The National Register. — London, England, 1820-04-17 00:00:00

toitittr+ tt pat-tonal 41 --l--_ Our Sing, Condtttution attb No. 1,23i.—V0L. XIII.] DINN About 500 fr City of London nesday.—By foul and upwards of parate rooms. ! attended by mai tered the room, Mr. Favell tot Mr. AVaithnian, ..tr. ( _ ~,itunwark), Mr. Sheriff Parkins, Mr. Waithman's two sons; and on the Chairman's left were stationed the Hon. Grey Ben nett, Mr. Whitbread (M. P. for Middleiex), Mr. Byng, Mr. Hohhouse, Mr. Wishart, &c. The cloth having been removed, The Chairman gave—" The King, and may he never forget the principles which seated his family on the Throne," with three, followed by great applause. " The Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family," followed, the annunciation of which was received with tremendous bursts of applause. It was given with three, and the toast was succeeded by continued ap plauses. Mr. Favell gave " the Memory of the Duke of Kent," who was unwearied in the work of charity and good principle; a toast that was honoured in silence, pursu ant to the request from the chair. The Chairman said, he was about to give a toast which would meet the feelings of the majority—he meant—" a speedy and effectual Reform of the Com mons' House of Parliament." Reform alone would be the best security against tumult and despotism; and after having seen the trafficking of seats, and then the pu nishment of Sir M. Lopez, Mr. Swann, &c. it was impossible to think with Mr. Canning that the rottener were parts of the Constitution, the sounder must be the whole. (Laughter and applause.) 'llse toast was fol lowed by an original Glee, It was as follows, to the tune of " Glorious Apollo : Goddess of Freedom, from on high behold us, While thus we dedicate to thee our lays; Long in thy cause bath principle enroll d us; Here to thy name a monument we raise. Thus then combining. heart and voice joining, Sing we in harmony to Freedom's praise. Here ev'ry generous sentiment awaking Zeal that inspied. our Patriots of yore; Bach pledge of Freedom giving and partaking, Join we our bleeding Country to restore. Thus then combining heart and voice joining, Send the shouts of Liberty from shore to shore. Mr. Favell, in giving the next toast, observed, that whatever failure might have attended recent exertions, he - felt great pleasure in meeting so large a body of chi seas. The room was crowded, and he undersmod that three and four guineas had been offered for tickets. He was sure they would nut forget the man who had so long supported the principles of Freedom and the cause of the Constitution because he, as well as the Corpo ration, which had now come in for its share of abuse, had resisted rash and violent, and arbitrary and corrupt measures. To be censured might be natural—but they warred not with Bedlam and the Mint.—(Laughter and applause.) For many years Alderman Waithman had been wholly unsupported. He, it was who had roused the feelings of the City; and whenever the opportunity again occurred, he trusted they would regain what had bean lost. He concluded with giving—" Alderman Waithman, the long tried friend of Liberty, and the Champion of Constitutional Reform." (Loud ap plaim.) Mr. Alder. Waldman rose amidst warns said, if he had tel by the last defeat, he had about dotted any principles or lost the confidence of his fellow citizens, lie should indeed have felt difficulty in address ing them, but as he was the same, and as the principles of the Lvery remained what they were, he was as slued that if there were au election to-morrow, pro vided the Liverymen were allowed to vote freely, he shoulel be at the head of the poll, instead of being in a minority. Ile had examined the poll-books, and found that the Children of Corruption were wiser in their ge neration than those to whont they were opposed.— There was tuition amongst their adversaries, but there was great waist of co-operatiom amongst those who were friendly to his cause.—(hear, hear.) As proof of this, hr need only mention', amongst other things, that about one thousand persons bad given Alderman Curtis as well as himself votes? and would ally one say that io fluence had not beets used on his side, but had been exerted by the other Candidate? Whatever had been the result, as far as he was persoaally concerned, dur ing the canvass he Gilt more can% need of the necessity of Reform : for could that be a wholesome state of things which compelled many persons to vote against their conscience—to vote against Move principles which it is known they possessed..