Star. — London, England, 1819-09-04 00:00:00

Vg , . • ~. ~ • F ' t t ~~ ~• . I ' .~~ .. I 0 'l4 ~~ , • 11 If 1 t‘ It „t. '4' , , 11 1, :: 1;.),.. f • N. . - pockets; others ae u r n epresent the Treasury. While the ruins of Old are represented, Leeds, and Birmingham, and Manchester, are unreFesent Let use aslitou, is this fair?-L(No, fr om s the crowd.) • Is it consistent with the principles of the Constitution? —(No.) With the dictates of common sense?—(No.) And, countrymen, what shall we say of those crowds of placemen and pensioners who, like the frogs of g g ypt, infest the benches of the House of Commons? The salarying of these people is itself expensive. But this is by no means the whole of the evil ; for we know, by long experience, that the pensioners of the Ministry are always ready to support them in their enterprises against the pockets of the people. It is our wish, Gentlemen, that a remedy should be ap plied to these abuses ; that such an amendment should be made in the construction of the House of *Com mons, such a limitation of the duration of Parlia ment, as will give the people a full, fair, and respon sible representation in that House. My countrymen, thii wish is not the growth of the day, nor is it ex pressed by people merely of the lower or of the mid dling classes of the community. Our views are sup ported by the sentimentsof many of the venerable dead and the illustrious living. Where was there ever a greater Statesman than the first Lord Chat ham? While he was Minister, the most brilliant success crowned our arms abroad, and peace and tranquillity prevailed at home. He well understood the mechanism of the House of Commons: and what was his opinion of it? On this subject he expressed himself in words which, were I to use them in my own person, I should, in these times, be in danger of imprisonment for expressing them. The great Lord Chatham said, that if the Reuse of Commons did not reform itself from within, it would be reformed with a vengeance from without. What did his son, the late Mr. Pitt, say of it, before his youthful virtues were corrupted by his accession td power? He said, that until it was reformed, no honest man could be Minister of England. But, Gentlemen, I should de tain you too long were I to enumerate the names of all who have entertailied similar opinions—(Loud cries No, no;' and Go on). I will, then, ask you, where was there ever a more virtuous man than the late Sir William Jones, Chief-Justice of Bengal - Ile was a Reformer. But, Gentlemen, it has been said of late, that none are• Reformers but the poor and needy ; and many have made that observation who, did they not, as State paupers, fatten on the public money, would be needful to their own parish. But, Gentlemen, what is Sir Francis Burdett—is he poor and needy ?—(No, no.) What is Mr. Coke, of Norfolk.? The most thriving landlord of a thriv ing tenantry ; and the thriving landlord of a thriving tenantry, because he acts on the principle of live and let live. Is he poor and needy? No: and yet he is a Reformer! Nt'hat is the stnatiment of the Duke of Bedford? In a letter which he lately addressed to me, as Chairman of the Concentric Society, he says, that nothing but a Reform in Parliament will save us from the danger of anarchy on the one hand, or of military despotism on the other ! Gentlemen, be cause we follow up the sentiment of this illustrious character, it appears we are accnsed of high crimes and misdemeanours; and on this indictment we are to be tried, not by our actions, but by our secret thoughts. My countrymen, that omniscient wise acre, Mr. Bootle Wilbraham, is possessed of a tele scope, by virtue of which he can spy into our brains, and penetrate into our secret thoughts. I should not wonder if this telescope were as powerful a one as the Irishman's, which could bring a Church five miles off so near, that the said Irishman could hear the organ play ! Mr. Bootle Wilbraham, by virtue of this telescope, may hear me, from Latham-hall, speaking. My countrymen, this Gentleman has said, that we have not yet declared against the King or the House of Lords. In reply to this, I will say, if he presumes to point that remark at me, that Mr. Bootle Wilbraham has not yet robbed me on the highway. If he says, that this is insulting lan guage, I only return insult for insult. If he says it is nonsense, I return nonsense for nonsense.