Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-05-04

that the modelling of constitution was
matter of extreme dclicacy in proportion 20 tho
complicated character of delicate machine.
Who could prc.cnd to Judge of the symmetry and
proportions of the human frame, of iss organs, ard
faculties, and ondownents which fell little short Of
angelic existence itself, Ivy merely eSnui:ning
lated number, detached feature or the fabric when
perfect as created Lot honorable rsntlemen re-
member that all moral theorists and philosophical
W'"rrS for thousand years had despaired of rcali
Zng 10 practice system of such excellence us the
BRITISH constitution. Must not Cice o himself have
contemplated or form of Government whom he said
GN'stimo cain cssc optim, u rcmpubcsm QUE con-
sthua est OK tribus Scncribus," Had not Tucrus
described the best and most durable government to
DC "ombinatien OF king mobiles, AMI people, partc'
ular'snS with accuracy the several parts OF our con-
sttution as It operatedI He had heard frequent al
lueion TO Burke and Canning, aud other great author
tiles whose Opinions had been adduced m tho course
OF tins debate, but he would quote passage FROM
speech OF tho noble member for TaYisock Lord j.
Russell in tho session Of 1919, which he considered
much more to the purpose, and was, besides beng
Apostle to the question: ono Of the most beautiful
specu,ens OF e'oquence ever uttered IN that liesec
IL had the additional merit OF having been spoken by
the very noble Lord who now sought 20 lay violent
hands on the constitution. The discussion alluded
To related to the dsfranchisemcn. Of corrupt bo-
rough in Cornwall, when the noble Lord was asked
what he proposed to do With tho unconvicted bo-
roughss to which he replied follows; but in making
this quotation, he must premise that he meant
to blame he noble Lord for changing his opinion
since then. if he sufficient grounds for the change;
but the reasons which he then assigned appeared
etsrna and irrcfragable, and not Of a nature DO
less cogent now than when originally uttered. He
on TINT occasion replied that he would consider ge
neral disfranchIsement of the uncon cted boroughs
a reconstruction Of the House of Commons altogoth-
er. (H-ar.) He had. therefore, the noble Lords
authority for designating the present plan of
reform. (Hear.) The noble Lord however, wen,
on to culogize the constitution IN the most eloquent
terms Of praise which il possible to employ He
ted
tasquicu pronounced tue constitution Of England the
nearest to perfection OF any which the most enCht
sned States had before experienced. When
Lord Son,ers and the other great legislators and phi
losophcrs vho fUurished with him, bore sttestation
10 It's merits, 1t was open to the same objections
which were since urged against il; and when Hump
den lost his lif. Rutland returned the same number
of representatives as Yorkshire. ICbecrs1 10
was not inclined, with The pscudo-mcrchant IN the
fable, TO cry New lamps for -Ltnughterl-and
would not consent 10 exchange the instrument which
had created SO much national prosperity for burn
ished and tinselled article of modern manufacture
tLaughter] Neither would he willingly throw our
political System into the wheel the chance of OBJ
tanning prze IN the lottery of constitutions {"
lCheers and laughter Such was the noble Lord 9
judcious, and at the present moment timely warning
against the danger OF rashy departing from the prac-
teal wisdom Of mankind during centuries Of histo-
rica experience preferred too. at the critical junc-
turc Of 1919, when the six acts had pa.sed-whcn
the slzure of arms BILL the blasphemous libel bill
through the House. tCbeers.l II such was the
/ line of argument Of the noble Lord m 1919, he IN
bis language would thel call upon the House TO
prefer the solid en-; lamp Of the constitution to
the temporary iinsel of modern sophstry. GUrar I
With respect TO the great question before the House
he could not but declare that he saw IN it but IN.
instrument Of men ondeavouring to rotain power
lhsar and no. Tie begged pardon if in error, bu,
the disclaimers of anxiety TO possess mover with
suspicion. And this allusion to office led him 10
another topic not disconnected with his sub;ec,
1t had been industriously circulated that with q
view to ou-bid, or rather under-bd the noble Lord
in his measure for reform. and with WOW to eff.c
ting restoration TO office. member of this side
OF the House would have some forward with some
plan of moderate reform Of his own. He knew not
really hog TO meet this absurd assertion Che fact
was That there IS a class Of newspaper writer's who
seem to think that the sum1nuu bon,,p, of bnmar
felicity, the sole object Of all our exerions and ami
ton, Is the opportunity Of wasting our time and
health on the treasury bench opposite. For hi,
part he actuated by such idle ambition thea
lhear) lie might, il such were his Object, ha We
proposed plan OF moderate reform, but as he had
not done no persuaded hims Elf that he afforded
PROOF that he had no ambition Of office through such
q channel (hcar). And this he might have done vii
less hesitation. ns he had never taken decided vic
lent part against the reform which had beer
discussed OF Lotto years in that fIonse so thai he
was not barred on the score Of cncy If the in
estltnobl blessing OF sitting the bench
TO be night after night badgercd, Zero the ob,ec, d
hn ambition Ghear, and laugh,erl Aftcr, indeed
he had lest tho confidence Of the House. and rhepco
Office, IT Ministers had felt 1t necessary 10 propose
safe and moderate measure Of reform of some
branches Of cur representation be would most oro
badly have acted on the views taken BY the honor
able member for Calno, Of tho overwhelming dan
gers to be opprehended from all resistance to change
end have given 1t his support a private ndiyidp.
though he mi CHI not have thought it fl to orpino,,
II IN an official capacity He repcataI he would m,
hare objected to measure for extending tho eecv,
ranch'sc 10 some places no at present possessing II,
couio assure him with all truth and sincerity, an,
upon his honor as gentleman tina, he never had con
ference with any individual on the subject fhoar
lie spoke then wholly uninGuenced by personal o.
party considerations in his individual capacity-as
man who had far deeper AXE in maDt aiming tb,
integrity Of EXISTING institutions than he could deyiy
from the possession Of any office iIearl Bcolin,
;bus deeply Interested in the vcll-being Of the con
siiiuioD, he could no, consent 10 mcus1re which il
the words OF the noble lord went 20 reconstruct IN,
very forms or lint House; ond be the consequence
what they may, so wholly did he despair OF bcino
q ha hin lie Kill -,