The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-01-30 00:00:00

Dr. MAKI rose to second the petition. The able
Mover, he said, had detailed strong facts. There were
only one or two circumstances to which he meant to
skade, !Nod which had for a loft[ Relied of .his life
ti'aspiion the erne of Reform. The war
was a war ugainst the eights of Nations—it was founded
on a principle which claimed a direction ever the affairs
of other countries—that war, the profuse expenditure it
owisioned, and the Act for restricting cash payments,
qt.-morn to him to be the main causes of the present dis-
tress. He had every opinion of the understanding of the
Freeholders; and be hoped that by their conduct—their
unanimity, they would that day prove themselves zealous
Reformers. Above all, unanimity was most important.
It was always objected to them, that Reformers could
not agree to any particular plan ; that was put forward
as a strong argument against them, and was one great
reason why the Legislature had not taken the subject
into the consideration it deserved. The county of York
had set a good example—(no, no!) He thought so—he
he hoped they would be unanimous—without unanimity
they would not succeed.
Doctor KINGLAILI said he had great pleasure in at-
tending a Meeting, which had for its object the sup.
port of the most important question that was ever dis-
cussed—a question, is which were deeply involved the
democratic rights of the people. Could any impartial
or honest man doubt the necessity of reforming a House
of Commons, to which 301/ members were returned by
the influence of 144 Peers, and 187 Members more by
the influence of certain other inclination and the Go-
vernment—thus 487 Members were returned by means
of influence. Where then was the Constitution? Was
not the system that of an odious oligarchy, in
which the people had no interest? The people were or
ought to be the source of power—it was true that liber-
ty was yet to be found in this country. Why? because
the English mind knows that it has an inherent right
to liberty, independent of all Conventional Acts; but a
House of Commons which contained but 171 indepen-
dent Members could never be called free—and what was
the consequence ?—were not the Boroughmongers and
their creatures put by thousands into place, fur the pur-
pose of enabling them to support ;themselves, without
work, in idleness and luxury ? They had a war which
cost more than one hundred millions to put down the
spirit of freedom in America—they had a war which
cost more than one thousand millions to put down the
spirit of freedom in France. When he reflected on those
things, he wondered that any thing had been left to the
people; he wondelscd they had any clothes on their
backs. It was his decided opinion that the country
would be ruined unless Reform was accomplished, and
what sort of Reform did the people want? When they
asked for Reform, they acted moderately, they were
entitled to demand it as their unquestionable right ;
(Applanse)—it could not be refused upon any jnst or
rational pretence. He was not apprehensive of any man
who might appear that day to garble the question of
Reform ; let the people demand the resumption of their
rights; let them place those rights in their own keeping,
and not is the hands of the Borouglon3ogers.—(Ap-
planse.)—When they should resume those rights, time
people would not exercise their power against the in-
terest of others---all they wanted was a well ordered
Govermucot ; it oas the disposition of the English
character to be frugal, orderly and just. lie reared
he trespassed on their time.—(Cries of " No, no, go
on.")—He had given the question of Reform all time
consideration in his power, and he was one of those who
did not apprehend any confusion or disorder from giving
to adult males the right of voting at Election ; on the
contrary, he was of opinion that the public interest
would be thereby increased and supported. The Wor-
thy Gentleman then alluded to the expensive salaries
received by theArnhassadors and Officers of Government.
The President of America, a country of amazing extent
and complicated affairs, had but 6,0001. a year. Why
should not economy be practised in England ? If econ-
omy, which could only be brought about by Reform
were once established, the Government would be woe.