Anonymous

“ It seems that we most fully agree as to the political expediency, I might perhaps have said the imperious necessity, of a competent Reform at the present momentous crisis.—We are both anxious that it should be directed to the same ends—the general security and internal tranquillity of the State—But we differ materially as to the principles on which it should be founded, as most conducive to the views which we both entertain.
You are an advocate for an extension of the privilege of voting to such a degree as would be little short of universal suffrage ”

“ I do not mean to deny that some sort of influence, beyond the mere wisdom and justice of their conduct, may be requisite at all times to secure to any Administration that preponderance in the House of Commons which is necessary to the success of their measures, and the duration of their power.—There is certainly a species of influence inseparable from Human Nature ”

“ I will not wrong the House of Commons by supposing that there is not to be found among them a considerable number of men, independent in fortune, distinguished by talent, firm and incorruptible in principle, unprejudiced in opinion, who by the union of these qualities, if they will detach themselves from party views, are fully competent to preserve a steady balance between the ministry and their opponents. ”

“ Before I take leave of the subject of Parliamentary Reform, I must distinctly enter my protest against a doctrine very prevalent among it's Advocates, which inculcates the necessity of voting for any Candidate who shall solemnly pledge his attachment and support to that cause, in preference to those who may decline such an avowal. ”

“ For years a system of family compact has prevailed in the regulation of diplomatic arrangements, and their allowances as well ordinary as extraordinary, have been nicely proportioned to the Parliamentary influence of the individual, rather than to the importance of his duties, or the exigencies of his situation.—What is yet more unpardonable, every rank of Public Agency, from the Ambassador to the Consul, has been left without competent instructions—their representations have been unnoticed, their zeal unrecompenced, their exertions unsupported, their remissness unreproved. ”

“ And here let me ask most seriously, is there a man who would have possessed sufficient hardihood, in such an assembly, and under such circumstances, to venture on proposing an amendment, an abridgment, or an alteration of those resolutions, which it had pleased these self-elected leaders to frame as the substance of their political creed? ”

“ Under the present system of Borough patronage it is not to be denied that men of the most eminent and brilliant talents have been raised from the obscurity and inactivity, to which their original situation in life appeared to have confined them, by mere personal connexion—while others have risen to the station for which it would seem that Nature had designed them by the facility of purchase which the present system affords. ”

“ And is it to be supposed that the several Counties, Cities, and Boroughs of England will be more unanimous, or more likely to agree in one specific plan of Reform; nay, even to the extent of such a majority as shall turn the scale? London may, perhaps, content itself with it's antient liberties; while Westminster may clamour for universal suffrage: respectable commercial Cities may wish to establish the system of representation on the basis of property ”

“ It is certainly not desirable that the British Senate should be altogether deprived of such adventitious Members, as have been thus from time to time enabled to soar above their native hopes, redeeming the temporary discredit arising from the dependent conditions of their first elevation, and not unfrequently exhibiting to their country the noblest patterns of administrative wisdom, or patriotic firmness. ”

“ But the greater and more general good which I anticipate, is that an efficient resistance will by such means be interposed, to restrain that deluge of corruption which has overwhelmed the country in every direction, and threatens to sweep away the last vestiges of our national spirit, with the remaining bulwarks of our Constitutional liberties. ”

“ With respect to the extent of the new qualification required, I should propose that in Boroughs it should amount to at least £.10 per annum in freehold, or £.40 per annum on lease; and in the neighbouring hundreds the double of that amount.—By this regulation the numbers of electors would be so extended, and include such a description of persons, as to render it almost impossible that the influence of bribery should be co-extensively prevalent; and the landed interest would be restored to their due weight, in the exercise of their elective franchise. ”

“ The Foreign Office and it's several relations, the diplomatic and consular branches, require to be placed upon a systematic and liberal establishment—and, in proportion as their advantages may be consulted, the Members of those Corps should be placed under stricter regulation, and subjected to a regular gradation of promotions, which should seldom be departed from, and only in consideration of particular merit. ”