The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-08 00:00:00

THE TRADES' REFORM DEMON-
STRATI:II IN LONDON.

From h very early hour on Monday morning the
members of the London Trade Societies commenced
mustering in preparation for the Reform demonstra-
tion to be held at Brompton. The fleet procession to
occupy, the parade near the Dome Guard. was that of
the "Running Moron" Society of Carpenters—a large
and Ins-looking body of men. After them came the
eordwainers, a numerous body bearing a number of
flaws with various devices. On the top of a pole borne
in the midst of this procession was a handsome and
weihmade flaimorel boot. underneath which, in Roman
capitals, was the practical remark, "N, one but the
knows where the boot pinches." Other
societies arrived in quick succession, and with little
confusion moved to their appointed places. The
display of flags, banners, and emblems was very large,
and for the most part exceedingly ainimpriate. The
motto of the Painters' Society was Arnor et Obedientio,
and on the central banner of this society was inscribed
the following:—" Oh. for your ancient freedom, free
and holy justice, and unity between capital and labour.
Free trade In arts and sciences," 'the muster of this
society was large, and the whole body well dieriplined.
The Coachmakers bad one huge banner, with the in-
ecription, "Triumphant we bravely defend," while the
Operative Plasterers, and several other societies dis-
played their mottoes "Unity is etrength," and
"Knowledge is power." The tiniplate workers
attracted a considerable amount of wellideserved
attention. A lamas number of the members of
Ma society carried some admirable specimens
of their handicraft, and the banner itself, which
was ernamented with tin-plate work, was well
worth seeing. The United Friendly Society of Glees-
crittemalso mustered strongly and well. In their body
were numerous way flags and bannere, with such in.
writ thine as—" United we stand, divided we fall ;
"May the supporters of trade never want a friend
Bright and Free Trade," &c. The United
Society of Corkenttere told the jehlic on their banner
that they were "United to support, but not combined
to injure. The London Working Men's Association
bad a very large banner, with the objects of their
organization plainly stated upon it—those objecte being
to procure the political enfranchisement and promote
the social and general interests of the industrial dames.
One of the largest, if not the lareest, body of men con-
nected with one society taking part an the pro-
cession were the teilore, who presented a most
respectable and formidable appearance. It is said
that there is scarcely a branch of industry in
England the members of which take so great an
interest in politics as do the tailors, sad certainly,
jodging from the manner in which they turned out in
the demonstration on Monday, there must be some
ground for the Paying. The workirg men of Ber-
mondsey enunciated the well-eetabliehed doctrines
that "Taxation without representation is tyranny,"
and that "All men are brethren." The various sec-
tions of Cabinet-makers assernbled in vast numbers,
andosorne of their banners, were very imposing and
attractive. On one tl'ere was inscribed, No more
oligarchical rule. The people are determined to be
the Cabinet-makers." On another there was; "Bright
Cabinetimakere wanted; no Adullamites need apply."
On a third, "Unit, founded on justice is the best bond
of Society." The Tallow-chandlers asked for" Bright
and Light." The Hatters' Society were headed by an
immense union jack and were nearly all well.thwesed,
attracting especial notice by their particularly smart
appearance, and it was noted that every rine of them
wore • hat of the newest fashion. There were a few
noinis which were scarcely relevant to the occasion.
The loaf of bread, carried on a pole, and bedecked
with ribbons ; the banner draped in crale. with
'Merchant ;-ihioping Act," in dismal characters
&Lowe le the alasoed tawiesone orrery, in which a large
green moon, a telescope, &ad • eapprwitinow astronomer
were all grouped on the roof of a four-wheeled cub;
bore-man who carried " Bathine In the Regent's
Park a popular want," on the placard at his side; the
solitary Freemason who walked in "craft clothing"
in defiance of masonic low, and the charlatan who
Sold coleured bladders labelled "Tory Reform," were
all excresences, PO to speak, on the real business of the
day. But they Wel* purely exceptional, and the
crowd regarded them with unwonted serimpineee
Large crowds of the Reformers congregated in dif-
ferent places in the Mall and on the parade, around
men wearing academic hats and enormous white neck-
ties. who, accompanied by 11..ir "clerks," repeated
with great gnsto a Litany on Reform. This "Litany,"
which was drawled out with great mock solemnity,
tickled the fancy of the working men amazingly, and
the responses of the clerks calmed roars of
laughter. The political parson began by saying,
"Dearly beloved, the lesson of the day is from the
factions thereof," and went on to MP that "the sorely.
oppressed and heavily-taxed brethren, the bone and
sinew of this mighty nation were called on by duty
to aseert their rights and privilegre." The lesson con.
eluded, the preacher continued :
And row, defrly beloved, the gospel of the day Is tWe
Wye. Park ',Binge, and the cane. of th.ir destruction. Now
It was shortly after the prematnre den! h of the Rnisell Ad-
relaberatien that the Tories took ethos, and that a couple of
et lots of the tribes of the Ilerhyitee end D'lsraelite Laid their
hes.., together Inc ,nt,ifier In what way they might destroy the
Paneance and bairn. Ole the work:ng men. And benoll
'bete sprung on the face if he earth a new race of people
called Adnliarelt, 9, who tr,-re like unto their namesakes of
e 1.., • oiseattseed and • two-faced people, and, like the cha-
meleon, rood change their colonr at will. And their edeof
wU a T.lw,e) man, from the likhd if moenrakers, and

