries of No, and a laugh. He had read in the Act of Settlement that nonol said Yes; and he would go further. He would placeman or pensioner was entitled to hold acdr. tell them, that were he in their situation, he seat in that House, and so they chose hims would do the same (Laughter.) If they de-He hoped that this measure would be carriedjuil prived him of his bight of speaking in that Housey shes would naturally take another course, beThe law says, that if a mad, drawn to serve in the militia, refuses to do so, he is to be committed the prison and he, for one,

and that there would be no reaction, althoughbib he really might ask how the great mass of the to people could be called on to come forward and aw ask that House to support a reform, from thesve benefits of which they were to be excluded, andex

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

ads adegodslagitsovbs Tot пosgaob & ai bodo s which was intended for those above them? He made its members hypocrites, he would have would say, that if this measure was to be his heart made a very cullender with bullets, protected by the Ballot it would do; but as it (A laugh): The principle of the measure was was a mere extension of the suffrage to the founded in property, and intended for its pro tenantry of the rich and powerful, if they were tection; but he was prepared to contend that not protected by the Ballot the representation without the Ballot the principles Would Bedf would become even more corrupt than before, wholly defeated in its operation. He was sorry For his part he would never cease to advocate he had trespassed on the House so long. He the necessity of the Ballot, because he was did not often do so, and should not probably sure that the reforms they contemplated re- do it again; but the importance of the occa quired the protection of the Ballot more than sion must be his apology. He knew the the system they possessed. He believed that anxiety with which the House wished to hear this subject would now be pressed on their the opinions of the right hon. Baronet (Sir R attention by petitions. He had heard of nu- Peek) and the Members for Boroughbridge merous meetings about to take place; and (Sir C. Wetherell); and he confessed he shared although the noble Lord' (Lord John Russell) that anxiety, for he had not heard as yet as thought that there would be no agitation, and single argument or observation on the subject assured the House that there would be none, of Reform with which he had not been familiario he (Mri Hunt) knew from good authority that for the last twenty years. He was sure they b there would be such agitation as they had never would not make use of any of his arguments to seen before (Hear, hear, bear.) There used to serve their purposes hear, and a laugh and be itinerant orators to support the spirit of he should therefore at once conclude, in the these meetings; but now there were to be hope that, if opposition was to be offered to meetings of the Common Hall and the Com- Reform, there might be some reason found in mon Council, and throughout the kingdom, those who offered it. I loved golf on the subject of this Reform plan. While he d baturdirtros Hovawod begod H had the power to address himself to that HUNT'S STUFF, No. 2ad STU House, he would do very little out of doors. March 12, vino anw ti ti bolt (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) There he had Mr. HUNT was the first, he said, who had the privilege of speaking that which he con- spoken in that House respecting the neglect of ceived likely to benefit the cause he espoused; the petitions of the people; he was now happyss and he therefore left to other's the task of doing to find he had two allies in the persons of the the work elsewhere. (A laugh.) He assured hon. Members for Boroughbridge. (Langliteryds them there was no new light broken in on The Ministers never could have pretended toqa him with reference to this matter, He had bring in the Bill under the pretence that it always held the same opinions. At election was in compliance with the wishes of the people dinnersy and elsewhere, when a little knot of The number of petitions on the subject of Par-of politicians condescended once a year to meet liamentary Reform were in all 6460 They H their constituents, and where he heard them prayed, in addition to Reform, for retrenchP utter language they would not have dared to ment, for reduction of salaries and pensions, ofo make use of in that House, he had always re- sinecures and allowances, for the shortening of commended that these persons should be sent parliaments, and many for the Ballot but onl to say those things in the place where the whole two of all these that from Exeter and that d world would hear them, and benefit from from Bristol-prayed alone for any thing which then; and that rendering duty to their con- was granted (cheers from the Opposition) but s stituentsy those constituents might also be left he was bound to add, that all over the countryjois to play their bwi flatt when the occasion re-in every parish of the metropolis, in everys! quired bitodHe might occasionally have been town and village throughout the land, the d led to use expressions, respecting that House, people were running mad in favour of the ds which were thought disrespectful but he Ministerial measure. He had letters every us confessed he HAD BEEN MISLED BY day, and sometimes 25 over his number, which OTHERS and that, with the exception of was very expensive, giving him accounts of some interruptions, of which he could scarcely meetings to support Ministers, Never wasla complain more than others, he was bound to there greater, unanimity; but he should be says that he had been mistaken with respect to hypocrite if he did not declare, that although he the character of its Members, and that it did would support the Bill, he would not be satisfied ds not deserve the censure he had cast on it. with it, as it did not concede any of the favourites (Hedr, and waigh. He had little more objects of his life neither retrenchment, nords to say for he bad already trespassed too reduction of salaries, or sinecures,pror) peneliv long on their attention, but Be must add, sions, nor extension of the suffrages (indeediga that those who said the Ballot would make in many instances the Bill operated as our 153 mennigreater hypocrites seemed to know ailment, nor the vote by ballot nor, in shortyous little of human nature or of society. They any one of the objects he had most ardentlying did not seem to recollect that at the clubs desired. He would not, therefore, hesitate to H of the highest classes in England' the Ballot say, that even after this, Bill was passed, so wasneobstantly resorted to as a means of would go forth and endeavounoud of that of evading the odiuin ofte u if any House and in that House, to get a great deal o mahowabstolay in these clubs that the Ballot more for the people.

