ABSTRACT
Public opinion is the chief remaining bulwark against despotism, and public opinion is formed and moulded by the press, and by the circulation of patriotic parliamentary speeches. This chapter discusses Universal suffrage and annual parliaments. An account was given of two productions from the pens of those who defended the conduct of the Outs. One of them, under the pretence of promoting Reform, used quotations and arguments in abundance in its favour, but drew inferences directly the reverse of those which would naturally have followed from the premises. The other, under the pretence of being a Reformer, reprobated all Reform, and stigmatised all Reformers,—mis-quoted, mis-stated, and garbled whatever came under his hand. The chapter also discusses the works of Lord Somers, the “expositor of constitutional Whig principles.” “Sincere Whig principles” teach a man, that it is fit and proper to attack the Parliamentary Reformers with the bayonet.
