The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-27 00:00:00

BAST LONDON REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

Last night • very crowded meeting wan held in
the Standard Theatre, Bishopegateatreet, for the purpose
of promoting the cause of parliamentary reform. A large
concourse of persons had assembled outside the theatre long
before the hour of meeting, and on the doors being thrown
open, pit, boxes, galleries, and stage were instantaneously
filled. If the sasembling of
.a great number of the mien.
franchised class and the enthusiasm manifested by them be
the proof of their desire to the franchise, nothing
could be more satisfactory than the present demonstration.
Unfortunately, the meeting was fixed for Monday evening,
but in consequence of the funeral of the Duchess
of Kent the theatre wu not permitted to be opened,
and consequently many gentlemen, including Mr. S. Morley,
the intended chairman, were prevented from being present.
Letters of apology for absence were read from Mr. M..wley,
Mr. Midi, Mr. P. A. Taylor, Mr. Ayrtos, M.P.. Mi.
Butler, M.P., Mr. Buncombe, ALP., and Sit S. 31. Peto,
M. P.
Mr. Ncirrox was called to the chair.

Mr. SLACK moved the following resolution:—" That we
regard with indignation the conduct of government and the
House of Commons in their extravagant expenditure of
public money and their contemptuous refusal of reform •
that the efforts of Mr. Locke King, Mr. Edward Baines, anti
other independent members, to obtain an immediate ex.
tension of the county and borough franchise, us worthy of
approval and support ; and that we most cordially recom-
mend the formation of societies like the London Political
Union, aiming at nothing less than the complete
eofrachisement of the people, by means of maivenal
registered suffrage, the ballot, short parliaments, and
equitable distribution of members, and the exemption of
candidates from personal expenses."
Mr. WALLORGE, in seconding the resolution, said that
this was an indignation meeting. (Hear, hear.) It showed
that the people were not apathetic. But perhaps. Lord I.
Russell wished that they should hold open air meetings, and
commit themselves to actions which would renew the scenes
of Peterloo. (Hear, hear.) Well, he would go for reform
and for the charter, and he salted his fellow working men
to go along with him in that demand. (Hear, hear.)
Lord MYNHAJI, who was received with loud cheers, said
that when one man looked in the face of another man,
whether high or low, he looked upon an equal. rheas.)
They were all equal, for they were all taxed. When 'in
fanner times some of their fellow-men were held hi elevecy,
the poor slave was represented with the chain around him,
and with this motto written under, "Am 1 not a man and
a brother r (Cheers.) Well, were not the unenfranchiaed of
this country men and brothers ? (Hear, hear.) Were they
to be kept in political bondage, and for how long? Let
them not expect a reform bill from the House of Lords or
from the present House of Commons. He believed the
present government took the most dignified course they
could—and that was not saying much—in leaving reform
alone. (Hear, bear.) But let the people out of door' be of
one mind, and reform could not be resisted. (Hear, hear.)
Had they a leader in the House of Commons? (" No, no,
and a cry of " Bright.") The resolution asserted the right
of the people to universal registered suffrage, vote by ballot,
and short parliaments. The people were entitled to that.
He respected Mr. Locke Kiog end Mr. Baines for pursuing
their own ideas of reform, but whilst he would support their
bills he could not approve of them, for he never could un-
derstand how the possession of a shilling more or less could
make a man worthy or unworthy of the franchise. (Hear.)
With regard to the ballot it was necessary that the voter
should be protected from the intimidation of the landlord or
the customer. A man was not the less brave because
he used a shield. (Cheers.) Their aim must be
manhood suffrage and vote by ballot. The means
must be the creation of a great national reform union, by
which the opinions of Loudon, Manchester. Birmingham,
and other great centres of activity could be brought to
focus. How was this to be dons? By sending delegates.
Where! To London. When? Whenever parliament was
sitting. Then and then only would they obtain the reform
they wanted. (Cheer.)
Mr. W. \Vitus next addressed the meeting.
The resolution was then put and adopted.
Mr. MCGILCHRIKT moved the adoption of • petition to
parliament io favour of reform, which was seconded by Mr.
Locaarr, and supported by Mr. FIKI.M. The motion was
adopted, and the meeting ',panted.