[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

-919 to fair ada lo brabust afted of idee or silt 28 bodo d' 22 Wiff k Ils BARING AND PALMERSTON to throw away, would be most (Proads bird) incautious. (Cheers.) That being his view of

to vt79dil ad Marco suit of tribulle the case, be, hardly need make any apology to

[ocr errors]

MBARING This was a question on which he felt the greatest anxiety and hesitation, as, indeed, every man of thinking in that House must feel. The measure now before them was de orihinary het of Legislation; but, in point of fact, it was a new constitution that they were called upon to consider. (Cheers.) It might be said, he knew, that the old constitution was worn out that it worked so ill, that it was the cause of misery, and misery to such an extent, that it behoved them to look into the affairs of the nation, with a view to the remodelling of the Government. But éven though this might be said, he was sure that honourable Gentlemen on all sides of the House must admit that, in fact aud substance, the measure now proposed was a new constitution. (Loud cheers.) He was sure that no honourable Gentleman below him could doubt that this was the proposition which the House was called on to consider. (Cheers.) Reference had been made to governments which existed in all parts of the world; but at least it must be allowed, that the only constitution which had tried to mix a popular influence with that of the Aristocracy and the Monarch was that which had been tried in this country (cheers)-a constitution which had (he would not say by the wisdom of our ancestors, but a good deal by happy fortune, or, more properly speaking, by the gift of Providence) at last brought them to that state of things which hitherto had been the envy of the world, and till of late years the subject of pride and satisfaction to Englishmen. (Cheers.) And what was that Constitution? As he anderstood it, it was the three Estates of King, Lords, and Commons; and this had been tried for the purpose of giving to the latter a share in the interests of the country. But now some said, in speaking of the Commons, they were stinking, rotten, and corrupt, but he said that it was that House which had been the means of mixing up the popular body with the various compounds of the interests of the country. But whether the result had been the good working of that general system to the welfare of the country or not that was the question of which the country was to judge. (Hear, hear.) And when they had heard the hou. Member for Middlesex state in the course of the Debate, that if the people were left to themselves, the House would not have any very different aspect, he thought that it might be assumed, that the present representation was a pretty fair one of the voice of the people. He did not mean to say that a better constitution than that of Eug land might not be imagined; but if all the constitutional-mongers of the world had never been able to invest one where there was so much rational liberty, he was entitled to say that this was some proof that it was beyond the reach of the utmost wit of may, and that accident had given them that jewel, which,

