The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-13 00:00:00

GREAT MEETING OF THE WORKING
CLASSES IN LEEDS.

Urns, Monday.
• Thin afternoon a gathering of from 100 eiet to Ile Ott)
persons, but some of the speakers en the klatform stated
the numbers at a much higher range, composed of working
men and their Wires almost exclusively, lock niece. here.
Certalnly no political movement has for a long time
&Premed so much attention as was proved to-ilay by the
collecting together of eo great a mu tient° from tar and
near, in order to di-cuss and surinort tie principle. • f the
Manhood suffrage As-ociation which h-is lien ratanlished
here and late • carried on a vigorous agitalton In all the
towi and villages comprised In what is known as the
woollen olattict. (We are quoting from the account, as
given by the London Times) The hoe where the great
mass meeting took place is in a north western suburb, arid
Is known by the name of Woodhouse Moor. This open 'Pane
consiets In the whole et 60 statute acres, I u' a turnpike
road detaceen shout 10 or 11 acres of it, and that portion
W.% not much remitted to by the Reformers to-day. How-
race, the other and much Ismer area was con-lintel? taken
Possession of by the Reformers and by those who repaired
hither,

lhe weather, witch, after weeks of rain and dhcomf ort,
b, oke no" two or three do. ago, 1•9.5 to-day dry and calm,
and, on the whole, P. was very favourable for the object in
View. As early as four o'clock in the mottling some arrival,
Into Leeds from dheant localities took place, at ii hiring the
greater part of the torero, it every highway yid byway
lea dig into Leeds was overruu by Lager or smaller parties
fif ofintatves, the greater majority well clad snit in holiday
trim Along the Itimifotil road, as well as the lhorsbury
:md Fla f end by the country lanes leading from the
Many ci,d zing villages of the district, there Came trooping
itong on foot at short intervals large to ties of men with
cettab and banners For the denizens of Bradford, and the
*her larger towos first named the railway authorities had
declined ta flayt e special trains at excursion fare*, and
therefore the sturoy thomands determined to depend npon
their Cvnt abilities as pedestrians. At many of the mills
and workshops, both of this town and of Bradford, •1141 the
liniment and intermediate towns, there is no doubt that thi.
It-,, been a c.'mplete holiday. At noon, too, most of the
tradesmen In the principal streets closed their shops either
temporarily or 1111111 evening.
A eareftilly prepared progtatome of the proceedings was
puhli-t ed. antis. Id at a small charge. In consequence of
the extensive circulation which thio document obtained, the
great bulk of the people were made aware of the organim-
Hon by which It was proposed to carry out an orderly pro-
Cession, and to avoid as much of that confusion and tur-
moil as ne ssible which is almost inevitable from the imam.
Mien tog, then of extraordinary numbers. According to the
ir structions of the committee, with which by that timecvery
persen Inten sled would be acquainted, the numerous large
bottles representing populous districts at a distance, as, for
instance, such planes is. Brsdford. Iluddenfield, Halifax,
Dewsbury, Chckheaton, Huiseley, Ye adon, Puthey, Both-
well, L.le, Holmfirth, An, mustered at eleven o'clock with
esse punctuality. Of course, It was a work of time for
the men who we, designated "marshal. ' to apply
certain rules of etiquette anal discipline for bring-
ing all the various atoms of go mighty a whole Into a
state of decent and meth,' dies' adhesion. At one o'clock
the procession was to begin its somewhat lengthy march,
and, owing to the energy and alacrity of thme on whom
devolved the supreme control of the demonstrations, alt,..
In readiness for a well-regulated start at that hour. The
line was four miles long—she ran walking live abread, and
c.unprisirg not lees than 70.01 0 persone. To fully describe
the principal features of the procession would be an almost
endless task, for it Is con tinted that hundreds of flags and
tanners were carried aloft, almost all of which bore devices
and niottoea. Cr while merely announcing the name of the
trade or commnnity to which they respectively belonged
were so lavishly ornamented by sic' cil and tinsel and
spatula that they failed not to add to the glittering attrac-
liens of the display. The ensigns of the various trades were
among the most artistic, and numerous were the banners be-
longing to various Yorkshire branches of the National
Reform Union. Arrived at the door, the hag-bearers
and the musicians were ordered to the rear of five
platforms
.wsgcons, having on them piles of limner to
increase the elevation) which were placed in a line on
tow ground, and fronting to a somewhat far-stretching slope
on which the Committee of the League assert, and appa-
rently with troth, that at least ISO OW persons could find
curve, lent standing-room. Here it Was evident that the
nil& le class were represented somewhat strongly. It Is no
exaggeristnn to .ay that the whole cancourse which WAS
assembled on the Moor numbered little leas than Hai3OO
penons, but among these were many beaptlesa boys, help-
ing to swell the ranks of the more seriously dispose d, and of
Working men's wives there were not a few, who, like their
husbands, seemed proud to display green and white
too [tee, or orange cards ;such as were distributed broau-
cast to the children of Leeds a few days ago', on which were
printed 't Manhood suffrage and the Ballot." It was quite
evident that there were likewise very many persons on the
Slma who eared Hike or nothing a. to what was going on,
Mit neither from these nor any other persons was there the
least attempt at obstruction or interruption to the pro-
ceedirp.

