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    is content to minister to Louis Bonaparte . The law itself is made a lie . The election of General Cavaignac for an aristocratic and monied arrondissement ¦ indicates the feeling of the Haute Bourgeoisie , They We already beginning to read a lesson of . distrust and hate to the power from which all prosperity was expected to flow . In .. another afrdndissement , where the working population ' Is ihost . numerous , the name of Carnot shows the Republic to be yet a remembrance and a hope .

    For the rest , the legislative corps will be but faintly streaked with opposition . Why should there be any opposition in a chamber of mutes ? Many of the Government nominees were so far from respectable , that honest men refused to be sullied by contact—even with their names . The sole right , says Louis Bonaparte , which the

    people reserve to themselves , is the free election of a legislative body ; i . e ., to vote their , own suicide , periodically . And it now appears that even the power of the purse-strings is denied to the Deputies of the French people . The Budget of 60 , 000 , OOOZ . is to be fixed by a decree , before the meeting of the Chamber . Really , a dictator is an expensive luxury .

    The chairs of philosophy and of science are condemned , to make room for the priestly allowance of logic and rhetoric , —in a word , the curriculum of Oxford ! The Dictator has at length begun to tamper with the seat of justice . The principle of the absolute irremovability of the judges is slightly infringed . The rest will follow . Switzerland is menaced with the "

    consequences" of refusing to comply with the imperious demands of French and Austrian despotism . Her independence is absolutely guaranteed by the treaties which Earl Derby professes his determination to respect : as if they had never Been broken , since 1815 , by any of the contracting powers ! There is evidently some secret undermining work going on in Belgium . In Switzerland and Belgium storms are brewing . But Lord Malmesbury will vouch for the sincerity of the man who never pronounced the word " Republic " , Jill within three days of his coup d ' etat . And all this time , En g ^ lisli travellers are hounded down , and searched

    and bullied like malefactors , Dowmng-street maintaining friendly relations with all powers . Lord Malmesbury ' s passport is a licence to imprison , if not to shoot , any travelling Englishman who believes in the signature of the " intimate personal friend of Louis Bonaparte . "

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    PARLIAMENTARY REFORM . THE CONFERENCE . The National Parliamentary Reform Association have hold this week the long promised conference in St . Martin ' s Hall . Imagine four bare whitewashed brick wnlls , enclosing ji considerable and lofty room , lighted by four large windows , and roofed with intersecting beams of wood . At one end , on the base of tho room , is a slightly elevated platform , from which risen , rank above rank , backed benches to a considerable height . Suspended from tho ceiling are eight gasiliers ,

    having four burners each—two of which , as the day is dark , arc faintly flickering in tho cold dump air . On tho platform are a table and chairs ; and sitting there , are seven Members of Parliament—Mr . Hume , Mr . George Thompson , Sir Joshua Walmsloy , Mr . Geach , Mr . Hey worth , Mr . Fox , Mr . Torrens M'Cullngh , and Mr . . T . B . Smith ; and near these , Sir Charles Napier , Mr . Thornton Hunt , Mr . Edward Minll , tho Reverend . 1 . Burnett , Mr , George Jacob Holyonke , Mr LaMimoro , Mr . Slack , Mr . Robert Lobloml , Mr . iroughton , Mr . Manning , tho Roveroml Jnhez liurnn , tho Reverend Mr . Bean , and other gentlemen .

    Sir Joshua Walmnloy , us Pres ' ulont of the Association , tho council of which- convened tho meeting , claimed tho right of addressing it before ' proceeding to business , and before electing a chairman . Ho said the Conference had boon called together for tho , purpose of considering tho host method of carrying out tho vi () WN of tho groat majority of tho earnest reformers of tho country . " Tho council of tho association had isHiusd a circular , in which wore sot forth tho eubjoots which it would bo tho duty of tho conference to oonHidor . They wore : 1 . What moans can bo adopted for scouring to tho utmost poseiblo extent tho constitutional rights of tho puoplo . 2 . How

    far the bill before ftfcrliantelrf fe calculated-. to carry ^ that object into effect . fTThe c&ursteto be pursued to obtain for the voter the independent exercise of the franchise . These were the tfcjects which were recommended to the particular confiide * atiorL of the conference . " But since Lord Jolnn Russell ' s Ministry , had ceased td exist , they need not discuss the Whig measure of reform . The great object of this conference would be , td . devise those measures by-which a futiire administra * tioii , ' whatever might be its name , would be compelled to grant to the people of the United Kingdom a full and equal ' representation in the House of Commons . ( Cheers . ) It was unnecessary to detail the features of the measure advocated by the National Reform Association . -

