The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-03 00:00:00

DUMFRIES.

On Tuesday a reform demonstration, by the
working men of the town and neighbourhood, took place
in Dumfries. The demonstration consisted of a procession
through the principal streets of Dumfries and Maxwell-
town, an open-air meeting in the Dock-park, and • meet.
ing in the evening at which resolutions in favour of an
extension of the suffrage were moved and adopted. The
out-of-door proceedings passed off with considerable
success. Between 800 and 900 members of the principal
trades in Dumfries, including deputations from Dalbeattie,
Kirkcudbright, kand Thornhill, took part in the proces-
sion—the total number of trades represented being about
twenty. The weather waa highly favourable; the day,
though very cold, being bright, clear, and sunny. The
streets were well filled with visitors from the country, who
devoted the annual holiday to witnessing the demonstra-
tion. The procession was marshalled in the Academy
grounds at eleven o'clock, and started shortly after
twelve. There were several bands, but there was a
scarcity of music—the local volunteer bands being pre-
vented from taking part in the demonstration. There
was, however, a great display of banners, most of the
trades being accompanied by their distinctive flags, by
models of their handicraft, and by emblems and devices
of various kinds, many of which bore mottoes having
reference to reform, or pithy allusions to Messrs.
Bright and Lowe, while a few declared for regis-
tered residential manhood suffrage and the ballot.
After walking about the town for an hour and
a half the procession reached the Dock-park, where
a platform had been erected, and • crowd num-
herrn( several tnousands had assembled—obviously
including many whose only motive in being present was
curiosity. The chair was taken by Mr. Samuel Cairns, •
working man, who, after a brief address, called on Mr.
Little, Ecclefechan, to move the first resolution, which
was as follows :—" That this meeting protests against the
present system of representation, whereby the peoplo are
amenable to laws in the making of which they have no
voice, as opposed to justice and to the spirit of the consti-
tution of this eountry,jand declares that no reform bill can
be accepted as a settlement of the question utiles,' it in-
cludes registered residential manhood suffrage, pro-
tected by the ballot." Mr. Little supported the
resolution in a fluent speech; and it was seconded
by Mr. Tod, Dumfries. also • working man. Mr.
Mantle, of the Reform League, London, supported
the resolution in a long and rather violent address, in
which the government, the church, and the aristocracy
came in for • number of hard things. Mr. Mantle warmed
to his work so thoroughly that be first doffed his overcoat,
and next the garment under it. He was loudly applauded.
On a show of hands being taken, the resolution was de-
clared carried. Mr. Fleming moved, seconded by Mr.
Grindall (both working man), the second resolution,
which was likewise earned, and was as follows :—" That
a petition? founded on the above resolution, be drawn
up and signed by the chairman of this meeting and by
the executive committee, and transmitted to Mr. William
Evart for presentation, and that Major Walker be re-
quested to support the prayer of the same in the next
session of parliament. The third resolution, moved by
Mr. Moffat, seconded by Mr. Wallace, and supported by Mr.
William Govan, Glasgow, and which was likewise agreed
to, was as follows :—" That this meeting awards it heart-
felt thanks to Earl Russell, the Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, John Bright, John Stuart Mill, and all other
true friends of reform, for their patriotism in defence
of the rights of the people in the late session of parlia-
ment." A. vote of thanks to the speakers and chairman
'terminated the proceedings, which were throughout of an
orderly and enthusiast!' character. In the evening a
crowded meeting was held in Teenan's New Bazaar,
Whitesands. Mr. R. Shanks, blacksmith, took the chair,
and among the speakers was Mr. Wilfrid Lawson, late
M.P. for Carlisle. The resolutions were the same as those
adopted at the open-air meeting, with the addition of the
following :—" That this meeting considering that a dis-
trict and national organisation is required in order to
bring the reform movement to a successful issue, ex-
presses its high approval of the Reform League, and
hereby agrees to form • branch of the same for Dumfries
and district.