The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-06-13
REFLECTIONS
e the Condurt Of Sir FR.iNCLS BURDE7T
FROM LA7E DUBLIN PAPER.


The publick must have read, with painful
Interest, the account OF the proceedings
which have taken place in consequence OF the
vote Of the House Of Commons for the COM
initial of Sir Francis Burdett To the Tower.
Every sincere lover OF his country, every
man attached TO the Constitution, no matter
of what party, every loyal subjec. of his Sow
ereign, and every enlightened advocate for
the peoples rights, must lament the agitation
of this question; because, let the rlatter ter
inmate as il will, one or all of those impor-.
tant objects of political affection must suffer.
In the contest between the Parliament and an
Individual, who has succeeded, in great
measure, in identifying himself with the peo-
pie, We perceive conflict, not ut harfies, but
OF PRINCIPLES, the triumph or depression OF
either OF which must be detrimental to the
best interests of the Empire. The resistance
OF Sir Francis BurdeH to the execution OF
the Speakers War; ant, as being illegal, d.
mounts 10 nothing less than setting up his in
oWiduii opinion against that OF one branch
oil the legislature, alone competent to beside
the question. and hszardmg the publick peace
In support of il. This, surely, can be lustih-
Cd upon no principle of law, policy, or prti-
uence, and the conduct that is restrained by
none of thes if pursued TO the end, must
lead to destruction. The precautions adopt
ed by Government prove to demonstration
that they are apprehensive of danger. This
by itself, is sufficient 10 cause universal alarm,
although we sincerely hope and believe that
the fears of all parties are disproportionatc to
their cause. But without adverting to the
threat of the refractory member to call In aid
to resist the execution OF the Speakers War
rant, and his resolution to repel force by
force, we foresee innumerable difficulties,
which can scarcely be removed by his most
unqualified submission to the authority he has
impugned. 1t is impossible that the House
of Commons, can pass this last breach Of its
privileges unobserved, without at the same
time, bctraying sense OF weakness, from
whom the most dangerous consequences must
ensuc or animadvert upon it, in a manner
worthy of the magnitude OF the offence,with-
out coming more Immediately to issue with
the people. They cannot add to the punish
ment of confinement, which is already indef-
inite, nor otherwise express their resentment
than by rcsorting to the extreme measure of
expulaion. Can there be doubt that Sir
Francis Burden will, in that case offer him
self again to the Electors of Westminster, as
Candidate And if he does, is there the
least ground for supposing that he will moi
be returned by those who have already posted
placards, deprecatiRg the confinement Of one
Of their Representatives Arrived at this
point, what line of conduct is the House of
Commons to pursue, which may guide them
through the labyrinth in which the indiscre-
tion of an individual member has involved
khem !Will they repeat the measure Of ex-
puision, which will be only p.unging again
nto the sea of difficulties, from which it
should be their object to emerge or, at
pnce declare by vote Of their own, that cx.
pulsion incapacitates the person for re-elec-
ION They cannot recede without compro-
hitting their dignity; they cannot advance
ki,hour committing themselves, not with Sir
Francis Burdetf, not with his party, not even
ith the electors Of Westminster, but with
nose of the Empire a dissolution of Par.
lament might, for the present, cut the Cor
an knot but whatever we may think res.
,cting the expediency, or even safety of
ch a measure, we are convinced that the
esent ministers will not adopt it. We
ave reached the point of chief difficulty in
$ interesting, but intricate piece, out have
! the courage to continue il TO the catas-
phe, or to pursue the chain OF reasoning,
far as it might possibly conduct Us.