party depends solely upon the will of the constituencies. Nothing shall
be done illegally--nothing deceitfully. When an appeal shall be made
to the electoral body of these kingdoms, they will have it in their
power to decide, whether the nation is to persevere in a system which
has already proved so disastrous to many interests, or whether British
industry is to be again protected to the extent, at all events, of
its burdens. And if the constituencies decide in our favour, and the
two other estates of the realm act in accordance with the opinion of
the House of Commons, what is it that we have to fear? Not certainly
the dark hints and insinuations of Sir James Graham. When the two
Houses of the legislature are divided in opinion, and when neither of
them will yield, or, when the Sovereign authority is broadly opposed
to the declared will of the Commons, it is perfectly possible that a
most serious and lamentable struggle may ensue. But so long as the
three great estates act together in harmony and concord, there is no
power in the land that can set their councils at defiance. Therefore,
when Sir James Graham sketches his imaginary league of ploughboy,
shepherd, weaver, and soldier, against the resolutions of the Imperial
Parliament, he is contemplating an anomaly which never has occurred,
and which never can occur in Great Britain. Why or wherefore should we
accept his affectionate entreaty, and be on our guard? How are we to
convulse the country--endanger property--or shake our institutions to
the foundations? Are we plotting? Are we conspiring? Do we destroy the
law? Are we doing anything, or do we propose to do anything, contrary
to the spirit of the Constitution? And if not, why are these big words
thrown at our heads? We may be quite wrong in our anticipations. The
country may not accord us its support. The electors may determine that
henceforward and for ever Free Trade shall remain the sole and dominant
system. If so, we shall submit, as is our bounden duty. We shall rear
up no phantom armies, such as are said at times to be seen skirting the
hills of Cumberland, to oppose to the levies of Sir James Graham; but
whilst we are acting constitutionally and openly, let us hear no more
of such language, which is somewhat worse than offensive.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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