The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-18 00:00:00

MEETING OF .41,pERM.4N WAITIIMAA"S

FRIENDS.

A Meeting of the friends of Alderman Waithman was convened
yesterday at the City of London Tavere, for the purpose of colluder-
mg the beat means of securing !tie return to the next
At ten minutes past one o'clock. the cloth. was Wien by Mr.
FAT Et.t., who then proceeded tniaddress the Meeting. He was proud
to be called to the chair by the noble and high-minded citizens of
London, met together for the purpose of sunnorting their well-tried
servant, Alderman Waithman; he had hoped that Mr. Ilyng would
have filled the chair. but that Gentleman not bring a liveryman,
had declined the honour. Mr. Hung had but one house In the city
of London, which payed a rent of fifty pounds per annum. and he
had subscribed one year's rent to support the cause. of Alderman
Waithman. The life of the latter was one srstema.ir„ unbroken,
uncompromising struggle for the welfare of his fellow-citizens.
lie (Mr. Forel!) had rat years' experience, front which he learned
how difficult it wan to find such men. To reward the services of
public men wan an important duty, and he hoped that the citizens
of London would not be obnoxious to the reproach of ingratitude,
which was the greatest vivo* of the States of antiquity. Without
the exertions of noble-minded men, Magna Chart, and the Bill of
Rights were nothing. His friend Alderman Wai'hman wan one
of those men. As Sheriff and as Mayor his conduct had been teem.
plary, and he hotted that his services would again be given to hie
fellow-citizens. Experience had also taught him (Mr. Favell),
that there were men who sought to strengthen their connexions by
engaging in loans and jobs; he did not allude to any individual,
but he would assure the Meeting that his friend was determined to
stand on his own merits. (At this moment Mr. Hume entered the
room, and was greeted with loud cheering.) Mr. Favell then con.
filmed. He was glad to In interrupted by the appearance of a
Gentleman who was the greatest champion of that public economy,
in favour of which. his friend hod devoted all the exertions of his
' life. lie considered it an augury of success. He was sure the
merits of his friend would he appreciated by all who had public
spirit and independence. He would say. In the words of the poet,
tt What constitutes a mate ?
" Not high-raised palaces and misted walls, but men,
"High-minded men, who know themselves., and know
" r.eir native rights, and knowing dare maintain them."
He would conclude with telling them, that although no place had
been apnointed to receive subscriptions, vet much had been cnntri.
bused; fifty pounds by Mr. Byng, and fifty guineas by Mr. Henry
Coombe. ( A pplause.)
Mr. Ilwr.sew rose to propose the drat resolution. He was not
used to address a public meeting, but he could hear testimony to
the talent., industry, and integrity of his friend. Alderman Width-
Man. lie concluded by moving, "That the Livery of London
awn be adequately represented bat by a man of Round practical
knowledge of the various and important divisions in anciete, and
whose past political conduct renders professions unnecessary."
Mr. CARTER seconded the motion, which was carried unani-
mously.
Mr. Ilr an: said, it was only that morning that he had been
made acquainted with the wishes of his friend that he should be
present at the Meeting, and he acceded with pleasure to the reqnsst.
(here was no person whom he would more cheerfully oblige—there
was no man whom he could more conscientiously point nut to men
about to use that moat important privilege, the right of suffrage, iss
a fit object of their choice, than his friend, Alderman Weidman.
(Applause.) He had come a distance of fifty miles that morning
to lend Mai his voice. Ile regretted that the City of London had
not been always adequately represented. History would 'thew that
the citizens had not a proper share In the election, if we were to
judge by the conduct of their Representatives. But he hoped that
they were then met under better auspices. The present situation
of the country required that all who were about to make use of the
inestimable franchise of election, should consider well the character
of the person they supported. Honest men, hut not men of great
talents, were the persons of which the country stood in need—men
who would devote their time and industry to the public goal, anti
who would not be led astray by selfishness or ambitioo. It was
not display not high birth which ought to recommend a man as a
Representative in Parliament, but habits of laborious industry,
end knowledge of the various interests of society : these attain-
ment', united toe determination not to be led astray by the ordi-
nary baits which too often seduced men from their ditty, were the
chief Ingredients in the character of a good Representative. (A p.
plause.) He was willing to bear testimony that the worthy Alder.
man had never deviated from the path of duty in his public conduct.
nor suffered himself to be led away by views of sell.interest : on that
ground he would support him. (Applause.)But he had another cisim.
Ile had filled the princired offices, and was practically acquainted
with all the interest". of this immense metropolis. Whether he viewed
him as one who had honourably supported the most important
