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    ration of absurdities , because by them they live in pride , sloth , and abundance . " But the superstitious days of arbitrary dominion and holy

    errors are fast passing away ; the chief magistrates of an enlightened people must learn to know and respect their delegated authority—must look for power and fame to the welfare of the

    people and the exertions they make to diffuse happiness throughout the land . " We trust that your Majesty will not permit either of the factions , who live on abuses , and profit at the expense of the

    millions , to persuade you to any course of policy other than that of right and justice . And we respectfully submit to your Majesty , that it is not just , that out of a population of twenty-jive millions of people , only eight hundred thousand should have the

    power of electing what is called the Com ? nons Souse of Parliament ; since so small a number , divided as it is , subjects by far the greater portion to be bribed or intimidated by the wealthy and the powerful ; but that , in

    accordance with justice , those who , by their industry , support and defend their country , have the first claim to political rights . " That it is a flagrant act of

    injustice that the affairs of a great nation should be made dependent on two factions , each iseeking its own exclusive iriiterests , both being opposed to Ithe happiness of the people and Ithe progress of knowledge .

    u That it is cruel as well as unjust that our dissenting and \ Catholic brethren should be comwelled to support a church from whose doctrines they dissent .

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    and whose profligate expenditure they hold in abhorrence . " That the injustice which the Whig and Tory factions have for

    a long time past inflicted dn our Irish brethren has generated and perpetuated the extremes of want and wretchedness amongst them , and calls for an immediate and

    radical remedy . " That the poverty and ignorance which pervade numerous districts of the kingdom justly call for investigation and

    immediate redress , which can only be effected by a Parliament selected from the wise and the good of every class , to consult all interests , and to protect all just rights .

    " To effect , however , these essential reforms , your Majesty must not be persuaded to believe that a Whig or Tory administration is necessary to secure the peace and safety of your government , but must call to your

    cabinet those who are disposed to render an equality of political rights to the millions , who ear * neatly desire the progress of knowledge , and a jtist diffusion of the bounties of heaven . But we entreat your Majesty that

    whoever may be in your councils , you will instruct them , as a first and essential measure of Reform , to prepare a bill for extending the right of suffrage to embrace

    all the adult population of the kingdom ., excepting such as may be justly incapacitated by crime , or defective of the light of reason , together with such other essential details as shall enable all

    men to exercise their political rights unmolested . " Then will the voice of the millions be raised to bless you , their arms to defend you from factions at home or despots

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    3 < J # The Queen and the Working Classes .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 1, 1837, page 306, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1837/page/10/