At each of the platforms there was a chairman, who
had been chosen sometime beforehand. These and
the speakers aseogned to each platform, who had also
been previously selected, were in their appointed
places at nearly half.past two o'clock. A flourish of
trumpets was the signal for silence on the part of both
the bands and the multitude, and then, after a few
words of admonition with a view to good order and
respectful attention, simultanecusly at all tile five
platforms, the first resolution was moved as follows

"1. That this meeting eaten Its solemn protest against,
indite dehial of, the charges of venality, ignorance, dt nuke.-
mesa, and indifference to Reform, brought against the work-
ing classes similes the last session of Parliament and
hereby pledges Wien to advocate for the future registered
reshential manhood suffrage and the ballot, as the only
just end proper basis of representation."
" 2 That this meeting (tenets to acknowledge the services
of the R ght lieu. W. E. Gladstone, Mr. John Bright, Mr.
John S u ert Slid, and all those who have supported the
P.l. 'fee claim and vindicated their character in parliament,
aid fur:he-re:pre.. s its co • lidence in Mr. John Bright as
the chiewpion of to'- national cause in the House of Commons.
"3 Thee this 'meting expresses its indignation at the con-
duct of those meneb,n of psrelaneent woo have refused to
aid the wen king classes In the ir en teavonrs to obtain a lair
shine of the franchise, and herehy pledgee itself to nile
With the nen of London. Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol,
Sior.hunntee elates', Glasgow, Dublin. and elsewhere, hi their
dottier tuition to press the question qj reform to an Mimes
Mete settlemer t, to maintain the praCt, Mel Secure the con-
tentment ef the country."

In the evening a meeting was held in the Victoria-
hall of the Town-hall. and the whole of thie mag-
nificent chamber was densely crowacd long before the
hour appointed for the commencement of the pro-
needing , bu, owing to the incomplete arrangements
of the parties in charge' there was a great deal of
unnerequtry confuaion, and no little struggling at the
entrance.

The Chairman, in opening the proosedioss, said they had
two things to perform tdat, night; the first was to declare
their own views on the question of Reform, and the second
to thank Mr. B-ight and the friends In Parliament for the
steadiest manter in which they had supported the cause of
the people. But they eild not desire to pledge them to
adopt their particular views. lie regretted the absence of
so mar y members el the West Riding, but from all of them
whit the exception of the radical member for York (Mr.
Leeman, they had received letters esprewing their regret at
nue teeing able to attend. The letter of Mr Leeman, how-
ever, who stated that the question of Reform eight to be
left where it was during the into session of Parliament, he
consterered a downright insult. It miaht also be grathying
to the lrish reeidenta to the West Riding to know that a
letter had been received from The O'Donoghne in which he
stated that the Irish Ili eral members would join heartily in
passing a well considered and extensive measure of reform.
In coschreion he erronely denounced the conduct of the
direvors of the railway companies in refusing to Irani
special tseiin.s to enable the reformers of the adjacent
towns to attend the demonstration, but they must not think
that they could thus arrest the progress of reform.
The Rev. W. Thomas, of Leeds, moved the first
resolution :
- -

--------- •
" That thls meeting enters its solemn protest agstost, and
Its dvidal of, tr c charges of venality, Ignorance, drunkenness,
and intlifferebco to reform, brought against the working
classes Mat. g the last session of parliament, and hereby
pledges itself to advocate for the future resistPred residential
mannood suffrage and the ballot as the only Just and proper
bass of representaVon "
- - - • -•

