TOPICS OP THE DAY.
THE KING'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT.
BEFORE our next publication, the King's Speech will be "settled." We take this early opportunity, therefore, of laying before Minis-
ters a statement of what the country expects that his Majesty will
he advised to say to the new Parliament on the all-absorbing question of Reform. In doing so, we presume only on our
acquaintance with the state of public opinion—nay, we shall but write down what comes to us from every quarter, our sole per- sonal concern being to report faithfully. Out of the immediate aspect of affairs, two sets of men are form- ing hopes, which it behoves Ministers to disappoint instantly. The most selfish and reckless of the old Tory party, and certain pro-
fessing Reformers, whose object is a revolution, are indulging a hope that Earl GREY'S Cabinet may be broken up by the House of Lords before, as we said last week, the House of Commons shall have time to pass the Reform Bill. To effect this object, certain Peers are engaged in forming a regular Opposition party. Opposition to the Ministry, on whatever point, means, just at this moment, opposition to the Reform Bill—both the wild Tories and the Confusionists know it perfectly well. The resignation of the present Ministry means no Reform at all, except by violent methods. The wild Tories are for no Reform at all ; those who hope to see the wild Tories provoke Earl GREY to resign, are for the violent methods. The firm Of WHARNCLIFFE and HUNT represents the two parties,—WHARNCLIFFE being the active, and H UNT, at present, the sleeping partner. If that should take place for which both parties hope—viz, the resignation of Minis- ters in consequence of harassing opposition in the House of Lords—Reform may still come, and the anticipated fruits of Re- form also, at the end of six years perhaps ; but what a prospect for the interval! The middle classes, therefore, who have most to lose by a series of convulsions, call on Ministers instantly to disappoint the last hope of the WHARNCLIFFE and HUNT party. What are the means?
Happily, the faction about to make war on the King's Ministers in the House of Lords are placed in a false position. " Honour the King ! " is their own cry ; and they have always protested, moreover, against allowing marked distinctions between a King and his Ministers. When Lord GREY and Mr. BROUGHAM used to attack the speeches of GEORGE the Fourth, these very men always shouted " Shame ! shame !—thus to insult his Most Sacred Majesty ! " Here, then—we say to Ministers—here you have them !
The King wills Reform according to the Bill, and is heartily at- tached to his Ministers. Let his Majesty but say so in his Speech to the new Parliament ! Few words will suffice, if they be plain, strong, and to the point. CORBETT, with his usual egotism, but uncommon sagacity, said, months ago, that had he been Prime Minister, he would never have proposed Reform except by message from the King. Plain, strong, and apt words in the King's Speech, will do as well as a special message. Those words littered, the Opposition in the Upper House shrinks to nothing; the partner- ship of WHARNCLIFFE and HUNT is dissolved ; and the Bill be- comes law promptly, peaceably, happily for all. This is not our opinion only, but that also, we are well assured, of the best and wisest in the ranks of the Reformers.
Previous page
