William Cobbett, famous for his Rural Rides, believed that reforming Parliament, including abolishing the rotten boroughs, would help to end the poverty of farm labourers. But would anyone dare to fling him out of the window?
“COBBETT’S LECTURE at STAMFORD.
Mr. Cobbett has, rather unexpectedly, turned his steps to this part of the kingdom; and on Wednesday night, after dining with Col. Johnson at Witham on the Hill, he delivered the first part of his political lecture, in the ball-room at the Hotel in Stamford. He has announced his intention of lecturing at Peterboro’ on Friday night the 2d inst. ; of proceeding thence to Wisbech and Lynn ; and of returning into Lincolnshire by way of Holbeach, to Boston, Horncastle, Louth, Lincoln, Newark, Grantham, Oakham, Leicester, and Birmingham, in the course of the next three weeks.
Mr. Cobbett commenced his lecture on Wednesday evening by stating his apprehensions of not being able, from want of talent, to equal the expectations that might have been formed of him, but he would state his opinions upon the causes of the distress which now pressed upon this once prosperous land, in a series of propositions, which he would defend to-night and tomorrow evening, and of which the following are the principal:–
That the distress which pervades the country has been occasioned by the acts of Government.
That the distress will not pass away of itself.
That the taxes make the distress.
That the poor ought to be relieved out the tithes ; and that it is their right by the law of the land to be so relieved.
That the church property is mis-applied ; and that it is legal, and due to the necessities of the people, to take it from the Clergy.
And, lastly, that a great reduction of the public debt can justly be made.
The propositions he would maintain ; and if he failed in proving them, he should deserve to be taken by the heels and flung out of the window.”
Stamford Mercury, 2nd April, 1830.