Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/146

 132 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1815- and " Universal suffrage " were inscribed side by side. It has been the custom to sneer at these men for blindly seeking reform as a mechanical cure for the evils under which they laboured, but, in fact, they knew that some change was neces- sary before their grievances could even be listened to, much less remedied. Burdett, and several of the speakers who supported his reso- lution on the ist of July, had warned the House of Commons that to refuse even to take into future consideration the ques- tion of reform would be looked upon by the people as a proof that they had nothing to expect from the existing forms of government, and that they might therefore be driven into violent agitation. These warnings were too quickly justified. Some of the great unrepresented towns took upon themselves the right of electing representatives, which the makers and the administrators of the law denied them. Birmingham was the first place where this action was taken. On the I2th of July, the day before Parliament was prorogued, a meeting was held at Newhall Hill, at which at least 15,000 persons were present, and it was resolved to elect a " Legislatorial attorney and representative " for the town. The movers stated that the issuing of a writ being compulsory, they had not awaited the form of the mandate, but anticipated the right. The privilege constitutionally belonged to them, and they were fulfilling the duty of good subjects in proceeding to advise the sovereign by their representative. Sir Charles Wolseley was then elected, according to regular form, by an immense show of hands, and amid the thundering acclamations of the concurring multitude. A remonstrance was read, which the newly elected member was to present to Parliament, and a deputation was appointed to carry to him the instructions of his constituents. Sir Charles, in return, pledged himself to claim his seat in the House of Commons.* This proceeding, whilst it encouraged the reformers in other towns to take similar action, alarmed the Government, and determined them to take strong measures to put a stop to the agitation. Leeds, at a meeting held a few
 * "Annual Register," 1819, pp. 104, 105.