The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-11-18
REFORM IN ENGLAND.

ry, nftef an ciO'lueHt tTiDUiN tO tnt
French, who, he said, "mcrited the e.
ternal gratitude humankind" who "now
stood in the front of the civilized
world" and "who in three DAYS had
done more for the cause of freedom
than we had achieved since the time
Of Cnsar and the Romans" proceeded
To say, "This is. undoubtedly, the great
est blow that has been given, IN our
time, TO king-craft and priest-craft;
these two are generally combined; and
now, mark, gentleman, what l am a
bout to sag if have well-weighed any
part Of my address, il is this--I will use
no terms that ] have not selected, and
i declare that Of king-cratt ard priest
creft, the latter is more misclievous
than the former cheers. | do not be-
licye that the priests-i mean not Cath
olic only, but all Protestant priests |
mean not only the priests Of France,
but likewise of the town and county of
Leicester.
/ verify believe that they are the
most inveterate and implacable foes
that the liberties of mankind have to
contend with cheers. Some honor
able conceptions, no doubt, there are:
but as body, they are the sworn apos-
Ties of bigotry, and seryility, and slam
der. What has occurred the last few
weeks amongst us, justilies me in thus
speaking, and no reform in England
will ever he worth considering that does
not clip the wings of these gentry, and
place them more in accordance with
The spirit and light ofthc age that does
render them the enlightened guides of
the flock, instead of what they too gen
orally are-mean sycophants, odious
tithe hunters, ever active to keep the
people in slavery and darkness cheers.
| will venture to warn them, that If ev-
er n revolution should be effected in
this country, their conduct will not be
forgotten; they will drink deep Of the
cup of just retribution.
1t is still more painful consdera-
ton that the spirit and conduct of the
clergy will produce among the rising
generation n contempt for religion and
its ministers. and render iniidelity as
fatally prevalent amongst us, rs it is
reported to be in France [checrs.] l
will only add, that 1 rejoice in these e.
vents, not only as great i'm themselves,
bat because they are pregnant with
important and beneficial consequences
to other nations, and think what glo-
rious occurrence that must be, which
not only benefits the country in which
it happens, but extends its healing in
fiuence to surrounding nations: which
moves and agitates, not to- iniure, but
to bless mankind. Depend upon it,
there Is not a despot upon the earth,
that docs not turn pale when he reads
the story of the French revolutions; he
Involuntary raises his hand, and feels
whether his crown is upon his head, &.
if SO, whether it sits firmly; and he will
look round to see If he can, even by
stealth, do something that may procure
him little popularity, and tighten the
fctters of his subjects, or rather his
slaves laughter and cheers.] This e.
vent has already shaken Belgium it will
overthrow the miserable tyrants of
the peninsula: 1t will regenerate Italy,
Prussia and Germany, and even Tur-
key, Russia and China will one day
reap the advantage oft. Last, but not
least, it will do more than any thing
that has ever occurred to bring about
a reform in this country [cheers. i
Thank God, we have an intelligent peo-
pie and liberal minded monarch, and
if the inhabitants of England have but
n portion of that union, and valor, and
generosity, and devotion TO the public
good, which has been so strikingly dis
played in France, it will not be long be-
fore they have accomplished such re-
form IN our representation as shall rem
der the horrors ofa general convulsion
unnecessary"