38 ULTRA RADICALISM, 



tude. He thinks it impossible to define the due extent of explanation 

 from a candidate with greater nicety than by saying, that principles 

 and ulterior general views should be unequivocally and fully avowed, 

 as well as fixed opinions on matters old in debate, and a disposition 

 to afford constituents, after each session of parliament, an argumenta- 

 tive exposee of conduct during it. 



The Radical considers short parliaments (triennial are short enough) 

 inseparable from the principle of representation, and would therefore 

 require his candidate to be of the same opinion. He deems absolute 

 independence of vote also essentially inherent in that principle, and 

 would not give his support to a candidate who dissented. The utmost 

 rational entension of the suffrage, accommodated from time to time to 

 the increased intelligence and orderly disposition of the people : 

 item, the substitution of a sound, and general, and compulsory edu- 

 cation for the masses : item, the removal of checks on publication ; 

 item, the simplicity and equitable arrangement of taxation : all these 

 are principles on which the Radical would expect his candidate to 

 agree with him, and undertake to lose no opportunity of supporting 

 them. 



With respect to vote by ballot, the Radical has himself not the 

 slightest fear of any ill consequences from it ; and thinks it will soon 

 plainly appear that it must be adopted as a safeguard against popular 

 as well as aristocratic tyranny. But the Radical cannot think it fair 

 to press the ballot forward just yet, as a matter of principle. Granted 

 that the talk about straight- for ward English manliness to be sacrificed, 

 and spirit of dishonesty to be originated by the ballot, is all fustian 

 and affectation, wherever it is not absolutely criminal ? still this sort 

 of self-delusion has prevailed so long in our political world, as to 

 create, even in strong minds, a species of superstition. The Radical 

 has a certain respect for bond Jtde superstition, and is much more 

 afraid of the consequences of forcing men's consciences on this sub- 

 ject just at present, than of letting the constituency be bullied and 

 tampered with a little longer (it can only be a little longer), till the 

 necessity of the ballot is as obvious to all well-intentioned persons as 

 it deserves to be. The Radical would expect his candidate to avow 

 a willingness to adopt the ballot, unless some other equally efficient 

 protection can be soon suggested ; but he would suspend the admis- 

 sion of the ballot into his catalogue of representative requisites, till 

 the measure has been more freely and formally discussed in a re- 

 formed parliament. 



On the subject of slavery, the Radical would expect no more, at 

 present, from a candidate, than to avow his intention to support Go- 

 vernment in all measures for the protection and improvement of this 

 class of his fellow-creatures generally, and especially for the prompt 

 institution of a searching and efficient police, to be maintained at the 

 expence of slave proprietors, but controlled by the home Govern- 

 ment alone. The Radical has ultimate views for the extinction of 

 slavery altogether ; but he thinks one or two Reformed Parliaments 

 at least must have passed, and the Colonists become convinced of the 

 utter hopelessness of a return to slavish principles at home, ere they 

 can be brought to the temper, surely necessary, to render the emanci- 



