®] wo up. BRIGHT, ON A NEW PROGRAMME. 503
% is the most msefal agitation we could enter upon. The 1848.
PRople want information and instruction upon armaments, Zr 46.
“olonies, taxation, and so forth, There is a fearful mass of
Prejudice and ignorance to dispel upon these subjects, and
Whilst these exist, you may get a reform of Parliament, but
You will not: get; a reformed policy.
“1 believe there is as much clinging to colonies at the
Present moment amongst the middle class as among the
Wistocracy ; and the working people are not wiser than the
™8t.  And as respects armaments, I do not forget that last
December [1847] hardly a Liberal paper in the kingdom
“ipported me in resisting the attempt to add to our
forces, Such papers as the Sun, Weekly Despatch, Sunday
Times, and Liverpool Mercury, went dead against me; and
All that I could say for the rest is that they were silent.
Now all these questions can be discussed most favourably
0 reference to the expenditure. You may reason ever so
logically, but never so convincingly as through the pocket.
But it will take time even to play off John Bull’s acquisitive-Uesy
 against his combativeness. He will not be easily
Porsunded that all his reliance upon brute force and courage
bas been a losing speculation. Already I have heard from
890d Liberals an expression of fear that, in my Badges, I
have « gone too far.” But I have said enough.
“And now, having stated my view of what the object
Wust he, a word or two as to the modus operandi. And
bere we do not differ. I am for going at once to the registers
and the forty shilling qualifications. Begin where the League
lof off, and avow it boldly. Nay, make it a condition, if you
like, of your alliance with Liverpool that such shall be the plan.
And I put it to you and Wilson, whether you think that the
Men who go with us for the Budget and direct taxation, will
Rot be likely to use their votes for a reform of Parliament.
Ushould feel very little doubt about getting nearly as much