Hunt, Henry, 1773-1835; Social reformers -- Great Britain -- Biography
They had, for so many years, been made the regular dupes of those who were
called the Opposition Members of Parliament, without that faction,
denominated the Whigs, having ever done any essential service for the
people at large, that public feeling, amongst the labouring classes of
mechanics and manufacturers, was at a very low ebb. Nor is this to be at
all wondered at, because none, not one, of these great leading public
characters ever professed to accomplish any thing that would openly,
tangibly, and immediately give any political rights to the people at
large.--Whenever the Opposition or Whigs wished to oust their opponents,
or harrass them in their places, they used to call public meetings in
London, Westminster, and other places; and they never failed to get the
multitude to pass any Whig resolutions which they might choose to submit
to them; there never being, at that time, any body to oppose or expose
their factious and party measures. The people, in London and Westminster,
always supported the Opposition against the Ministers; but they had
nevertheless, sense enough to discover that there was no direct intention
in the Opposition to render any immediate or effectual benefit to the
people. Whatever the Whigs promised, it was all remote and in perspective.
It cannot, therefore, excite surprise that there should have been none of
that enthusiasm which has been so evidently manifested by the people
within the last seven years. How many score times have I been drawn by the
populace?--and yet it never, in the whole course of my life, cost me or
any of my friends, the value of a pot of porter for any thing of the sort.
It is easy to account for this alteration in the popular feeling. The
change has been brought about in consequence of myself, and those who have
acted with me, having openly avowed our determination to endeavour to
obtain for the people equal political rights, which will lead to equal
justice; to procure for every sane adult a vote, an equal share in the
representative branch of the government, in the Commons' House of
Parliament; to procure for every man that which the constitution says he
is entitled to, and that which the law presumes he has, namely, a share in
choosing those Members of the People's, or Commons' House of Parliament;
who have a third share in making those _laws_, by which the lives, the
liberties, and the property of the people are regulated and disposed of.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account