The Express. — London, England, 1866-08-28 00:00:00

le 1, 1 r ' II .., 1 1 •11, , i t I ! 11 i II i , i l v 1. : , 11 i Ii t i t, tii 1 E V THZ GREAT REFORM DEMONSTRATION AT BIRMINGHAM. The great open-air demonstration at Birmingham in favour at putiaawndatl reform took place yesterday. It was in every reaped a names, and well worthy the cha racter of the town which organised the Politics' Union, and called forth the raceether gatherings of 1830, 1831, and 1832. The mat assembly its origin—evel• thing connected with the arednee of it—all the arrange. meats, and the prefect discipline maintained throughout, was the result of combined action and co-operation ammo< the waking men under the auspices of the Re. Ism Levee. The Liberal Association cordially ap -proved the movement, and some of the principal members of it gave the benefit of their counseL Soon after the vote of the Rouse of Commons which resulted In the retirement of the late ministry, it was determined that a demonstration of this kind should take plake ; in order that the true sentiments of the mass of the people of this town should be fully known, and that the people in other parte of the country might be in duced to kindred action. Whatever may be the effect in that respect, it is quite certain that more magnificent demonstration than that of yesterday has never been wit- named. Soon after 9 o'clock in the morning the teeming pope. lation began to muster for the " rally ;" the divisions from the auxiliary branches of the Reform League in the district came in early. Coventry, Oldbury, Smithwick, West Breland* Dudley, Nuneaton, Bikton, udder minster, Stourbridge, Kingenorton, Stafford, and Waver atampton, all ountsibensd to the gathering multitude. At nearly all the manufactories work was abandoned for the day, the various trade societies and co-operative societies a of every class joined heartily and spontaneously in the movement, and no element to mar success was interposed i from any quarter. ' A few minutes before twelve o'clock the Mayor (Mi Edwin Yates) arrived at the central rendezvous, the Town :4ol His unship was received with applause, ae were also Mr. Bright, Mr. Sthelefield, Mr. Edmond Beales, Mr. Mason jean, sad other leaders of the popular party, who followed. A preliminary conference between the • joint committees of the Reform League and the Liberal dasocistion was man afterwards held, but no business of mportance was transacted. ' Meanwhile the streets were filling rapidly with an eager but orderly crowd. It had been arranged that the prone • 'ion should move in az divisions—the first to consist of . the great body employed at the Metropolitan and other carriage building works, and the Birmingham jewellers ; • the second oomprised the Mayor, the borough members, the aldermen and town councillors, the members of the Liberal Animation and of the Reform League ; the third, of the auxiliary branches of the Reform League ; the (earth, the Birmingham and district trade societies ; the fifth, the temperance societies ; and lastly, the friendly and other societies. They were to move from six different points, and rendezvous at the Town-hall. To marshal such a mighty body as was assembling required some skill, and could not have been done in the narrow streets sad avenues of a town but for the spirit of order and discipline shown by the closely packed crowds who lined the way. By • quarter to one o'clock Mr. Glossop, the chief of police, had got his array into order and marching trim. There was a long line of carriage, in • narrow street by the side of the Town-hall, in which some of the principal guests took seats, and they did so without the least delay and inconvenience. A few minutia before am o'clock the procession started. A mounted fore* of the police was in attendance to preserve the line ; but the people did that for themselves. The route taken was through the principal thoroughfares, and the distance Unversed to Brookfield was about two miles end a quarter. Throughout the whole of that space, and every avenue leading to it, was one dense mass of people; every window, and parapet, and balcony, was alive with life. Fromevery window streamed gay colours, blue greatly =indenting. There were scores of banners of the societies, many bends of music playing, and every accessory to produce a scene which it would be very difficult to describe. The entry of Kossuth into the town was a magnificent spectacle that is comperatively dwarfed by the scale of colossal proportions which the assembly of to-day assumed The cause must have been thought to be great indeed to stimulate such a mass of people to show their interest by taking part in it. • Brooldields, where this great gathering was to halt. la just without the borough of Birmingham, in the county of Stafford ; it is a plot of some 50 acres, abutting on the Great Western Reilway. The procession reached this at 2 o'clock, in perfect order, a large portion of the ground having been previously occupied by those who had not chosen to join the moving man. Unfortunately the ground was barely reached before there came down &pelting storm, which bated full twenty minutes, but which the people bore with remarkable good humour ' • but even after it had fredover the effect of the spectacle was much marred. w. a splendid sight notwithstanding, for over a 'pre of fully a quarter of a mile from the crest of the rising ground was to be seen one dense mass of people, eagerly listening to the orators at the half-dozen platforms which had been prepared for the purpose. Then the air rang with the great huzsas (as it had done at every stop page in the streets on the way through the town), and the sentiments uttered by each of the speakers were received with the warmest acclamations. Mr. Mason Jones, Mr. J. S. Wright, Mr. Beales, and many other gen tlemen . poke r and from each platform the fol lowing resolutions were put and carried unanimously :- 1. "That the present House of Commons has, by its re jection of the very moderate measure of parliamentary . re form proposed by the late government, proved itself utterly unworthy of our confidence and support, and that it in no sense represents the wishes of the commons of Great Britain. We therefore hereby pledge ourselves to demand, agitate for, and use all lawful means to obtain registered residential manhood suffrage, as the only just bele of representation, and the ballot to protect us from undue influence and intimidations in elections." • 2. "That this meeting tenders its warmest and moat grate ful thanks to the Right Hon. William Evart Gladstone, . John Bright, Faq., John Stuart Mill, Esq., and all the other true friends at reform, who throughout the late dimensions in parliament vindicated the character and protected the rights of the people." 