..... . ..... ......, .. „ , . ,
be end hie enflearnes were it, Itrfoemer4 ot to-day
and the Tories of to rt orrovr And they Paid to the people,
" Retold we are on your aide:" at the tame time they were
seeking how they might d.ttrny their elate.

After deembing the Hyde Park meeting, the Gost.el
eontinuf-d

Ard the people said, Who Seto stay ns from meeting in a
plsce that. justly one own." And fury laid on for lisoorm,
and In therall. riot. kly passed away and not • ves,ign was to
be seen. And when the chief of the poleaxes raw what was
done his nose turned hitie as his coat And when ha was
whittling " See the Conquering Hero Comes "a brick hurled
by no friendly hand caught Ids brad nnespectedly and his
enarger turned and raid, "Dicky, bow is your poor sob?
From having the Park gates abut &sadist us, lave as, good
Walsole !

The procession formed in the Mall, as ordered in the
programme, and was headed by a hundred farrier"
mounted, all wearing nerves ; ann in their finery, and
enrireting steed., might have been irreverently com-
pared to the trinmphal entry of a mammoth circne into
•provincial town. The membera of the different trade,,
all wore cards in their hate, and many carried em.
blame of their varions occopstione. A vast number of
brae* bends were in attenriance, whom, strain. were of
the most ",..ednonnced " description. While one band
was playing" Home, sweet home," the next answered
It by "itlap Bang," sang the etitth nary spectator
within • quarter nf an lime wax edified and delighted
at the rapid encceesioo with which "Paddle your own
Canoe" wee foll.rred by "Old Dog Tray," "The
Garibalrlian Hymn" by the "Moneetrati," and the
"Hallelujah Chorne" by a wonderful medley of nigger
Some of the bands were excellent, the ma-
jority were reenectable, and • few were melancholy
InNtAnCIPL of wasted breath.
Not the least remarkable feature in connexion with
the day's proceedings was that here and there the
clatter of foreign tongnee was to be heard among the
general hum of voice" in the rank.. Frenchmen kept
up an animated diecuneirin in their native langnawe ;
and an unmistakable marching chorne Mum every now
amt then from a band of some thirty or forty carrying
flags with the legend, " Dtirch feedirif."
The Bons of the Phoenix are always conspicuous
throngh the plenitude of their insignia, anti on this
occasion red and blue velvet scarves, gilt wands, ko.,
name together in considerable force; but such 'Henley
as they had it in their power to make pftlesi before a
solitary figure who rode at the head of the next diet.
sion. Tni, gorgeous fnnetionary resembled in his
attire • brilliant l' r • um. ;ly than anything Mee.
Hia tunfe, of the Ganhaldian shade, was liberally
braided with yeboer, and surmounted by a wide plirpie
scarf of office ; while hie c.p, of scarlet, ',lmported
tuft, of fe.etliern in whi,:h white, with bine an.; ecarl..t,
combined to produce the tricolour favoured by the
Reform League.
The niareheln were most active in the discharge of
their ardlione duties, galloping ahont from line to
line; but as the eivisions were nearly formed they
kept hovering about the Marlhorongh.gate entrance,
where was the bead of the procession. Lord Itanelsch
also rode np and town the Mall in plain clothes, ay.
piututly mell estiefied with the order of the men who
were about to march to his gronnde. The procreation
began to move at twelve o'clock, and was entirely out
of the park by Marlborough-gate at twentyefive
liainutee past one. Ordeee wine given for all the
military in London to be confined to barracks for the
day.
The carriagen—from pairainret brmighams down to
the humble " fourewheeler"—containing the depute-
bone, were drawn up In St. .Imries's.street, and fell
into the proceseion alter the tamers, who haltered in
large uumbere, and were followed by the tradee and
•..eeties forming the tient division. (In arri•ing at the
Reform Club a slight halt was made. for the put poem of
getting up a cheer, which did not meet with
•,,T cortlial recugnition On the !nth of .
the numerous gentlemen who thronged the windows.
Anther move wee marte, Sfilli the homed the farrier%
soon encut riled in melting • peonage through the crowd
of ;notions which thronged Pall Mall, and the pro.
cetwion proceeded rapidly without obstruction through
Waterlomplace, Piccadilly, Knightsbridge, Bromptow
road, and Filinain•lnlerd ti, Welborn-green. the whole
rent. being lined with throng. of pertains, amongst
whom are of the great Moments af a Louden mond,
Muummibls women and children figured.