his right hon, Friends near him, with whom he had, for nearly five-and-twenty years, been pretty constantly a party man, for stating his sincere opinion on this subject. I But it was said that the King should keep to himself the Aristocracy to themselves and the Commons to themselves, He, however, contended that that was not the constitution of this country and he should like to know what practical grievances the people had to complain of, be cause this was not the constitution? Had the power of the peerage ever trampled on the people? Had not the people in their hands-was there not, in fact, more fact, more popular power in this country than in any other country in the whole world? He would confess that his great apprehension of the encroachment of the popular power was because he thought that in a short time it would lead to the destruction of all liberty, (Cheers.) What grievances were there that had arisen from the action of the Government? Had the peers, at any time, passed any law that gave them the preference? In Courts of Justice did not the Commons staud on an equality with them? Did the people find that their rights were not as secure as those of the peers? (Cheers.) He must confess that, for his part, he know of no such things. On the contrary, he thought that the very mixture of the three powers in this country was the greatest protection and support of its welfare. (Cheers.) He also thought that the influences that had been spoken of were extremely well calculated to check the over-eagerness of the popular feeling; though, at the same time, that House did really respond to the voice of the people, of which, as he had said before, he could give no stronger proof than the admission which had been lately made by the hou, Member for Middlesex. Undoubtedly there was great restlessness, abroad; but of that he personally had no apprehension. But, at the same time, did not that restlessness show itself also in that House? The people did not quite know what they wanted-and in the same mauner the House of Commons did not quite know what they wanted. (A laugh.) They had turned out one Administration and put in another; but, for all that, they did not show that they were disposed to support either the one or the other. This, was restlessness. that responded to that of the people; therefore, in this way, it might also be said that they represented the people. It had been well said, that the House of Commons just represented the people so as to afford them time to reflect. That House did not do things in the hurry of those who went to taverns and market places for the purpose of talkin politics, but they met, the popular voice as though they had said to it. Just take time to reconsider the matter. The benefit of this system had been sufficiently evident i the great question of Catholic Emancipation;

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

୧୫

for had that House, then acted as the hon. ought to be the standard of the right of elecMember for Westminster seemed to wish tion. What he wanted was liberty for all. had that House immediately represented the (Loud cheers.) Let him take the liberty of popular agitation that was going on without, to the hon. Member for Preston. Not that measure would never have been carried only were the observations which he afiade áu and be believed that it was generally admitted that House unobjectionable, but many of thear! to be a measure which the peace of the were extremely useful and it musts bessere empire had depended. In his opinion, the tremely satisfactory to the people to find that present representation was not at all at en- they had such a representative in that House mity with the people; and he was convinced to state the grievances under which they supe that the people, seeing the great attention posed they laboured. Seeing this, it was im which that House paid to all the interests of possible that they should shut their eyes to the country, would be satisfied with it: and if the importance of the English House of Conve even there had been a legislature which had mons. Any one who had seen the power that watched with parental care over the interests people of no property had over popular bodies of all classes, the House of Commons was ought to see, that, without counterbalancing that, legislature; and he who denied it, must that power, the whole systems would hes either be grossly wanting in observation, or changed. To form that counterbalance had of a most perverted judginent. (Cheers.) been the system of the Government as yet But it seemed that there was a new light that had been the constitutions of England coming upon them, and to what did it (hear, hear), and it was but shallow policystis amount? That the whole influence of the look at it in any other way If the acts of aristocracy was to go. (Cries of "No, no," that House were stared to the people, he bes answered by coutinned cheering from the lieved that they would be satisfied with them opposition.) The principle on which those If appeal was made to their acts alone, with market place reformers set out was, that the out superadding the excitement of those who influence of the aristocracy with that House what among them for the purpose of agitations was illegal. He trusted that no Gentleman he believed that that would be the resulta le would suppose that he was speaking would not say that those who thus agitated entirely for the aristocratical influence. He did not believe it to be their dutytos do sog should be sorry to see the people-even those of the very lowest grade-without considerable influence in that House: but it was because the interest of one counteracted the interest of another, that they were able to take the representatives of what might be called-mot of fensively low popularity into that House. Let them look at the example of France there, with a population of 32 millions of people, the constituency of the country had been something short of 90,00), and the qualification of those voters was the payment of 127, in taxes, which might be calculated as auswering to an income of about 601. a year, which, when it was considered what was the difference between the money and fortunes of the two countries, might be considered as about equal to 1002. a year in this country. This was what the state of representation in that country had heen, and even since the change that had taken place there, the utmost extent of any alteration that had been proposed was to change the 60% a year to 40%, and to increase the number of the constituency to about 200,000. No one could rejoice more than he did at the victory that had been gained in that country, for he had looked upon it as being the means of preventing the nation from being trampled in the dust but, with all the popular excitement that had followed upon that victory, no proposition to a greater extent, wifl respect to the Electoral Law