    " The holding of nearly six hundred public meetingsthe co-operation of the press—the annual discussions in parliament , and the publication of a very large number of tracts and pamphlets , had made the - principles of the ^ association almost universally known , and had obtained tor them a w ide and most encouraging support . On one paint only had there been any misapprehension , and that tad arisen out of a misinterpretation of the first clause in the declaration of their objects , as set forth on the card ot membership . That clause was a definition of the quauncation for the franchise . Now , it had been most ^ erroneously supposed that ' the claiming to be rated to the rehet of the poor , ' meant the actual payment of rates as a conthe exact

    dition of voting . Such was not the case ; contrary was the fact . ( Cheers . ) All that the association meant was , that the existing parochial machinery should be retained , as the best adapted for the purpose of local registration , under local supervision and self-government ; but the right to be upon the register , and to vote , should be wholly independent of the payment of rates . ( Cheers . ) This simple statement would , he hoped , g ive assurance to the friends of reform everywhere , that the association would most strenuously oppose all attempts to insert a ratepaying clause in any future reform bill ( cheers ); believing that such a clause would be the fruitful source of oppression and fraud , and little better than a penal enactment , visiting upon honest men the penalty of disfranchisement for the non-prepayment of a due , which the parochial authorities have ample power to enforce . ( Cheers . )"

    Every friend of reform must earnestly desire to see the intelligent and powerful industrial community awakened to a sense of the importance of Working out their political emancipation . The advent of the Tory protectionist party to power ought to revive the spirit which animated the people in the struggle for the repeal of the corn-laws . Had \ he victory over the monopolists of the people ' s bread been followed by an immediate assault upon the monopolists of the people ' s franchise , the year 1852 would not have seen Lord Derby in

    power ( cheers ) , but a government acting m harmony with the people , through a reformed House of Commons . Let it not be forgotten that the restoration of the duties on com was only one amongst many evil measures which a Tory government assume office to carry through parliament . Let it not be forgotten that the principles , and , consequently , the policy of such a government would be throughout illiberal ; and that though it might not be able to carry its principle in all cases into actual enactment , it would obstruct and

    prevent measures of a liberal character from being carried . ( Cheers . ) For himself he would not unite in a general agitation upon exclusively free-trade principles ( cheers ) , and would counsel his countrymen who wanted not only cheap bread but cheap government , and a constant and effectual control over the national purse , to embrace the present opportunity of securing the perpetual blessings of free trade , and a general amelioration of of existing burdens by means of a radical change in tho representation . ( Cheers . ) He recommended the appointment of a business committee to arrange tho proceedings of the conference .

    Mr . Robert Hoywood and Mr . Ralph Walter wore appointed vice-presidents , and Mr . George Thompson , secretary to the conference . The nomination of tho business committee was a work of time . The Chartists , proper , in the Hall caused much disturbance . Mr . Ernest Jones objected to the appointment of the committee . Mr . Dick proposed Mr . Bronterre O'Brien , and stigmatized the association as dishonest , wheroupon Mr . Hume reproved him in language that from its dignity and good sense admitted of no roply . Mr . Dick , not siloncod , rose again , but was obliged to sit

    down under the storm of indignation . Mr . George Thompson then explained that no one , unless ho wore a member of tho association , could bo nominated , sit on a committee , or vote . During tho nominations , Mr . Humo spoke several times , and kept tho obstructives tolerably well in hand by his good humour , whieli overcame all opposition . Ultimately the following eommittco wore choson : —Mr . Serlo , Mr . Birch , Mr . Holyoako , Mr . Jackson , Mr . Latiniore , Mr . Miall , and Mr . Gregory l <\> ntor , all of whom at onco rotired to krrango tho order of business .

    Mr . Humo addrcssod the meeting , and wiid that ho attonded there that day to forward a cuuao in . which ho had been engaged all his life . For forty-one years ho had never failed to give hia vote for progressive reform .

