The National Register.
London, England, 1813-02-07 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

having committed hostile acts against their liberties, and
waged war against those vital privileges which you declare
yourself "ready to defend for the benefit of your country."
Can a flagrant violation of the law benefit a country
whose interest is so clear to you ? Can the purity of election
be secured by obtaining men to vote illegally ? Can the
distresses of-the poor be relieved by causing them to com-
mit offences that bring ruin on their families ? Can
public virtue be promoted by a disregard of every poli•
tical obligation ? It remains for you, Sir, to explain the
benefit which the people derive from such acts ; but do not
insult the country with repeated professions of honesty, till
you spew yourself unconnected with vice : do not endeavour
to build your fame on the tradoction of other men's cha-
racters, till your own conduct will bear investigation ; cease
to become the decider of other men's intentions, till public
virtuous actions have proved your mind qualified to judge
fairly.
Public liberty is so intimately connected with order and
regularity, that• it cannot exist without them. Can either be
supported by profligate inconsistencies ; by encroaLhinents
upon the constitutional privileges of the subject ? Can
there be an epithet of contempt too degrading, or a term of
reproach too severe, for men who appropriate to themselves
the distinction of patriots, only to blind the people, and to
allure them into disorder for the furtherance of private ob-
jects ?
When such abuses are practised, and so much misery
results from their operation, it is well for you to express'
‘. regret that
.your short of your wishev in pro-
moting SL.e purity of election." Under such circumstances
it is consistent with Sir FRANCIS BURDETT'S conception
of propriety--it accords with. his expression of modesty, to
inform a public company " that he deserved applause for his
endeavours to recover the lost rights of the people ;" such won-
derful condescension can only Ise, equalled by the accuracy
of his opinion concerning your deserts.
If, as you state, all the political evils of which you com 4
plain proceed from a system of corrupt election, how dues
your conduct admit of approbation ? Has not every im-
proper practice which art could devise and money effect been
re,orted to in the course of your election contests ? Has
not the very cause of those evils been increased by lour
agents ? and have you not for such exertions in your favour
seemed them from punidnnent ? With such facts on record,
it is an object of much CID iosity to learn on what you found
your claim to public applause. To the former you make a
display of too much virtue—in the latter we find alas too
little ; by a lamentable falling off—Sir F. BURDETT in
word, and in deed, are in open hostility—directly opposite
in character.

You have so forcibly pointed out the high insult and mis-
chievous tendency of such measures, that it is impossible not
to feel incensed against the promoters of them. .‘ Respect
for the country and the people's rights" will cause a viituous
mind to abhor such flagrant violations of social order : every
honest man must be in personal hostility with those busy
politicians whose ill disguised ambition rejects a!ike the
chastening influence of caution, modera,ion, and delicacy.
The inflammatory symptoms occasioned by exasperating ir-
ritants, seldom proceed from the treatment of a skilful phy.
sician.

Before you again tnanifest contempt for the cu.nmon sews