A Hundred Years Ago
THE " SPECTATOR," OCTOBER 8TH, 1831.
WHAT IS TO BE DONE ?
The Bill is rejected—for the present. The King, the Ministers, and the People, have determined upon a Reform ; but Forty-ono Lords stand in the gap, and refuse a passage to the National Will. Now, then, comes the question, in what way are we to have our will ?—for it is idle to suppose, and none but a few insulated Peers can entertain the idea, that the House of Lords is able to put an extinguisher on a People's wishes.
There are two grand objects to be kept in view,—first, the question of Reform must be carried ; and next, it must be carried peaceably. It is unnecessary to descant on the danger of violence. it is enough to say, that when tumultuous risings are once begun, no one can tell where they will stop. Neither does the case justify recourse to measures of the kind; for the people, using only the quiet means open to them, but using them vigilantly and industriously, are sure to gain their point.. If the proverb of where there is a will there is a way," be true, it is most of all true of the will of an United People,
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