Constitutional Whig

In connection with the rejection of the Reform Bill, the London Examiner of the 9th ult. makes the following statement:

"We have taken some pains to obtain information as to the indications of the state of the public mind, in the metropolis, and the country, in the present crisis. The following are a few of the facts which have come to our knowledge.

It is known in the city that considerable purchases have recently been made of American stock. There is reason also to believe that persons have provided themselves with small amounts of gold, and property easily available in emergencies; but great caution is used not to create any alarm, and the purposes are seldom avowed.

At the clubs, and other places of meeting of the trading classes in the metropolis, various plans for the formation of a National Guard have been the subject of discussion.

We have been informed that in several districts of the metropolis the tax gatherers have been informed by the inhabitants on whom they have called, that the taxes which they have recently collected would be the last which they would have to receive, unless the reform bill was carried. The districts to which we allude are not those in which a determination has been evinced in reference to the taxes called rates imposed by self-elected bodies, to act upon the constitutional principle that taxation without representation is illegal—namely, Mary-le-bonne, St. Pancras and Islington parishes.

We may mention, as an instance of the peaceable and quiet mode in which these determinations will be carried into effect, that the inhabitants of St. Martin's parish, without calling any public meeting, or making any outward demonstration, have refused to pay their last poor rates. The amount which it was expected to produce is, perhaps, £2000; and of this amount probably not more than £100 has been collected, and that it is believed has been paid by those who had not been consulted, and who knew nothing of the determination of the other inhabitants to refuse payment."

In the London Morning Chronicle of the 7th, we find the subjoined editorial article.

"If the Anti Reformers will not yield to reason, perhaps the following plain facts may startle them. We class them under the two heads of certain and probable consequences of a rejection of Reform.

The certain consequences will be—

1. A prolonged agitation of this dangerous question for at least six or eight months more.

2. A considerable interruption of important Parliamentary business for that time.

3. A state of weakness with regard to our foreign relations.

4. A stagnation of the retail, moneyed, commercial and manufacturing interests.

5. The continued public discussion of fundamental principles of Government by opposite classes in a state of angry excitement.

6. A collision at such a moment of the two Houses of Parliament.

None will deny the certainty of the occurrence of such consequences; let our Bishops calculate their final results;

And then take the probable consequences.

1. A partial or general refusal to pay taxes or tithes.

2. A run upon the country banks, the Savings' Banks, the Bank of England, and thence upon national credit.

3. A panic.

4. Turnings out of trades—political associations—federalism—resistance.

5. General distress, dissatisfaction—Swing.

6. A published list of the Majority, with their places, pensions, boroughs, and connections.

7. Hatred of Peerage—a large creation of Peers—depreciation of the Peerage.

8. The present Bill with compound interest.

9. A Reform Bill for the Lords.

Let those who have sense, and patriotism, and power, canvass these consequences; ask themselves whither they will tend—and then, may the Lord direct their understandings."