A factious opposition, and the intrigues of the selfish
Boroughmongers, have postponed that highly beneficial and
absolutely necessary measure of Reform introduced into the
House of Commons by His Majesty's Ministers. Our patriot king,
however, highly approving of the principles of his ministers,
and determined that _the Bill_ shall not be crushed, or his
own and his people's rights longer withheld by the vile
machinations of _the Wetheralls_, _the Lygons_, and the other
partizans of corruption, has exercised his undoubted right of
_dissolving the Parliament_, and "England now expects every man
to do his duty."
On every occasion when Col. Lygon has voted he has _opposed
Reform_ in every shape--however bit by bit--however
moderate--and now he adds to his political delinquencies,
_Insult and Hypocrisy_. In his Addresses, "he begs most
explicitly to declare that he is friendly to moderate and
constitutional Reform, to remove any abuse or improper
innovations which time may have introduced."
_Yet_ he voted against transferring the Elective Franchise of
East Retford (convicted of gross bribery and corruption) _to
Birmingham_!
He is friendly to a moderate and constitutional Reform, _yet_
he opposed the Marquis of Blandford's Bill!
He is friendly to a moderate and constitutional Reform, _yet_
he voted against Lord John Russell's motion to transfer the
Elective Franchise from boroughs (convicted of corruption) to
Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester! Is not this hypocrisy? If
not, what is it? With these facts before the public--facts
known to every individual in the county--he insults them
by sending forth _An Address_, of which the assertions
above quoted form a part, imagining that the Freeholders
in the County of Worcester have minds so contracted, and
understandings so degraded and debased, that a shallow
hypocritical device like this would dupe them for a moment.
_Freeholders_, this _Colonel Lygon_ again solicits your
votes, that he may again oppose the beneficent and patriotic
intentions of His Majesty's Ministers--again oppose every
measure beneficial to the people. You know your answer.