---(Apidause.) It was thought by some that he had not sat, enough about Reform; lie Was of a contrary opinion; and (no looking back•to what he had stated in Parliament, although what he uttered might have beets better said, he did not regret what he observed on such occasions. lie had not changed in his principles; and he N. 16 the first per- MONDAY, APRIL 17, 18 O. • • way gane,l little bylit. If men had not more courage than so to act, hod could they expect others to step forward in defence of their liberties; and lithe) , were not decisive— if they did not say that they voted on principle, they would soon have solicitations enough to abandon con science. He was thankful to them for the friendship they had shown towards hint—but he declared that he would rather stand as he was than enjoy such a triumph as had been gained by his opponents. His opponents indeed e.id not consiti,r their success as a tritinipli ; they could not—it was no honourable triumph. (Applause.) If ever the Livery could again exercise the principles without being unduly biassed, he trusted they would ad here to principle; above all, he desired that they should support what was now become more than ever necessary, a thorough Reform of the Commons House of Parlia ment. (A pplause.)—After thanking them for their kind ness, lie concluded with giving as a toast—the health of the 4,119 Liverymen who supported their principles at the late City Election.—(Continued applause.) It was followed by a new Song, entitled a [PRICE Sid. ly out m lament that he had 110 t been present. Mr. Filed, the chairman, next gave—" The worthy and promising member. for Westminster, Mr. Hobhouse, and the glorious example of Westminster."—(Great applause.) Mr. Ho!,hnuse rose amidst long continued applause. He felt complimented by the notice which had been taken of him when so many superior lights were present. He had heard of defeat—but where principle and duty were at stake, there was no such thing as defeat.—(Hear hear) If the numbers of the Liverymen had been fairly collected, Alderman %Vaithinan, instead of being fifth on the poll, would have been the first. As to par liamentary reform, the worthy Alderman had made good all his pledges :—there he had equalled the wishes and expectations of the jealous reformers of Westmin ster—men, however, whose jealousy . was only of the lover's kind. Whatever might be their opinion of Mr. Alderman Waithman's general conduct—on the subject of reform at least, that indivinual had done his duty.— (Great applause)—lle was not a citizen, but by a strange vote he had been a resident amongst them for some time; and during his " retreat" in Newgate he was visited by Mr. Alderman Waithman, a proceeding which he con sidered as a compliment to the principle, not to the in individual.—(Cheers.) Had there been a Crosby, a Sawbridge, or an Oliver, on the " Throne" of the City of London, he should have known what to do; but he could not find any constable courageous enough to take up the messenger of the House of Commons, whose only authority was a something hanging to his button-hole ; he, however, hoped to see such days again. (Loud cheers.) He thanked them for their kindness, feeling assured that they would ultimately do justice to their cause; and he expressed this opinion because he was convinced that the tool of corruption, Sir W. Curtis, could not have been returned either from affection for the man or his principles.—(Laughter and applause.) A iiong fullowed—that of " Scots whit ha'e wi Wal lace bled ;" and the sentiment " we will do or die," was loudly applauded, and the song afterwards enthusiastically encored. The Chairmen proposed "the health of Mr. Williams, and purity of election in the borough of Weymouth." which was much applauded, Mr. Williams returned thanks. The Chairman then proposed the health of Don Josef Alvarez, and two other Spanish Liberals, who had honoured the meeting with their presence. 1n doing so, he adverted to the refulgent blaze of liberty which now illuminated Spain, and expressed a hope that the glorious Ferdinand would blazon the standards of freedom with as much pains as lie had previously em broidered the petticoat (Attie Virgin Mary. (Laughter.) The toast was loudly cheered. Mr Bennet proposed " the health of the Chairman, and a speedy reform in the Criminal Code." In the course of his speech he pronounced a high panegyric on Mr. Favell, as the author of an ingenious work on capital punishment. Die Chairman in returning thanks, declared himself to be the steady friend to reform lle was rejoiced to see the progress of intellect and understanding. lie recollected the time, when those who pointed cot abuses were told "To leave Old England if they (lid not like it ;' but lie thought the land of his ancestors—of Russell—of Hampden—and of Sydney, was worth re forming; and he would ever use his best efforts to effect dirt reformation. (Applause.) The toasts were afterwards given, and were received with much applause. " The Army—may it be reduced to its constitutional limits, and never be employer' in support of oppression." " The Navy—may its invincible power never be employed except in maintaining the cause of liberty and justice." " Trial by Jury—and may it be extended, without its abuses, throughout the world." •"r he honest Electors, who throughout the United Yinedcosi, have had the virtue to asset' their rights and independence." •• The Stewards, and thanks to thou for their attention to the arrangements of the day. EARTHQUAILE.