3. " That this meet sag presents its sincere thanks to Mr. E. Bodes, and the other members of the Reform League, for their exertions is of the right of public meeting. and of the true . =pies of Reform—idential and Registered Man- Suffrage." Mr. Bright and Mr. Seholefield were present, but did • not speak. In reference to the number who took part in the proceed ' in of the day there will of course be various estimates, Leaving out of computation the fixed mass of people in the two rode. and a quarter over which the procession passed in the town, it is ruppposed that there were two hundred thousand people in Brookfields ; we incline to the belief that this is an excessive estimate, but those who were present to-da7, and who witnessed the assembly known as the " Gathering of the Unions" in 1832, say that if, as luta been supposed, there were two hundred thousand then, the number was much Luger to-day. Be that as it may, there can be no doubt that this was a mighty host ; but the display of good feeling and excellent temper was • even more marvellous, and the people were dispersing quietly soon after four o'clock. So terminated a " demon stration " quite as wonderful in the annals of Birmingham • as anything connected with the events incident to the great Reform Bill of 1832. Amongst the mass at Brookfield. there were scores of gay banners, contributing to enliven the scene, and nu merous hands of music) sent forth stirring aim. In the evening a meeting was held in the Town hall, for the purpose of presenting addresses to Mr. Soho's field and Mr. Bright. Mr. EDWIN YATES (the Mayor) presided. , Both Mr. Bright and Mr. Scholefield were enthnsiaati - tally received by their constituents, who filled every por tion of the large hall. The whole of the audience rose as they entered, and cheered again and again for several minutes. The MAYOR briefly opened the proceedings. He con gratulated the meeting on the success of the open-air demonstration in the afternoon, which he hoped would at last convince the opponents of reform that the people of England were in earnest on this question. Mr. Onoaos I/mimic moved, and Mr. LANYARD, a non-elector, seconded the addresses to Mr. Scholefielfl and Mr. Bright * Mr. E. Mucus who supported !be motion, war most warmly received: He cordially thanked them for the manner in which be had been received. It was, be said, a more than sufficient recompense for the insults and calum nies with which he had been assailed by the upholders of class legislation for maintaining the rights of the people. (Cheers.) The legislature, as at present constituted. was • mockery of the rights of the unrepresented million. Pot having warmly supported the rights of the people, and taken part in an agitation of no ordinary character, he was no longer revising barrister for the county of Yiddlessx. (Cries of "Shame !") His object was to , secure to the people the eights soleeded to them by the eotortiteties et their . eesietry, which in statute atter I state. nidained that oe Isms should be passed es taw tion levied without the assent of the whole tom monwealth. U. bore strong testimony to the qualities of Ur. Bright as a statesman and an orator, who had devoted his great talents and his whol s life to the service of his countrymen. If there was ewe '~ ii: ~,~ ~► ,;. ~~, man more than another who lad done his beet to maintain all that was valuable in the institutions of his country, that man was John Bright. (Cheers.) The addresses were carried by acclamation, and pre sented by the Mayor. That to Mr. Bright concluded thus :—"The whole tenor of your public life inspires us with gratitude for what you have done, and with perfect oonlidence in your future course. Whoever else may prove false to the cause of the people, you will always remain true in the time to come as you have been true in times past. We torn, there fore, to you, as to one who has never forgotten his pro mises, or denied his principles, and who never can betray the cause to which his life has been devoted. We should trespass too greatly upon your time, do violence to your feelings were we to recount, ever so briefly, the services which you have rendered to your con• stituents sod your country. The page of history will record your plea for justice to India, your sympathy with misgoverned Ireland, your ceaseless efforts to promote the welfare and to broaden the freedom of Great Britain. From the moment you entered upon public life until now you have been the advocate of all liberal measures— of free trade, of financial economy, of non-intervention, of a free press, of religious liberty, of parliamentary reform. So far as these have been accomplished, we owe them greatly to your labours ; so far as they have yet to be achieved, we look to you as their most prominent and most efficient advocate. In common with millions of your countrymen, we feel towards you senti ments of gratitude and affection which can be but faintly expressed in words. With eloquence unaurpassed, with energy unrivalled, with devotion unyielding, at all times and under all circumstances, undismayed by opposition, 1111iT- Aktenoed by calumny, you have nobly and consistent)y advocated the principles of right and justice towards all classes of your countrymen. Though unadorned with titles, though neither endowed with nor seeking the , honours and emoluments of office, you have reaped a re ward higher and richer than these. You have earned the confidenoe of millions of your fellow citizens ; you stand the trusted andacknowledged representative of the people's cause. Enshrined in the gratitude and affection of your countrymen, your name will live as long as England shall endure—enrolbd with those of Cobden, of Russell, of Gladstone, end of reel, eonspicsous in t hat glorious band of patriot statesmen to whom it has been given : " Tb' &Wawa of Mean( senates to command, no Wads of pan and ruin today's" ; To *tatter plenty o'er a smiling land, And read their history in • nation's eyes," Mr. SCHOLZYULD, as senior member, filet thanked the meeting from the bottom of his heart for the unanimity with which they had voted the address just presented to him. On such ocaurions as these he deeply felt the want of words to do justice to his feelings. On many occasions I he differed from many of them, not as regarded principles but as regarded their application, and they had treated him not as a delegate, but as a representative worthy of their confidence. That confidence, respect, and esteem he was certain he should never lose. Two months ago every town was as quiet as it could be ; now every town and village were the centre of political agitation. The people had been told they were apathetic, but the magni ficent demonstration of that day would convince those who bad thoughtlessly uttered that statement how utterly baseless it was. What was the cause of this chine Two months ago they had a government in power in which they had confidence, and now they had a government in office on which they placed no reliance. Two months ago• they had the prospect of a reform bill which, however moderate and falling short of their wishes, they were willing to accept as a substantial concession, and in accepting the bill with all its shortcomings, the people had been mainly influenced by the efforts of Mr. Bright. (Cheers.) The conduct of the toriee had defeated these states manlike efforts, and he thanked God for it, for as in 1830 the conduct of the opponents bad ensured the passing of the reform bill of IEO2, and as their conduct in 1846 made the repeal of the corn law' inevitable, he trusted there would now he a perfect reform bill. The revolutionary policy of the tones