The Sun.
London, England, 1822-09-02 00:00:00

Attract than the idea that the influence of the Crown ha
-Zacreased with the growth of those institutions, on which, if
it be good for any thing at all, it must operate. I .deny
than there :le a numerical: increase of the influence of the
n'tbien" in the House of Commons ; and I also deny that a nu-
merical increase can he shewn to have taken place in the;
'House of Lords: - But 1 say that any man would take -a very'
narrow view of the subject who. did 'not see that there were •
ewers existing in a country like this, extrinsic of the two
ousel of Parliament, analogouS to those in the physical and
nhilosophical worlds, which require to-be taken into considera-
tcri and balanced against other powers, in order to determine
-what degree ot" force may be required to control, repress,
correct, and regulate the -whole. What should we say of that
n.):ileeoplier, who writing on nasal architecture, on the winds
and titLs, and on the .whole theory of navigation, should
omit and-leave wholly out of his calculations that new and
mighty power which may be said to " walk on the waters with
the strengtlad a giant"—and which. daily accomplishing new
wonders, gives at length such command over the fickleness of the
winds and the faithlessness of the waves, as to ensure to a passage
hy water the• swiftness and steadiness and certainty of a jour-
ney by land. I say that suchtoperson, though he might give
us the best theory of the tides that Could be procured, and the
beet general rules for navigation, would be considered an idler
and an ideot, if he did not see that omitting to take into his
consideration the power of steam, must of- necessity derange
all his calculations. So in looking at the British Constitution,
he who can see nothing extrinsic from the two Houses of Par-
Jiarnent, and who should assume that the Crown has a veto
which it never uses, and the House of Commons 'a right of
withholding"the supplies, -which it never exercises, is wholly
Wrong, overlooking the force of public opinion, and those cir-
eurnstances which incidentally, connect themselves with a Go- '
moment like this. An every part of the world, where the ex-
!sting Institutions are at all fit to stand, those who wish well to'
theta should 'be careful not to suffer the smallest breach-to -be
made in them onthe foolish supposition that nothing but the breach
tinit contemplated will be made. Another objection that I have
to Parliamentary Reform grows- out of a general aversion for all
speculative schemes. It is well to see how measures operate
for the general benefit of mankind. This is a matter which
onght to be carefully studied, but it may not come immediately
within the province of the British Statesman, whose duty it is
to provide for the advancement of British interests: dnd as, in
private life, I look with cautious distrust on that diffusive be-
. nevolence which, neglecting those immediately around it, ap-
plies itself but to form plans of general convenience, so am'l
reluctant to confide in politicians who are- contriving the means
of ameliorating the condition of the species generally, instead.of
applying themselves to provide • for the safety and well-being
of this particular country ; I am bound: to look at the particular
situation of this country. I find in Great Britain a Monarchy.
Counteractingpowers are indeed established to bound, to limit,
to reoulate the exercise of the Royal prerogative ;
_but still
'the form of our Government is essentially a Monarchy. I am
not at all disposed at this time to enter the lists with the Re-
formers,hy undertaking to shew why it ought not to have been
-so originally 2 will not go into the question a priori, nor ex-
plain why the British Government should be a Monarchy, any
more than I will inquire why Great Britain should be an island.
It is sufficient for me that Providence has Ordained the latter,
.and that our ancestors, from time immemorial, preferred the
former. Their doing so imposed upon me the duty of alle-
giance to that Constitution under which 1 was born. I know
how tame this will appear to some, at a time like this; when it is
-so much more fashionable to look to general reasoning than to
particular facts, and to take up the subject a priori, -with a
view to determine not how the Government wasestablished, but
how it shotdd be established, if we were now to begin again.—
With such -schemes I have nothing to do; nor will I suffer the
- speculations of a philotaipher On• what should have been from the
beginning of the world to make me a bad subject now.—
(Cheering.)-4 say that this is a Constitutional Monarchy.
-at constitution like that to which the Parliamentary Reformers
would carry us, must set the -principles of a Monarchy at de-
-fiance, and give us, in fact, a Republic. I am not at liberty to
. inquire whether this would be good for the country or not, nor
can the question be opened for discussion without divesting
the subject of his allegiance. Improve the Constitution to
which you belong as much as you can. To propose to substi-
tute another for it is a crime in law, and .1 agree with the law
xather than with the theories of reform.—(Applause.)—There
Ives once, Gentlemen, a king of Bohemia, who had a very great
alesire to see his kingdom become a naval power, and the only
impediment to the gratification of his wish was, the unfortunate
circumstance that his kingdom had no sea-psea-port.—{A In the same way, I might desire a republic in this country, but-
wanting the materials which would have produced that form of
government, I must not fail to support that Monarchy and
.Aristocracy of which I see it in possession.—(Applanse.)—lt is
riot a little curious to mark the various shapes which the argu-
ments of the reformers have assumed, even within the last few
