upon the probable issue of their endeavours. They may by
perseverance, succeed with Parliament. Let them ponder on the
probability of succeeding with the people. You may deny the
concession of a political question for a time, and a nation will
bear it patiently. Strike home to the comforts of every man's
fireside--tamper with every man's freedom and liberty--and one
month, one week, may rouse a feeling abroad, which a king would
gladly yield his crown to quell, and a peer would resign his
coronet to allay.

It is the custom to affect a deference for the motives of those who
advocate these measures, and a respect for the feelings by which
they are actuated. They do not deserve it. If they legislate in
ignorance, they are criminal and dishonest; if they do so with
their eyes open, they commit wilful injustice; in either case, they
bring religion into contempt. But they do NOT legislate in
ignorance. Public prints, and public men, have pointed out to them
again and again, the consequences of their proceedings. If they
persist in thrusting themselves forward, let those consequences
rest upon their own heads, and let them be content to stand upon
their own merits.

It may be asked, what motives can actuate a man who has so little
regard for the comfort of his fellow-beings, so little respect for
their wants and necessities, and so distorted a notion of the
beneficence of his Creator. I reply, an envious, heartless, ill-
conditioned dislike to seeing those whom fortune has placed below
him, cheerful and happy--an intolerant confidence in his own high
worthiness before God, and a lofty impression of the demerits of
others--pride, selfish pride, as inconsistent with the spirit of