"unanswerable argument, which has al"ready been urged to this evasive plea, that œconomy in all superfluous expense will 66 give strength to useful exertions; that it is "the only nerve of necessity: but I beg "leave to observe to you, that this mighty plea, which is to turn aside your attention "to your last interests, is refuted by their 66 own concessions. They allow your peti"tion to be just. Where then is the oppo"sition? Agreed as you and they are in "the wisdom and necessity of your de"mands; whence is the disturbance to come, "which these anxious combatants for your country's glory so piously dread? You “and they are at length, by their own con“fession, met upon the same ground, and "have nothing now to do, but with har66 mony and zeal to move onward in the only road, which remains for the rescue "of your common country. But alas! the "attention to this reform, by all confessed "to be expedient, will rob them of those "hours, those sacred hours, which these›› "tender "tender-hearted patriots cannot spare from the national safety in this hour of danger. "And have they no hours of lounging, of dissipation, of revelry and debauchery, "which their patriotism might give to the "most patriot purpose? But if their ardu 66 ous stations have already left them no such "hours of mirth and jollity, and all their "time be devoted to careful counsel, and' "anxious planning of their dear country's" good; why, a few honest unpensioned gentlemen, in or out of parliament, will' ease them of all this trouble, extricate "them out of this dreadful dilemma, answer "the people's wishes, and leave to these painful watchmen at the helm all the "hours, which are so fully and usefully employed. But the truth is, they mean not "one tittle of what they say. I should in"sult your understandings, if I supposed ❝ that you had any faith in their concession "of the wisdom and virtue of your peti"tions. This is an age of wonderful con" versions; but if your virtue and necessities "had "had not obtruded this reform upon them, * the last hour of Britain might have come, "before any reform would have disturbed "their repose. They hate, they dread re"form; but it is so cordial to every other mind, it comes so home to the honest "wishes, to the pressing wants of the peo 66 ple, that they dare not frame in words a "direct opposition to it. If they knew how, "with any decency, to express a flat denial, 66 they would: but thanks to human nature, "that effrontery and profligacy, which we "have seen extended to every other length, "are yet unequal to this. “Go on then, ye people of England, in "the course in which ye have set out, and "turn not to the right, or to the left, for "all the shadowy phantoms, which those "who wish you no speed may dress up to beguile or awe you. As from you origi"nated the good work, on your constancy "and firmness entirely depends the bring 66 66 66 ing it to a happy issue, the obtaining all your wishes. Every art, every sophistry, VOL. I. i every 66 66 66 every false alarm, and hypocritical jea lousy will be tried to disunite, to unman you; but if you suffer yourselves to be "overreached, to be intimidated, you have "made your last attempt for your country, "for yourselves, and for your children; " and you will fall below the level of other "slaves; the character of Englishmen, the "very character of men will not be left you. "But I look for better things, I see no room "for fear, for any thing but the most reviving, animating hope. The line of the 66 66 people's sufferance is past, and ministerial "rapacity and oppression shrink before you. "For as there is no power which ought, so "there is no power which can withstand 66 you, if you be not wanting to yourselves. "See! the tide is turned, the ebb of Britain "is over; and fair integrity; and generous, "unbought patriotism; and decent, manly liberty and all your truest glory are re"visiting this favoured island. Welcome them, seize them, hold them; and may "that Being, who is propitious to honest " and "and good designs, bless the British people "with all success!" The next public question, that engaged his attention, was the subject of parliamentary reform. The unconstitutional influence of the minister had been so clearly evinced in the prolongation of the war contrary to the general sentiment of the country, that it became apparent even to the most prejudiced observer, that the House of commons was no longer the organ of the national voice, while the termination of those hostilities, which had been so obstinately persevered in by one parliament, having been effected upon the meeting of a new one, most forcibly evinced the impolicy of continuing for so long a period a trust that could not subsequently be revoked, and over which little or no control could be exercised. These glaring defects, to which with justice all the calamities of the country were attributed, had excited the general attention to the correction of those abuses in the representation of the people, which by destroy i 2 |