:Tears. Six years ago there was much suffering among the la-
bouring classes. Corn was at a dreadful priceaaricl food was al-
most unattainable. The poor-rates were very high, work was
-scarce, and you may remember it was then said, .that the want
of a Parliamentary reform was the cause of the calamity, as
unreformed-Parliament had -passed the Corn Bill to gratify
the rapacious landholder; and consequently -the only reme-
dy that could be applied was to pull down the whole system.
—Well, Gentlemen, times came round. -We now see the
labouring classes in a state of comparative affinence and corn.
fort; we see a steady supply of beneficial labour; we see a re-
duction of poor's rates ; and, thank God, we see a reduction
of crime. I do not know whether these symptoms are good,
but I know that their opposites, at the time to which I refer,
were described as bad, and as proving the system of that com-
inunity in which they could occur, was almost too bad to be
longer endured. But those who thought our system too corrupt
to be upheld because the Legislature passed a Corn Bill, be-
-cause the poor were unemployed, because the prices of provi-
sions were high, and the calendars heavy with crime, will
surely now rejoice in the change. It is hard if they who com-
plained so loudly of the former distress do not now sympathize
in the present prosperity. But while the poor enjoy the
comforts of steady employment and cheap food, and while
. the great, body of the community rejoice in the reduc-
tion of the poor's rates and the diminution of crime, it ap-
pears that one interest suffers under this altered state of
&fairs. The corn grower suffers at present in the absence of
those evils which it was formerly contended made a total
change of system necessary. A what is the remedy to which
Le is told to look Why Parliamentary Reform !—(Cheering.)
—lt was only inlBl7 that a state of things exactly the contrary
of what we at present see made a Reform necessary, and now
that con) is unexpectedly providentially low in price, to cor-
rect this evil we are told that nothing will suffice but Parlia-
inentary Reform ! They consider a Reform in Parliament, I
suppose, to be the only measure which can restore the good
of times of 1817 !—(A laugh)—when the poor rates and
the price of corn were high, when the industrious classes
were unemployed, and when the calendars were swollen
with an unwonted accumulation of clime.—(Cheering.).-I
would not depreciate or under-rate the evil which dieexist,
or which now exists. Both fluctuations were and are much to
be lamented. The distress now felt -I could wish to cure, but
as to Parliamentary Reform being necessary for that purpose,
/ will ask if the presumption is not in favour of that body as it
' now exists, who were censured as the source of the distress
(for having passed the Corn Bill) in 1817, but which they were
in vain called upon to create in 1822.—(Cheering.)—But, Gen-
tlemen, ludicrous as these contradictions must appear, you arc
- still told that Parliamentary Reform is the panacea which will
remove all your complaints, spring from what cause they may.
I have lately road, I know not where, the history of an artist
of some eminence in painting, who unluckily devoted his
attention to one object alone—a Red Lion. He was consulted
by a Jandlord of an inn as to what sign it would be advisable
for him to set up, and the painter proposed a Red Lion.—
His suggestion was not a bad one ; it-was acted upon; but the
artist was next applied to by a gentleman who wanted some
docoaative object for his parlour. After some hesitation the
• artist declared, that for such a purpose the best thing he could
" • think of was a Red Lion ! Ile was indulged in his whim ; but
• was next called upon by a person in a humbler station of life
, fill. up a Jade pannel with a landscape or something of that-
aort. He. took time to consider before he came to a decision
, as to what would be best; but he at length recommended that
the pannel should be filled up with a small Red Lion.—(A
,laugh.)—So, Gentlemen, it is with the Reformers. They-
' • consider Parliamentary Reform applicable to all times and dr-
__
...numetances; and the utmost that you can get from those who
•' 441 themselves " Moderate Reformers" is this, that they
will be content -'With a- -small Red Lion.—(Cheering.)—l
wish 'this idea to be entertained ; but farther, I wish the
public to be on their guard. I wish them always to con-
-eider that if once they suffer the smallest 'Red Lion to get in,
Ire Will only prove the precursor to the introduction of the
whole menagerie. Should we suffer a. Red Lion to get in, we
:aashall afterwards have to turn him out, not such as he came -to
' us, hut such as, he shall have become from being fed andpam-
pered in his cage.—(Cheering.)--It is the more important to
remember this,, for in the • times in which we live,' the Reform.'
ems, disguise it -as they may, in some places openly, in others
tacitly, admit themselves to. be opposed to the principle of our
Monarchy. God be praised we do not participate in these views,
, and that we have long since .known the blessings arising from.
that compromise of conflicting, opinione on which the British
Constitution is founded. We are placed in that happy situation,
' that we are neither obliged to take part with the assailant who
demands all, nor with the defenders who will concede nothing..
We have only to remain firm impartial spectators of the contest
—spectators, liewever, by no means uninterested in the result,
witch we may, perhaps, ultimately become the umpires ;
...lAA if we rashly take Tart -in
.the struggle, we in the first in-
_ as'ance give up the posation in which we can do most good,- and
Ara at the risk of the Whole si o u r : establishments, not at the