The proceesion itself, which may be roughly esti-
mated as containing between 40.000 and 50,000 tnen,
paswd out of the Park by balf•paet 011 r o'clock, but
for 110Ille considerable time afterwards Marlborough
Gate continued to disgorge jut, Pall-mall the grra•
niswes of humanity which bad been collecting in the
l'ark during the whole of the morning fur the purpose
if erring the chow.

At Cambridgeehouse, the members of the Naval and
Military Club, by which it was occupied, appeared at
the balcony to watch the procession, while some
members of the proceesion, perhaps, wondered whether
if the great and lamented ntatesman had been spared
to us whose memory will he reverentially associated
with Cambridge-house, the present demonstration
would have been necessary or p4.sihle. No members
of the Rothschild family were visible at the windows
of their handsome mansion. Apsley-house was squally
undemonstrative, but at thin point something of ex.
citement was given to the proceedings by the appear.
ance of Lord Ranelagh, who was cheered by those who
recognized him. At Constitution.hill and Hyde Perk
the crowd was almost as dense as at the bottom of St.
James's.street.

... --
The meas.* of spectators were not confined to Pall-
mall—they extended throughout the entire route.
Every house, basement, windows and in hundreds of
instances, the roofs, were tenanted by lookers-on, while
the crossinge of every street and road were blocked
with vehicles of all descriptions four and Site
deep. The oroceasion mirched on at the rate
of about two inilea and a half an holm, and was
occasionally cheered by the spectators. The marshal,
and superintendent, of divisions rode large white
horses, anti were otherwise distinguished by a star on
their breasts and a broad red and green scarf over
their shoulders, while the delegates from the pro-
vinces were distinguished by a small star on the right
arm above the elbow. Each of the Demonstration
Committee who conducted the general arrangements
wearing stars raised in the centre with the letter "C"
worked in them. As the procession moved along
Pall.m,ll, occasional cheers were raised as they passed
this or that club-house, and in the course of their pro-
gress they sang a song selected for the occasion.
At an early hour in the morning treparations were
actively progres,ing to receive the 200.000 Reformers
expected at 13eanfort House, not the least important of
which was an ample stock of barrels of beer, with
quart pots supplied by thoi land., in accordance with
arrangement, Made with the suttlers of the South
Middlesex Rifle Corps. All along the line of the
procession the buildings were tenanted with persons
looking at the accumulating maws, and the streets were
lined with an immense crowd with Reform tickets in
their hate. Omnibuses and cabs were crammed with
people bound for the same destination, decorated with
the insignia of the several trades, uniting., lodge., and
oiler, to which they belonged, the cabs and onminnees
also bearing flags and banners of the same description.
Mottoes were printed with a portrait of Mr. Gladstone
as the friend of the working man and Reform. At
Knightsbridge and at the corner of Hyde Park, and.
indeed, all along the line, were mounted police, and '
constables on foot

_
From Pall.mall to Fulham the shops were in most
instances closed. At numerous places flags and ban-
ners were suspended across the roadway, and the
streets otherwise presented an aspect of holiday
keeping. Best part of the nuite was lined on either
side, and the precision passed orderly along, almost
without a single incident beyond this worthy of note.
As already stated, the head of the procession emerged
from Marlborough-house Gate exactly at seven minutes
past twelve, and reached the gates of Beaufort Rouse
exactly at ten minutes to two, and passed into the
grounds in silence; not even a cheer or strain of
music greeted their arrival.