admitted of no alternative ; there must now be no tinkering, but a complete and compre hensive measure of reform. (Cheers.) Without bluster— without undue vaunts, they must proceed steadily and firmly under the guidance of each men as Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright, and their success was as certain as the rising of to-morrow's sun. (Cheers.) Their cause was unassailable, for it was the cause of the constitution, and might God defend the right. (Cheers.) Mr. BRIGHT, who was received with enthusiastic cheers, which lasted several minutes, said: Mr. Mayor and Gentle men,—l accept the address which the mayor has presented to me on your behalf with feelings which I shall not at tempt to express. I accept it as an ample compensation for whatsoever labours I have expended in your service. I shall take it from this meeting and bold it as a constant stimulus to whatever labours may lie in my power in your service for the future. (Cheers.) There are times when I feel no little despondency at the small remit of many years of public labour, but to look upon a meeting like that assembled in this hall, and to look upon that vast gather ing which your town has exhibited to the country and to the world to-day is enough to dispel every feeling of fear of despondency and fill the heart, and nerve the mind to new and greater labours for the future. (Cheers.) During the late session of parliament in the debate on the read ing of the Fraachise Bill I took the opportunity of offering a word of warning and counsel to that powerful party in the house which opposed that bill ; and in those words of warning and counsel I asked them to remember that if they should succeed in defeating that bill and over the government there would still remain the people of England to be met, and the claim of the great question of reform for consideration and settlement. We have not had to wait long before that which I fore. told has come to pass. In London we have seen assess blies of people such as for a generation past have not been witnessed. In many other parts of the country there have been meetings greater than there have been for 30 years ; and notably to-day there has been a voice given forth from the very centre and heart of England which will reach at last to the circumference of the three kingdoms. There has been an attempt to measure the numbers that were present. At this moment there are probably in this ball 6,000 persons. I ask any of you who are present to reckon how many times this hall with its 6,000 parsons could have been filled from that multitudinary con gregation upon which our eyes rested, but upon tie full extent of which our eyes could scarcely reach. It is highly probable this hall might have been filled forty times from that multitude. (A Voice--" Look outside.") At this moment I am told there is an audience outside far greater than that which I am now addressing ; and what is more, to-morrow morning there will be millions of an audience through the whole of the United Kingdom anxious to know what has been done and what has been said on this 27th day of August in the great city of Bir mingham ; but we are not here to-night to discuss the question of reform, because that is a question we have already settled. (Loud cheers.) What we have to do is to discuss carefully our present position and our future work in reference to that great question. My honourable col league has said that the bill of the late government was a bill of singular moderation. It was also a bill—l speak now only of the Franchise Bill—of singular and most honest simplicity, and that was the great reason that I felt it my duty, and that you felt it your duty, to give that bill an honest support. I will just tell you how much and bow little that franchise bill proposed to give, and what it would have given to the working classes of this country. I think it necessary to state this, because of the argument which I intend to raise upon it. The government produced to the House of Commons a Blue-book of statis tics most elaborately got together, and so far as I know, with the exception of one point, accurate. They proposed to inform the house of the number of work ing men who are now upon the register, and the addition of working men which would be made if that bill should pass, and I differed entirely from their estimate. I be lieved it to have been to a great extent erroneous, and I think I produced facts to the House of Commons which sustained my opinion. Mr. Gladstone told us that at pre sent there were on the borough register in England and Wee working men to the number of one hundred and twenty-six thousand, and he showed further that by the abolition of the ratepaying clauses, even if there were no alteration in the 101. franchise, there would be an addition to the electors to the amount of sixty thousand. He reckoned that these would all be working men, and then he said that if the franchise was reduced from 101. to 71. there would be a further 'adj . %ion el 144,000, all of whom be estimated as working men ; and, therefore, he said there will be on the borough registers of England and Wales 330,000 working men, of whom 204,000 would be new voters added by this bill. I believe that that estimate was made with perfect honesty by Mr. Gladstone, but that it was to •iveS7 tarp extent erroneous. I believe I might have goes through almost every borough in the kingdom and showed that the number of working men is the return was at least double, and in many cams more than double, the actual number on the register. I estimated also that althoegh the abo li tion of the ratepaying dames might add 60,000 new voters, yet it would be very unfair 1_ • ../ •• IP• • . - f• • - T , T •ry - T THE EXPRESS, TrJESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 28; 1866. to courtier more more than one;third, or 20,000 d them taken in London the other day by the police, being ten-pounders and upwards, would be of the clue of and it bad almost been by the military, is working men j and ,I said, furtherl that of the oleos be- an illustration of the doctrines and the ptin tween ten-pounders and seven-pounders, not mere than eiples et Lord Derby'% 4 affintnistration. They reckon two-thirds of them could be reckoned as of the working nothing of the mastkutien of 'their country—a soustitm classes. Ido not think that more than one half of than Lion which has not more regard to the crown or to the could be reckoned as of that clam, Instead of 00,090 &Aztec:nay than it has to the people-La'oonstilutlon which I which would be enfranchised by the abolition of the rate- regards the House of Commons, fairly- representing the paying clauses, I believe that not more than 20,000 would nation, as being as important • part of the governmental obtain vette by that change, and that instead of 144,000 system of the kingdom as either the House of Lords or the working men being admitted by the reduction of the trap- throne iteelL They thus despise the roonstitution , chin from 101. to 71. it was a fair estimate to take two- and they likewise despise the claims of five or ax thirds of that number, or 90,000. Therefore my millions who are unrepresented. You may work, opinion was this, that if the