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578

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doing 80, I should be instrumental in bringing back the
Whigs it would not be my fault. I have no such object ©
view, and agree with you in wishing they could remain in
Opposition for the rest of their lives—or at least to the day
of their reformation. Let us not however deceive ourselves
by supposing that Lord Derby would be less inclined for the
Militia than the Whigs. All the aristocratic parties and the
Court are in favour of more armaments. Our business i8
bry to make the people of a different opinion ; and whet 1
say the people, I mean that public opinion which alone can
enable us to break down the martial propensities of the
Government. I am more and more convinced that ¥°
have much to do with the public, before we can with ary
sense or usefulness quarrel with this or that aristocrat
party.
“I have watched naturally the tone of the press upon tho
late (as I think monstrous) proposal to increase our 8r#”
ments. It is decidedly against us. I do not speak of the
dailies, but of the weekly papers; and I do not allude
to such papers as the Ezaminer or Spectator, but to tho
Weekly Dispatch, read by artisans and small shopkeep®™
and the Illustrated Weekly News, a thorough middle-clas®
print. By these and such as these I have been denounced
and put out of the pale of practical statesmanship for opp”
ing an increase of armaments. I care nothing for ths
because I prefer to enjoy the pleasure of advocating mY ow
views to the prospects of office. But how many public met
who have ambition to gratify will range themselves alongside
of us, so long as the press is thus opposed to them To
change the press, we must change public opinion. And,
mind, when I speak of the press I speak of those weekly
papers which are really supported by the people. .
“Never was the militery spirit half so rampant in phi
sountry since the Peace as at present. Look at the late