Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-04-26
IS tet,sss oatU cas- tDsQ.
ENGLAND.

Jory OF one vote-ayes S02 33t-the fullest
10y So ever taken in the House of Commons, and the
very fuliness of which, shows the high excitement
OF the public mind The debates which preceded
AT, We're also of unparalleled duration for that body,
which generally dispatches questions which affect
the world in less time than our Virginia Legislature
requires to debate road bill The fate of the Re-
form bill vas uncertain. Another vote was TO be
taken in the Commons, and it might there be reec-
ted. In the House of Lords it appears unreasona-
bic to minds to calculate upon its Str-
king at the Aris.ocracy, that House must naturally
resist It. Passing by SO SENDER majority (if it
should pass) in the House of Commons, it would pre-
sent itself to the Lords backed by too little moral
force to inmidate them into compliance. This how
may be supplied by the of things in the
country-by the unanimity and excited state OF pub!
Tic feeing-hy the Press, which supports reform in
the proportion of Eve tc one. If the ministry failed
in carrying the measure would be the first instance
we think, where ministry had failed, sustained both
by the throne and the people; and thus sustained
they would not resign in other cases. where they
were left in minoritiee. Holding still that power in
Parliament, which they have lost in moral point of
view, the Aristocracy may defeat this immediate
measure; bot opposed by the wishes fears of the
King the vast majority of the nation, and the prin-
cples of the age, they cannot hold out long. Upon
the contingency of The loss of the bill, the London
Courier of the cad March, has the following spe-
culation:
'.To-nigh probably, the discussion will close and
not improbably, the opponents of reform will have
temporary triumph, for It IS not to be expected,
where there are SO many personal motives for oppo
asiton, that measure OF so extensive nature, will
be- in the first instance, carried by the ministry.
dissolution of Parliament, however, will entirely
change he face of things for then ministers will not
only have the t~ enty boroughs in the hands of
the exminsters from the exercise of their patronage
when In Office, but accession of nearly forty
menbe RS for counties and open towns, the present
representatives of which have signified their inten
ton OF voting against the bill, but whose consttu-
ents have declared against them the reform ques
&ion. These added to the increase in Ireland would
give large majority in favor of the bill; and unless
matters have changed materially within the last two
hours to morrow will bring Ministerial triumph, or
a dissolution of Parliament"
But what is the nature and what will be the con
sequence of the reform proposed if it take effect?
1t is pronounced Revolution in the Government.
Sir Robert Ingless in opposing it, said "if the
snre were carried whatever intention the Noble
Lord (RusseI) might feel to allow the Peers to sit
quietly in their Houses would sweep the House of
Lords clean in the of ten years." Sir Charles
Wetheril said en Cromwell's times there was In
PRODUCED what was called purge of the House of
Commons Ia laugh.) This called Col. Pride's
purge; but within the last few days purge had
been introduced which he would designate RusselIs
purge (Great Laughter) and, continued the learned
member, say that Bussells purge is republican
in its basis. Its basis destructive of the principle
of the Constitution" Mr. Barring said. ''the mea-
sure not merely alteration in the Legislature,
but would have the effect of giving a ncD C0nstiu-
iiqn the country" Mr.. Duncombe pronounced
the plan Of reform, Revolutionary with respect to
the Constitution and Government of the Country"
Mr.. Tennyson said "the King and the People of
England at length, happily united in the same
cause. The King and Ministers were at length the
troe friends of the people The battle to be fought
was that of the King and the People against the Oh
igarchy, and government would shrink from their
proposition" The Lord Advocate of Scotland
Jeffrey stated the point With the most acute deca-
cy and TRUTH ''The difference, he said, between the
friends and opponents of reform this-the friends
of reform were afraid of the consequences to the
country, of denying the people their just rights-the
opponents afraid of the consequences of grant
ing them to Themselves ~
Who does not read in these indications, the true
nature of the pending struggle? can fail TO per-
ceive, that Reform is but another name for Repubi-
Ganism--to the introduction Of which into the Go
veEnment of England. things setting with cur
rent steady, accommodating, and which must fDoHy
become irresistible? The reform proposed does not
destroy the principle Of the English Constitution
on the contrary it completes the conception-for
that conception was that tns Commons should ENJOY
the ascendency in their House. which the Peers
hold in the House of Lords--whilo the Executive,
the Aiistocracy and the Commons, the estates con-
's;ituIng the Government, each dschargiDg its ap-
proPFatc functions, to operate as q check one.
upon the other, in the practical administration Of
the Government To wrcst the boroughs from the
Arsitocracy-to enlarge the number Of suhiagaus,
and thus TO secure full and fair and real represen-
tion of the people in The House of Commons, is but
to work out ths spirit Of The Constitution of Eng
land. But it is the which have produced The
change, which make the ehargs itself hateful to the
Oligarchy. IN the temper Of the timcs-in the uni
vcrsal diffusion Of free principlcs-in the ease and
CELEBRITY vvifb vr,ficb fhny have rrouircd Tho