Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-06

seCOnOlY, Tue power OF 0lSS0lylnS fafllament -
The King acted with that decision which belongs
to his character, and with that coolncss of judg
ment with which he has looked upon all the great
measures which an honest aud enlightened Mi
nistry have submitted to his consideration for the
government Of his affairs. He decided to act
under the councils Of his Ministers. and TO dis
solve the House of Commons in order that the
great measure, which has been rejected by their
representatives in the House Of Commons, might
he tried before its natural and legitimate tribu-
, na!-the people themselves.
lf ever dissolution Of the House OF Commons
be just and fitting as great exercise of the5pre
rosative entrusted TO the King by the Constitu-
ton, it is surely peculiarly proper upon an occa
sion hen the people think and feel one way, and
their representative obstinatel act another; when
the popular trust committed to them, il not actu-
ally betrayed, is thwarted and defeated by a
course Of proceeding hostile to the public interest,
and tending only to the sordid benefit of those who
have the temporary opportunity OF abusing del
egated power.
Ii we could conceive our Constitution speak
ing upon this occasion, as the great orator OF
Greece imagined the laws of Athens to address
him in the Temple of Areopagus; if we could
imagine the Constitution declaring the specific
purpose for which the King Of these realms was
entrusted with the great prerosative Of dissolving
Parliament, we have no doubt but its language
would be--the representatives are traitors to the
public interests-when they oppose and set at
nought the concurrent and unanimous wishes OF
their constituents-and are anxious to convert
their trusts into profitable jobbing for themselves,
& thereby to contravene the fundamental obliga-
ton upon which political power has been confid-
ed to their hands.
That the interested cxertions Of the borough
party would have thrown ont the Reform Bill,
there could nave been no doubt. Its fate was
painfully visible on Tuesday night. Those who
voted with General Gascoyne openly declared
themselves hostile to the whole principle of the
Bill; details were nothing; they shuddered at
and abominated the whole altogether. Schedule
A. would have gone next night, and Schedule
would have followed it; so that the whole mea-
sure would have been torn into shreds and patch
es: and in proportion to the union and delight
which prevailed amongst all ranks and coGditions
of men, upon the first announcement OF the Il VI,
would have been the bitter evaporation OF the
public, and the convulsion Of all parts Of the
country. on its final rejection by sordd and gro
yelling sel6shness.
Ministers, therefore. had no other resource bat
10 advise the King TO dissolve Parliament. IT
they had resigned their places, the people would
have lost all hopes Of Reform for centuries to come.
Borouehmonsers would have been as fixed as the
National debt. And to have retained office whilst
this Bill was scornfully flung 10 their faces, would
have marked Lord Grey and his colleagues with
DEGRADATION and iufamy such as seldom fell to the
lot of man.
! But it is said, have not ministers gone to the
country upon what lawyers call the very worst
issue that could be taken; namely. as to whether
or not It is expedent to reduce the numbers OF
the House Of Commons?
! Now. as the general feeling Of sober men is
against them on this point, woulS 1t not have
been better to have dragged their opponents into
the odium Of rejecting that part 81 the bull which
DISTINGUISHES the rotten bOroughs and opened the
| close boroughs? Perhapsit would, But, IN a
great measure, the main principle is to be chiefly
REGARDED, and that was as much assailed by the
one vote as it would have been By the other; and
the people will not be deceived by the tricEer,y
| of those who have opposed the measure upon one
iuretext, but who have in reality voted against the
whole principle of Reform in this covert and spe
I ciGus manner
II we are asked what benefit dissolution would
produce, we say it will Immediately bring the
representatives of the people to an account
Such members as shall have dared 10 vote against
this measure, and shall also dare to force their
constituents. will then see how they will be re-
ceived by the people. In any place where there
is shadow Of popular election, we much doubt
whether any candidate will venture to show him
self who is an enemy to Reform.
! More than six-and-twcnty counties in England
and v ales have held meetings, andpassed una
uimous resolutions in favor ct this Bill. Scot
land, though ground to the earth by her feuda
aristocracy, and Ireland, though beset by Tory
magistrates. have manifested decision in favor
of this measure by large majorities. The free
men of corporations, whose monopoly is destroy
ed by it have not yet refused their sufirsascs t(
this measure In looking, indeed at the coun
trv, we see all shades and contrasts OF opinions
and even the more obstinate and bitter differ
ences of sects and parties, lost in the blaze Of
triumph which has broken forth upon the prospect
of Reform. Many have complained OF the de-
tails of the measure, and wished extensive alte
rations; but delight in finding the plan of the 60
vernment ample and complete, has silenced all
cayil and ingrattude towards the men who SC
| nhlv roJeened their mi mist erial pledge.