bill passed there you may pay taxes , you may serve in the would be on the borough register , of England and army and fight-70,000 or more of your brethren are now Wales not 330,000 working DM but 179,000, and that living under the burning sun of India, and twice as many them would no; be admisted of working men by that bill more are serving in the ranks in different parts of the 204,090, but only 116,000. (Cheers.) And now, if you world, and you, the body of the people from whom these like, - we will take either my estimate of 116,000 or Mr. men are drawn, are not considered worthy to do so simple Gladstose's estimate of 204,000, as the number of working an act as to give • vote in your great town for your present men - who were 'to be added by the late Mato the present or for any future representative. (Lando:them.) You are to register throughout all the boroughs of England and have no vote—no share in the government. The country you Wales, and I would ask what, after all, does it come to! live in is not to be your country. You are to be like 204,000, azooeffing to the government estimates, 116,000 the muffles or Chinese imported into the Wart Indies or according to my estimate, and in addition California. You are to work, but you are not to take an about 200,000 added to the counties under • 141. interest in the country or to consider the country as yours. franchise for the counties, who must of necessity be almost In addition to all this refusal of the commonest altogether outside the class'whicb we understand when we rights of the constitution, you are insulted by the arermeaking of the working-classes. (Hear, hear.) Now cheers - of • great party given to the language this was a bill which my hon. colleague has described as a which I have read to you to-night. Yon are to bill of singular moderation. •Out of five or six millions of be told that you are so ignorant, and so venal, men in the United Kingdom who are now not enfranchised and so drunken, and so impulsive, and so unreflecting, and the whole number it admitted of working men in England so disorderly, that it is not even safe to skim, as it were, and Wales in theboroughs was only 204,000. Now this bill the very cream of you, to the number of 116,000, or, it may —so moderate that I confess at first I felt the hope that it be, 204,000, to vote for members of the House of Com. would pan through parliament without great difficulty"- mona. (Cheers.) This is the tory theory ; this is the was resisted as if it had been charged with all the danger- faith of Lord Derby ; and I am not saying one word that ous matter which the tare party actually attributed to it. is in exaggeration of the truth, for I have heard It was intrigued against in 'a manner, I had almost said them - over and over again vociferously cheer more base, but I will say more hateful, than I have seen sentiments such as I have described. Now the govere- Surpassed during the twenty-three years that I have sat in ment that has been overturned was certainly • very the House of Commons. (Shame.) And, finally, under different government. Lord Russell has no fear of free every kind of false pretence, it was rejected by • small ma- dom. The government that was led by Lord Russell in jority,and thegovernment which had proposed it fellwith it. one house and by Mr. Gledstone—(cheers)—in the other The reseal that I have given you these figures is that I was founded and acted upon the principle of tract and want to show you the desperate resolution of the present sonfidentre in the people. (Cheers.) Some said there government, and those who represent the tory party in was no such difference between the Derby government and parliament, to deny to the working classes of this country the Russell government. Lord Derby asked Lord Clarendon any share in its government. (Hear, hear.) lam not to take office in his government. (Laughter.) There is confined to the feet of the votes of the house and the do- 'something shocking in the very audacity and effrontery, struction of the bill, but em able to show you, by the awn - of that offer. Lord Clarendon was an eminent minister manta upon which the tory party proceeded, that such is of • government that brought in a bill which the tory their distinct, and it may be their rurchangeableresolution. party declared subversive of the constitution, and yet Several of the speakers to-day might, and at least more 'Lord Derby asked Lord Clarendon to keep the Foreign than one of them have, referred to the slanders andealum. office in the new government. The government of Lord Mee heaped on the great body of the people during the Derby in the House of Commons, sitting all in • row, discussions of the last session, and although they seabed reminds one of a number of amusing and ingenious no one, no doubt they had in their minds one member of 'gentlemen whom I daresay some of you have seen and the house who virtually has no constituency. listened to, the Christy's Minstrels. (Laughter and cheers.) (Laughter.) His sole constituency at any rate The Christy's Minstrels, if lam not misinformed, when at that time is now no longer here to partake of 'they are clean washed, are white men, but they come the strife and contacts of politics, although I prawns heti:ire the audience as black as the blackest negro ; and by another constituent now reigns in his stead. this transformation it is expected that their jokes and If I quote anything that Mr. Lowe—(hisses)-- their songs will be more amusing to the audience. The said, understand me that I wish to bring no charge against Derby Minstrele—(loudlaughter)—pretand to be liberal and him wheresoever. (A voice : "We do.") He has spent white; but the feet is, if you come near them and examine some years in Australia, and probably has voyaged round them closely, you will find them to be just as black and the world, and Ido not deny to him the right to voyage curly as the tories have ever been. (Renewed Laughter.) round the world of politics. (Laughter and cheers.) Ido Ido not know, and I will not pretend to any which of not deny him the right Ito cast his anchor in any port that them it is that plays the banjo—(load laughter)—but I may be open to him. I merely intend to quote something have no doubt that in their manoeuvre to keep in office that he said, because when it was said it was re- during the coming session we shall know something more calved with rapturous enthusiasm by a great party in the about them than we do at present. In point of fact, house who are the supporters of Lord Derby when they pretend to be liberals they are usurpers and im and Mr. Disraeli. (Hisses and groans.) I must ask you posters. (Hear, hear.) Their party will not allow them to listen for a moment to this extract from the Times to be liberal; and the party only exists upon the min newspaper—(hisses)--s paper of which, as is well known, ciple upon which they have acted in all their the speaker of this extract has been for many years an past history, of resisting and rejecting every proposition of eminent writer, and over which, unless report speaks un- • liberal character submitted to parliament (Hear, hear.) truly, he has no small degree of control. He said on the What is this Derby