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Subject: The Whitehaven Gazette Oct. 18, 1819 Cumberland County Meeting Pt. 7
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 21:16:06 EDT
CUMBERLAND COUNTY MEETING.
Part Seven.
The Rev. Edward STANLEY. -
Though the subject has been so fully and ably discussed - though
nothing is left to either enforce or elucidate, still I am unwilling to refrain
from recording my sentiments, and adding a few words by the way of assent to the
address. When the question of this meeting was first proposed in Carlisle, I
was one of the most prompt supporters; and I cannot see any mode so desirable,
as that counties, cities, boroughs, towns, and villages should come forward
and petition Parliament to inquire into the fatal transactions at Manchester on
the 16th of August. They were a gross violations of our liberties, which if
we suffered to pass by unnoticed and unpunished, would hand us down a degraded
and dependent race, But that I believe that no inquiry could be made so
effectually as in Parliament, the subject is daily receiving elucidation through the
means of the inquest now sitting at Oldham. Not withstanding the legal
subterfuges to harass the patience and mislead the judgment, I have no doubt but the
jury will in the end arrive at a conscientious verdict; what that verdict may
be, it is not for me to anticipate. Enough, however, has already transpired
to shew that Lord SIDMOUTH was premature in his approval, and that the rebuke
to the Common Hall was erroneous and unjust.
Let me not be understood as insinuating that the Prince regent would
have given such an answer, but for the deception practiced upon him by his
advisers. I fully agree with Mr. CURWEN in the doctrine that the King can do no
wrong, and naturally look up to the House of Hanover as the preservers and
guardians of our liberties. What then are we to conclude from such an answer? The
Ministers, (I must quote the language of Lord CASTLEREAGH) in "their ignorant
impatience" to censure the people and cast them down, had dared to chalk out a
line of conduct as averse to justice as it was in opposition to the milk of
human kindness and Christian feeling.
Many, indeed are of opinion that some good may yet be derived from
these lamentable proceedings - that Ministers, in consequence, will be obliged to
retire from the stations which they so unworthily fill. Be this at it may, I
do not look forward to a change of men but of measures. - I wish to see
selfishness exchanged for love of country, and unfeelingness give way to a due
regard to the sufferings of the people.
The present state of parties is certainly not very consolatory. The
Tories are advancing in double quick time to a military despotism. The Radical
reformers, unfortunately led on by blind guides to excessive demands, are
spreading their mischievous delusions far and wide; they have British materials to
work upon, and the danger is, perhaps not so great as many apprehend; but it
is deeply to be regretted that these men do not consider that that Reform is
the best which is the most practicable; and that the people are frequently led
into excesses which they themselves at first never thought of.
Heartily as i wish for Reform, I cannot but look upon the Radical
materials with apprehension; they may be compared with a ship sailing on a wrong
tack; without ballast or pilot, and if they do not put about and steer another
course, I fear they will make a shipwreck either of the Nation or themselves.
- (Great applause) - Happy should I be if the third party, more numerous than
either of the other, were more alive to their duty, and the importance of
their efforts at this moment - a party more congenial to the Constitution, and, I
would fain believe more fit to be it's guardians, then the men whose hands it
is in at present - I mean the Whigs - and I trust that they will now exert
themselves, and give tone to public opinion. If they should be again called to
preside at the national Councils, they can only retain the good opinion of the
public, by acting up to that advice which they have lately offered to their
opponent - by enforcing in practice what they have recommended in theory, a
reduction of every unnecessary expenditure - and retrenchment of the military, and
above all, they must not forget to reduce the Manchester Yeomanry. - (Much
cheering and laughter) -
They must make no more additions to the pension list, create no more
sincure places; they must seek to make themselves and their sovereign
respectable in the eyes of the world, and to remove the unpopularity which the Regent
as incurred by the evil advice of his ministers; they must probe the present
commercial distress; and if they cannot mitigate the public burden, may they
never increase it either by insult or injury! If they do this, the sooner a
change takes place, the better for the country.
I have not heard by what means the address just agreed to is to reach
the Prince Regent. Had I been Lord MORPETH, I would have availed myself to
the present opportunity to shew my regard for the liberties of the people, and
also to explain some matters relative to the late election at Cockermouth, upon
the propriety of which considerable doubts were entertained. In the absence
of the County members, I shall propose, that the members for Carlisle, Hull and
Winchelsea, now present, be appointed to carry up the address, and I hope the
Meeting will sanction my proposition with three heart cheers. - (Cheers.) -
to be continued......
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