The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-12 00:00:00

[STAMPED, Id. ADDITIONAL]

Potter. In St. James's-street stray members of
the House of Commons and several peers were
at the windows of various houses with parties of
ladies, the Duke of Sutherland. Lord Halifax, Earl
Spencer, and Lord R. Grosvenor amongst them.
Lord Ranelagh, on horseback at the skirts°, the
crowd, was applauded by several sections.
Slight delays occurred at the corners of the street,
but as there were invariably strong reinforoiments
of police posted in the proper positions, there was
nothing worse than delay. The fashionable shop-
keepers in Regent-street, partaking perhaps of the
alarms expressed on Friday in the House of Lords,
had closed their shops and barred their windows,
although as the people did not stand or pass within
a yard of them, there was no necessity for such a
sacrifice of trade at the commencement of the
season. The appearanceof the banners and marchers
along the whole length of Regent-street was very
imposing. The procession made the best of its
way along the clear ground in the
Euston-road, having previously adopted the
suggestion of the council to cheer the American
minister in Portland-place. From King's-cross to
the end of the journey the spectators were in full
sympathy with the reformers, cheerizr, them, and
greeting them with waving handkerchiefs and
flags. Outside the Agricultural-hall a competent
force of mounted police kept guard—much, no
doubt, to the disappointment of the evil-disposed
lurking near. The procession arrived at about a
Massestiarttr to six, and entered the building in order.
of the Islington population could be seen
as far as the eye stretched in either direction.
Colonel Dickson was the marshal, and Messrs.
Langley and Bradlaugh deputy-marshals, of the
entire procession, and each division had its sub-
marshal. These gentlemen were on horseback.
Considerable labour and expense had been in-
curred to convert the Agriculturd-hall from an
arena used since Boxing-night for the "Congress of
Monarchs " into a suitable meeting place for a ani-
ma of working men. Messrs. Ranger's usual per-
formance was given on Saturday, but the trans-
formation effected by last evening was won-
derful. Many of the circus decorations still
remained, and as they harmonised with the banners
brought in by the processioniste, the hall looked
more picturesque than ordinary Reform meetings
do. But these trilling accessories were soon for-
gotten in surveying the grand sight presented by
the audience. When from fifteen thousand to
twenty thousand persons have gathered in one place,
for a single object, in the face of difficulties, re-
proach, and self-sacrifice, the sight itself should
demand respect and admiration from all. It was
said that nearly 100,000 were unable to obtain
admission. The seats were arranged along the
whole length and ends of the immense area, upon
the floor and in the galleries. The platform
was
not at the organ end, as is customary, but in the
centre of the building, within the Barford-street
entrance. To look down upon so many thousands
of up-turned faces of men, women, and children
was an opportunity not often obtainable. Several
of the seats were priced, and twice there was a
pressing upon them from behind, until disturb-
ances were imminent. The tumults were, however,
calmed by a little coaxing on the part of the exe-
cutive.

THE MEETING AT THE AGRICULTURAL HALL.
At seven o'clock the president and two friends oanse
upon the platform, and were enthusiastically cheered.
The Gammen congratulated the meeting upon the suc-
cess of the demarkation, which, he said, had been as
imposing in point of numbers and in moral significance ass
it bad been conspicuous in its observance of law and order.
He tben proceeded to say th►t if the forks had been con-
verted to reform it was owing to such exhibitions of na-
tional political feeling as the present. He explained that
Mr. Bright was unable to be present in consequence of his
attendance et the House of Commons, where the question
which they were met to consider was about to be brought
forward by the government. He then reed the following
letter from Mr. John Stuart Mill, M.P. :
" Blackheath-park, Feb. 6. Dear Sir, The ref( rm
movement has thus far been conducted with great
energy and judgment,and I have no doubt that the demon-
' Written on Monday will be a signal and west
valuable success. I feel it, however, better on
several accounts that I should not personally take part
in it. In the first place the same venting has, it seems,
been chosen by the government for the announce-
ment of their plans in regard to reform, and
this is likely to lead to more or less of
debate, from which I ought not to be absent.
But, independently of this. I do not feel myself capable
of doing work ►t great public meetings and in the
house too. One of the two is as much as my tine or toy
strength is adequate to ; and, having no special .sptitude,
as several of our friends have, for addressing pul.lic meet-
ings, I think it best that my taking part in them should
be eonlined toectetional cases. Your former peat
meeting at the Agricultural Hall was an exceptional case,
and you know w special reasons there were for the
course I took on that occasion. If at the present time
there was the smallest possibility of any attempt to inter-
fere with your demonstration, I would come to you at
once, sad take my share of whatever betel. Bat there is,
happily, no ground for any such apprehension.—l sun. dear
sir, very truly yours, J. S. 3111.1..—Edmond Bodes, Esq."

