The National Register.
London, England, 1819-12-20 00:00:00

tol oft'.

Our TAinig, Condtitutioniutti a atoss.

MONDAY, DECE\IBER 20, 1819

t -
should say annihilate public meetings, fur to this
end must the restrictions now unposed be assuredly
considered as tending. Assemblies of the people for
the expression of public opinion on matters of state,
is a circumstance mentioned by Tecitus as dis.
tinguishing the policy of our forefathers, even in
our yet uncivilized slate, and Iros always been er, •
sidered tae laying the great foundation of our free loot.
It is the best and only way in which a Novereign can
become, generally speala4T, fully avg. iain:ed witch
the e edition and sentiments of his s thjects, and
should therefore be cheris'ied by a Prince as a privi
lege egnally dour to himself as se those he governs.
That a s-t if had Ministers should make it their
very first and leading object to set such meetings
under their own controul is kith taunt-ad cad likely,
beesnse their own unpopul trity msy bythis means
be at once concealed from their ;baster, and perhaps,
to a given extent even from their minions and sup-
porters. It is for these reasons that the freedom of
meeting, with no other restra;nt than the condition
of preserving the peace inviolate, has been ever
asserted as the undoubted right of Englishmen, and
the privilege of petition, mixes Sual terms, to both
Houses of Parliainent and toile Throne, hal bean
contemplated as another indispensable bulwark of
oar liberties. These coupled with the rights to
equal law, " freely without tab, fully without any
denial, and speedily without delay," and to the
possession of arms " to visage these sights, when
actually violated and attaekek(says a great writer
on the British Constitutima)lris ear birthlright to
enjoy entire." Is it sot laseeeenble. Ile ohierve that
every one of theme great hinges. are new to be new
modelled, and the freedare a' their movements
@Welled as the only means to piesteving the power
of an administration, or a a system which uu=ol4
has gone on fur five and years, loading us
' year by year with fresh d ' ' add* 'year by year
to our parish paupers by t sad tens of thou-
sands, augmenting tax in the same exact
proportion, and what is sdil worse, preparing the
timid and the lake-warm for an absolute and
unconditional surrender r whatever can render
life honourable, or our Country happy. The
fir
conversation, rwe sup we should describe
it by that name, which pasted between the Norfolk
members, 'and the letters 'produced upon it, both
diem the Lord Lieuteart and from the Lord
Chancellor are an admirable comment upon the
obstructer of the tr.." 'we are now discussing
Meetings are net in • be held without the
, ,repetion of the Lord L' tiosant, or five magistrates
Of the county, upon mil t:rs connected with
our A
public policy. m we consider that
the Lord Lioutesumes itiehoot only appointed by
. s.•
Ministers, bsit tlimaissoltillisey Oppose them, and
that magistrates .are' lOW &Fides; as to their
appointment. tappet *h Lord Lieutenant for his
recommenclatlne, endisiass a Cabinet Minister for
Nis eassnissisn, what. is the laeguage of common
"pee is 'his. but a illweetweraing that no public ,
'aseetlags abaft be Greta at all . far any object not
suited to the wished ***pinions of those Ministate
to whom built Clue Lard. Lieutenants awl kisita.l
trates antjtbus sabseinvient for the offices any Wait
It is travail a paiitier.da is net qaitavtby coal..
asses stsree, laxatairip* as amenable to eithOrity
411501 to be at liberty to exercise his judgment upon
political questions, but when the office is thus eon-
Inected with pelitieal influence anti necessarily a
i a party to political discussion, will it not naturally
I operate upo.o the tubule of political partisans in the
•

.

.ot4.4m22...lieftliibtq.-k •

.