principle ? It is the shutting out of 13th of March last, "Yon have had the opportunity of much more than three-fourths, five-sixths, and even more knowing some of the constituencies of this country, and I than five-sixths of the people from the exercise of constitu ask if you want venality, ignorance, drunkenness, and the tonal rights. If one of you takes ship and goes to Canada, means of intimidation, if you want impulsive, unntlaiting he will find the Derby principle', utterly repudiated ; but in and violent people, where will you go to look for them, to Canadalltere is no uprooting of institutions, no destruction the top or to the bottom ? It is ridiculous to blink the fen of property, and no absence of order and loyalty. (Cheers.) that since the reform act great corruption has prevailed If you go to Australia you will find there that this Derby amongst the voters of between 201. and 101. rental, the principle is unknown, yet there reigns order as it is in this 101. lodging and beerhouse-keepers, but it is said only give country ; contentment with the inventions of the cote the franchise to the artisans and then roe the difference." vies ; and regard for law and for property. (Cheers.) If Farsingoverseentencewhichwasa classical illustration, and you go to those great and glorious colonies of this country which amused the house wonderfully, but is not necessary in the United States of America—(cheers)—there you will here,' Mr. Lowe said, "We know what sort of persons find-the people exhibiting all the virtues which belong live in these small houses," that is, of course, the voters to the greatest nations on the hoe of the earth ; between 104 and 71. "We have all had experience of there you will find a people passing through a tremendous them under the) name of freemen, and it would be • good war, a tremendous revolution with • conduct, with • thing it they were disfranchised altogether. They weredying mums, with • gene realty, and with a magnanimity which out, lert,the 'government proposed to bring than back again have roused and attracted the admiration of the world, under another name. What, be asked, would be the (Loud sheers.) As you come to Europe you will find in consequence of passing the bill! He said the first stage the republic of Switzerland, in the kingdom of Holland, would be increase of corruption, intimidation, disorder, in Belgium, in Norway, in Sweden, in France, and and all the evils which umallyhappen at elections. What now you are about to witness in Germany also • will be the second ? It will be this. The working men wide-spread exercise of the franchise hitherto in of England, finding themselves in • full majority of the our time unknown in this country—(hear, hau)—and Whole constituency, will awake to the full sense of their neither emperor, nor king, nor noble, believes that his power. They will say, we know what we can do for our- authority, his interest, his greatness, or the happiness of selves. Do not let us be any longer cajoled at elections ; any one of hie countrymen will be jeopardised by the free let us set up Mop for ourselves. We have our own ob- admission of the people to their constitutional privileges. pets to carry as well as others, and let us (Cheers.) in G erm any a To te i s t o b e g i ven t o every man unite to carry them. We have the machinery. We of 25 years dap andupwards, so that if we were to propose have our trade unions, and we have leaders." a measure that would give • vote to every man of 25 years (Cheers.) At this there was loud opposition. "We have of age and upward in this country we should not be in the power of combination, as we have shown over and advance of the great country of Northern Germany, which over again, and when we have the privilege to vote we is now being established. What is it that we are come to will bring it to bear with tenfold more force than ever." in this country! That what is being rapidly conceded in These sentiments, uttered in my bearing, were received in all parts of the world is being persistently and obstinately the House of Commons with enthusiastic approbation by refused here in England—the home of freedom, the the great body of the tory party—the supporters of the mother of parliaments in England, of which one of her present government. (Hisses.) Nowobserve what this really p oe t s has said, is—it ia that the voters already between 20/. and 10/. are so Tho' o'er our heads the frozen Hendee shine , bad that if you go lower, it will be something like ruin; 7Ye liberty that crowns Britannia's Isle, that there will be more venality, more ignorance, more And makes her barren rocks sad her bleak mountains smile. drunkenness, more means of intimidation, more that is In this England 5,000,000 of grown men, representing more impulsive and violent. Mr. Lowe, in fact, nays that the than 20,000,000 of the population, are to be persist working men to be admitted will be like the old entry denied that which makes the difference between freemen, who have a sort of corrupt monopoly despotism and freedom all the world over. (Cheers.) in certain boroughs, and that all this class of I venture to say that this cannot last very long. How does persons should be disfranchised altogether, and he it stand at this moment ? That the noble and illustrious says if the bill 'passes, it will cause an increase of lady who site on the throne of England—(cheers, and cries corruption, intimidation, and diaorder ; and that to • of " God save the Queen ")—she whose gentle hand wields House of Commons in which the landed proprietors have the sceptre over the wide empire of which we are the always acted, as far as the bulk of them go, as a general heart and the centre—she was not afraid of the trades union, to have raised the price of bread and died- franchise which the late government introduced eland the size of the loaf as long as we would let them— during the late session. Seven times, I think, by to such a House of Commons Mr. Lowe says that there her own lips or by her pea she has recommended to parlia. will be combinations of working men for their special meat the admission of a large number of working men to objects. Therefore this is his conclusion—" Shut them the parliamentary franchise. If this proposal were so de. out for ever ; bolt the door—say loudly, boldly, roe, the structive, would not the Queen be the first to discover it, , parliament of England, to the five or six millions of and would the thirty millions of the people of the United men who here now no votes, and whom you pretend to Kingdom not have been able to produce • single meeting in represent, not one of you who cannot pay a rental of 101 condemnation of it! Look at the middle chases of your shall ever speak bibs direct representativewithin the walla towns ? They are a oat majority in favour of it. Look at of this house. (Cheers.) Now that is the policy I (Mr. Lowe) the meeting of to-day ; the whole of the middle cleans of recommend." This is not important at all, because Mr. Birmingham have sympathised with the proceedings of Lowe recommends it—its important only because it hu been this day, and by-and-by we shall have in the populous accepted and approved of by the great tory party in