Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-05-03
gijf constitutional gN tf0.
DEBATE ON REFORM

having moved for certain population returns in re-
duced hs motion with long and powerful speech
against ,hc contemplated reform IN Parliament. He
,yas answered by Lord Durham and Lord PiunkttL
In this stage Of the debate Lord Bvou.ham took the
floor.
The I.o,p CH,scELLcR-I owe no little apology
10 your l.uds!ps for troubling you with any further
discussion of THIS subject under the existing crcun-
stances at this !l'e hour of the night but still
owe an apology 10 my Noble and Learned Friend
who proceeded me, when rise to say any thing aftcr
HIM, before there is even shadow of reply TO his
clear, energetic, orgunentHive, and unanswrrab .
speech. But although agree with the Noble VS.
count, WHO is crest authority on these subjects.
and with come OF those who spoke after hun, that
is not necessary the present occasion t., 90 min
rtey into the details OF The measure, yet can III no
Nay admit that 1t IS IN any way unbecom'ng i'm
proper IN me to take this opportunity Of stating my
sentiments on tho bill generally. and ITS particu-
lar parts The Noble Lord who opened tho debate
'eit himself compelled TO admit, IN the course OF his
6Tgomcnt, that the measure supported by the
petitions of all classes OF the community which cario
pouring III upon IN bonudless variety. AMI in
countless numbers almost all Of them EXPIRE ssnp the
most ardent desire that your Lordshps should SIRE
nuousy support The measure and speed It the foot
at the throne No discussion took place upon any of
these petitions without protests being avishly enter
cd against the irregular and ncouvcnient mode Of
breaking the debate upon the grand question: g. frit-
tcrng 1t sway In conversational discussions 1t wa>
SAID. wat until IN opportunity Ia gwen for regular
debate upon the bli-wat till the moment comes
for which we pan,-stay the wshful course of your
proceedings, the advent of which we glndly hail,
and hen we will be no longer restrained nv the
ilsd.ous feelings winch blight our genius and
dcpress oar ardour for debate, but shnli rush
Gown into the arena, and meet you with gladaess."
such has been the language of the opponents Of the
bill, but now IL appears that another and very L,f.
icTent movement has been made by these rreat
teciicaBS. AT first they contented themselves with
merely throwing out a few skirmshers; then nv
Noble friend gave his nCtce of motion, and then
his nc'ice was withdrawn. More petitions were
parties were INDUCED IN, complaints Of lrrepu
ii,'y cnsucJ, and moro reluctance OF the discussion
was expressed Then. again, Nnhlc Dukes Noble
Errs, and Noble Blrons. entered into peccmeal
atioi:s; then, agsin, il wss said wait Till
proper day, and keep the feast on the fcas;-day A
few skiImishcs, however, were again thrown ont
and when 1t was asked, why do you change your
tactics all ot sudden and thus get out Of the laws
OF the liun It was answered, we will give a notice
OF motions and have n debate al once" The present
therefore, is an occasion ofthar seeking nd the
enemies Tor the measure have brought forward this
question for he view and purpose of having prcma-
tnrG and incidana al discussion: Then the cry wos
Don't be- currcd away b. incIcn, ul discussion
will ask, what has been done during tle whole scs
sion but TO engage IN incidental and premature discus
sors: First VIC had the incidental discussions upop
the timber trade, and then the subject of taxes
to be incidentally discussed. I should make tho
har OF The Noble NsCount stand end when he
heard that tax had been debated in that House be
fore the Chancellor Of the Exchequcr had proposed
1t to the llouec Of Commons Il may be IRREGULAR
and peculiar 20 the present session, and to the NC
sent opposition, and TO the times in which we 1.-Two
bat cannot apply the cplihct Unprecedented &c ib,
coure taken by tho opponents Of the bill NV noble
friend gave notice Of motion for the production of
papers, and he Noble Lord ct the head of tho Trea
snty Bench declared that he had objection to their
hcing produced. Upon this my Noble friend ssid
that his motion wos to afford an opportunity TO dis
c'iss the whole question of parliamentary reform
Which ne was as anxious to attack the other side
was TO defend. At last comes the day-the in,nor
N fba ~. l,a II
Partlnt spcech-(A Laugh made TO De unanswer-
abe by his aajesty's Ministers. After all this pro-
r'lse and preparation, the Nobic Lord moving
On en- ecei'on, although he Lad ist bcrn 5trcnchee
behind the Comma rdcr-in- Chief The NbbIo Jo,d
declined the combat; and moved of. aided by the
Eight ,Gmadrons from the benches until he had
nearly cmpllcd the Iorsc. Ministers thus found
themselves in awkward suaiion-such SLIM
ton as II was not very usual Ministers for TO be pac
cd IN they were actually looking gu; for niaro-
nis's. Their eyes wandered over the House in nil
quarters TO search for opponents pnd every here and
there they only bush, which led them TO ,bink
that II the bush were well beaten game mrrht be
sprung. Tao bushes were well beaten and sill no
ga;nc took wing. Ministers were reduced to the NO
cessi'y OF fighting shy In this state ftiiincs YOUR
!ordsIHps wiz not expect me 10 20 INTO n liberal
dIscussIon upon the principles OF The BILL or to touch
upon It's details. Where they have been attacked
they have b en- sncccs fully defended. I, was the
Constant ani tIio great aud tho Triumphant, and tb.
taUnE. argument III the months of the nntI. rcE,rm
-
Forward and ducci Cour-e--Our way is uniform and
unqnaicd but rs fo7 you. The advocates of reform
thcr" IS 90 graphing With you; what one man n
nonGat You vii UrlInlain auohcr gives up-wi,at
one clngs to, another attacks and what one dcscr hos
as the very Inud, icn and cIrnrr-s,onc Of tl inca
sure, another OF you wi! tell u5 would be the ruin
ana H'aI obstruction OF the constiiution-Therc arc
rs many plans amongst us there are adyocatrs C,I
reforms AND you orc all violent in the praise of you
own theories aud IN the condemnation of those nh,
forward by your follow reformcrg." That was Tho
Inc o. argument uFcd by the late Mr. Canninr and
used toy him With his wonted felicity against the men
t''c o. 'e'orm lie never lost sight of an opportuni-
'; o.. applying that principle TO the measure when
ever IL was brought forward III any shape in Paria-
nrnt. and his u"quslcd and con ,istent oppos;tin
10 reform he mad3 grea, Of thar argument "a In
Inc diversity of opinions amongst rcfutincrs them
aG'cS Hnd no o!c at the time felt the force of
INA argument ihan debut nov the tables arc
turned and TINT argument as to coniraF,sty IF sen
tlmcDl and diversity OF opinion, be IF: ctuallv
turned nganst tho snti.reiormcrs themselves Unny
1Ir UFn lfff