The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-07-20


10 all applications for the redress of abuse,
To every proposed amelioration ofthe sy stem
OF IT'S government, the answer of those then
In power in that country uniformly COMMIT
nicated denal-untIl those denials ter
minated in the overthrow of the French mo
narchy. { Fear, hear Then followed
the horrible catalogue ct miseries some few
IN that house had predicted, but which so
many OF those who then would not believe,
have now lived TO ser so lamentably reali
zed. Hear. hear y
When then such instances were plain to
their understandings, was it not natural, that
many persons in the country should now
look to reform in that house, impressed as
they were with the opinion. that neither the
American nor the French war, both events
SO repicte with national caiamities, would
never have taken place, if that house had
been fairly constituted. and if it spoke the
isehngs and the wishes OF the people Was
II not natural when men contemplated the
disastrous Campaigns. the fruitless cxpedi.
uons, the lavish expenditure of the nations
oiood and OF It's means, which characterize
so the political history of latter times, to at
tribute such effects to the want of that con
sututional influence which the country should
possess over the conduct of its public ser.
wants !--When, they see ministerial ma.
lorities ready to defend every rash project of
war----to screen every delinquency
protect every malversatiot, and to refuse ev
Iery popular appeal for redress--can it be a
matter OF surprise TO that house, to find the
Country anxious to correct that which thew
consider the source of all the national evils
hameiy, the imperfect representation of The
IPeople I'm the commons house of parliament ?
hcn how was that remedy to be effected ?
1t Vas to be effected as his hon. friend said.
oy Locking into the principles of the constitu-
tion' and applying them to present circum
stances. IL was by giving to the people their
uue ihhuence In returning men to that house
VINO came there the representatives of the
country and not of their own money. Rnt
the right hon gentleman opposite has said.
mat the peers constitute virtual represen
tat:on OF the people. Did he forget the man.
ner In which such honors and dignities have
oeen ln modern times too frequently bestow
leds Did he believe that the more the peer-
age was diluted, its honor was prop ,rtiona
Ioiy increased Without any nvidious an
pncaton he would suppose case ola great
independent conmoner, from many causes
possessed OF considerable influence in that
mouse and In the Country: to get the support
OF SUCH man became a great object with
ne minister OF the day. How could he more
eHectuaiiy proceed 10 accomplish his pur-
pose than by holding out the honors of the
PeeraSe as the recompence? Having TINS
excited no very commendable feeling of am
oition, and with the facility of saying. much
on both sides of public question: which
the member for Yorkshire (Mr. WILDER.
.orce haa stated according to great wri
ter, To exist, was it not very probable tn sun
pose that by such pursuit the dignity ofIbe
| Peerage might be exerted to currnnt tbs
other branch! Was there not some pround
Tor believing that which had been often CON
tended. namely, that such an Instrument b,a
the house OF lords been made as actu,lIv 70
suck the best blood of the house of cornmons
rom the operation of such causes the house
OF LORDS Continues no longer what the consti-
| tuition intended it, whilst the commons ,ands
| Ia need of reformation
| In considering the mode of that reform :,
was impossible to overlook the conseouen-
ces which followed from men finding heir
way into that house by the nomination of
peers. CONSIDER the relationship i'm which
person thus returned stands with repre-
sentative sent by portion of the Population
ui the Country.-Ihe latter stancsfurwnrd for
,le zee Choice OF MS constituents. H takes
ms place ,n thIs house untettered. If CIR
euniseahCes should arise on which his con-.
s'i'uehts express their opinion and request
ms support "nat is his alternative Should
ne even against his own judgement acoui.
see "i'il them or vacate his seat! (No, no.
ana some murmurs iron, The ministerial
5encheS.)
Ii gentlemen would wait, thew should
learn his opinion, that was, that the renre
sent ltive was not bound, whatever view he
TOOK Oh me quesi to vacate hrs seat. But
What was The case of nominated member
ON pinchlng question Was he no,
oouhd either to vote with his patron or to
Vdcate L he latter was the uniform nrac-
Use "hen such circumstances arose. Thar
III one case you refuse TO pay what some
CONSIDERED legal debt, whilst existed mo
ooJecuon to the discharge OF the other, which
fnlgat be termed debt of honour. Such
man, when he took his place IN that house
came no as The representative of the peonle
out as the delegate of the noblemau He
was aware that men of the first talents and
strlctest integrity were in that way return
ed, ana that IN the present state of the repre-
sentation, they could not rom tnanv causes
obtain seats IN another manner. IN, he
system OF his hon. friend had the ADVANTAGE
OF abording such men opportunities, And
thouSh IL took away twenty nominators. il
opened forty places, where they could from
their talents and their character, establish
Chains 70 popular support. But il was said
IN that mouse there were many DISTINGUISHED
oihcers oil the army and the navy. and law
yers lot the latter great superhuitv1 who
Cou'o not obtain seats unless 10y this mode of
nomination. Did not the right hon. gentle
man know that some o the great cities and |
poPulous towns were in the habit of elect;ny
some OF our naval heroes! Had he not a6