risk of improving them, but at the risk of their being totally
overthrown. Gentlemen, in an assembly less enlightened than
that which I have now the .honour to address, 1 should be
ashamed of. gsing into such generalities. But our connec-
tion is one of principle. You will recollect that on prin-
ciple it WasL'founded, and that it is only in reference to
principle Oat I can have any claim on your favour. What-
ever my future destination may be, it will always be comfort
unspeakable to me to believe that I have succeeded.in laying
among you the foundation of what I trust will prove a lasting
regard. Believe me sincere When I add, that nothing can ever
efface frpm my 'mind the-recollection of your kindness. It
may be-'expected from me, especially after the speech of your
worthy President. that I shall say a few words on subjects
to which lie has alluded. I have doubted much and long whe-
ther I ought to touch on these at all, or whether I ought to
run' the risk of having it .hereafter suspected that I have not
dealt fairly and openly by you. If I say any thing on them,
I know that I shall be liable, to misconception, as• every man
must be when he speaks of himself. But, on full consideration,
I have determined to e: pose myself to this, rather than incur
the suspicion which might otherwise attach to my conduct, as I
would rather submit to any misconstruction of what I may say,
than allow it to be supposed that I could ever. he capable of
repaying your unbciunded confidence with .any thing like con-
' cealment or distrust. After this preface, you will perhaps be
disappointed to learn that all I have to say is—that upon my
honour I have nothing to tell. But, though
.such is the fact, it
was as necessary to state this as it could be to make any other
communication. I-know as little as any man who now hears
me of 'the arrangements likely to grow out of-the present state
of public affairs. I know nothing on the subject but what I
have collected from the common channels of public inform"-
tion. I know of no rumour, and can form no conjecture; of
what is likely to take place. Of what may be in the contem-
plation ofTfie Government, let if be remembered that up to this
moment atslt.thich lam addreSsing you I know nothing, Gen-
tlemen,- whit decision I might think it right to make on subjects
like those which the rumours I have mentioned point at, no man
can expect my present state of perfect ignorance of the pro-
positicm which Might come before me, to declare. This only will
I say; in such a case my decision will be adopted on public con-
siderations alOne. It will be determined not by
,calculations of
interest,-but by a balance and comparison ,of my duty.—(Ap-
plause.),-Enough, Gentlemen, on topics which even now I doubt
whether I should have intruded on you at all but for the amicable
provocation of my worthy friend, our President.; but as what I
said on a former occasion has already been misconstrued one
way, I am anxious to explain myself here that I may not now
be misconstrued in an opposite direction. 1 have been miscon.
,strued by its _being supposed that ostentatiously intimated it
to be my resolution to refuse office at home if tendered. Setting
myself right in this, I beg that 1 may not now be misconstrued
as expressing a wish that office may be offered to me. Thus
much I have thought it right to say, as your boundless friend-
ship and growing kindness entitle you to know every thing
which concerns me.—(Cheering.)--Gentlemen,. whatever may
be my future destiny, may this great community continue in
prosperity ! May that happiness now beginning to be restor-
ed to you, know no diminution, but constantly increase.—
May you retain those principles by which you have hither-
to been distinguished. May you preserve that I honour-
able spirit which has never failed to manifest itself in
the midst of your political divisions, and May the friendly
union of townsman and townsman continue among you with-
out interruption from distinctions of party. These wishes
realized, the. people of Liverpool will image the most splendid
of those communities whose fame is recorded in ancient his-
tory. Mixed with the ordinary pursuits of commerce, here the
liberal arts- are seen to flourish, as well as that beneficial industry
which enriches mankind, and charity, as. extensive as can be
found in any part of the country—in any part of the world.
May you continue to-he thus enviably distinguished, and when
you shall call upon some other individual to watch over your
interests -in-that place where I have had the honour to be your
representative, may you find one more competent to the impor-
tant duty than I have been ; one more zealous in your cause,
more devoted to your interest, and more grateful' for your kind-
ness, I am sure you never can."
The Right Hon- Gentleman then resumed his seat amidst
the -acclamations of the company, which were often repeated,
and long continued in every part of the room. - , -
Among the toasts which succeeded were the. following
:
'The illustriouS hero of 'Waterloo, Field Marshal the Duke
of Wellington :" three times three.—Band, " See ! the con-
quering hero comes."—Song, " Darby Kelly."
" The immortal memory of the Right Iton. William Pitt :"
three times three.—Song, " The Pilot that weather'd the
Storm."