— And though I will not compete with him in talking nonsense, so far, I trust, the account is settled be tween us. Gentlemen, Reformers are divided into various classes, according to the extent of their wishes for Reform. As for myself, lam what is called a moderate Reformer. With Lord Sefton, I look no farther than to an extension of the franchise to house holders, and the limitation of the duration of Parlia ment to three years. My countrymen, in promul gating these opinions I am protected by the law ; and, mark me, the same law protects those whose wishes go a great deal farther—even to Annual Par liaments and Universal Suffrage. They are all equally protected by the law, provided they promul gate their wishes peaceably and constitutionally ; and if bloodhounds are let loose on the latter, they will soon be let loose on the former also. It is with poli tical as with religious sects ; if once the privilege of the free expression of opinion is broken in upon, there is no saying where the violation will end. If - Reformers be put down, the Whigs will be put ind a despotism will be established in this as severe as that which was exercised in by that arch-tyrant Napoleon—( Applause ). ..ntrymen, we have been calumniated. Let us the calumny. I therefore conclude by moving, Address and Petition be sent from this Meet the Prince Regent, vindicating the character conduct of Reformers. As I reel myself ex- I have requested my friend, Mr. Rushton, them for me. were read by Mr. RUSHTON accordingly. Address and Petition began by noticing cer imputations which had recently been thrown out 'ling the views of the Reformers, and proceed repel those insinuations. The Reformers were 1y attached to the English form of Govern , established in King, Lords, and Commons; they wished the latter to be elected by the People large. They reprobated the system of rotten Bo - and partial Suffrage ; the admission into the' of minor Placemen ; the long duratios of Par ; and the unnecessary continuance of con . Elections. The desire to reform these abuses, hope, would not be considered criminal ; they ever seek such a Reform : it was in every re .t just and necessary, and had been advocated by Chatham, a Sir William Jones, a Fox, and many constitutional characters. They sought this by peaceable means, and deprecated all cio. they Pr°wited against the interference of the • - .1•••••11=•--- Military while the People were exercising a constitu tional right, and prayed his Royal Highness to scru tinize the conduct of Ministers, who, he would find, were guilty of all those designs against the Consti -Onion with which they had charged the Advocates of Reform. Mr. OTTIWZLL Woon, in rising to second the Mo don, spoke to the following effect :--Gentlemen, it iti with feelings of high satisfaction that I now rise for the purpose of seconding the Resolution which has been submitted to you for an Address to the Prince Regent. It is unnecessary for me to say one word to strengthen the arguments which my respected friend Mr. Shepherd has so eloquently advanced in support of it. The language in which the Address is couched is so clear, so explicit, so unequivocal, that it cannot , be mistaken by the simplest understanding :—it a comes home to every man's business and bosom; " I and I have no doubt that it will be read through t he United Kingdom with those feelings of approbation to which its merits justly entitle it. Gentlemen, theie is not one amongst us but approves of the high pre. rogatives with which the Crown is invested ; we equally approve of the privileges of the Nobility :—. l but it is on this ground that we have an undoubted claim to the fair and full rights of the People; as good subjects, we are entitled to a free exercise of those rights ; and it is only [Here the people at the outskirts of the Meeting, near Case-street, were seized with a sudden panic, and began to scamper off towardsVVilliatnson-nuare. The Gentlemen in the carts exerted themselves To re store confidence. The crowd, by direction, gave three cheers ; and in a few moments all was quiet again. I The cause of the panic was not generally known at' the time; but we learnt, - after the Meeting, that it was occasioned by the rumbling of a wheelbarrow, which the fears of the people converted into the sound of the drum.) Mr. W•oo resumed, and after restating the sen tence in which he was interrupted, said—And I have only this to add, that when these privileges and these tights are in their fullest and freest• exercise, then it is that Britain may justly claim the envy and the admiration of the surrounding nations of the globe. Mr. ECIDUTON SMITH then stepped forward.— "'Gentlemen, will you allow me to keep my baton? (Cries of " Yes.") lam particularly proud to wear this hat on this occasion ; because white hats are now considered as belonging to none but Jacobins. lam not, however, a Jacobin—l detest the phrase; but if I h ad left my white hat at home, you would have said I had brought a tohite feather here ! Gentlemen, I am glad to see so large an assembly to-day, be cause, as the Mayor has cautioned all who differ from us to stay away, I am justified in considering you all as the friends of Parliamentary Reform. Some allu sion has been made to the Special Constables among you: they are our friends. The friends of Reform are always quiet and peaceable, and those who take up the turbulent are our friends. lam very glad to find that the rain has not kept you away from the Meeting; because if you had staid away, there is another reign (if you tolerate a play upon words), a reign of military despotism and tyranny, which) might have come upon you. Gentlemen, I should not have forgiven myself if