[DEBATE ON CHOOSING A SPEAKER.]
The new house of commons being met, the usher came from the house of
lords, with his majesty's commands for their immediate attendance, when
they were ordered to choose a speaker; and being returned, Mr. PELHAM
addressed himself in the following manner to the clerk of the house:
Mr. HARDINGE,
As we are here assembled, in pursuance of the imperial summons, it is
necessary, in obedience to his majesty's commands, and the established
custom of this house, that we proceed immediately to the choice of a
person qualified for the chair.--Gentlemen, it is with no common degree
of satisfaction, that I observe this assembly so numerous on the first
day; because whatever is transacted by us, must necessarily be
considered by the nation with more regard, as it is approved by a
greater number of their representatives; and because the present affair,
which relates particularly to this house, must be more satisfactorily
conducted, as our number is greater; since every man must willingly
abide by his own choice, and cheerfully submit to that authority, of
which he has himself concurred to the establishment.
The qualifications required in the person who shall fill the chair, to
his own reputation, and the advantage of the house, it is not necessary
minutely to recount; it being obvious to every gentleman who hears me,
that he must possess such an equality of temper, as may enable him
always to preserve a steady and impartial attention, neither discomposed
by the irregularities into which some gentlemen, unacquainted with the
forms of this assembly, may easily fall, nor disconcerted by the heat
and turbulence to which, in former parliaments, some of those whose
experience might have taught them the necessity of decency, have been
too often hurried by the eagerness of controversy. That he must add to
his perpetual serenity, such a firmness of mind, as may enable him to
repress petulance and subdue contumacy, and support the orders of the
house, in whatever contrariety of counsels, or commotion of debate,
against all attempts of infraction or deviation. That to give efficacy
to his interpositions, and procure veneration to his decisions, he must,
from his general character and personal qualities, derive such dignity
and authority, as may naturally dispose the minds of others to
obedience, as may suppress the murmurs of envy, and prevent the
struggles of competition.
These qualifications were eminently conspicuous in the gentleman who
filled the chair in the earlier part of my life, and who is now one of
the ornaments of the other house. Such were his abilities, and such his
conduct, that it would be presumptuous in any man, however endowed by
nature, or accomplished by study, to aspire to surpass him; nor can a
higher encomium be easily conceived, than this house bestowed upon that
person, who was thought worthy to succeed him.
The office which we have now to confer, is not only arduous with regard
to the abilities necessary to the execution of it, but extremely
burdensome and laborious, such as requires continual attendance, and
incessant application; nor can it be expected that any man would engage
in it, who is not ready to devote his time and his health to the service
of the publick, and to struggle with fatigue and restraint for the
advantage of his country.
Such is the gentleman whom I shall propose to your choice; one whose
zeal for the present imperial house, and the prosperity of the nation,
has been always acknowledged, and of whom it cannot be suspected that he
will be deterred by any difficulties from a province which will afford
him so frequent opportunities of promoting the common interest of the
emperour and the people.
What success may be expected from his endeavours, we can only judge from
his present influence; influence produced only by his private virtues;
but so extensive in that part of the nation which lies within the reach
of his beneficence, and the observation of his merit, that it sets him
not only above the danger, but above the fear of opposition, and secures
him a seat in this assembly without contest.
Thus deputed by his country to many successive senates, he has acquired
an unrivalled degree of knowledge in the methods of our proceedings, and
an eminent dexterity in digesting them with that order and perspicuity
by which only the transaction of great affairs can be made expeditious,
and the discussion of difficult questions be disentangled from
perplexity; qualities which are now made particularly necessary by the
importance of the subjects to be considered in this senate: so that I
doubt not but you will unanimously concur with me in desiring that the
chair may be filled by a person eminently distinguished by his
knowledge, his integrity, his diligence, and his reputation; and
therefore I move, without scruple, that the right honourable Arthur
ONSLOW, esquire, be called to the chair.
Then Mr. CLUTTERBUCK seconded the motion in this manner:--That I am not
able to add any thing to the encomium of the right honourable gentleman
nominated to the president's chair, gives me no concern, because I am
confident, that in the opinion of this assembly, his name alone includes
all panegyrick, and that he who recommends Arthur ONSLOW, esquire, will
never be required to give the reason of his choice. I therefore rise now
only to continue the common methods of the house, and to second a motion
which I do not expect that any will oppose.
[Here the whole assembly cried out, with a general acclamation, ONSLOW,
ONSLOW.]
Mr. ONSLOW then rose up and said:--Though I might allege many reasons
against this choice, of which the strongest is my inability to discharge
the trust conferred upon me in a manner suitable to its importance, yet
I have too high an idea of the wisdom of this assembly, to imagine that
they form any resolution without just motives; and therefore shall think
it my duty to comply with their determination, however opposite to my
own opinion.
Mr. PELHAM and Mr. CLUTTERBUCK then led him to the chair, where, before
he went up to it, he desired, That the house would consider how little
he was qualified for the office which they were about to confer upon
him, and fix their choice upon some other person, who might be capable
of discharging so important a trust.
The members calling out, The chair, chair, chair, he ascended the step,
and then addressed himself thus to the house:--Gentlemen, since it is
your resolution, that I should once more receive the honour of being
exalted to this important office, for which it is not necessary to
mention how little I am qualified, since I may hope that those defects
which have hitherto been excused, will still find the same indulgence;
my gratitude for a distinction so little deserved, will always incite me
to consult the honour of the house, and enable me to supply, by duty and
diligence, what is wanting in my knowledge and capacity.