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    against the influence of the war-party , — let us put it into their power to say , when they become the advocates of peace , that they speak the sentiments of a large proportion of the ^ people . I most heartily wish that our petition may be rendered nugatory and useless

    by no other circumstance than that which the objection supposes . Gentlemen , I must apologize for these political remarks ; they are inseparable from the subject . I could not give a satisfactory reply to the objection without them : and I wish to stand justified before my friends and fellow townsmen upon this occasion . €

    * Gentlemen , I have heard it said , that such meetings as these tend to promote popular violence and disorder . You will give me credit when I say , that if I had supposed that such in any degree would be the result of this day , I should not now have had the pleasure

    of addressing ^ you : I think quite otherwise ; our proceedings upon this subject nave been most temperate and peaceful , and I hope and believe , will be useful . We-are doing what the constitution of our country encourages us to do . Our resolutions are not violent and

    imflammatory . Quite the contrary . Those who are offended with these , expressions "would be so , I fear , with any language in which unpleasing truth might be spoken to them . In these eases the evil is not in the thing itself , but in the manner in which it is accomplished , which , in this instance , I apprehend , is

    unobjectionable . Gentlemen , I cannot forbear saying , that the allusion to popular tumult in the ^ Mayors letter to us upon this subject , was not pertinent or "well founded * : To compare the proceedings at an election , which continues three or four days , and Which is proverbially attended with some agitation and

    disorder , to compare such proceedings , with our present meeting , held in the face of day , and for a definite and specific object , was not fair , or handsomewas not worthy of that wisdom and liberality whiett ought , at all times , to distinguish the first magistrate of this borough .

    " Gentlemen , I have heard it further alleged , that the parliament which we are about to petition , is a new parliament , and that on this account our endeavours are inappropriate and unbecoming . It is said that we should wait to see what measures will be proposed , and what course will be taken . Now I

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    humbly suppose you will agree with me , Mr . Chairman , in thinking that there is no force in this objection ; it rather strengthens the arguments in our favour . A parliament that has sat for some years , may be supposed to be pledged to the support of a particular system ; they may be , if I may so speak , entangled by their own measures . There is an

    appearance of consistency and steadiness , wnich must be preserved—there is a a feeling qf shame , which may , perhaps , operate in . preventing any alteration in their political decisions—I do not refer to any particular persons or parliament—* I apeak of the universal and unchangeable principles of human nature . Now

    these remarks do not apply to a new parliament : they arc , in some respects , more free to deliberate and choose -y they have a renovated political being ; they are to enter afresh upon the consideration of the affairs of the empire , ' they are to lay aside ail former fends , animosities , and prejudices . Their

    peculiar situation permits them more freely , and , I might almost say , encourages them to distinguish themselves by new measures * Under these circumstances * then , there 19 a peculiar propriety in our petition . They shouid

    be provided with every means of ascertaining thereal stale and wishes of the country , before they have committed themselves , so as to reider it difficult to recede . As far as our petition extends , it serves to furnish them with this information . We tell them that

    we look to them for new measures . We hope that they will inherit the blessings of their country and of posterity , by a more liberal and enlightened policy , than former parliaments have approved . We do not prescribe to

    their wisdom , the especial time and terms of peace ; but we do declare to them , that their petitioners look to Peace r as tbe only effectual termination of those privations and calamities which afflict our native country .

    < c Gentlemen , I nave but one more objection to reply to j it ia , that our proceedings upontbis subject will promote a party spirit , and tend to , produce disunion and unhappiness among us .

    I hope not so ; J should sincerely lament it . A pac ific spirit is not a party spirit . We pass no ccjo&ure on those who thinjk differently tVom ourselves ; -v-thera > . may b ^ a diflfe . re » nce of sentiment without hostility of fecline . We

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    70 Peace . — Proceedings at Leicester

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1813, page 70, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2424/page/70/