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be the signal disgrace of the country, the unutterable opprobrium of the English name, for many years after it had been denounced in Parliament, and condemned by the people all in one voice. Think you, this foul stain could have so long survived, in a Reformed Parliament, the prodigious eloquence of my venerable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, and the unanimous reprobation of the country? The American war might have been commenced, and even for a year or two persevered in; for though most unnatural, it was, at first, not unpopular. But could it have lasted beyond 1778, had the voice of the people been heard in their own House? The French war, which in those days I used to think a far more natural contest, having, in my youth, leant to the alarmist party, might possibly have continued some years. But if the representation of the country had been reformed, there can be no reason to doubt that the sound views of the Noble Earl,* and the immortal eloquence of my Right Hon. Friend,† whose great spirit, now freed from the coil of this world, may be permitted to look down complacent upon the near accomplishment of his patriotic desires, would have been very differently listened to in a Parliament, unbiassed by selfish interests, and of one thing I am as certain as that I stand here+ Mr. Fox.

• Earl Grey.

that ruinous warfare never could have lasted a day beyond the arrival of Buonaparte's letter in

1800.

But still, it is said, public opinion finds its way more speedily into Parliament upon great and interesting emergencies. How does it so? By a mode contrary to the whole principles of representative Government,-by sudden, direct, and dangerous impulses. The fundamental principle of our Constitution, the great political discovery of modern times-that, indeed, which enables a State to combine extent with liberty,the system of representation, consists altogether in the perfect delegation by the people, of their rights, and the care of their interests, to those who are to deliberate and to act for them. It is not a delegation which shall make the representative a mere organ of the passing will, or momentary opinion, of his constituents.-I am aware, my Lords, that in pursuing this important topic, I may lay myself open to uncandid inference, touching the present state of the country; but I feel sure no such advantage will be taken, for my whole argument upon the national enthusiasm of Reform rests upon the known fact, that it is the growth of half a century, and not of a few months; and, according to the soundest views of representative legisla

tion there ought to be a general coincidence between the conduct of the delegate, and the sentiments of the electors. Now, when the public voice, for want of a regular and legitimate organ, makes itself, from time to time, heard within the walls of Parliament, it is by a direct interposition of the people, not in the way of a delegated trust, to make the laws and every such occasion presents, in truth, an instance where the defects of our elective system introduced a recurrence to the old and barbarous schemes of Government, known in the tribes and centuries of Rome, or the assemblies of Attica. It is a poor compensation for the faults of a system, which suffers a cruel grievance to exist, or a ruinous war to last twenty or thirty years, after the public opinion has condemned it, that some occasions arise when the excess of the abuse brings about a violent remedy,,or some revolutionary shock, threatening the destruction of the whole.

But it works well! Then why does the table groan with the Petitions against it, of all that people, for whose interests there is any use in it working at all? Why did the country, at the last election, without exception, wherever they had the franchise, return members commissioned to complain of it, and amend it? Why were its

own produce, the men chosen under it, found voting against it by unexampled majorities? Of eighty-two English county members, seventysix have pronounced sentence upon it, and they are joined by all the representatives of cities and of great towns.

It works well! Whence, then, the phenomenon of Political Unions,-of the people everywhere forming themselves into Associations to put down a system, which you say, well serves their interests? Whence the congregating of 150,000 men in one place, the whole adult male population of two or three counties, to speak the language of discontent, and refuse the payment of taxes? I am one who never have either used the language of intimidation, or will ever suffer it to be used towards me; but I also am one who regard those indications with unspeakable anxiety. With all respect for those assemblages, and for the honesty of the opinions they entertain, I feel myself bound to declare, as an honest man, as a Minister of the Crown, as a Magistrate, nay, as standing, by virtue of my office, at the head of the magistracy, that a resolution not to pay the King's taxes is unlawful. When I contemplate the fact, I am assured, that not above a few thousands of those nearest the chairman could know

for what it was they held up their hands. At the same time, there is too much reason to think that the rest would have acted as they did, had they heard of all that passed. My hope and trust is, that these men, and their leaders, will maturely re-consider the subject. There are no bounds to the application of such a power; the difficulty of counteracting it is extreme; and as

it

may be exerted on whatever question has the leading interest, and every question in succession is felt as of exclusive importance, the use of the power I am alluding to, really threatens to resolve all Government, and even society itself, into its elements. I know the risk I run of giving offence by what I am saying. To me, accused of worshipping the democracy, here is indeed a tempting occasion, if in that charge there were the shadow of truth. Before the great idol, the Juggernaut, with his 150,000 priests, I might prostrate myself advantageously. But I am bound to do my duty, and speak the truth; of such an assembly I cannot approve; even its numbers obstruct discussion, and tend to put the peace in danger,-coupled with such a combination against payment of taxes, it is illegal; it is intolerable under any form of Government; and as a sincere well-wisher to the people themselves, and devoted to the cause which brought them together, I feel solicitous, on

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