Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-05-04
EngIand--mr. Bright's speech 60 the
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GESTLEMEx: The Government Of Lord Der
BY has advised the Queen to dissolve the Par
liameut because the House OF Commons has
rejected the bill introduced BY the Chancellor
Of the Exchequsr 70 amend the representation
Of the people In parliamentary language, the
words ito amend . do not mean to improve, p
and in the case Of the bill Just rejected, l only
express my honest and undoubting conviction
when / say that it would be difhcalt 10 con-
trive a measure more calculated to disturb and
damage what we now possess Of popular rep
ressntation, than that which the House Of
Commons has refused 70 pass. Its evident OBJ
iect was to lessen what remains Of indepsn-
denee in our county constituencies, and TO give
the means Of utterly destroying the indepen-
dence Of all but the largest boToughs, whilst Il
ventured upon the dangerous experiment Of
eondemning the great body Of the Industrious,
or wagss-reesiving class, TO a perpetual exclu-
sion from the possession Of the elective fran
chise. II was a measure conceived not in the
spirit Of a statesman, but in that Of cunning
party political agent; il sought permanently
to subject the people and the destinies Of En-
gland to the supremacy Of a class whose po-
litical triumphs are the disasters, and whose
defeat are the gains, which mark the course Of
humanity and freedom among rs.
Lord Derby is not content with the judgment
Of the House Of Commons, and he appeals TO
the constituencies Of the United Kingdom. You
will, therefore, be called upon to select your
representatives in the coming Parliament.
offer myself as a candidate for your SURFACES,
in the belief that since was elected in August,
1851, have not taken any course which rem
ders me less worthy Of your confidence. On
the question Of parliamentary reform, / have
spoken freely-hrst, among you, nv constitu-
ents, and afterwards in other large cities and
towns Of England and Scotland. have spok-
en- for a moderate but a real reform and more
than a hundred public meetings have expressed
their approval Of the general propositions
have made I am bold enough. therefore, 70
hope that ny course viii be sanctioned BY you,
20 whose past services and patriotism the cause
Of reform Is 50 greatly indebted.
Let US remind you that that the fate and fu-
turs OF reform DO not depend on the course 70
be taken by particular statesmen. Parliamsn-
tary leaders, or they who affect 10 be such, may
assist 10 retari the march Of great questions
but public opinion as expressed BY public
meetings, BY petitions, through the press, and
at the poll, is the omuipoteut influence 70 which
the Legislature must bow, and which parliameu-
tsry maiorities will follow. Il is 70 the people
themselves that look for an answer to the
appeal Of Lord Derby. They can say-imper-
feet as is their representation now-whsther
little more than one million Of electors are suf-
hcieut in a population containing seven nil
lions Of men whether Il is fitting that our great
cities and towns shallhave a voice in the House
Of Commons, but a voice almost without power,
BY reason Of the existence Of some scores Of
small boroughs necessarily without influence
in everything in the country, except in p7rlia-
mentary divisions; and whether il is Just that
electors should be subjected 10 every variety Of
hardship in the exercise Of their right to vote,
when the simple arrangement Of the ballot
would liberate them from insult and from wrong.
To the existing constituencies the appeal is
now made. Upon their verdict viii depend the
question whether the representation Of the peo-
PIE in Parlia shall nov be made, in some
degree, consistent with reason, with truth, and
with the national interest or whether that
great object shall be obtained at some more
distant day, after, il may be, years OF irritating
but inevitable discomfort and agitation. fee
confident YOU will throw your influence on the
side Of freedom. wish | were more able than
] an 10 give effect 20 your opinions, and more
successfully TO maintain your great cause. II
you place me in the Parliament about 10 be
elected, shall strive honestly 10 serve the
country, and 10 uphold tie character and the
dignity Of your great community
] am, very faithfully yours,
JOHN BRIGHT.