I had not appeared here this day; because I declare before my GOD, as I hop" for salvation, that if there is no alternative but to bus cut up by the soldiery or oppressed by the Ministry, I, for one, prefer death. There seems to be a gen"- , ral wish among the friends around me, to make 'As Meeting as short as possible. I differ from thenfttit would wish it to last till night. Gentlemen, you have been told by Mr. Shepherd that we have a spy among us; and the office of a spy is, you know, to report what he does not hear: like the Irish echo, which, when asked c How do you do?' answered, Very well, I thank you'—(Laughter.) Gentlemen, the thronged attendance at the Meeting to-day has deprived our enemies of one sneer against the cause of Reform—that it is growing downwards, like a cow's tail—(Continued laughter.) Gentlemen, it was our fate to meet in this square the last time under peculiar circumstances. The Habeas Corpus Act was then suspended ; but,' even at that moment, the Country was peaceable. Now when they have given us back the Habeas Corpus Act, they have attempted' to deprive us of the right of meeting! Gentlemen, on the former occasion, we were cut up by The Li• verpool Courier—and now we are threatened to be. cut up by the Liverpool Cavalry!"—(2l lough.) But' this is an idle threat, and I do not believe it will be' carried into effect. Gentlemen, having made these' few cursory observations, allow me to make a -few remarks on the subject of Reform. And I would fgt..' mark particularly on the numerous absurdities of the' present system, though they are so palpable as to re quire little illustration from me, You may recolleet the story of the man who fancied himself a poet: he spewed his verses to another poet, who said they were deficient in measure, and that there was in one placej a line too much.—' Go on,' said the other, you will find a line too short somewhere.' Such was the state ' of our Representation: some places had too much, and others had too little—(A laugh.) Whilst Old Sarum and other similar places send up two Mem bers, Birmingham sends none; though they have lately appointed one—but, as he is not one pf the right sort, it is very likely, should he shew his lace in the House of Commons, that he will be committed to the custody of .the Serjeant at Arms—(Laughter.) There are other places where pig-sties have tfie pri vilege of sending Members. Burke called the People' the swinish multitude; and if pig-sties have such privileges,- can it be matter of wonder that we, poor unrepresented pigs, should raise our snouts to get our share? —(Laughter.) Gentlemen, you have been told by Mr. Canning, that the Constitution works well; and I know there are these who consider the defects of our system as inherent in human nature. But we are not of this opinion. We consider them as faults which maybe remedied. This puts me in mind of the Irishman who sold a horse, which he warranted free from all faults; but the purchaser, when he got it home, found it had the fault of wanting an eye. He immediately told the horse-dealer of this.— , And do you call that a fault?' said the Irishman—' sure, it's only a misfortune!'—(Laughter.) Gentlemen, it is the boast of the country, that the law is open to every map: but the Constitution is the law of all laws—the great law, the conservator of the whole ; and any man who is deprived of his just share of that Constitution, is unfairly dealt with. Suppose that the Trial by Jury were confined to certain Towns— what would you then say ? Should we not then have a right to grumble? This is the case with our Con stitutional rights. lam not a freeman, though my family has resided in the Town between sixty and seventy sears, and I am in the habit of paying at least SAW a-year in direct taxes. But I do. assure you, I would'never accept of the freedom of the Borough, if any Mayor were to take such a liking to me as to, ofer to make me free—l would never accept that si a favour which I ought to have in my own right— (Great applause.) Gentlemen, there are all sorts of imputations thrown out against the Reformers. We were told, the other day, that the Meeting convened to deliberate on the propriety of holding this Meets ing separated peaceably,' as if it were a matter of wonder that fifty Gentlemen could meet and cep.. rate peaceably—(A laugh.) Witty, Gentlemen, on e X: h memorable day when we escorted from this square the son of Lord Sefton, and when 30,000 persons at-1 tended the procession, did we not go as peaceably out of the town, and return home again, as if we had been the victors in the memorable struggle? Not a window was broken, not a black eye given. I will tell you the reason—it is, that we stick to the laws: we obey them when right, but we grumble hen they are wrong. We had no military with us then ; and if the Mayor will let us alone, he will find us always peaceable; and I defy our enemies to tell us of one instance where we have committed a breach of the peace." Colonel WILLIAMS then put the motion for the adoption of the Address, which was carried unani mously amid loud acclamations. Mr. Joni Starr* then addressed the Meeting, and made a few observations on the subject of Reform. He concluded with some remarks on the Manchester Meeting,. to the dispersion of which he was an eye witness, as introductory to the following Resolution : " That this Meeting, being convened for a specific purpose, cannot enter upon a full consideration of the recent dreadful oc currences at Manchester; at the same time, it cannot separate without expressing a confident hope, that the Friends of Free dom in this town will speedily adopt %one public measures to promote a strict investigation into that fatal business." Mr. Rustiroo seconded this Resolution. Colonel Witoosts came forward again.