Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-03
CHE GamafIfuatomaI eM bta.
DEJ.\,rE ON REFORM

NrolHSt Inc IN Parilamcnt. He
was answered by Lord Durham and Lord Piunssii.
In this stage of the debate Lord Broughum took the
floor.
The LORD CHAsCEI1cR-I owe little apology
10 your Lerdsips for troubling with my further
discussion OF tina subject under tho existing crcum-
stances at this late hour of the night but still
owe an apology to my Noble aud Learned Friend
VINO proceeded me, when rise TO say any thing after
him, before there Is even shadow of reply to his
clear, energetic argumentaiivc, and unanswerabln
speech. But although agree with the Noble Wis
count who is great authority on these subjects
and with some OF those who spoke after him, thai It
Is not necessary the present occasion TO go min
utcly into the details of the measure, yet 70
way admt that it is IN any way uDbecoming or I'M
proper IN to take this opportunity OF stating my
sentiments the bill generally, and Its particu
lar parts. The Noble Lord who opened the debate
te himself compelled 10 admit, the of his
argument, that tie measure Supported BY the
petitions of all classes ofthe community, which
pouring III upon in borudlcss variety. and in
count less numbers, almost all Of them expressing the
ardent desire that your Lordships should SIRE
nuousy support The measurc aud speed it to the foot
Of tie throne. No discussion took place upon ony of
these petitions without protests being lavishiy enter
ed against the irregular and inconvenienl mode OF
breaking the debate upon the grand question: s. I-
ter,ng It away in conversational discussions 1t was
said wait until oppot tunity is given for regular
debate upon the h,l-veit till the moment comes
for which we pant--stay the wshful course of your
proceedinGs, The advent of which we gladly hail,
and hen We will be no longer restrained by the
fastidious feelings which now blight genius and
dcpress our ard0Ir for debate, but we shall rush
down into the arena, and meet you with eladness."
Such has been the language of the opponents of the
bill, but now ii appears that another and very DIFF
ferent movement has been made by these great
tactlcians AT first they contented themselves with
merely throwing ont few skirmsheTs; then nv
Noble friend gave his notice Of motion. and then
his notice was withdrawn. More petitions were
presented more conversations took place, more
parties were INDUCED n more complaints Of Irrepu
lily cnSteC, ana reluctnDcp nj
was expressed. Then. again, No! lie Dukes Noble
Earls, md Noble Barons, entered into peccmeal
CONVERSATIONS; then, again, ii snd wait TIL a
proper day, and keep he feast the fcast-day A
few skirmisles, however. were again thrown ont
and when 1t was asked, why do You change your
tactics all of sudden and thus get out of the Jaws
OF the lion, 1t was answered, We will give notice
OF motion; and nave debate ut once" The present
therefore, occasion ofiheir own seeking and tba
enemies for the measure have brought forward this
question for the view and purpose of having prcma-
tufe and incidental discussion: Then the cry was,
Dont be chEf!ed away By incident al discussion
Will ask what has been done during tie whole ses
sion but 10 engage IN incidental and premature dscns
slons? First we had The incidental discussions upon
The timber trade, and then the subject of taxes was
10 be incidentally discussed. should make the
hair OF the Noble Vscount stand on end when he
heard that tax had been debated in that House be-
fore the Chancellor of the Exchequnr had proposed
1t to the liousc OF Commons II may be irregular
and peculiar 20 the present session. and to the n,e
sent opposition, and to the times in which we live
but cannot apply the cpl hct unprecedented tc the
course taken by tho opponents of the bill My noble
Trend gave notice of motion for the production of
papers, and tbe Noble Lord at the head of the Tres
sury Bench declared that he had objection to ther
being produced. Upon This my Noble friend said
that his motion was to afford en- opportunity to dis
cuss the whole question of paramentary reform
which he was as anxious to attack as The other side
was to defend. A. last comes the day-the impor-
tant Say-big with the fate of the Noble Lords i'm
psrtani specch-(A Lnushl-made to be unanswer-
able by his MhjestyS Ministers. After all this pro-
mise and preparation, Tie Noble Lord MOVING
on en- echeion, although he had just BEEN lntrenche3
behind the Commander in-Chief The Noble Lord
declined the combat, and moved of, aided by the
light squadrons from the crossbenches until he had
nearly emptcd the House. Ministers thus found
themselves in awkward stuation-such a situa-
ton as was not very usual Ministers for 10 be pac
ed in They were actually looking out for nta go
nists. Their eyes wandered over the Huusa in all
quarters to search for opponents and every here and
there they only bush, which led them to think
that IT the bush were well beaten game might be
sprung. The bushes we're well beaten and still ne
game took wing. Minister'S reduced TO the nc
cessity OF fighting shy In this state of things your
IlordShips via expect me 10 go into a liberal
discussion upon the principles of the BILL or touch
upon it's details. Where they hive bean attacked
they have been sncces fully defended. l. was the
constant, and The great and tho triumphant and thu
taunting argument the mouths of the anti reform
ers IN former Years-"Ve folldv plain STRAIGHT
forward and d!frCi coursc-oaE way is uniform and
nnqnaied; but as tor you. the advocates of REID rm
there is no graphing with yor; what ono man a.
tncngst you gill maintain, another gives up--wlat
one cngs 10, another attacks and what one escr bn
as the very toond1'Ion aud c'rucr-stonc Of the mea
sure anothe: Of you will tell us would be the ruin
and total dcstrtolIon Of The couStiuiion-Therc arc
as many plans amongst there are advocates 70,
TcsoTm and you ara oil violent in the praise of your
own theories, aud in thc condemnation Of those pul
forward by your fcoW-refoTmers." That WINS the !
line Of argument used by the late Mr. Canning. and
used by him with his won,ed felicity against the inca
snTc OF reform lie never lost sgha of an opportun-
t. Of applying that principle to the measure when
ever 1t was brought forward in oDy shape in Parlia
ncnt, and in his unqualified and consistent opposition
TO reform he made great Of llat argument as 10
tho diversity Of opinions amongst rcformers them
selves and at the time felt more the force of
that argument Than dld-But now the tables are
TUNED, and that argument, to c0ntrarety &c sen
tncut and diversity Of opinion, can be eff.ctnaly
turned against the ani-roforners themselves Upon
The present measure Of reform 1 agree with all
ny colleagues cordially and completely, and al !
most the ~hoIe population Of the country
have sdnp.cd il ihejr chosen child /
winch they will pntroaiEe with fostering care and
oOd afc;t'on. pusy Ioo6 a. # a waolc measure.