The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-09 00:00:00

FRIDAY

Su- it ui I be, rilli te; ee..l
po e you can think such a 'el :s.str3; can continue in
offtee, not only without a mejoricy of the people's repre-
seotatives to suppert their genernl pretensions, but with-
out tiny ostensible policy whatever. Nevertheless, I be-
lieve that they will unintentionally be the occasion of
much abiding national good. Already there have been
evolved the elements not only of a still more liberalised
Government than the last, but there has been a mutual re-
cognition among all sections of Parliamentary Liberals of
the basis of a measure that shall go a long way towards
remedying abuses that have been the scandal of our
electoral system. This co-operation alone is wanting.
Without it political improvement throughout the king-
dom will again he arrested for an indefinite time. Not
only will there be no re-adjustment of the franchise, but
there will be no security for the just enjoyment of what
is already possesed ; and it is for you, and for all large
constituencies, to say, whether you will permit any Go-
vernment to stand between you and the reforms you de-
sire? Of those reforms an extension of the suffrage is
ono of the most pressing. It must also bo apportioned
on a principle that shall give numbers and intelligence
their just weight.
I has lately been attempted to bo shown by a leading
member of the Government that the electoral body
bears a much larger proportion to the nore electoral than
is supposed; that the privilege of voting is equitably dis-
tributed, or rather preponderates in favour of towns
population as compared with the rural interest; that 130
re-distribution of the existing franchise is needed, and
no increase in the number of voters ought to be looked
for. The answer is, that the same thing was said be-
fore the Bill of 1832, and with little more reason.
Whether the electors are to the non-electors as one in
six, as contended by the advocates of extension, or as
one in four, or even one in two, according to the state-
ment of the Chancellor of the Exchequer—the fact is
equally notorious that the present system abounds in
contradictions, which ought to be altogether put an end
to. It is within the cognizance of every individual who
looks around him that a voice in the election of
representatives is denied to large and varied
classes who are most eligible for its enjoy-
ment, whether regard be had to their num-
bers, their information, or their independence of cha-
racter. It is equally well known that, from various
causes, the present limited franchise is not fully availed
of by those now possessing it; while many are coerced
to exercise it in a direction the reverse of what their
own impulses and convictions would naturally prompt.
For the latter evil the protection of the ballot is the ob-
vious corrective; but I am persuaded that it would be
rendered unnecessary with a judicious enlargement of
the franchise, which would ensure the unshackled ex-
pression of the opinion of the whole electoral body; and
such was the consideration that dictated my vote on
Mr. Hume's Reform motion on the 25de ult.

Entertaining these sentiments, gentlemen, and trusting
that your approbation will enable me to give them effi-
cacy in Parliament, as well as to those numerous mew-
sures of social, sanitary, and legal improvement which
so urgently demand Ipgislative attention,
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient and faithful servant,
8. M. PETO.