The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-03 00:00:00

REFORM MERTING IN BIRMINGHAM.

A meeting of the met berm of the Reform Union
of Birmingham wee held on Monday night, for the purpose
of taking into consideration the present position of politicel
afikirs consequent on the resignation of Lord Palmerston.
Mr. G. EDMONDR, the clerk of the peace, presided.
Mr. BIDDOWS, in moving the first resolution, said that
when they found their national independence interfered with
at the call of • foreign . potentate it wee time for
Englishmen to take the initiative, and put it out of the power
of government to do what they attempted to do the other day,
He we. glad the attempt did not succeed, and he was proud
of the men who had been instrumental in defeating the
ministry on such a measure. (Cheers.) With respect to
reform, he found that the movement bad been taken up In
other towns, and he had no doubt the course pursued by
Birmingham men at this juncture would be looked to with
much interest as an example. He begged to move the fol-
lowing resolution That the beet thanks of this meeting
be given to Mr. Gibson, Mr. Bright, Mr. Roebuck, Mr.
Gladstone, and Lord 3. Russell, for the manner in which
they opposed the ill-timed and insidious proposals of Lord
Palmerston to interfere with the ancient laws of this coun-
try, under which foreigners have for so many centuries
found a safe asylum from the religions and political persecu-
tions of ithdr own country ; and also to Mr. Scholefield and
the other ninety-seven members who opposed the introdno-
lion of the bill."

MS. JAMES TAYLOR seconded the proposition' and in
doing so observed that he joined in the general feeling of
unshed= at the downfall of Lord Palmerston, and he cor-
dially concurred in the vote of thenks to the men who bad
led the van of the opposition to the Conspiracy Bill. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. S. WRIGHT next moved the following resolution:
That although the Ministry of Lord Palmerston had
promised • Reform Bill, yet the evident intention was either
to make it a secondary natter or postpone Its ocamideratka
altogether during the present session ; and that it is still
more improbable that the present tory government will
voluntarily extend the franchise, or give the people their biz
abate of political power. It is therefore incumbent cm all
liberal men throughout the country to Quite and heartily stms
port that party in the hones who are prepared to enlarge the
bode of repreuntation end who willpnimote such measwee
of dvil and eccleeiseticial reform as are in accordance with the
progressive spirit of the age and the advanced intelligence of
the English nation." The hon. gentleman said he rejoiced
that a minister who had all along been inimical to the eleva-
tion and enfranchisement of the potpie no longer held the
mime of power. As to the Derby governmant, he disagreed
with the opinion that any reform ball worth acceptation would
be introduced by them. (Hear.) If Lord Derby did bring
in a bill he would take good care of the counties, and pat the
claims of the towns on one side. (Cheers.)
Mr. Ocosor DAWSON, in a humorous and characteristic
address, seconded the motion. He had never been, he ob-
served, an admirer of Laid Palmerston ; he never behevedhe
was in earnest, and his theory as to his policy bad turned ant
riAy correct. They had been all along taught to regard
Palmerston as • spirited statesman, but he was an in-
tense oligarch, and be did not care stride for snubbing a prince
or putties down a nationality. (Cheers.) Lord Palmerriton
had all walked in the wrong path, and had never devi-
ated tote the right—(laughter)--tad bad come to the mod
miserable end that • minister could come to. ("Hear_
bear," and laughter.) ln fact he (Mr.. Daemon) celled
Palmerston "The Bntesh Esan"—(much latigbter)—for he
had been content to sell English liberty for a mess of French
pottage ; but it was too hot foe him. (Renewed Laughter.)
Speaking next of the new government, Mr. Dawson reed an
extract from the ministerial announcement made by the Bed
of Derby in the House of Lord, that evening, which bad been
forwarded to him
by telegraph, and said that ea it appeared
to be Lord Derby's intention to proceed with the Conspiracy
Bdt, they meet take are to have that measure finally de.
tested before there was any hope of the introduction of a Re-
form Bill. (Loud cheers.)
The next resolution was moved by Mr. PICXERINO, and ft
wee to the following effect Thet the Reformers' Union
offers a basis upon which the liberals of Birmingham may co-
operate, and then add their intinence to the movement which
La now becoming to neral, and it in especially important that
at this most critacal juncture all classes of reformers should
merge their difikrences and unite in one great effort to obtain
a redly effective and liberal measure of reform."
Mr. Duomose seconded the motion, and it having beep
supported by. Mr. Daleell and Mr. Fisher, it was put
carried trnan sad
nuona/y.—This concluded the proceedings. .