The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-03-08 00:00:00

to give an account to them of bis conduct. Titsltihtoi
the public press, all was as well known to them a I
himself; no man could speak or vote now, and conceal
his routine from the public.—(Applause.)—At elections
aaol Common Halls their approbation hail never been
withheld from him. Their repeated thanks were stall-
cieut encouragement to him to perserve.—(Hugh ap-
plalose.)—The future Hoe of his ...induct would be the
same as hitherto. He was sorry that the question of Re-
form in Parliament had not beets brought forward last
Session. .1 notice had been given fur next Session, but
the question might have hero hi-ought forward %%Montt
sorb previous !notice. Ile regretted that it had not been
hi.. .light forward, and he pledged himself to bring it
forward next Session, if it should not he loronglot by an
abler Member.—(ltiomense applatise.)—lle supported
Lord John Russell's Bill, but that Bill did not go to the
extent he wished. He wanted every county and town in
the kingdom to have as much share in the representation
as they (the electors of Southwark) hall. Ile wanted
representatives to be returned free ofespense. Ile wanted
every wan who paid taxes to have a vote.—(tireat ap-
planse.)—He did not think the opposition of the Hon.
Baronet would live one week.—(Applause.)
Mr. WZATNitirruXX said, that it was impossible for
them to find a fitter Representative than his worthy and
gallant friend (Sir Robert Wilson). If, during tile 'A
months he bad been in Parliament, his conduct had not
given satisfaction,. let those who disapproved of it speak.
—{Shouts of applause.)--On all ureasimos he hail been
the friend of the people, and the roomer of corruption.
With corruption lie hail grappled with all his talents
and all his forre.—(Applanse.)—Parliamentary Reform
VIM making gigantic strides, and Sir Robert Wilson
was its ardent frienol.—(4.plaase.)—At thelastleetion,
Southwark had given an impetus to the whole king.
doom ; the cities of London and Westminster had followed
their example. He looped they would „wire a similar Im-
petus upon this occasion. He begged leave to propose
Sir Robert Wilson fur one of the Representotives.—
(Oreat applause.)
Mr. If itcucocx could not conceive what object the
worthy Baronet had in the opposition now offered.
They bad two Representatives who represented the elec-
tors in tub,: formerly they had been neutralized; but
in the last Parliament they hail been fairly represented.
He hoped the electors of Southwark would do their
duty. He concluded by seconding the nomination of Sir
Robert Wilson.

Sir Ronsmor Wit.sox was received with long and con-
tinned shouts of applause.-1 was now nearly two years
since he had first appeared before them. lie had been
then comparatively a stranger, and could only make pro-
fessions to them. They had been pleased to give him
credit for sincerity in those professions. He could now
appeal to his fidelity in redeeming the pledges he hail
given. —(lireat applause.)—The various testimonies of
approbation which they had bestowed upon him since
he because their Representative, the reception he hail
met with during his canvass, and the flattering approba-
tion with which they had now heard his nomination,
showed that they did not consider the trust reposed in
him as either neglected or betrayed.—(Apolause.)—lle
hail not given one vote that hail not been it, nnison with
their feelings, and in support of the hest /hermits of the
country. What would tory he their sensation if they
had returned Members who would not have done justice
to their sentiments ? What a load of guilty responsibi-
lity to their fellow-citixens must they have felt ? He
would shortly mention the measures to which they would
have consented by such Representatives. When lie had
gone into the House of Commons, he found the table
daily loaded by petiti for * fresh Corn Bill. What
did Sonthwark do upon that occasion ? He beg Fed
always to speak of his honourable colleague as having
wnifiirmly supported and opposed the same measures
with him ; they grappled with those petitions, anal theil
petitions were cast ant as they merited. Was there no
intention now of renewing the same attempt ? Ik
pledged himself that there was. lie now had in his
!pocket • letter, requesting his support ; but lie replied,
that while he admitted the distresses of the aricultu-
Mists, he thought a Corn Bill a wrong remedy; tlre
• real remedy would be ilimunition of rents, and a retitle-
' lion of taxes; and as a reduction of taxes would be bene-
ficial to the community, he and his colleague would stop-
port i t.—(A pplaitse.) —The next question WAS the Foreign
Enlistment Hill, which went to support the most odious
species of tyranny of the most execrable Government
that ever existed, anal tended to kindle the Haines of po-
litical animosity. It had, however, been so far ren-
dered nugatory, that, by the aid of British soldiers and
seamen, the independence of South America was made
sure, sal Spain was advancing to support the cause of
freedom in tier colonies. There was next a Bill impos-
ing three millions of fresh taxes. In a case which he
hail supposed they could have had the guilt of aggravat-
ing the miseries of a suffering people—of a people who.
by thousands and tens of thousands, petitioned for ba-
nishment in order to escape from suffering.—(Applause.)
—The next subject was the most important which could
be discussed—he meant a reform in the House of com-
mons ; which their Representatives, instead of doing
every thing in their power to prevent, hail an every oc-
casion solyneated. 'this question he considered as para-
mono' to all others: other questions were only import-
ant as aiding and promoting it. It would he asked,
what was the charm, by whirls reform would remove all
their discontent,* pi! make this a happy and •
prosperous coniqy He answered, by rendering
the Guitar of tionimons the organ of the people s
will, representing their intelligence, and posssess the
power which their consequence would give.—(Applanse.)
—Suppose the same scene were going on in every part of
England which appeared now among them, would they
not feel confidence in the wisdom and infinity of the
Members chosen? But, of 658 Members, 407 were re-
turned by the patrons of boroughs, who were at that
moment hargaining, hot according to the principles of
Whigs or Tories, but respecting the money that would
;laid fora seat. Seventy-six of the Members received
!MAO/. a year of the public money. These were es-
:Faired as harks in the Parliamentary stable, and were
teddy to obey the Parliamentary whip.—(Applause.)--
In the remark lie was now about to make, lie did not al-
lude to the Hon. Baronet near him. The Baronet had
been arraigned, and must snake lib defence; hut he had
heard grave legislators propose, as a remedy for all their
grievances—wheat? Not that theyshould hems& unlearned,
for that was not practicable, hut that they should learn
no more; that their children should never acquire the
power of knowing right or wrong; and that little horn-
books, anal gingerbread A, 11, C's, should be put down
as sediti s. Such was the remedy proposed by those
who resisted the intention and course of Provideitee;
for Providence would have men to be educated, in order
to be just; and free, in order to be happy. When she
poet had said—
., Where Ignorance is bliss.
"*Tts folly to be 14e."
lie did not mean to say that to be a blockhead was a
receipt for happiness. But, when he supported reform,
he meant a rational, serious, and sincere reform, which
would afford no ground of apprehension—a tertian, ex-
tending the elective franchise to all who pay taxes, abo-
lishing rotten boroughs, and shortening the duration of
Parliament.—(Applanse.)—They cool& not have a bet-
ter proof of the necessity of shortening the duration of
Parliament than the present General Election. Minis-
ters had important measures to bring forward, and,
feeling fears of a death-bed repentance, they preferred
an infant Parliament, who could sin with impunity for