In Beaufort House grounds there were seven plat-
forms at which resolutions were moved and seconded
simultaneously. According to the programme pub-
'Ward, it was arranged that Mr. Potter should oreside
at platform No. 1; Mr. Wynne, plasterer, at No 2;
Mr. F. G. Davis, painter, at No. 3; Mr. Lawrence,
tailor, at No. 4; Mr. Dyer, mason, at No. 5 ; Mr.
Bonny, joiner, at No. 6; and Mr. Shanks, cork cutter,
at No. ..

Beaufort-honee and grounds are well known as the
bearliquariers of the Sauth Middlesex Rifles: and also
the history of thenegotiatione which endedin their being
placed at the disposal of the committee by Lord Rene-
lagh. Creature comforts were plentifully provided,
and of the accommodation at hand every advantage
was taken. The greatest mow] was round the first plat-
form placed at the top of the ground, near the butts,
the programme stating that at that platfoim the
chair would he taken by Mr. George Potter, and
that Mr. Reales would he one of the speakers who
would address the people therefrom. Before the
close of the proceedings NOM.N six or seven thousand
persons were congregated about that spot. Amongst
those on the platform were Mr. Beaten, chairman of
the Reform League ; Mr. Dresser Rogers, Mr. Howell,
Mr. 0 ;den. Mr. B. Leno, Mr Bartlett, Mr. Alderman
Carter, of Leda; Mr. Greening, of 111am:heater ; Mr.
Batman), of Birmingham; and Mr. flolyriake. In
front of the platform a seat had been placed for the
reporters, with a rail in front to keep off the crowd,
but of so unenbatantial a character that it was broken
by the pressure of the crowd some time previous to
the speaking commencing; before this occurred, how-
ever, the reporters, foreeeing the danger, had mounted
the platform, which was crowded to excels', and where
they bad to take their notes an b-at they could. At
twenty minutes past three, Mr. George Potter, the
appointed chairman, had not made his appearance,
and the crowd having become impatient.
. .

Mr. Beales came forward, and addrenned the
meeting in a lengthy npeech ; and wan followed by
Mr. Greening. Colonel Dickson, and Mr. Imicenter,
who spi,ke as follows :

I look upon thls day', proceedings as a new and gigantic
monntnent 04 the Infamy, and Mom.", 1011 selfishness of I
oar tutees, and I also look upon it as a pledge that the
workii g men of England—the men who nave Made 1:1101‘04
what •he I, tee determined in IminTkit 00 Wog, to the
'wanly which the Government wants to Impose upon ci
Hear ) This Is an 4.14 nneldloo. It erende back a period
I 003 yeses, when Wiliam of Normsnoy carol and
ciente., the noun among his favourites From that
hour to this we h.. had one lots struggle twtween
right on the one aide and tyrimny and despotism on the
other. (Hear, hear.) T.t streggle has called forth in
every ego its maitre,. We have a mar' 70 here in the
person of Nfr. Ponies, who him heart thrust out by class
Interest from • entomb.fl which he honoured and graced
(Hear, hear.) We have to deal with artatocratic Impudence
and aristocratic ignorance, and we now askyou, the workmg
men, rot whether you are fit for the franchise, bit whether
three men are fit to govern you .N.t, no.) The 000 i is on
the other leg, (Hear, hear, sod laughter). Let tut now
make Lord lihmhy know that when be wante to hold one
rMhts In his hand be has not hold of a red hot Poker, and
that he must lot go hie hold or lore he Centre 'Hear, hear,
and laughter.„ The qnstetion new 1., shall those Ilttle-minded,
humpnacked, one-eyed scoundrels that sit in the House of
C momna continue to defraud ns of our rights? (Loud
cheers.) The question is whether those ineu who have
misgoverned you for centuries, and expended countless
millions Ike water, shall any longer, in spite of the wishes
of the people, monopolise all power in the state. We now
And that a despot has just been driven from the the,.
of Mexico' and that Venice, the Bloke of natio., has
shaken oft the yoke of shivery and rejoin. In a glorious
future. The near.. themselves are jolt recovering their
freedom, and from one end of the eart.l to the other Is going
forward the flat that slavery is approa.hing Its termination.
But look at the condition of one own government : what,
I wonld act, has Lord Decoy niftier Whv, he translated
Homer ,hear, heart. Rot he could not make one of thom
vase. Cr weave one Of those fabrics which are mannish' tired
all over E..gland ; and I any that the men by whom baron.
they are worked are as useful to •he stare as Lord Dern),
I (cheers) B. we row mean to he free. We mean to have
a vote. We mean to drive the devil from Into House of Com-
mons, and to let In God Almighty (loud cheers.;