—Gentle-' men, it is the intention of this Meeting to have an other, and that for the express purpose mentioned in the Resolution. It has, however, been deemed proper to put it off for a short time, in order that our blood way be allowed to cool, and our judgments may be assisted and matured by fai ther information, which professional men are now procuring ; because it is intended that the proceedings at Manchester shall not be suffered to pass by unnoticed. Dr. CROMPTON then moved the Thanks of the Meeting to the Chairman.—The motion was carried .with great applause, and the crowd dispersed. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1819. THE FUND 6. enica OF STOCKS THIS DAT AT ONZ OtLCCK Bank Stock shut 3 per Cent. Reduced shut 3 per Cent. Consols 711}f 3i per Cent. 801 81-4 per Cent. shut 5 per Cent. Navy 104 1 11 Bank Long Annuities 191 3-16 1-16 India Bonds 12 pre. Exchequer Bills (2d.) par S dis. Commercial 16 discount Cons. for Acct. 711 }. The Exchange at Manchester was again thrown into some alarm on Wednesday, by a statement, emanating from the same authentic source that gait currency to the report, that many thousands of pike men were on their march, to take summary vengeance for the blood that had been shed at the Public Meet ing. On the present occasion, however, the fact alleged was not in prospect, but was stated to have already taken place. A Watch and Ward Man had, it was affirmed, been murdered on the preceding evening, while on duty—a report calculated to excite this inference : that vigorous measures were necessary to protect the inhabitants from the daggers of assas sins. People, however, have turned somewhat scep tical as to the truth of rumours emanating from those conuected with the Manchester Police. The report was enquired into, and it proved to be a fabrication. Many of the inhabitants of Manchester have felt themselves called upon to express their abhorrence of the ferocious manner in which the assembled mul titude were assailed on the 16th ultimo. We speak not now of the Ultra-Reformers, but of the indeperi•" dent part of the community, who have not the fear of the Magistracy, the Police, and the Yeomanry be fore their eyes—who are in circumstances to enable them to vindicate their own character, and that of the inhabitants generally, from every imputation of participating in, or approving of; the cruelties by which the Town was disgraced, on the occasion of the Meeting that had such a tragical result.--(See the " Declaration and Protest," inserted in a preceding column.) There is, our Readers will see by our accounts from Manchester, _ a report that another Public Meeting will soon be held in that place. We hope not,—and for many reasons. The public feeling is at this moment in so high a state of excitement by the barbarities inflicted on the last Meeting, that we much question, whether the people could be able to conduct themselves in the same quiet, orderly, and peaceable manner, which marked every part of their conduct on the former occasion: or, rather, we be lieve that this would be absolutely impossible, while every one of the former atrocities exercised upon them remain saporaished And the result might he, that some intemperate expression of their feelings, might furnish their enemies with what should never be afforded thent--a fair pretext for again letting • l oose upon the Meeting the variant but nating Yeomanry. We have had suffic;eat already, that the most peaceable and inoliens' duct furnishes no security, in Manchester, military execution : and we would be sorry 0,, people should be so infatuated as to exp„„ selves a second time to their tender—mmies. T, lers may, from ignorance, traverse a forest 1 they may be a s sailed by tigers ; but baviag once attacked . in That route, few would be foolish as to expose themselves, a second time, same perils. Our Readers will see With pleasure from Leicester, that at a Meeting dens and Overseers of nearly all Town and County ok Leicester, men interested in the welfare of which they immediately belong, a been at length adopted, for secui his just hire, and protecting hil depressing spirit of his empio• Manufacturer must in future sufficient for their own families; or he shall have none A deficiency of wages is no longer made up by aids from the Poor-r; .tuners are not to be suffered to lay bours, in order that they may be goods for less than they are worth , have all along strenuously cont general imitation of the e x am Gentlemen of Leicester, we look thing else, for the restoration of Districts to a state of comfort and The Paris Papers of Wednesdl hour this forenoon, but their col interest.