The ‘Crisis.’

Since the publication of the first edition of the Appendix the Tory Ministry has been completed, and a list, with their characteristic additions, is placed at the end of the Addenda.

Failing to draw in the Stanley party, sir Robert Peel has madly thrown away the scabbard and identified his government with the Rodens and Knatchbulls—the Orangemen of Ireland, and the high churchmen of England. Acts, not evasive addresses, proclaim the policy of the new Administration; but happily the means are at hand to crush in embryo the Hydra visitation.

Electors have only to ask themselves,—For what was the late Ministry abruptly dismissed? For what is parliament prematurely dissolved? Is a Peel Cabinet, or a Peel House of Commons, likely to be more reforming than either? Is experience no longer to be our guide, but professions, rather than deeds performed and principles avowed, to be taken in earnest of the future conduct of statesmen? In so plain a matter there can be no mistake. Our course, in the approaching struggle, is as open as the heavens that cover us, and Reformers cannot possibly misunderstand each other or be misled by the common enemy they have to combat.

The base delusion sought to be practised by a perfidious branch of the Press has been repudiated with scorn by the Minister it was meant Edition: current; Page: [iv] to serve. ‘Measures not men!’ croaked the wily Deceivers. But what said sir Robert Peel at the Mansion-house? Hear him!—

“I do not agree with the views of some persons, who are disposed to overlook the men who constitute a Government, and regard merely the measures they propose. I do not believe that any Government can be stable or permanent which does not possess public confidence. I do not believe that a cold approbation of measures, after previous scrutiny, will avail for the support of a Government, without reference to the heads which conceived and the hands which are to execute those measures.”

Upright man, but mistaken and incapable Premier, we accept the test with thankfulness. But by what strange perversion of moral reasoning it has been sought to destroy the sole foundation of human judgment and confidence! In all the affairs of life to what do we trust their successful issue but to the ‘heads’ and ‘hands’ that conceive and direct them, and which past experience has accredited?

Upon this principle, Electors, the King seeks your opinion of his new servants. Let him have it with firmness and alacrity. There is now an end of mystification; the instruments of his will are before you; save one, they are to a man the opponents of the Reform Bill—the Ministry of the Six Acts—the Spy System—Tithe Massacres—Religious Intolerance, and European despotism. For the love of our species avert this threatened plague of nations! At your bidding the spectre of Misrule will disappear. Sir Robert is carried along by a torrent he cannot control, and will gladly withdraw from his irksome position when commanded by the voice of his countrymen. Let it be loudly and intelligibly expressed. By your moderation, discernment, and promptitude, place on record one more proud testimony to the excellence of representative institutions.

Select carefully the organs of your sentiments. Let eternal hostility to Tory domination be the first sine qua non of your suffrages. To carry out the principles of the Reform Acts, so as to purify, not to destroy, our institutions, another. These are cardinal points, and embrace in their full development Church Reform, Corporation Reform, Law Reform, Equality of Civil Immunities among all Edition: current; Page: [v] classes of religionists; with the remaining et ceteras that constitute the roll of national grievances.

The agitation of constitutional novelties we deprecate. There will be time enough for that hereafter, if need be. At the existing crisis it would create divisions, by which the concentrated force necessary to destroy the mischief hatched by Bishops and Courtiers would be weakened. Pledges, however, ought to be demanded to the extent we have indicated. All untried men ought to be pledged, and all tried men, if still suspected; but surely it cannot be necessary to pledge those who have been tried and approved. Pledges are to guarantee the future; but what better guarantee can we have than past and accepted services?

With these intimations, which some perhaps may deem obtrusive, we commit our countrymen to the strife. That each and all will do their duty, regardless of intimidation, corruption, and base Journalism, we fear not; and long before the vernal equinox, the black cloud which has gathered over the freedom and happiness of Britain be dissipated!