After thin, Mr. George Potter came upon the plat.
form, and was greeted with a miind of cheers. He
said he had been unable to get there before; but the
proceedingn had commenced, and several speakers had
already arldrevwd them. That was where they were,
but many of their friends were yet in Piccadilly ;
they were moving up in ultimo., the ground
was being completely filled and he had great
pleasure in stating that the ground would not
laid the number, that had to come. The working
men of London had much to be tellbuil of with
regard to that day'n proceeding.. He did not think
the government would want to trouble them much
longer. If this was not enough for them, why then
they should have something that walk (Cheers.) De
knew that the government liked to give them a good
deal of trouble; they did not much mind a little
trouble, but they most be inipremed with this im-
portant conviction, that the working men of London
were not going to Fleet a day's wage, and he at the
expenee of a demonstration like this, for nothing.
Lieu l Derby and the Tory government most make up
their mind, to give them what they wanted, and that
woe a vote for every bonen working man, whether he
lived in a hon. or part of a halm, became he contri-
buted to the wealth 44 the nation, and helped to make
the country what it was. great and infloential. The
working men of Eneland, who looked forward to her
continued prosperity and influence, had taken the
thing into their own hands. The people of thim country
bad never yet taken a ChM in hand, but they had cue.
seeded in it, and although the reform /mention had
been many yearn in hand, items Mate end now. This
was the beginning of the end, and he could wore
them that there WWI every prOPpert Of a great and
comoreheneive bill tieing adopted. and that very
He did not tank that such. orocee.ion as
that of that slay had ever been witnemed before. Snch
a net of men, with their tickets on their heads, with
their hearts, firmly knitted and time, would give the
augment% of reform an nnderntanding and a meaning
which they had never had yet (Chem..) He rejoiced
to think that the working men of London had been
able to respond to the call which wan made noon them.
They had left their work, sacrificed their money, and
• many of them had walked fifteen milts through the
dirt to that 'dace, to show their determination, and
that in their opinion the time Fad come when they
ishonld he free. He verml4l then pin the first reeolution
which had already been meiken to
That this mecttne enters Us striteron protest sestet% and
PR nenhd ~f the chide, of vrnahry, ite:oranoc, dritfilmre
here and In. iff-rence ',reform hroceNt amorist r.r.eerorkleg
Owen fluting the lien menelon of Parliament: 51.1 lucre-hr
declares that lio Reform Ihli tallirg short of the prinelpleant
reelstered riod machood suffrage soil the beau will
he estisfaetnry to the people, or accepted as a dna settle-
ment of the Reform questicn.

The resoluticn was unanimously agreed to. Mr.
Bristow, mason, moved the second resoilition
'finet thin meeting desires to acknowledge the swan,,g of
the lt,ght HOS. W E Olwintone, 31a John Bright, Sir. John
Smart SIM, all all thrSe who tiny., ennporied the people's
cob., end vindicated their character In parlianmot ; and
further expre•ses ire confiden,e in kir John Bright as ;be
champion Of tie national cause In the Bonet a Common..
lie said he Wan glad to tee the numbers of working
men who were surriamding that platform to claim their
constitutional right. Ile had lweld great masses in
Ifi4g and IR:18. but never much a 1116.4 n an he saw teuday.
He hoped and trusted they would be tirm iu their de.
Try built palaces fir the nobility, an. yet
thay were told they were not intelligent enough to
have the (ramble.%
The following resolution was also agreed to:—
That a vote of thanks he pawed to the chairman, Me.
Potter, and Lord ltti,eaan. to, Ine melons roluiner in witch
tie ;trailed inn emond• at Beavort H.nse for the demon'
strata., of the Reform asso...a,lon.
•
Long before the sneaking hail finished at any one
of the platfortne the people had begun to MOVe iiff,
and about dusk there were only a less thousanisa
congregated round the vainln plat forme, which were
eitnatal a considerable distance b.,u each other. In
coneeimence of the judicious arrangement.. merle by
some of the massager., and iti part ne (Mehl; leerier to
as impramion which pravathod that there would not