The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-12-09 00:00:00

C. BRIDLAUGH, EBQ , IN THE CORN
EXCHANGE.
To the Editor of Me" Observer."

Ste—Having for the last week or two seen large
placards posted up about the town to the efLict that C.
Bradlaugh, Esq., of London, would deliver two lectures
in the Corn Exchange, on Monday and Tuesday last, I
walked some distance on Monday evening to hear so
'treat an orator in his lecture. 'The Impeachment of
the House of Brunswick." When I arrived at the Ex-
clitinge about eight o'clock I found A motley groim as-
..einbled. some of them who were htsoiliust inn tie
prominent positions looking as though they had not seen
,my inottle(yld soap for weeks past. As soon as the lec-
turer emerged from the ante-ri, rn, those knights of the
coal-hole commenced making a frightful discord by yel-
ling at the top of their voices, and clapping their hands.
Surely, thought I, (hese men cannot be the chief suppor-
tern of such a well known demagogue. But it seems
they were, for the more respectanle portion of the Plalli•
euce remained, an they ought to, perfeetly quiet. The
lecturer was introduced by • Mr. Crittell. of Birming-
ham, who, I am informed, is Chairman of the Republi-
can Club in that town; but I urn sorry to sic I do not
thilik much of their choice of a chairman. fir a:though
I wan in the centre of the room I could scarcely hear one
word the worthy Republican chairman uttered. and it is
certain he has not got the gif of the "gob" like the
gentleman CI) who nest favoured us. C. Brirllaugh,
Esq., rose amidst a few cheers, groans, and hisses. The
stump orator proceeded to harangue his compatreds—ths
motley group aforesaid—in words, which if not choice,
were very expressive, and when his eloquence was at
fault his gesticulations made up for the defect. for some
of his writhings and twmtings were horrible to witness.
After lie had been holding forth for about an hour and
thr.m•quarters, he gave them to understand that the only
remedy for the evils which he had been describing la
them was to send such men as himself to represent them
in Parliament, for when one of his listeners, in a moment
of frenzy, shouted " Shame," the worthy speak, carnet
on him at once, and completely floored him by saying it
was their own shame, and the remedy was in their Own
hands ; that they should semi proper men to Parliameht
—men who would represent Republican idea', and shortly
Afterwards declared himself to be a Republican. It
struck me as • very singular fact that • man who dc.
clared himself a Republican one moment, should have
the affix Esq.," with hie name, on all the posters, for
everyone to look at. I Inve heard that Mr. Brallaugh
is a Tory agent; but Ido not believe it. Mr. Bradlaugh
would nor like to have politicil p iwer. Oh, no. Mr.
Bradlaagh did not pat UP as the Repu'ilic in can lidate
for Northampton. Not he. Mr. Bradtsugh would not
like to be returned as a member for East Worcestershire,
eertatnly not. Mr. Bradlauga came to teeters in Stour-
bridge out of pare disintermtedue,s, to enlighten work.
mg men on the subject of Republicanism. ro be aura
he did. If money were offered to Mr. Bradaiegh for
lecturing he wood distribute it among the poir half-
starved miserable looking wretcher that were shouting
out every now and then. Of course he would.
. . . .

I hope the working men of Stourbridge will not be
gulled by such a man as this, who makes his living by
pandering to the worst vices of humanity, and who ironid
use them as the ladder by which he would mount to
time and fortune.

Thanking you kindly f,r the ...pace this swill oc,upy,
I am, Sir, purl respectfully.
TOWNSMAN.

HaglerroAd, Dec. 7th, 1871.

BRADLAUGH r. REPUBLICANISM.
To the Editor of the " Observer.'

Sin.—There is an old adage, " That one fool makes
This. I think, was folly verified on Monday and
to' sdsy evenings, in the Corn Exchange, by persons
bong gammoned to go to hear Mr. Bradlaugh. I con-
fess Inv owu weakness, like many others, in being temp-
ted to go there, and bein; led away by flsmio; placards
and large advertisements in the newspapers. In addition
10 this, our local rep,iblicaw. said, " Do come : Bradlaugh
lathe greatest orat .r if the day; you must heor boa, or
you will miss a treat How miserably disappointed I
was. It is true the lecturer has the blessiog of being
possessed with good lungs, and a powerful voice, bat
beyond the bawling and shooting, What did I hear? A
great number of quotations from Thackeray and others,
which most school.boya are well acquainted situ, and a
tirade of abuse about dead men, which many of those
present did not want to hear. I expected to have heard
the great advantages of Republicanism pourtrayel in
Shut vivid 1111.1111er that only great orators like Mr. B. Can
do. But, no, that waa not to be, for the lecturer with
great warmth said, "If I could give you a Republic to-
morrow by raising up :my hand, I would not do it," alleg-
ing they (the people) were not ready for it.
Now, Mr. Edit or, what is his little game? It looks to
me to be a question of £r d. If no, he must have lust
with a good " haul " in Stourbridge, and will, no doubt,
be tempted to come again. But I think the little split
in the " Hole-in•the•Wall," this week, between Messrs.
Odger, Osborne, and Truacott, will not give him much
encouragement, as the public can see for themselves that
it is a question of pounds, shillings, and pence, and are
not likely lobe caught napping a second time.
Trusting you will insert the above lines,

I am, yours, d:c ~