—About two o'clock on Tuesday se'nnight, a violent shock of un earthquake was felt at Cove, near Cork, which continued fur about a minute. Several persons were strongly affected on this occasion, and we have heard of one person be ing nearly thrown out of his bed. NotwithAamling the thrability of the materials composing the guard-house at Ilawl•bowling, this place was con vulsed to the last degree. Its etleets also extended to the neighbourhood of Middleton and other parts of the county. INNER TO MR. miliwirA.N. son who had stood up in the Common Hall to oppose. Mr. Calvert returned thanks, also joining in eulo 6 i. --.41. twenty-five years ago, the calamitous War against sing Mr. Waithman, observing, that all that had been 10 friends of Mr. Waithman, dined at the France, which was commenced to secure Tyranny said had been most truly stated. They, however, had idon Tavern,Bishopsgate-street, on Wed-. abroad, and continued. to mist Reform at home. It was omitted to n ot i ce M r . W.'s able eget tions against the four o'clock the great Room was crowded ; dangerous at that time to sdopt.such a course—but he di. Insolvent Debtors' Act—an Act which ought to be sired no better epitaph than to . have it stated, that he unis entitled, an Act to encourage dishonest tradesmen, &c. s of 150 persons were obliged to dine in se- the fi rst person who h;c 4 ll , o 4 4;sed a petitionag i ainst 'tits ' lie wetted thali ilow,had sumaingd a shameful defeat--.- s. Soon after fi ve o'clock Mr. Waithman ; . iow the , 4aati day. it ' hoped that in future they would be better pre- many celab= s aidi and aapplateftait, ' ~..4 t e.: /I. I ". ( 8 • - tittuon, he Mt i tot how it happened, many who pared for the enemy when next the opportunity for an, amidst s arpfatist. . ' were great admirers of his principles had altogether ab- exertion arrived. He added, that his colleague, Str R. II took the Chair. On his right were seated tan, Mr. Calvert (Member for Southwark), stained from voting at all ; but they who acted in this Wilson, who w as unavo id a bly out of t h e co unt ry, would TRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES OF MR. WAITHMAN. SY A FRIEND TO LISERTY AND THE MUSES. Tune—" The Maracilluis Ilynin." " Freedom ! before thine altar billing, We hail thine awful, sacred name ! That name—to Britons dear ! recalling, Foundation of our early fame. Though Science' sun should light our dwelling, Though seas of wealth should wash our shore, Vain all our knowledge—all our store, Vain all—but hearts to freedom swelling, All but outfights as men ! " Corruption's sons may have their season, 'Mid unarmed crowds may scatter death ; Bribes may prevail o'er right and reason, Chains bind our limbs and laws our breath. To these a bridcareer is given To punish thought, make truth a crime— Yes ! these may triumph for a time— But bright—eternal ! as yon heaven Our rights, our rights remain." The Chairman, in giving the next toast, eulogized the late triumph in Middlesex, observing, that if e v e r men had British heart and British feeling, it was the late Mr. Whitbread, the revered father of their present Member. The toast was—" The Members for NI iddlesex, and that County's Independent Electors." Air. Byng retnrned his acknowledgments, statiti, that he had availed himself of every opportunity to bear testimony to the exertions of that great matt, Mr. NVairh man ; and adding, that the result of the late City Election of octed him more than if he had lost his own election. lie was pleased at the result in Aliddlesex, because till now he had never had a colleague %snit whom he could act. Ott the subject of Reform, he was for au accession of the right of voting to the copyhdlders, &c.; the tra osier; Mg of the right of returning members from the rotten boroughs to the more populous places , and infcomllloll honesty he thought triennial Parliaments ought to he restored.—(Loud applause)—He had never promised more than he intended to perform—and when ever opportunity resented itself, he would fulfil all he had pt out ised.—iGreat applause). Mr. Whitbread rose amidst immense applause. He lamented that Al r. Waithman's cause had not been more; triumphant; he lamented that he al Id not have the opportunity of moperatina with Mr. W. in the ' house of Commons ; but at the same time he felt assured that the cause of liberty had not a warmer friend. As to himself, he was grateful fur the support which had been extended towards him. It had been said that he Caine forward on the strength of a name ; hut sd lung as that name could Ile itkutitied with prin. elides, it would be found that he was support e d by greater strength than even that of a good name.— ( A 'mime). The health of the lion. G. Bennett has :rig beers given, Air. Bennett returned thanks, Ma-crying, that he felt the loss of Mr. Waithman in the Iltiose of Commons to he a great evil ; and remarked that he lel( sonic indig nation at the r. stilt of the City election, seeing .15 he did the gross tool of corruption once again as the Represen tative of those o hunt he had so triguently 111)111ted. (ApplauNr.) The Chairman then read a;mlogies from Air. Brougham and land 05sidsion, ail concluded with giving the bealtii of Mr. C. Cali t, the member for Southwark. I " A g . is