Mr. E A. Leatharn, who was loudly cheered, seconded
the reeolntion He regretted its abcence of the: members
for the West Riding, whose letters of apology showed that
they had enjoyed a special training in framing plausible and
Ingenious excuses. He however, could not bring himself to
adopt that course, and after having wffneued the magnifh.
cent remonstration that morning Inc wan glad that he had
been present. To seine mines the very words ' manhood
auffracc '' conveyed as terrible an Ides even as the charge
of being a peaches.. He however was not of that opinion,
and was prepared at on, e te vote for manhood suffrage.
Wits manhood suffrage he felt that his personal liberty
would be respected, his property safe, and his country Pros-
perous end happy. gm the contrary, if the 101 franchise
was to be declared perpetual, and all the power of the law
and all the force of the government was arrayed In its de-
fence, he wan profoundly coevinced that Df fiber liberty nor
property would be long safe, and that both law and the go,
ernint nt n tut themselves eventually perish in the attempt
to enforce this shameful and perpetual silence of the
people. the, rs ) If they once broke down the barrier of
the le/. fraechiae, and admitted that Intelligence rather than
occupation or property should be the paw/sort to political
power, where was the man who would engage to fin • point
short of manhood mileage at which, settee the perpetual
in,rch of intelligence, he was prepared to take stand and say,
this is the final goal beyond which the suffrage must not be
advanced? (Cheers

The resolution was unanimously agreed to.
The following address to Mr. Bright was then moved
by Mr. Robert Kell, of Bradford; and seconded by
Councillor Gaunt :
_ _ . •

"To .1 oil, at. e,
"Sfr,—The advanced Reformers of the West Riding of
Yorkshire desire to take this opportunity of acknoisiedging
your 1..10CE, as their champion and advocate in the House
of Commons. As you, sir, have frequently and forcibly
pointed out, that House does not represent the nation at
large, Inasmuch as only one-sixth Of the whole adult male
populatmn has the power to elect members of Parliament.
It is is this unuttisfactory and anomalous eta tithe British
Constitution, which lam -eased the people to assemble in
hundreds of thomands aml peaceably hut firmly and WlLLA-
mouldy to declare their desire C. share In the electoral
responsibility of the country proportionately with Bo other
duties and taxation. To you, sir, in conjunction with your
coedjutors, the British nation owes its freedom, and those
oppressive and Unjust protective laws which until recently
virtually deprived the country of cheap breed. IV° cannot
forget how fiercely the Tory party fought agalust your
efforts when you were adeocating free trade, anti with what
bitter invectives you were assailed. But the cause of right
slid of justice triumphed over all. he same party are now
attackh g yeti tory our championship oft noble stud righteous
ohject the political entninchisement of thousands of your
fellow men. We hope the day is not for distant when your
gpat efforts wid be crowned with success. To you the
people of the United Kingdom intrust their. cense. In you
they have unbounded confidence, and through you (God
,gliung you health and strength, they trust soon to be able
,to shout with heart and veins the glorious word 'Victory.'"
. Mr. Bright, on rising, was received with great exalt'.
..aissm, the meeting rising en masse and cheering
.vigorou,ly for nearly five minutes. When silence was
bat length restored the hon. gentleman commenced his
,speech by saying :
Perhaps some of you in your vast meeting to-day have not
-.Sufficiently measured the force which are opposed to you.
In the ca., ying of any great measure of Reform I must ask
you motto imagine for a moment it can be effected, as it
swore, icy one av lug of some victorious arm, but that ii must
she dome, and can only be d lie, by the combined and resolute
eta to of m.hedie of people. Rear, hoer, Air. Eli, in
the obs,rvations he has wiureped to you, has referred to
the opinions of • dear and lamented friend of mine. I re-
collect one thing winch he said, and which he said often
during the c.mrse of our great agitation. It was this, that
▪ the \Vest Rming of Yorkthire freely pronouncing its opinion
~hilkneuced to a large extent the opinion of England, and on
, *Shy treat occasions had finally determined the policy of
bithe,Government. (Cheers.; To-day the West Riding in
I, multitudinous meeting has spoken with a voice loud enough
i, to be beard all through the nation, and if I am not mia
Onfornied, that vest meeting of which you have formed a
▪ part decided by uharlimons cc nsent that the representation
of the kelpie In the Eoglish House of Commons was
bad and unsatit'actory to the last degree. Yon decided that
it won bed, not only for what it excluded, but alai for what
It induced. While it etcluded the great bulk of the nation,

It inclu..ed every form of (%rropti n aril evil of whicn a re:
presentative system is cp hle, and ..,nu camo to resolutions
which meant this,--that you would change this system, if it
, lay in your power, and that you (the nneuiranchised millions)
would, stand the exclusion no longer. iCheers) I suppose
that after this meeting, and the great events of this day, we
shall have no end of criticisms upon our conduct and our
speeches. Ilfind that some writers, criticizing the observe-
tiote I made a fortnirs),t ago at Manchester, complain that
I paid very much the name thing that I had said at ihrming-
ham. I believe • charge of this nature was brought more
1,000 yeses ego %phut one ot the wteeet of the andante.