" The landed, commercial, and manufactitring interests of
the country, and may they be ever united."
" The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland." .

" General Gascoyne, the colleague of ,our Right Honourable
Friend :" three times three.

" The Mayor of Liverpool :" three times three.
" Our glorious Constitution as by law established :" three
times- three.—Glee, " The Church.'
Mr. B. WI tainAngal rose, with ohe permisSion, or 'rather
without the permission of the Chairman, to propose a toast
which he was sure all present would' drink with pleasure, as it
was the health of an individual who had been thought worthy
to preside over the present Meeting, a Meeting than which
one more respectable, he would take upon him Self to saY, had
never been witnessed any where. The virtues of their worthy
Chairman were so well .known to the present company, that
for him to enlarge on them would be equally impertinent and
superfluous. He should therefore 'content himself with ivinF
the health of " Mr. Blundell Hollinshead, of Daresbook," their
President,
The toast was drank with three times three,

The CHAIRMAN returned thanks. Ile was sensible that
many might hav&been found to fill the situation which he oc-
cupied better than he could ao, but he-was grateful to those
who had placed him in it, and begged to return them his heart-
felt acknowledgements for the honour he had received. ' -
Mr. J. GLAHSTONEt. i%1.P., proposed the healthy of Lord
W. Bentinck and the other distinguished personages who had
honoured the Meeting with their presence thatday, with thanks
for their attendance.

Lord W. BENTINCK said, after the display of eloquence
which they had witnessed, it would be presumption in him to
offer more than his sincere thanks for the compliment which
had been paid to him. If he might venture to add anything to
his thanks, it should be the expression of the high satisfaction
which he had derived from the whole of the proceedings of the
day, which he regarded as alike honourable to the town of
Liverpool, and to the high character of his Right Honourable
Friend.

Mr: Cai‘xixo.-1 beg to propose a toast which has hitherto
been omitted. When one is about to perform any, the most
indifferent act of life for the last time, the reflection thence
arising carries with it a feeling of melancholy; but when I
think that I express here for the last time the sentiments I feel
for those I now address, and when I think that for the last time
I contemplate those countenances, which, through ten years,
have invariably been turned with kindness towards me, I feel
more than it is possible for words to utter. Wherever I may
find myself in after-life, the image of what I have seen, of
what I now see, will be always before me, lightening the grief
which I may be fated to know, and heightening the satisfaction
which' it may be 'my good fortune to enjoy. In countries
where freedom prevails, I shall be reminded of the well-regu-
lated freedom which you so justly appreciate here
.;" and in
other lands, where the blessings of perfect liberty have not
yet been extended, it will be my solace to recall the pleasing,
happy hours -which I have spent with you ; and the flattering
testimonials which 1 have this day,
.received, that in your judg-
ment I have not inadequately fulfilled those duties with which
by your kindness I Was charged. With the most sincere affec-
tion, with the most indissoluble attachment, and with feelings
which no attempt of mine can embody in language, and which,
therefore, I will not in any degree dissipate to disappoint my-
self of a vain attempt to give them expression, I now proposes a
toast—" The Worthy and independent Freemen of the ancient
and loyal town of Liverpool."
Mr. CANNING. then, at 25 minutes to eleven, retired, accom-
panied. by. the:Chairnian, Lord W. Bentinck, and other friends.
The company, however, did not separate for a considerable
time. A number of songs were sung, and the company were
amused with an extraordinary performance on the. Jew's harp,
which actually made that contemptible instrument the source
of bold and exquisitely varied harmony. A number of Liver-
pool worthies were cordially toasted. " The Lancashire
Witches" were remembered with appropriate honours, and the
festive board was not deserted till a late hour.

[From a late Boston Paper, the Patriot, to the lit of August.l
.An article entitled " Political reflections upon the Island
Of Cuba," has recently been published in the Mexican Sun,
a paper established in Mexico under the auspices of the new
Emperor lturbied. It seems to consider the future union of Cuba
to the United States, if not probable, at least notimpossible. For
our own part, we should not anticipate such an event with any
pleasure. Our national limits are already sufficiently wide—as ex-
tensive as is consistent with our national prosperity and safety.
Give Cuba to our ambition, what would prevent our coveting
the Texas, or even the whole of the newly established Empire
of Mexico, and even be willing to extend our own empire as far
as the Isthmus of Darien, because it would afford a fine natural
boundary, To encourage a grasping and ambitious spirit of this
character wcsubl he _dangerous to our Republic, and further
to extend its territorial possessions would make it unyieldy
by its Awn magnitude. Our territory is already extensive almost
beyond a parallel in the. history of nations; bounded by both
the Atlantic and Pacific, it embraces a goodly portion of that
part of North America within the temperate zone. The true
policy of the United States is now to encourage the settlement
and improvement of the vast territory they already possess.