The reform minstrels then sang the chorus which the
Reform League has adopted for its rallying cry. Before
the chorus had concluded the ()'Donoghue, M.P., and Mr.
Potter, M.P., ascended the platform amidst loud cheer.

Professor Rooms moved the first resolution, which was
as follows:—" That this meeting consider it their duty to
distinctly declare that no measure for the improvement of
the representation of the people in parliament will be
satisfactory which is not based upon the principle of the
people themselves being directly and personally so repre-
sented instead of such representation being only virtual
and sectional, and that such direct and real representa-
tion can only be effected by means of residential and re-
gistered manhood suffrage, protected in its free and honest
exercise by the ballot." The learned professor, alluding
to the paragraph in the Queen's speech referring to reform,
said that when a balance was spoken of something having
two ends was meant, but the balance of power
mentioned by the thrice was a balance which was all one
way. (Loud cheers.) He thought that the government,
instead of referring to contemplated legislation respecting
the use of false weights and by the shopkeepers
of Lambeth, had better look to the frauds and false mess
sures which they imposed upon the people of England.
(Renewed cheering.)
The O'Dotroogut, who was received with enthusiastic
cheering, seconded the resolution. The hon. gentlensim
said he had just left the House of Commons, and he could
tell them as a matter of fact that the 4oveniment
had not introduced a reform bilL (Haling and
uproar.) He could also tell them the impres-
sion produced upon hip mind by the speech
of Mr. Disraeli, which was that the tory party intended,
if they could, to smuggle a reform bill through the House
of Commons, without consulting the people. (Cries of
"We shall turn them out.") He then proceeded to say
that he had come that evening for the purpose of showing
his profound sympathy with the cause of reform, and
his readiness to do all he could in his place in the House of
Commons to promote its triumph. (Loud cheers.) But
that was not the sole object he sought to aceomplish by his
presence amongst them. He bad hoped to have that op.
portunity of telling them that the millions of the Irish
people were with them in that movement, that they con-
sidered reform quite sa much their cause as it was that of
the English people, that it was if possible more necessary
for them than It was for the latter, that they eagerly
the hand of friendship which had been ex-
:lea: Let to them, and that, come what might, by
their side they were prepared to stand and with them go
forward until the people of these kinmlonis were in secure
possession of their political rights. (Protracted cheering.)
According to some the representative body in the state
ought to be beyond the reach of popular control and be
able to set it at defiance. That was the case in Ireland,
and what had been the result? Why, that the people had
lost all confidence in the efficiency of psuliamentary action,
owing to the proved impossibility of carrying a single
popular measure through the House of Commons.
It was some time sines his hon. friend the
member for Birmingham said he had never seen
the British constitution. He suspected that up to
the present moment Mr. Bright had not been more fortu•
nate, as otherwise they should have had a full and true
aocount of all he had seen. (Cheers and laughter.) He
(The O'Donoghue) had never met anyone, at all events in
Ireland, who had seen the British constitution ; but
though none of them had seen it they had all felt it, and
knew as much about it as if they had subjected it to a
microscopical examination. (Hear, hear.) He believed
the reform question could never be settled unless the