—The marriage of the with the Princess MAnte of Wit brated with due pomp at Stutgard August. —Five per Cents, Tuesda- A Flanders Mail arrived this sels Papers are chiefly occupied ing an expected Grand Review, of the Prince of ORANGE COBLENTZ, AUGI M. Brrzing, Prussian Commit. M. Glanhitz, Colonel of the Gendarmerie, charged with the examination of three Professors of Bonn. The sented to this examination, the finished ; some of the papers have , and the ethers restored to the owners. that this affair will go no farther, fessors have received, since this marks of attention from their Coßea) the Students and Citizens of Bonn. The Duke of Wellington passed blest", He-visited all the new right and left banks of the Rhine. of the Chartreuse, and the new particularly engaged his attention. panied by some Prussian general! Engineers. His Grace travels retinue. He had with him but and an English Officer of Engineers. VIENNA, AUGUST is. His Majesty the Emperor came from the day before yesterday. The whole employed in giving audiences, All the of State had the honour to present their to his Majesty on his happy return. The marriage of the Archduchess Caro:irt Prince Frederic of Saxony, is fixed for the 10th' tember. It will be performed by proxy at bruna. The departure of the Archduchess for den will take place on the 27th. ROME, AUGUST 10. Cardinal Gonsalvi, who has had several attacks of fever, is now declared out of danger. We learn that the rigorous measures against banditti and the town of Sonnino have I. It might have been foretold, that these rigorous sures would not be executed; but so speedy a revocation could not be foreseen. We have this morning received New York Baltimore Papers to the 11th ult. from which following are extracts:— NEW YORK, AUGUSTS. 'The armistice which had been entered into 01: 1 the Government of Buenos Ayres and Ai tips had been renewed for three weeks, on account of the ab. sence of Artigas, he having, as it is said, penetrat e 4 into the Brazil territory with his troops, wl'oe had a number of skirmishes, in all of which he proved victorious. It will be perceived by Lord Co,hire) decree, that the blockade of Peru is without limit) tion, no time being allowed for the different nafory to become acquainted with it ; although an Admira l of the fleet of a Republic he is still a Lord. His f° sl is respectable for the State to which he belovr to which may be added the New York fiigo Curasio, which has gone round to join him, 50 t:1 we shall now see how his friends the British paper blockade. The 25th of June was a proud dal for Buenos Ayres, being the anniversary of °'e era 4. uation of that town by the British. AUGUST 10. BRION% SQUADRON.—A Letter, dated St. Bar° lornew, July 21, received at Philadelphia, s tates [ l ' 3l Admiral Brion sailed from Margaretta co the 10th the Refor down; ai : ? I country France k My coun ..% J • repel the . I, A ' . that an A 'f.-; ,•,- ing to th • ll and con ~, k , hausted, to read ti t •, • • I • They 1 1 , 1 The A twin imp respectin ed to ret k i ) sincerely s . t::: I rnent as i . but they i ' ''. at large. roughs. '• 1 . . House o . . liaments tested E . 1 , •:, they he] i I should t I, I I speet jei a Chad% other c t • . object b 'mice. '. i i ,-, e rai: ; ' o i d gse a ny snep;ncentoale bul ü brfy f fi sua.tbath c neie ; * dl e fhiao n Tsc in athi t riviies,l.3 e li:enta.lt v ......g.. i oc,, l thd.:a . :, ; and inoffensi ve , Manch ester, ild be sorry as to expose der mercies. s would be 1 - ; :z .., - 4 a second ti me,te as'lre by our a. ; 11 the Parishes • and of o t i :er if the comrnut,,:, a general menet; ;ring to the La's;. him from tie ne to wo r k for r - -rates; the M om .: ,y a tax on their ne., e able to get and ;rth. This is wh at tended for; and to nple tlms se t b ; ... A:, more th in to a of the lanufact a n ind tninquiilitv, sday arrived at a; contents pt:ss:ss is Archduke PAL ‘TI IRtEMBER G , tgard on the 2i ;day, 72 fr. 20 c. s morning. The B. with details ~ r, under the corn. GUST 20. rnissary of Pclice, a endarmerie, hare L. of the papers of t re latter having c. e operation has .ve been sent to Berl; Droners. It is prub4 her. The three occurrence, parti Colleagues, and fro onn. Issed two days at r works, both on ine. The fort ficati fort of Ehrenbreit' ion. He was acct nerals and Officers almost without as at one Aide-de-Cur r i ineers. UST is. me from Schoenbre e whole morning All the great Orfic ;ent their complisne turn. %duchess Carolite ixed for the 10th e by proxy at Scb. Archduchess for r - b. ST 10. s had several viol. out of danger. measures against no have been revot . . i ~ ) 1; 11 ,`.., •'; . ' ~. .1: ... . 1• f i 1 . (k ; 1 1 ,i, 1 : • I. 4;