The Statesman.
London, England, 1819-06-12 00:00:00

crfiroli=Oß oe TB& ST4TILVAL4N.
•
'tehisThnunilal free is, I believe,
only ept —l4maji ry few, who, forgettiog the
notate-44 teeekrow wr".' • . and captivated, perhaps,
by their own I.ltepian systems, blindly follow the
dictates of their minds, when oven succeeding is im.
possible. The arguments of such men, Sir, take rise
from true principles, hut terminate in error. it is
admitted that mankind in a state of nature are equal,
but I firmly deny the inference they found upon it.
I wish not for credit, any farther than my assertions
go home to the bosom of every man. Let me only
introit this nation to take the evidence of history,
and they will find that the early of many leads bet
to lb. dominion of a few. I will not shrink from the
cause of ety country when surrounded with difficul-
ties, but we are accused of being revolutionary ea•
thinest:, and it is necessary to state oar sentiments.
I, Sir, am a Reformer, and affirm, that the correp-
lion of Parliament is known, nay. that it csonot be
denied. It has been, lam well aware, asserted by a
forcible writer, that whenever a Legislature acts coo-
-1
trary to the wishes of a People, it is therefOre dissolv-
ed; yet, though I sat far from agreeing with such an
ungsalifed opinion, I fear not to maintain, that
when repeated Petition, for Reform have been pre-
sented, it behoves the Legislature to correct the
lobos., which hare crept into its Representation. It
it, Sir, I willingly admit, a &ovules esperiment to
alter the manner of electing oar Representatives, bat
It is still more dangerous to the vital interests of
the nation for a Parliament to sit which is not
elected by the free voice of the People. Such, Sir.
are my sentiments, sod I leave it to the Public to
decide whether this be plain fact or revelatioaary
jargon. If admitted to be true, I will then demand
what such a lino of conduct can be but oppression or
tyranny, disguised ender the names of aucient usage
,and custom.

No one no mere readily grant than I do that An.
noel Parliaments or Uni I Suffrage would be
ruinous to the Prerogative, and hurtful to this best
interests of the community ; hut the odherents of Mi.
sisters are careful of attacking the general question
of Reform, either on the grounds of natural justice
or constitutional necessity ; they content themselves
I with vilifyiog the characters of their opponents, when
they date not meet them lit debate.
There are some men, Sir, whom no ties of honour
can bind, Do arguments convince; who shot their
ears against conviction, and deem the Cause of Re-
form but the pretest for clamour. It is thus, Sir,
we are answered by men, who fling from argument
resort to abuse, Red who knowing the weakness of
their cause dare not defend it. Is it necessary for me
to proceed, in order to satisfy this nation concerning
the corruption of the present Parliament ? Shall I
drag that man iota public siglitor hose feelings of see-
sibility and honour, though shakes, are not quits
extinct ? I wish not to do It, yet lan at any time
bring forward the person who noes» the opinions
of Members and reports to his employe». I have,
Sir, so low contemptible »sealant» to gratify—
I am not actuated by malice to an individual—
( seek not for power, neither look I to reward.—
The great Goo, who knows the principles of every
mind, will judge my actions by the tendency of my
heart. The cheering feeling of approbation that is
within me is the sole tecorpence of my Isbours—l
wish not another.

If rising from the consideration of Reform, wo
turn oar reflections to a Prince, I know not whether
we should most lament the wretchedness of his lima-
lion nr the misery of our owo. Whet opinion can
his Royal Highness have for Ministers who openly
admit, that for three years their conduct bus been
guided solely by temporary ezpedients, without
bringing forward one sensible plan for the relief of
their tensility. Thank !leaven! there are points of
insult at which even oppression mast stop when a
nation is roused to resistance. I casino!, I will not,
speek moderately on such an occasion. The shame-
ful callousness of some men is to me really astonish-
ing. If I might venture to approach his Royal
Highness, I would implore and beseech him to take
the dismissal of Ministers into his most sinless enn.
sideration. I world beg him to let no party feeling,
no arguments he used that would not tend to his own
honour and the good of his country. I world ask
his Royal Highness to judge such men by their own
words, and we could not leer the result. Bet if it
were supposable that a Prince of this country could
be so deficient in all sentiment as to be quite callous
to the entreaties of his People, I would bid him re-
elect that the indignant spirit of a nation can make a
Monarch tremble, though surrounded by Jaaissries.
This laoseage, Sir, may be eltraordioary, becalm%
it is cendid bat it must be eseful, because it is
true.

TACITI:S.

A laboured article from Stockholm endeavours to
show the absurdity of the rompers that other Powers
Intended to interfere between Sweden and her Go-
moment, but whatever ■ay be said to the contrary,
there ar. 'vines reasons why the Legitimate; will
not allow a King made op of what they are pleated
to call Jacohinical materials, to sit upon a Throne in
Europe. They will, probably, by united influence,
occasion an abdication before some of them singly re-
tire from the weight of a Crown.
Letters from Bilboa mention, that on the 7th
ultimo, sixteen transports left Cocoons for Cedes,
under convoy of a Spaisisb frigate. The Princess of
SICILY, marlied to the Infante Duo FeaaciFce•
ut PAtlt.t, lied arrived at Barcelene, sod was to
proceed to Madrid on the 18th ultimo. .

Yesterday •se a holiday et the Bank ; bet the
Stork Exchange was open, and an immense quantity
of business less transacted. Confab opened at
bet afterwards fell to GO; I.—Ouseino, which •s+
three per cent. discount en Thursday. cosseresced at
per cent. premium; it afterwards fell to dismal,
and continued fluctuating at one o'clock. Ewen hers
were offered on 'Change that it would be at two per
cent. premium ou Tuesday. It left of at ; dit•
count.