ABSTRACT
The last Meeting terminated under circumstances of some disorder: b but I trust and look forward with hope that these assemblages will be in future conducted with more order and decorum. I was not prepared to find, as I then discovered, so very little practical knowledge among some of the prominent speakers of the day; they have yet to acquire all the elements of the system of political economy. I had indeed abundant proof at the last Meeting that they have not made one step in advance in the right course to enable them to arrive at one useful practical result. I hope, therefore, all the supporters of premature reform who are here will listen to what I am going to say, as they would attend to any one in whom they have full confidence that their welfare alone was the object of the discourse. You say that you wish to improve the condition of the poor and working classes by giving them more freedom, and by reducing the taxes and expenses of Government. We will suppose both these apparently important objects gained; that the most ignorant and licentious had full liberty to act as they pleased, and that the expenses of Government and the taxes were diminished ten millions a year, – would you, do you think, be better off than you are now? You would not; – but the reverse would be soon experienced. The ten millions now raised by the government, and which they expend again in some particular channel for labour, would be withdrawn, and all those labourers would be thrown upon the parishes, and would thereby create new sources of misery and degradation. It is true the ten millions raised and expended by Government, if not so raised, would be expended by individuals in another channel; but not one labourer more would, or could, be employed in the latter case than at present, although much distress would inevitably arise from the change of employment from one set of labourers to another. Should greater liberty be now given than the British Constitution can with safety afford to all its subjects, the lives and properties of the well-disposed, and the safety of the State, would be put to imminent hazard; and until better training, more useful knowledge, and productive constant employment shall be given to the poor and working classes, no really intelligent person could venture to give more freedom to such a population as ours has gradually become, than the British Constitution in its ordinary state now admits. It is a mistake to suppose the existing Government possesses power independent of the genuine voice of the public. It has been for several years past solely governed by that voice, and my present proceedings are the most unequivocal proof of the truth of this statement. If you wish really to improve the Government, the only beneficial practical step you can take is, to increase the knowledge and improve the conduct of the public, and then both your objects would be safely and effectually obtained. The Government of this country cannot now resist the influence of the public voice, whether it be right or wrong: it becomes therefore of the highest importance, both to the Government and to the people, that the public should not be superficially trained or instructed, but that it should be substantially well-informed, and that effective means should be devised to train it as human beings intended to be rational ought to be trained. Believe me, my friends, that after you have in vain searched in every possible direction to attain your object by any of the childish, impracticable, and futile schemes, which have been hitherto proposed for your relief and improvement, you will at last discover that the only road in which it can be found is through productive employment for all the working classes, connected with good instruction. Now let me request you to consider all I have said calmly, at your leisure, when at home, after every feeling of anger has subsided; – for while these exist in any degree, you cannot be in a situation to use your judgment to any rational purpose. Act in this manner, and I am sure the time is not far distant when you will agree with me in all that I have stated.
