The National Register.
London, England, 1817-02-17 00:00:00

RETRENCHMENT 'AND REFORM.

Earl GROIIVISTIOn rose and observed, that it was his inten-
tion to Ming to fore tho House a motion affecting the best
iiitt•rests of the country. He was filly convinced of the firm
attachment of the gr. at body of the people to the sovereign
on the !Inoue. Petitiors from all parts of the country had
been pet seined to pat liontent, ss Lich might he ranged under
fonts heads :--lst, The Military Expenditure, Yudly, The
Civil List, 3rdlv, Rtteenclimeat and Economy, and lastly,
Parliamentary lieform. His Lordship tutu proceeded to re
mark on these several impormat topics. But the noble
Earl's ohservatious on the tat of them, seem to merit the
greatest attention. What follows is the most correct report
of this part of his Lordship's speech on this_ head that has
hitherto appeared.
flu the fourth point, that of Parliamentary Reform, lie
woold explicitly state kis opinion—he had always been led to
think that the List ;dire proposed to Parliament by that die
thignished character, who hod rendered so much service to
his country, the late Mr. Pitt, was one that might be adopt-
ed with great benefit tone country ; and, it' a bill, eontaiii-
ing a plan of that description shook, rea..--h that House, it
would have his support. With regard, however, to Univer-
sal Suffrage, he wooed not be so tuna til as to call it universal
nonsense, but he would call it universal impracticability ; and
in regard to Aminal Parliaments, which some thought 1110,1
COP Stittitianal, he hail iiqvcr so read the constitution ; he had
..lways considered, in.taed, the annual holding of Portia
mons necessary to the preservation of the Constitution. but
not an mutual dissolution and re-election of them. But be-
cause ke differed with others en thkt subject, was lie there-
fore (as was well expressed by a Noble Person on a former
evening, iii a most eloquent and convincing smelt) to wish
to are those with whom tic differed, imprisoned and glkb .t-
-ed, hung, drawn and qnarered? Was It. to wish to see a
Judge Jefferies, or one acting. in the spirit and power of a
Judge Jefferies, pieced on the Bench, for the purpose or
committing u legal murder on these people ? For instance,
should lie wish to see Major Cal twrigbt, whom he understood
to be a most respectable person, because he entertained
such contrary sentiments, and endeavoured to propagate
them through the nountry, should he wish to see his mouth
closed, not by argument anti to r discussion, but by the
bloody hands ofiteexecutiouer ?—The thought was shocking,
monstrous sad diabolical. lit regard to triennial Parlia-
ments, however. lie must fairly ON u, that since he turned
his thonghts of late more particularly to the subject, front the
anxiety pervading all ranks of people on those topics, he has
satisfied himself discy were more constitutional than septet,-
nial ones; and, indeed, he must in truth say, that lie consi-
dered the septennial act a direct infringetnent on the con-
stitution, and a violation of the rights anti liberties of the
people. Weed he thought ifjustiliable at all, it emild only
be so f the danger of the time- ; the danger of ii dis-
puted trees-ion; and that .1. the danger ;hissed away, it
of necessity fell to the gruuml. Ihe act repealed itself. and
ought not to :Munn in the statute book. There Cure he
would not shriek from declaring that it mielit pas l,ly Cull
to his lot to introduce a snot ion ill this sulk grit, Illott;11 it was
more likely lie would be aotiripateil by the introaluction of
it late the other House at Pailiaaient, to %melt these soli.
sleets more partilliblrly belong. As the tortitud., of the pct,.
pit' had berotreat iiiiiier their difficulties :rod privations,
and sufferings, so had their conduct In iii places, where meet.
hies far reu enidinient and reform hall been ucen most
exemplary; and, Indet•ul, it was rental kable awl even surpris-
ing that it should have liven so consiilcring the great numbers
that hove been :IRSC411)1.11 in various plarem, mid toe warmth
k hat naturally arisra in large loodies when sus,eouhlett from
sal-ions quart. rs to discuss twitters, where gI it -ire
felt, this was at least no symptom of ilimaffection, :and br
trusted front arch, patient discussion mock good would arise.
The great athitty tie telt fur the genuine eliaracteristic
city amt. est-enrolee of the British Csostitnilon made him
earnest in rresaing these putiotta no their I.ordships' notice ;
and he siersrely hoped that the slbiendonr of this hnir,hit 110-
litiC•11111MUOU-V, that laid been partially dim-tied by the mist,
of error and abuse, would beal:ovred, ere long, to re-az.uint.
I tts ancient 'Witty and glory!

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