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[TWOPENCE

people of these kingdoms were satisfied that justice had
been done them, and that no arrangement 000.0 to by
parties could either be satefactory and lima unless
that arrangement had the unqualified sanction of the
people. (Great cheering.) 'i heir cisme wee just, AIM te se-
rum its triumph they relied upon legitimate unarm. ea
They need not libel either individuals or classes. They
need not depict their opponents ns vicious and cornier,
and themselves as models of virtue. Their weapon
should be truth and reason. (Cheers.) He bad said to
his countrymen, and it warn for :i.e meeting to bear hall
out, " The Euglirh peopie are net our enemies, they are
friendsto us ; they are ready ro ahem with us ail the
blessings that freedom can confer, iii a spirit of brotherly
love—they heed our cry of ' inland for the Irish.' pat
them forget the peat. for which they were not reoe.vaible."
The hour that ehoulii inter..., their triumphs should be
for Ireland the last hour of turmoil, of religious reeve-
! dancy, and of landlord oppreseion, and then the onion of
i the two countries would be iiivincible in its strength md
eternal in its duration. (The hon. „entleman concluded,
and as he resumed his seat three cheers were called for,
and giveu to him.)
Mr. T. 11. Poem, M.P., who was received with muck
applause, supported the resolution. He said he hail come
there with great pleasure, and that pleasure was increased
in having come directly from the House of Commons,
where he Lad heard a speech .4 two hours and a quarter
long made by a gentleman who was proposing a question
which he did not wish to carry out. (Hear, hear.) He
had beard from Mr. Disraeli that the main resolut ions which
the government would submit to the House of Commons
on the 25th instant would be that the house should pro-
ceed to extend the franchise on the basis of rating.
(Hires.) There was no information as to the amount of
rating. (Oh, oh.) Then there would be another resolu-
tion, to the effect that it wes adeisahle to adjust the areas
of boroughs. After stating that • resolution would
be laid before the holier to enfranchise new
boroughs, WO were told that the boundaries of
boroughs were to be carefully looked over in order to do
—what? Why to protect the counties, to protect the vil-
lages, in fact to protect the landed interest. (Hear, hear.)
No doubt the ladies and gentlemen who composed that
meeting would have long spells at the newspapers to-mor-
row, and if they came to the same conclusion that he had
done, they would say there was no intention on the
part of the government to bring forward • reform bill
that would transfer any of the overwhelming power of
the aristocracy to the people. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Disraeli
had followed in the footsteps of his chief, Lord Derby
by
denouncing the violent and dangerous doctrines
opinions taught by certain teen. (Oh, oh.) Lord
Derby the other night pronounced manhood suffrage and
the ballot to be revolutionary, but Loral Derby might-have
been eulticiently ingenuous to state that the real pro-
gramme of the Reform League was residential and
registered manhood suffrage. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr.
Potter) ventured to say that policy could not be revolu-
tionary, nor was it alien to the spirit of our constitution.
(Hear, hear.) If the principle which they were taught by
their chern.an and Mr. Bright--(cheers)—and by the great
populaifea. 'ere of the people. were to bedenou need as eevolu-
tionary, what could be said of the expression of the opi-
nion that people should be kept in power for the conve-
nience and exemive privilege of one class? (Hear hear.)
If be nnderato,ei the haw or the principle of the British
constitution, it was that the people should have a voice,
through their representatives in parliament, in the levy-
ing of the taxes which they had to pay, and in the making
of the laws which they were required to obey. (Cheers.)
If Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli lost sight of that great
principle, how could they expect complete acquiescence
in the law or the ready payment of the teem? (Cheers.)
Mr. P. A. TAYLOR, M.P., also supported the resolution.
He said be luul just come from the theatre of St. rite-
phen'e, where her Majesty's servants hail been perform-
ing the time-honoured farce called "How not to do it."
(Laughter.) It was • play that had run through many
sessions, at that not altogether without amusement.. The
principal morement in it consisted in the wonderful
gravity of people who say one thing and mean another.
He had just hoard the great mystery man—ra, laugh(-for
two hours and • quarter, and the result reminded
him of the observation of Artemus Ward to his
audience—" I don't suppose that you know much
about the Mormons, and when I sun done I am sure you
will know less." (Laughter.) He (Mr. Taylor) held by the
