My friends, in that House of Commons it is said that our numbers are helplessly small; but there are there many who have done admirable service in the popular cause, and whose energies have never been wanting, and whose voices have never been stifled, and whose votes have never failed; and who always call out to you to march onward, and more onward, to the goal towards which our cause is impelling. (Cheers.) But, after all, we, my friends, are the few, and you are the many. (Loud cheers.) And it is for you to decide whether the interests of the many, and the voices of the many, and the will of the many are to predominate, or whether that house is to continue blind, end deaf, end careless, reckless of the misery that is everywhere around them (cheers); indifferent to all that you see, and all that others suffer. (Hear.) I, for one, have better, and higher, and more consoling hopes, for I believe that the firm will of England has but to declare itself, as it is now declaring itself, and nothing can or could resist that will. I am afraid that I have spoken to you at too great a length. (Cries of 'No, no.') Let me then just address to you one parting word:—
'How oft on this illustrious stage
The words of fire from Shakepere's page
Your passions rouse, your souls engage.
Here truth shall make
A still more eloquent appeal
To all who think—to all who feel
The public woe, the public weal,
Are now at stake.
'To us no mimic art belongs,
Not fictious scenes, nor fancy's songs;
We speak of real right and wrongs
To thoughtful men:
For myriad sufferers here we plead,
For those who weep, for those who need;
Ours is a holy cause indeed:
Uphold us then!
'To you we look; on you ye call;
Say! will you burst the ignoble thrall:
Answer, yo men of England, all;
Ay, answer now!
Pledged all; leagued all; the pow imprest
In every mind, in every breast.
Pledge and Heaven's benison shall rest
Upon the vow.
'The tow! that leagued in heart and hand,
One purpose ours, erect to stand,
Each bound to each, a plighted band,
Whom nought shall sever,
Till the uplettered world shall see
Labour, and trade, and industry,
Free as the winds of heaven are free,
Free, free, for ever.'
