Freehold Land Societies: Their History, Present Position, and ClaimsRitchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
History
Freehold Land Societies: Their History, Present Position, and Claims
Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
Savings and loan associations -- Great Britain
We have thus gone through our self-appointed task. We have considered
the Freehold Land Movement in its origin and effects. We have shown them
to be good. We have shown the movement itself to be well worthy the
support of every philanthropic man. It has now grown, and become strong.
It is now doing what Parliament dare not, providing for the political
emancipation of the people. It has put the franchise in the hands of
honest men. It has given a new character to political agitation. It has
shown how, without resorting to intimidation, or without the frantic
appeal of the demagogue, the working men of England may enfranchise
themselves. Parliament may refuse to legislate on the matter—one Reform
Bill after another may be prepared, and then thrown by—one party
combination after another may be driven from the Treasury benches, but
the movement is gradually working its way, which is to reform Parliament,
to put down W. B. and his man Frail—to root out the demoralisation of
which St. Albans is a type, and to give to the people a perfect
representation in the peopled house. It is time the present state of
things was altered. For this purpose, the Freehold Land Movement exists.
We thus make our appeal to the friends of political progress. We aim at
the advocacy of the movement which has for its end what you profess to
desire. That movement we believe destined to be the salvation of our
country, and we ask you to rally round it. It is true Free-trade is not
in danger, but Parliamentary Reform is. A large party headed by Lord
Derby take their stand by the Bill of ’31, and maintain that concession
has reached its limits—that class legislation is still to prevail—that
the people are still to be ignored—that inside the constitution are still
to be the privileged few, and outside of it the unprivileged many.
Against this mockery we ask England’s manhood to protest—not by crowded
assemblies or inflammatory harangues, but in the constitutional manner
pointed out by Freehold Land Societies. We want not voices but votes.
In the House of Commons, the thoughts that breathe and words that burn
avail not, but votes are omnipotent. No member can disregard or despise
his constituents; their will to him must be law.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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