MOM- districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire assemblages fol ment. I say, I who am charged with designs against the lowing those which have been held in London and in safety of the institutions of this country, that that is a Birmingham. If we go to the House of Commons, , daagerous policy, a policy which in other countries where although it is elected, as I have said, by thelandlords' arm it has been carried out obstinately has done great things; plosion in the counties, and by corruption, intimidation through it crowns and coronets have sometimes been lost, and tumult in the boroughs, do not suppose that lam and I am not NM that it is a policy that can charging the House of Commons that it does not itself be safely maintained with us. (Loud cheers.) I admit'and acknowledgethis. Haveyoureadthe reports of the asked one of the most trusted and intelligent commimion for Yarmouth? Did not you read that • late and excellent Frenchmen that I am acquainted with— member for that borough is said to have spent no less than one of the most confidentiul friends of the dynasty 70,0001. to maintain him seat? Did you read that one gen. of Louis Philippe and the Orleans family—what it was that tleman, the junior partner of • brewery, unbeknown, as drove that family from France. I referred to stories of Mrs. (lump would say, spent 4,000/. for the election of corruption amongst ministers, and to other rumours which his senior partner? That another person, knowing no. had been circulated in public and in private, and he thing of the borough, went down and spent 6,000/. to said that none of these things did it—it was the contest it in a few days! Bat do these things only attempt of the King to govern France by a parliament happen in Yarmouth, or any other borough that is that represented an insignificant minority of the brought before the public? It ia only the sample people, and which parliament he thought he could perpe- of • very considerable sack, and for every such Melly manage by a judicious distribution of patronage. It borough (there are probably ten other boroughs is on this principle, of governing the country by a Perlis- which are to • very large extent in the same ment elected by an insignificant minority of the people, position. But notwithstanding this, the prin. that Lord Derby comes into office—(sheen)--and judging ment of England is about squally divided, and about from the speeches and votes of the last session of [Arlin- half of the house was in favour of the late bill. Well, merit, the party intends as long as possible to govern wa i ls he so; what is there wanting in this priming and upon that' principle and upon that policy. Working balancing of the scale! It only wants that the working men in this hall, I wish my voice had been loud men of England should boldly throw their influence into anongh for met° have said whit lam about to say to the *be side which is for their interest, and that side will pre 'net multitude which we looked upon thia atatatal, but I viol. (Chun.) You have before you to-night my friend say tern, and through the press to all the working men of Mr. peaks, an d you have the N a ti on al R e f orm L am p e this kingdom, that the accession to office of Lord Derby is whose headquarters are in London. Mr. Beaks brows: , • declustion of Mar apart the working classes. (Loud you know, that I have preferred that the franchise should cheers. and 'a my 'of "We accept it.") The conies .„,,,,, liaea - en w h a t I consider t o b e -the ancient principle of the country. I am not afraid of the principles of the Reform League. I have no fear of manhood ea/rage, and no man is more a friend of the ballot than I am. It is a peat eases whir I. offered to your notice to-night, and it is a grand and noble flag under which you are asked to enlist yourselves. What I would recommend you to do is this--and I imagine myerif to be at this moment speaking in the hearing of every bitalligent and sober and thoughtful working man in the three kingdoms : Let us try to march on together ; let us not split hairs on this question. Let us do as your forefathers did 34 years ago. Let 111 have associations everywhere—let every workshop and every factory be a reform association. (Cheers.) Let there be in every one of them a correspondent or • secretary, who shall enrol members, and shall in every way he can shift this great and noble ores. I would recommend that the parrs I have read from that ode hinted and unhappy speech should be printed on cards, and that a card should be hung up in every factory and in every workshop, and in every room of every factory, and in every club-house--and in fact in every place where working men are accustomed to assemble. (Cheers.) Let us raise the spirit of the people against these slanderers of • great and _noble nation. (Loud cheers.) There • eoma soon another election. (Renewed ann.) The working men may not be able to vote, but they can form themselves into a powerful body, and they can throw their influence in every borough on the side of candidates who pledge themselves to the question of reform ; and ff they do this depend upon it they will change many seats, and give a certain majority few reform in the next pariia. maw It may be necessary and dateable to meet puha rent again with petitions from all parts of the country. signed by numberless names. There is no effort which the constitution and which morality permits as to use that we should leave named and unmade for the purpose of furthering this great cause. And let ne t be sure of this, that we demand that the question of reform shall only be dealt with by a govern ment honestly in favour of reform. The address which has been presented to me has referred to the time of 183 E. I remember that time well. My young heart then was stirred by the trumpet blast that sounded from your midst. There was no part of this kingdom where your voice was not heard ; and let it sound again. (Cheers.) Stretch out your hand to your countrymen in every por tion of the three kingdoms. Ask them to join in s great and righteous effort on behalf of that freedom which has so long been the boast of Englishmen, but which the majority of Englishmen have never yet powered. (Cheers.) I shall esteem it an honour which my words cannot de_ scribe, and which even in thought I cannot measure, if the popilation which I sin permitted to represent should do its full duty in the great struggle which is before us. (Cheers, and cries of "It will." ) Remember the great object for which we strive ; care not for calumnies and for lies ; our object is this, to restore the British constitution, and with all its freedom to theßritish people. The hon. gentleman, &ger; minmildng en hour, resumed his seat amid the loudest demonstr►tions of applause, the cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs lasting several minutes. A vote of thanks to the etnuigers who bad kindlyamisted at the morning's demonstration was acknowledged by Mr. Jones, and the usual vote to the Mayor for his courtesy in presiding brought the proceedings to a termination. THE POLICE COURT& WORSHIP-EITIMKT. Mr. Thomas Bea;n:solicitor,;oompani -- 'ed by five gentle men, inhabitants of Hoxton Old Town, waited upon