Page images
PDF
EPUB

of tyrants, and curse them in their hearts, whilst they cringe beneath their bounty.

Oh!

Will the poor never be taught to know their true position? never whilst the rich himself pens the very fact of his tyranny. ye poor, believe not in the happiness which Mammon confers on its favorites; think that every thousand the rich man possesses only makes him crave for a thousand more; know that he cannot supply any of his luxurious wants without the assistance of your laborious hands; that the charity he bestows is not all charity, for even in the union more prosperous man reaps the equal benefit of poor to rich, and rich to poor.

Discontent is, in fact, engendered by education; for behold the contented smile-the helpless happiness of infancy and young days in all ranks of life. Behold those lovely

hours of youth, ere lips have learned sighing,

and eyes have shed a tear; behold the beggar's child, and behold that of the rich, nay, if there be any favour on the side of happiness, the poor child claims it. The march of intellect which induces all classes to know how to read, ought to teach authors, and especially political authors, to take care what they write.

Would it be reasonable to place a knife in a child's hand and bid him not cut? Is it right to furnish the poor with the weapons of discontent and bid them not rebel?

Oh! ye who are gifted in eloquence, exert that power to a better end than an all-engrossing selfishness, which finds its food in that popularity-the fame of brilliant authorship. Remember the thrilling feeling which crept over you when ye stood, for the first time, within parliamentary walls. In your most enthusiastic moments, forget not that ye

represent the nation, that although no one member has uncontrollable authority, yet each voice helps to abrogate and revise the laws.

The opening of Parliament is in itself a most soul-interesting sight.

How many creatures may be made happy or unhappy, ere that important body has issued forth its last decree of the season. There are assembled the talented, the persevering, and the intellectual. The heroes of battles, the lions of oratory, the phalanx who protect our nation.

Spirit of Justice, balance well thy scales; Honour, Truth, and Sincerity attend each meeting, for responsible and sacred is the task which each member of Parliament has taken upon himself.

Should any doubt this?

Why, then, do we offer up prayers in our church, when Parliament is engaged in its

important avocations ? Do we not feel that myriads of human beings have delegated to each member the charge of their happiness?

Ye aristocrats, there ye must look upon us all as brethren-brethren in life, equals in death, heirs to one vast inheritance-the tomb. Runners to one goal, that bourne where distinction may be marked outwardly by monuments, but is levelled inwardly by the destroying worm, that craving feeder of parted flesh and blood.

""Tis the mind that makes the body rich."

It is the mind which leaves its undying offspring to rise above the decay of the form, and tell Posterity what the deceased has done.

'

Pope has said that

Party is the madness of many for the gain of a few."

And is the maxim heeded?

Alas! no; men

will still waste the best energy of life in discussions and disunions; party spirit will destroy all philanthropy in the human breast.

We do not allude to the party feeling which must necessarily arise from politics being designated by various names, viz. Tory, Whig, Radical, Conservative; but there is a totally different division to this—man against man, opinion against opinion, private animosity indulged under the cloak of political feuds.

And is the ambition of conquering each other a fit employment for those who represent this great and intellectual country?

An English politician should be far more philanthropic, he must forget himself, and think of the world; not of the world of fashion, not of the set who will sit at his table, and crowd to hear his speeches, but of the poor untaught world, whose proclamations

« PreviousContinue »