THE LORDS, THB COMMONS, AND THE PEOPLE. 297 



a liberal Corporation Reform Measure conceded to it, though the 

 urgency of the case was incomparably less, the claims of Ireland to 

 a similar measure, become so irresistible that it were impossible for 

 human ingenuity to urge any thing having the semblance of reason 

 why it should not be conceded. 



The question which every one asks at the present moment in the 

 contemplation of the possible contingency of the Lords throwing out or 

 otherwise defeating the Corporation Reform Bill for Ireland is— Shall 

 that part of the empire be denied the same justice which has been done 

 to England and Scotland ? If so, the fail- inference will be that Ire- 

 land is not considered by one branch of the Legislature as any thing 

 better than a mere province, and that any system of government, 

 however degrading and revolting to the vast majority of its inhabitants, 

 is good enough for it. 



Need we warn the Peers of the danger to themselves as a body, as 

 well as the injustice to Ireland, of treating that country in this way. 

 Should such a course be resolved on, we hesitate not to say that conse- 

 quences, for which they are not at all prepared, will inevitably ensue. 

 First and foremost will come the repeal of the Union as certain as an 

 effect follows from its cause. What else in the train of conseauences, 

 or rather what accompanying events will flow from such a step, it is 

 not for us to point out. O'Connell has been denounced, and justly, by 

 the Lords, for his recent efforts to sever Ireland from this country. Let 

 it not be said that they themselves were the means of bringing about a 

 catastrophe which they have so often and so earnestly deprecated, and 

 which all the exertions of the Agitctor, were he to live till doomsday, 

 would have failed in effecting. 



Of late, and we rejoice at the circumstance, little has been heard of 

 a collision between the two Houses of Parliament, and equally little of 

 the propriety of abolishing the hereditary branch of the Legislature. 

 If the Lords — apart from all considerations of justice to Ireland — are 

 wise in their generation, in so far as their own rights and privileges 

 are concerned, they will be careful not to afford occasion for reviv- 

 ipg the discussion of such topics. It is because we are anxious to see 

 a friendly understanding existing between the two Houses, and because 

 we wish to see the hereditary branch of the Legislature retaining its 

 hold on the affections of the pcojjle, that we adjure them on this 

 occasion to be cautious how they act. Let them not lay the flattering 