about 1 I

The,- sate that he mu alwate saying the earns thing se
the nen thing cheers all laughter), and he asked them In re-
tort, whether they exp Oat him to any a different thing
about the same thing. ,laughter ) I have another anther
to make to these ethic., and that is this—when they have
answered what L have already sad abon thls thing then I
will try to tell thew something new , bunt cheers.) Now,
the Case which we suluelt to the think', g portion, and tl.e
fair portion, of ma countrymen In • very simple one. We
say that we are the cur/elm of a country that has Ind repre-
sentative lestltutione lor m.ny centuries. Therein no time
when history goes back when there Ins not • re-
presentative assembly of some kind within the kihg-
dont of E glamt We sae, further, that the House of
Commons is the only real halls—lf not the only true gecurtly
—fur the peqpie of these realms. We know, everybody
knows, the Crown in our day cannot give freedom to
the people. neither can it nnterially impair our freedom.
We know further that the HOMO of Lords, from its very
constituthu, from the nature of its being, cannot be relied
upon's, n tudeguard for the, freedom of Eneliehmen. (Rear,
hear. .Me know that representation, and a Just and • fair
representation, la that which alone makes • free conntry.
On of our colonise now the l'illted States of America, 100
years ago kne w On they
'could not be repreeented it, the
English parliament they would not stand tendon from a
pardarnent In which they were not represented they threw
off therefore the supremacy of the Eugliah crown, anti de-
clared the mselves • free and independent state; and at this
montent therein not an English colony from Canada to New
Zealar el that trdild not also throw off the supremacy of
England tithe parliament or crown of England denied to it
or their representatives a responsible government. (Hear,
hear' In fact there is nothing whatsoever that elbstineulabes
us from any lielpotlC cmontey in the world In the matters of
political freedom exeept the poesesedon of • representative
Wiriembly. So we have been taeght, the people of this
oenntry have been taucht, In my opinion foolishly and
wickedly, no hate and desp!se Ancrie and the kingdoms of
the Two Si •illes, Natilee as It lately f elated, and mainly
became those et:amt le,. wore despetic contrite in which
the people had no h•tlueoce I, their government. Well,
then, we come to this conclusion, that the parliament of
Eng)ano, and mainly the House of Coreinoes, Is the to en-
dation of the law at el of order, and that eel.es the peo,,le
are hesrd In that house the people are not th source of
power, and tiny themselves are hut little zeta' ved from a
deseetito—net of the crown—het of • privilele d nerd
lidPae Meas. Cneers.) I helh-ve that the Bonn of Corn.
moue in, no pretence whatever fee us exist) nee, except
that It speaks for the maim', of which it is a part It .an
not established to spa. k tor tee ern n and the dynasty:
Is wan not eatablithed, or ought not to enter, to speek
merely for nobles and nr. at landoWnefe. It has not the
pretence to be a tot eear seeetunly. If it speaks more for
the boronghniongers ) atot 1 any that its character is de-
graded ehen on its benches can be seen by sc res monty- '
hag hi. P.. (rheers I 11.1' a who have walked Into their
seats for Lancaster. Tofu's., for Yarmouth, or for a score
—or It may be for two or three scere,—of other berorew,
which nee very much In the same preolclonent. Cheers);
Whilst speakiug for these—tor the crow, —for the noble.
—for the great lendowmirs—for the 1/010tignMcngers—Ior
the men who have purchased their seat. in pariternent—
the Horne of Common. Is no security for the freedom of
the ',wide; and it it sneaks lor only one eat of sly or
seven of the people It is no fair representation of the
nation. If It exists at all, tilt Is to he eithi rin accord- '
thee with the rrOwiPler of the English constitution, It,
ought so far to represeut all else.cs or the people, and '
that every man, whether he has a vote or not„ can htm•
self feel that he has an Interest 111 the house at that It
watches fairly ova hie righta and his Interests. (Cheers.)

After adverting to the recent election at Brecon, the
borough of Caine, and other matters, Mr. Bright eon.
eluded a speech which our limited epace precludes us
from giving in full, and which was listened to with
the greatest attention.
Mr. E. Beales end Mr. Ernest Jones proposed and
seconded a resolution similar to that passed at the
morning meeting, acknowlKlging the services of the
Liberal Members of Parliament who had supported
the ranee of the people.
Mr. Forster. M. P., was the next speaker, and was
loudly charred for sonic minutes, and listened to
with great interest; and when he had concluded, a
vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro-
ceedings.