The noble earl (Grey) yesterday challenged me with saying that this bill is revolutionary.  What I have always said is, that it has a revolutionary tendency; and I think it has a tendency so strong in that way that it must lead to revolution.  The noble earl has said there is no violence; but, my Lords, revolutions may be effected by laws as well as by violence.  I know there is no violence.  Why, my Lords, there can be no violence,—­the King’s Government and the House of Commons are leagued with those who call out for change,—­and there can be no occasion for resorting to violence.  But, my Lords, this is not the only objection.  One of the great and leading objections in my mind to this measure is, that it is one which goes to destroy that most invaluable principle of our existing constitution, the principle of prescription, which sanctions the descent and secures the possession of all kinds of property in this country.

April 10,1832.

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The Demagogue will drive the Gentleman from the Representation.

The noble Earl has told us, that men possessing property in these boroughs will continue to possess their just influence in them—­that they will have political influence in the elections—­that it will continue, and that it ought to continue.  But I would appeal to your Lordships, whether your own experience, in matters of this description, confirms the correctness of this statement?  It is true that, in some of these boroughs, noblemen possessing large properties in the neighbourhood will still possess a great and paramount influence; and, indeed, in some places, in consequence of the effect of the double franchise, the influence of the great proprietors in the vicinity may be raised greatly beyond what it is at present.  But in those towns in general, it will be the demagogue, and not the nobleman or gentleman of property, who will possess the influence over the elections there.  The latter cannot command such an influence, unless through the means of a constant expenditure which it would be impossible for any one to support.  The demagogue will obtain his influence by other means, and will ultimately drive the gentleman out of the field.  I beg your Lordships to observe what will be the effect of such a state of things in the constitution of the House of Commons; and I beg to ask whether, with such men the representatives of those boroughs, it will be possible to carry on anything like a government or a steady system of policy, through the means of this assembly.

April 10, 1832.

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Prophetic Contrast of the New with the Old System.