Mr. D'Eyncourt, to ask his advice and assistance. Mr. Beard, in introducing the applicant', stated that for many years a piece of ground upon one side of Holton Old Town, closely adjoinine a tavern kept by one of the ap plicants who accompanied him, and almost directly oppo site the Britannia Theatre, had been left meant, but that it had been lately discovered, mush to the alarm of these he represented, and also to that of a very Liege *amber of other residents, that the pariah authorities were pre paring to erect upon it • house or building for the recep tion of the bodies of persons dying in that district from the prevailing epidemic and other muse*. When it was con sidered that this spot was completely survounded by homes whisk were fully inhabited, it would be obvious that it was thought to be • very objets tioulable site for such an erection, and it was appre hended that if it were used for such • purpose the health of the surrounding inhabitants might be seriously endangered by it. He then held in his hand memorialsigned by a large proportion of the residents who considered isives likely to be Seated by this proceed ine, and they in it earnestly sought that the building might not be proceeded with. Mr. D'Hymourt said he did not see that at present any nuisance existed which would give him jurisdiction. It would no doubt be preferable if the authorities found a place for the purpose not liable to the objections stated, and he thought the best course for the applicants to adopt would be to put themselves meantime into communication with the vestry, who would doubtless take their complaint into consideration, and might find a spot equally . well adapted for the purpose, and more to the appliaints' satisfaction. THAMES. The cue of Captain John Casey, formerly muter of the Jane Lowden, was brought under the notiee of Mr. Part ridge yesterdiy, and the following letter reed :—" August 27, 1866.—Sir,—It is with feelings of deep regret that I am compelled to ask you to see your great influence fn m behalf. The following few pa/Waders will show you that I am not asking this of you without necemity ' I am the captain of the ill-fated ship Jane Lowden. I sailed from quebec on the 28th of November, 1865, with a cargo of timber bound for Falmouth. On the 21st of December in a heavy gale of wind the ship became water logged, the hull being completely buried by the sea, which compelled my- I self and my crew to take to the maintop for refuge. On the following day, in a violent squall, the ship was thrown on her beamends, with her masts flat in the water, wash ing myself and the whole of my crew, seventeen in number, overboard. Nine of them at once met with a watery grave. The remaining seven, with myself, after a hard struggle, succeeded in getting on to the wreck. The ship, after lying one hour and twenty minutes in this position, again became in an upight position ; but, to our sorrow, when we again amended to the main top, we found all our provisions washed overboard with the exception of eight biscuits, which were divided between us, and made it last until the 25th, that being the last day that we tasted food of any description. Between the 25th of De cember and the 13th of January I saw my seven companiorui in misery starved to death with hunger by my aide. The last ooe that died lived eighteen days without food of any description. Ten days more had I to remain by myself in that awful position, until I was ultimately taken o ff the wreck on the 23r d of January by the barque Ida Elisabeth, after remaining there 33 days, 28 of which I never tasted food. I was taken to the Helder, in Holland, wherel remained in hospital 18 weeks, suffering amputation of some of my fingers and toes, which incapacitated me from following the sea. I have a wife and five children living in Pad stow, Cornwall, whom I have not seen since my wonder ful preservation. Any assistance you may render will be thankfully received by your obedient servant, JOHN Casey, No. 6, Janet-terrace, Arbour-square. Stepney." It may be stated that some time ago the Marquis Towns bend raised a subscription for the unfortunate seaman, which amounted to 20/., and this had been all expended in his maintenance. He is now quite destitute. An application to the underwriters at Lloyd's has failed. The committee have no funds that can be applied to the relief of Captain Casey. At the same time they express great sympathy for him. _ _ Mr. Partridge said he was sorry to hear that Captain Casey was destitute. It the benevolent came to the assistance of the unfortunate gentleman, as he hoped they would, could he go into any business? The gentleman who acted as the advocate for Captain Casey was afraid not. Pour of the captain's toes and some of his fingers had been amputated, and be was a helpless cripple. He bad been deeply pained at witnessing the wafering, of the unfortunate man. Mg. Partridge—lt is a verb heart-rending case, and I hope something substantial will be done for the sufferer. I will award him two sovereigns from the poor-box fund. I am sorry it is not in my power to do more. LONDON WEEKLY DOCK El II- Boors—W. L bias. Mara I 1 Do bra &begs 1,807 braurpar PIP Nast India b id Sum brt e i Manilla bell Ha vana box t r=canacovacto casks Beet Root .. c 00111M—W.1 —pack _ D 0..... brio & Do. ....bris. Othur Tea O h Z. India pod /Owe a Onto lam 0 ciroT ! Farelgn 1 Itint _ 51 Do. lilids. 1 Dm, Dist Dials .toes Smarms ' Sew ..i;. %GOO - - 1,070 1.784 7,116 COO 11.550 771 6,608 1,848 7,888 1,745 11, glii 978 456 1,114 f 14141 I 2,1511 can NO AM 15,70 1611.154 51442 MT 014964 woo 20,444 26,924 1,1172 ON 2,190 ... 1,401 U,SSI 1411111 Lis ekssi *TS 14.11111 Sail 11,411. %TN - • NORTMUIX ALZDONLILW-SOAD • • • C Tattatrrom—Nazaber pair* for tla with 25th Ansa, 1,132.. whisin 381 were am sass& 'GREAT WESTERN jui ----- "" — ;" 4 ""--... 41. The report of the directors of this er y„,,.._ the half - year ending the 31 s t o f Jell tan t ry revenue account shows the following result s — ""li with the corresponding ben-year of 10 ; . nacelnle. From passenger,. mans. ac. ga m y, ir From merchandise, coal, Prone peeve* warning* rtst . ffn Min AMMAN sersaimula 111 Maintenance et Locomotive nyea we L1.54,N6 c ut % Traffic expenditure -• PUS en j I 17na sun ' Total The balance available after pr:= b ia ,. /012 a 12. J =Mermen Maws will admit of the peresset --•• following dividends—via., en Great Wee stock, et the rate of 21. per cent. per sei sm . --- se. land (Oxford ) stock, 17s. ditto ; * e s himi ko k "ort stook, 17a. ditto ; South Wales Ceneilidated Ns& ditto. The balance to be easei s y b awd t ons 7,4581. The improvement both in the pa traffic has been steady threoghoat entity incurred during the last two man it Its at new rolling stook and in Me 'El .."'" aiding and statical sooonnoodMion M s riirestom to meet the increased teem s panties sem and efficiency. Thy expenditure is attributable to • gen ess i - •• • i• rate of wages, and in the consumption of mesy s h permanent way, and to an addition of Micess number of train miles run during th e h a lf r im et: rate of interest which has so lmg h oly • emons ii also increased temporarily the thugs mantis h i " Lateran Amount." The belle peonsied the " for oonfentag farther power ore the Gag* Railway Company in relation to their own main* the andmtelmag of other ampules ad * , dim pew," and "toe the amalgamation the Va a dj Railway c om p an y with the Great Western Why piny, end- ltor• -other purposes," hate The objectionable provisions which eseelyek withdrawal of the Vale of Reath Sip hy have not now been inserted. AR est t h been peened authori s ing the coastmelka h Gant Wolters and Bristol and leevar fey of the Bristol Harbour Railway. 