[graphic]
[graphic]

and wbat advantage was to be got by leaving any unsightly mark, and would daleet freely, those sweet scented places that were to be re- he was sure to succeedwolltdwats asdpebies f Jained? He scarcely knew what was left tocant tu talk of the liberality sand victuteixof represent the people. He did not know how populous placesy and it would not purify the was that the noble Lord, when he went on election to descend towa dower class lufixoters. his reforming tour, did not stay at Tavistock, (Hear, hear.) Her might perhaps complain Son his way to Callington Loud and con-of partiality; bandi vits might be said; lisahal tinued cheers.)T He was armed with an ex-indeed been said; that Callington was onione terminating sword but Tavistock was invul- side of the line and Tavistockson the other. nerable (Renewed cheers.) Since he was (Cheers.) That was truep but whodrew the connected with Callington he knew of no line? (Cheers continued forb al considerable moral offences, at least he could not complain time.) He did not wish, he did not mean to of any which bad been committed in respect make any personal allusionsas Tavistocks was to its elections. He could safely deny that somewhat larger than Callington;b but they there was in it any-thing which could deserve were both small towns in the same county, the name of corruption. (Cheers.) He had ten or twelve miles apart. He had received not speut one shilling in all his elections that 200 votes, and the number of inhabitants was, he would not readily submit an account of to the believed, upwards of 12,500. His moble the greatest purists on election matters who Friend (Lord Althorp) saw that the owners of sat on the mountainous part of that side of the nomination boroughsilexercised! an inthe House (Great cheers.) The hon. Mem- fluence over the Treasury, and couldwcoinber spoke from the Ministerial side of the mand the Ministry. Whether Tavistock beHouse. His whole election bill did not ex-longed to the Duke of Bedford yors not, he ceed 1507., and that was wholly for things, every one of which he might have bought openly at Charing-Cross. He had been in his time returned for some populous places, and if he were to show the bills which he then paid, they would not place in a very high degree of respect those popular elections which were to be left by the noble Lord. It was in vain to deny that there were places under the influence of individual Peers, who returned whom they pleased, and the practice it was difficult to defend. When it was meu-and he had never knocked at the Treasury tioned in the House, Members affected a door, nor had he received any favours, Inor warm indignation, because it was necessary. asked any at any time from any AdministrdThat was a piece of indispensable hypocrisy; tion. (Cheers.) Putting all these matters and yet, when stated to an unprejudiced man, apart, the great question for the Housesito bsomething plausible might be said in its consider was, what errors were in the reprefavour. It was not his intention, however, to sentation which might be corrected; putting defend it, but only to say, that the places out of view the fact of one place being overwhich were to be left, and were to be odorous looked, and another kept in view of one like the perfumes of Arabia, were not much being represented, and another not being rebetter than boroughs. The open boroughs, presented-the real question for the: House which had more than four thousand inhabit was, and he hoped Gentlemen would consider ants, were to be left with all their imperfec-it well, what there was wrong in the propotions, except that of absent freemene Why sition was, that it went to cut off all the lower was the Reform not to extend to such places? classes from voting? He was as much as (Hear, hear.) He wished to ask, too, how any man opposed to universal suffrage, but the merchaut was to find access to the House for the people to have a certain portion of He could only come there by applying to influence in the elections was essentialsto some of those populous places which were so the Constitution. The people now had such extravagant, and by which he would be very an influence, and every reformofblano exlikely to get into The Gazette as a bankrupt.tensive nature, which did not greatly enlarge He contended that the present system worked well; and if it were wanted to introduce greater purity, why did the Ministers leave places to return, Members with so few as 4,000 inhabitants. When boroughs were brown open, would influence be diminished, or would the purity of boroughs, be greater When a gentleman now went to an open bo Fough, what questions were asked? Were any inquiries made as to his political principles So hut what is the length of his purse

« PoprzedniaDalej »