principle engraved upon the banner of the Reforn League
—not as a vague word, but as • vital principle—via., the*
taxation without representation wag tyranny. Wheel men
were called upon to conform to law and pay taxes, with-
out having a voice in making the laws, they were treated
as political serfs, not as political flee men. (Hear, hear.)
Were these men who refused the franchise to the people
of this country in their senses! Del they think that Stag-
lishmen alone out of all the countries in 'Europe, slid
even in America—for in that country the negro would
presently have the suffrage—were to be left out d the
category of freemen? (Hear, hear.) He was there to
appeal to a higher court than that which lie had just
conic from. The House of COMMODE—and he spoke of
with all respect as a branch of the constitution—had
morally abnegated its functions ae • possible reforming
house. For session after session it betrayed pledgee
given on the hustings, and session after session allowed
the minister to falsify the words which he hail put into
the mouth of his sovereign. (Hear, hear.) Len series
it would not pen a miserable bill, and now the ques-
tion was, how to give way without sacrificing its clam
privileges, how little a Reform Bill it could carry that the
people of England would take. (Hear, hear.) Now, epee
that question he appealed from the House of Commons to
the people, whom the opponents of reform called the mob.
They bad already expressed a wish to have reform, and by
holding such meetings as that they were showing their
settled determination to have it. It was said, however,
they were threatening physical force, and there was •
talk of putting the meeting down. hut it would be the
worst day for the tories and their order if they should'
venture to attempt to put down the rights of the people
cfEland to meet. (Cheers.) The resolution wassup.ii,orunti
by Mr. Boyer, of the Scottish Reform League, sad
on being put from the chair was carried amid the mese
vehement cheering and waving of hats.
Mr. Monter JoNgrain propane/ the mooed ressintioe,
received quite an ovation. The resolution was as follows:
—" That this meeting desires most earnestly tomes epee,.
the liberal members of the House of Commons the
absolute necessity, as they regard the peace and welfare el
the country, of not cimsenting to an measure of reform
designed to evade the full and just rights of the people to
be directly represented in their own branch of the legisla-
ture." He said that as the people of England had lose
since seen the futility of trying the tones, they now pre-.
posed to pass sentence upon them and that esetence
must be perpetual banishment from toe councils
of the nation. (Great cheering.) It seemed that
the tories, having latterly got ashamed of their
MAW, had called themselves constitutionalists, but hoe-
withstanding their aliases every true knew that they were
now what they had been in former times', and that as et
old they stoo4 still while the world was marching forward.
(Renewed cheering.) Then would they have these men as
their rulers—yes, or no ? (Enthusiastic cries of " No, no,*
and general cheering.) He was proud of that answer, and
he was sure that by the united efforts atheism from where
that exhibitive of feeling had enimiated, and the reformers
of tile north from whom he hail acme, they would not
remain mnch longer in political bondage.
Professor litmoge seconded the resolution( which after
being eupported by Mr. BRADLAU4II was carried.
The Pea% ARTHUR O'NEIL, who said he lied been a re-
former for 30 years, proposed the third Tee:dation. They
had heard what the government itteudiel to do, and it
was their duty to tell the government whet they
thought about them. When Birmingham heed
of the rejection of the tint Reform Bill a black
Hag was hoisted on the highest steeple, the people
met under Attwuod, and it was said Birniiiigham fright.
trued the legislature into passing the bill. He Isel no
doubt a similar effect might be produced in this instance,
and therefore he proposed, as the message of the people to
the government, the following resolution, viz. :—'• That,
in the opinion of this meeting, the statements made in the
House of Commons this evening, on the subject of re-
form in the representation of the people in parliament,
are eminently unsatisfactory, and complete the proof of
the present government being unwurthy of the confidence
of the country." (Cheers.)
Mr. Councillor BIRD, of the Glasgow Reform League,
seconded the resolution, which was supported by the Rey.
Mr. Poarrn, of the Manchester Reform League, and like
the others carried by acclamation.
been ve the innan
fon; Maned. i&filad-t..1.
as-
sembly dispersed shortly before 11 o'clock.
sieto'vrnehera7Mkrosru.nwß'elsrerigofhttch,heaneen rivd°teodhtadhetor reformers, the se-
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i and the. consequence is
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