ULTERIOR MEASURES.
THE Reformers of the United Kingdom have now once more the power in their own hands, not merely to strike down the Tory faction, but to keep it down. If they are so minded, they can not only turn out the Horse Guards Cabinet, but prevent its ever getting in again. It is just as easy to effect both objects as the one. A conquered enemy may be disarmed in the hour of victory, but if he is released with sword in hand, he may turn and stab you when least expected. At the present time, the Tories are in possession of means of offence, which it would be mere idiocy to uffer them to retain, and which it was the main object of the earnest and sincere supporters of the Reform Act to take from hem. In several important particulars, the machinety of the Reform Act has worked badly, so that the Great Charter of 1832 has not had fair play. But for the injurious opesation of' the rate-paying and registration clauses, the CH ANDOS fraud on 501. farmers, and several matters of regulation already canvassed in this journal,* the Tories would have utterly despaired of re- turning any considerable number of Members to the next Parlia- ment. As it is, the people will have to struggle hard for victory. That will be a severe contest with a formidable foe, which ought to be a calm exercise of a great political right. Nay, the Reform Act itself can only be preserved by vigorous exertions; for the Tories will spare neither force nor craft to cripple the Reformers. They are not in the habit of trusting to their antagonist's gene- rosity, but always take it for granted that he will smite and spare not. It was in a full belief in the evil intentions of the Orange- Tory party, and with the knowledge that the defects in the Re- form Act bad suffered vast powers of annoyance to remain in their hands, that we last week urged the necessity of calling on all the Liberal Candidates, not merely to turn out the Tories, but to support such measures as would give" fair play to the Reform Act." And we explained distinctly, that we did not point at any theoretical or organic changes, but at such practical improvements and securities as would render the Great Charter of 1832 what its authors intended it to be—the means of enabling the People ELtteestse 8.5th October 1834; art, "Working of the Reform Act—Expenses or us."
disfranchisement of Liberal electors owingo the restrictive operation of some cl a auses in the Act. unexpectedly " Down with the Tories," we repeat, means not only to strike
them down, but to keep them down. We brese earnestly exhorted the electors tea choose, in the first place,ineAl who will vote to turn out the present Ministry. On no accotant should any difference of opinion on any other point he allo.wstel to generate such divisions among the Anti-Tories as would lea to to the intrusion of' an enemy. Wherever the chances of succe',a or defeat may by possibility be so nicely balanced, that the demand for supplementary declara- tions or pledges would th _sow doubt on the election of an Anti- Tory, the guarantees for ulterior measures should not be pressed Oil that occasion.
The vast majos.'sty. of the constituencies, however, are not so squeamish.Gnerally, the Reformers are not startled at the men- tion of ulte.
places, s' "tor measures to secure the fruits of victory. In most .ney can beat the Tories and Trimmers, the timid and the tr,,rea oerous, united. They look forward, with Sir HENRY PAR- Amt. (see his pithy letter to the Dundee Electors), to the estab- lishment of a Liberal Government, "which will not only be guided in its course by a bold and honest determination to propose effective measures of reform, but be possessed also of full powers to carry them into es.seution." To all such independent consti- tuencies we sav—if such are your wishes and aims, you
return to the next Parliament, not delegates merely em- powered to turn out the Tory Ministry, but trustworthy repre- sentatives, preparei and qualified to reconstruct a Liberal Govern- ment. Truly it is not sufficient that the Tories should walk out, and the Whigs walk in ; the latter retaining all their reluctance to offend the Court and the Oligarchy, the former in full posses- sion of all their actual power to stop the course of good govern- ment. We are aware that there is no inconsiderable body of per- sons, the most active of whom are pensioned retainers of the late Ministry, and their servile tools in the defence of unpopular mea- sures, who are evidently looking to the resumption of office by the Whigs as the principal end and most desirable consummation of the exertions of the Reformers. Such men are even now eager to disavow any coalition of a generous and national kind. But they are shallow and ignorant reasoners upon the present, and blind as moles to all around, as well as to the mighty future. The Reformers are not working for the triumph of a party, but to obtain the blessings of good government. The very first opportunity should be seized by the Liberal ma- jority in the new House of Commons, to state distinctly the prin- ciples on which the Government should be carried on, and the grounds of their distrust of the Tory Cabinet. The amendment to the Address should not be a mere formal difference, just suffi- cient to bring on a trial of strength, but such a declaration of opinion as must influence materially the character of the new Administration, which we doubt not the King will see the neces- sity of forming before the next Parliament is a fortnight old. The Electors should choose Representatives prepared to act in this decisive manner. They should remember, that although the next Parliament may be speedily and capriciously dissolved, it is not impossible that it may sit for years, and have the settlement of numerous important questions. Common sense, then, would dic- tate inquiry in all cases into the opinions of' candidates on leading subjects' and, whenever it can be done without endangering the return of an Anti-Tory, constituencies should enter into a distinct compact with their Representatives to vote in accordance with their interest and wishes,—that is, for the removal of all abuses in Church and State, those which gall the feelings as well as those which lessen the physical comfOrts of the peop'e. In this way, they will act in the true spirit of the rallying-cry," Down with the Tories;' which, although it may suit the views of place-hunters to interpret as merely equivalent to " Up with the Whigs," the readers of the Spectator, and all men of sound politics, understand as meaning a vast deal more.
to return Independent Members to Parliament. We are sure that no candidate, who may be relied on to vote against the Tory Adminiitration, will refuse to promise his support-to such further provisions as are clearly requisite to give the Reform Act fair play. It is perfect folly or treachery for any one to pretend hostility to Toryism, who neglects or is repugnant to take the necessary sSepe. for its overthrow. That the Reform Act alone,
as it nowis insufficient for that purpose, is manifested in the partial. recovery of the Tories from their recent prostration, and from tl-se essresss4
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