    '' Bepiaaisiatea %% iiig ™ the Charter , and h » con c ^^ mj ^ p ime ^ es . ( HW . ) But there ^ bth «' m ^ . ii ^ . ma : te <* ,. 1 fris |> 1 - * go . so far , and allhe should doHrould be to tttfc 6 mpU > y fact and argument to convince . th ^ J- he / t ^^ H-: ^** ' ^ because he could not e « f everjrthingJiewiBliedi to throw obstacles in the way of beneficial progress P ( Hear , hear . ) TheyUvedina cbiuitrv where the majority must ultimately rule . He would teU Mr . Ernest Jones and the other Chartists present , that twelve years befoitej they had by their conduct stayed the progress of reform ; ( Hear , hear . ) There were men in their association of all calibres of understanding , weak and strong , ibold and ti ^ a ^ houg h alT were actuated by the ior vimeir

    same wisn me wemurtj . country ; and the plan which should unite < all their efforts was , in his opinion the best that could be devised . ( Hear , hear . ) It would not do to drive the coach faster than the horses would carrv it . They should endeavour to pave the way to ulterior reforms by accepting the present compromise , for it was nothing more . In accepting it , he did not abate one iot of his opinions , but he said , ' Bide your time . ' They had now an administration that declared against all reform and was that a time for reformers to refuse everything ? ( Hear , hear . ) Every step they took was one in the direction of the Charter , and there was no reason why they should not go on harmoiriousry . '' . J

    The Rev . J . Burnett said , that in these meetings they should endeavour to give the Government an idea of their moral power . They might depend upon it , that in meetings of reformers , calmness and order were the only things to appal their opponents- ^ - " The sure way -to make the strength of Reformers felt was by unity and co-operation . It was said that lord "Derby was in power—that was the phrase . He denied it . I < ord Derby was merely in place ( cheers and laughter ) , and if he ever was in power , it would be the fault of the Eeformers . ( Interruption from Mr . Dick , followe d by indignant cries from the meeting . ) They might let the

    man bark some ^ anes . >( Grreat laughter . ) What the association wanted was ^ ihifc « veiy sane man —( laughter , from the pointedness of the allusion to the interrupters )—and who had not been convicted of crime , and who had a house within the limits of the empire , should possess the franchise . But if the people were to get this vote without the protection of the ballot , the conscientious tradesman would still be compelled to vote against his conscience . Then there must also be a new arrangement of electoral districts , for without that point being gained , the extended suffrage

    and the baUot would not prpduce their full effect . And when they had secured this measure of reform , they would be able to see ministers in power in whom they had . confidence , instead of seeing the great offices of the state played at shuttlecock with by a Russell and a Derby—as if there were no other men in the House of Commons fit to form a cabinet , Had these noble individuals a better knowledge of business than a Bright or a Cobden , or a more intimate acquaintance with , the wants and wishes of the people than the chairman , Mr . Hume ?"

    Mr . Miall read the recommendations of the business * committee , which set forih that the object of the conference was to organize an agitation for a bill com ' mensurate with the wants of the people in parliamentary representation , and that the association had met with the support of the working classes . Mr . Dick demurred loudly to this , amid a fresh eX « plosion of anger , and an irate person moved that Mr . Dick " be turned out , " and expressed great willingness to assist in that operation , but the chairman again succeeded in restoring order , and intimated that one who could not behave himself ought to retire . A Chartist objected to the constitution of the association . ( Cheers . ) There were no working peopleiin it , and it did not represent the feelings of the workiDg

    classes . ( Cheers , ) , Mr .. Fox , M . P ., vindicated the correctness ot W statement in the report , that the working classes Jiatt given their support to the association , They had new one of tho most magnificent meetings ho over saw ob tho invitation of the Manchester Chartists . ( ' Wo ,, no i " Yes ! " ) If the working people were not with then ) , where were they , and whom wore they with r (^ noc ^ ( A Voice— " With the chartists . " ) A gentleman and with the chartists . Their being with the chartists

    did not prevent them from being with the wjociatwn . ( Hear , hear . ) He was a chartist , and yet ho * «« J member of this association . The terms ot Mr . om motion had become tho standard and watchworu reform . The one solo object of this eonSseaace ^ determine in what way to carry out tho objects o association . Let them put down all d . Bsension . an differences among themselves , and success was ce Mr . Fox showed that a minority of the peop le retun a majority to the House of Commons , whether u ^ dilutions wore made according to tho population u property of tho electoral districts . « " 2 VT sm . distribution of tho districts was one ot tlio " •"

    portant objects . " , ' Bf > eccli > Mr . George Dawson , in a short but humorou ^ ^ expressed his roadinoHS and that o * tho on u Birmingham to go along with tho »" ^ ! oul ( i i . ot at tho same time they went further . « t » " ? J , lirl 0 » t . get all at once , they did not despise an J"H bfitrU (! . llo whs very earnest in deprecating "" propo ^ qq \ . tiona to tho proceeding * of tho meeting . » £ rfiJj 0 lagh , M . P ., defended the constitution and poucj

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    91 V THE ^ $ AP I ! R . - a ^ ^ r r ISat ^ jrbay /

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 6, 1852, page 214, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1925/page/2/