'Life erh i ir Groat Western AM in referee. is Mow additional capital, and to the allegation et So peg bona mactioned substantially ia the teal lia wore intiodueod. Strong represeataticas hoe he ley influential leaders, especially ia heath Wes, se convenience resulting from the want ef throughout the Great Western Railway; i t be no doubt that a break of pure is urged ss for the prosecution of competing scheme MS the company session after mum ia threats hem the (comparative merits of the two need not now be discussed, the directors russet that the great extension of narrow pays h e taken place during the hat few years redoes the of that gnat* on portions of the (heat Walm page system, especially where eircumateasse 110 interchange of traffic with other companies, ea Mil desirable to be obtained at the earliest pain le with the economical use and convenienes d Oe i rolling Mock. Such an extension et the scree will undoubtedly tend to increase the ink the bill which has just been peeled pea obtained to deal with the questim, nada the Wycombe and Ely Valley lines, oat py each other im Parti e be tht t g b b e t b a r r d visa P ble uB . e ge " threetin n with the sanction of the proprietors, to monely ford, Rosa, and Gloucester, end the Ely ran h bread gauge to narrow gauge, and to la the Me on the main line from the junction of the formal Court to Gloucester, and from the junction at Llantrimant to Cardiff and to Newpirt, st period as the funds at their disposal will spew, Al tent has also been made with the Pagano Railway Company under which the narrow pion between C en and Whitland, a diatoms ef miles. Without fixing at this moment a delian the extension of the narrow gauge on ether perlN broad gauge system, they would propose to del question from time to time ea the neemitin d I appear to be moat pressing, and circurestmor 11t. The act of 1866 contains provisions WWI creation of new and the conversion of old en exercise of which will improve the general fast tion of the company, and enable them peal if not to extinguish the temporary loos Mt recent period at which the act containing nose became law would Ter der it difficult for th. take complete anion upon them a; present' prevenient which has already taken place it the the company's financee has rendered any iambi big unnecessary. The directors, theretn ior p; the emotion of the proprietors for the to the exercise of the borrowing powers anthem oat. Although the resolution as to the nun borrowing powers will extend to the whole moo rimed so to be raised the effect of it will be to im powers already exercised by no more Pisa all accordance with the terms of the agreweell Wycombe Railway Company, and under the pm Great Western Railway (Wycombe Treader) As resolution will be submitted to the meeMegfortil of rent-charge eta* to the amount of MOIL I ComtereetuenanatydthtFuntebif dissolved pe o r iv ee ed n y t in . on per fraithe anal met Tlr eia transferred to and e v r erte ki d u fn the Grist Wotan , It is with much satisfaction that the &m em s to report the settlement of the kag-peellt Masonry between the company and the mew Mr. Wlntoth, the contractor engaged tie u of portions of the original Grest is etem bl Wlntosh claimed a rum of between 300,142. el in excess of sums which had been paid to he, amount for which the company IMO MEM 11:7 2 4 ::: ri oombeati ii i pan bili tellpt tareeei ti onre e e o lf l7 s M tat t ic i h e M :O n ed y ‘ tan i ,oool: 3 l fd t" ; ahow H h at T i f was; "l : l l.6o : l debenture loana,and 1,138,2191. on Warman together, 42,003,258/. The e ea ent amounts to 41,609,409/., allneelnbaissee cop 39358/, . The revenue account for the hat l 31et of July last shows that 1,832,0921 had bee jothaninedtresirinfit.ctere,67tr3l.,toorrif4Bor,4Bl99slr.pail,erthwto;:suLamow euninpen ti i 1 d td, paths 11.5671., the accident account 10,0001., 6,1591., leaving a balance of 719,912./., of wile Western N. portion innennte to 529,783 to 7 I.,the Ve to 112,37, and the South Wales - 47.ra Other aiimadltare. MARKET& OOTTON.—LrvninoL, AUGUST 27.- 1 2 0 4 Saturday's prima. Sales to-day 10,000 helm 3,000 for speculation and eiret. 3, 500 Amd to 16d. ;1,000 Forum, kc., 151 d. to 18d.; 100 16i/L to 18d. ; 100 Mamio and Bahia, 14d. to Bat% up. to 25d. ; 5,000 Sunk 6 id• bi dr". te Iola.; Bengal, Wads, Au, /I China, --. WOO AND WORSTED.—Bunrotp , , 10 The market in-day Is again very quid, an d tions have been very unimportant. Spissust supplied themselves pretty freely, and are es operating. Though no quotable change cm IN pnais of wool, yet it is on the whole be tter lain week. The absence of demand would staplers to make a concession if they osIV buyers. No change of any moment hu id worsted yarns. The German houses are a small purchases for immediate requires contracts placed for home use are suitctral keep the frames of spinners running fol There is very little fresh fi xings. A few in two-folds and single yarns constitute the business to-day. Prices are a dude mar market has been unusually quiet to-day. 1 orders have been given out, and were it not 0 turers are still tolerably busy with previous s absence of the American and the Germs II be severely felt. The easier state of the s and the prospect of a good harvest tend as 1 thing else to keep up the prices. MARRIA D BIRTHS, BIRTH& JOHNSON.—Anguat 24, at Southall", Wo X. Johnson, Esq., of a daughtor. NOODlE—Angest 24, at All,lon-road. of A. Noodle, Sp., of a son. SHEPHZILD.—August 24, at 24, Queeteselnick wife of James Shepherd, Esq., of a daudbler . Sniff.—Augnd 25, at Cbestet.tquart, I" I WAILMR —August 24, at The Throve". Wm'' , the wife of 0. Wailed Cm., of • daughter . VlAl:oll.—Augeet 24. at Mammr Nona, ate °t • e " Waslik Ely, of a am MAILRIAGNIL BRIEWFATON—SIMPSON. —August 24. at 31 • bury, by the Um. Jaime C. Brwiredea. South Amesica, to Suaanneh, daughter cd tbell Esq., of Langley-lodge, Kings Langley, Herta 001DON—IMAIWIILL —Angela Lt, at COT , Iflairmedbegisk by the Ker. T. Tafenhal of gariaton, to Mary time, daughter of sir Cutlasses. LONG—FABTILING.—Aegurt 13, at Chil iCtlN Sa Southampton. th e to rector, the ler. A Lang, of , India, Julls. J. lheilikis, Meg., of oetinewm DKATEB. hitANDON.—Augas4 24. at Bayaldil Clot'" — J. lkaudes, aged td. GOMM —asmua 24, at Epsom. Anne, widow of tie STYGMLiajiit"WdDsmark.TilifiliNig.77l4"Atiguellagut' 723'arle2r.Tredu.:Nee:tk:::7:4411111.W:(11111173 114 " 180 . 101, Mod C. TURTOPL—Asgust 111, al Stoke New-" Captain L IL rsrtsa"._.,. - Maud sad Published by miasmic Ws lit Landeardaareek ha the Co a j aim Idaebard-stnet, 1 1 1 1 Os " I" TVIMPAT. Ansa is. aft .—Atrover 23. 19111. 40,907 16,508 131,861 238,888 78$ 819,029 49,744 98,489 U,Cd• 137 13,921 n. 470 2,112 KIN 441144 IMAM sun uurt I,frT