offices, or as one who had during 23 years discharged faithfully
Ms parliamentary duties, or a« one who was departing from boat.
news, and was therefore as able as he was willing to apply his whole
time and experience to the discharge of'his public duels. he could
not conceive an individual more fit to watch over the interests of the
City of London in the House of Common.. The present period
required the indefatigable exertions of active anti experienced men.
He did not speak that through fear ; be did not doubt that
the country would free itself from the difficulties by which it was
encOinpasaed ; but we ought to free ourselves from the shackles
which confined our energies—we ought to relieve the community
from the immense burdens under which they groaned; we ought to
see all interests placed on an eqttal footing. These were important
and necessary steps, and he hoped they would be the employment
of next Parliament. (Applause.) He hoped that the City of Lon-
don would follow the example of Westminster, and return the
Members free of expense. No measure could be more conducive to
purity of election or the public good. At present many worthy '
and able men were deterred by the expense from offering their see.
vice. to their country. The Representative of the City of London
ought not to be able to say to his constituents, as was some'imes
said by Country Members, " I have bought you ; now I will sell
you." But lie hoped that the citizens would come forward and re-
commend. by their example, a salutary practice. He regretted
that he had not more iti his power to assist his blend. but as far as '
his personal efforts could be of use, he would most cheerfully lend
them. (Applause.) He concluded by moving the following Re.
solution:—" That the long, useful, and consistent public life of
Alderman Waithman affords an ample testimony of his private
worth and political integrity, and justly entitles him to the confi-
dence and support of his fellow.citizens ; and that his acknowledged
talents and intimate knowledge of the commercial and trading in.
term. of the metropolis, eminently qualify him to be the Repre-
sentative of this City in the House of Commons."
Mr. Dii.t.ow rose to second till! resolution. It hail often been
objected to Alderman Waithman that he was a shopkeeper ; but
that circumstance ought to plead In his favour. When the landed
and commercial intereats had their Representatives in the House,
why should not the tradesmen have theirs alto? lie knew by
experience that they often wanted an advocate In Parliament. He
knew a case in which a bounty on goods was paid to the merchants
and large holders, but not to the tradesmen. The great enemy
of this country had called us a nation of shopkeepers; but ought
we to be ashamed of that to which we owed our national greatness
and prosperity ? Another point in favour of Alderman Watchman
was that he was a Magistrate. He had worked fur hia honours,
and was. prepared foe more important public duties by administer-
ing justice in the Courts. It vote also said, that he was not a
friend to reform; but he (Mr. Dillon) was prepared to say that
the worthy Alderman was a friend to reform: not, indeed, to that
eon of reform which overturned everything, but to that which
marched forward with the improvement of the world—to that
species of reform which, he was glad to say, the Ministers of the
present day were the first to introduce. It ought to be remem.
bered that Alderman Welshman had been tried, and had ridden
through the storm. He deserved the support of his fellow.citizaes
because he would not set their wishes at defiance—he deserve Lit,
because he would not sell himself' for a job to Government or to
the Bank, or to an Equitable Loan Company. (Applause.)
The resolution was then read, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Centiews said, that all the most desirable qualitiee--ln-
dustry, experience, and proud integrity, would all be found united
in his friend Alderman Waithman. lie was the friend of peace,
of liberty, and of trade. He had been the constant adviser of em-
twiny, and the determined opponent of the Income tax. But fie?.
ther was he a friend to those public Companies, which, eetabliehed
for the benefit of a few, bad affected so seriously the public pros-
perity. He was glad to say that the canvass was very successful.
What might be the result of an electioneering contest he could nut
predict ; but if calumnies • thousand times refuted, and lies a
thou.and tintes told, should he again uttered, lie hoped the worthy
Alderman would nut deign to notice them, nor his friends to reply.
Of the calumniators themselves, he would only say, in the language
of the Poet—

" If want of food. or envy, matte them print.
We wage no war with Bedlam or the Mint."
Ae concluded then by moving the third Resolution, stating the
satisfactory progress of the canvas..
Mr. HARMER seconded the motion, which was carried ac-
cordingly.

Alderman WAITnNAN began by observing, that any man In
his situation would find that it a ss the situation in which it
was most difficult to express' ourselves in such manner as to satisfy
either ourselves or others ; if any thing could have added to his em.
harassment, it was to hear the high terms in which his friends had
expressed themselves in his praise ; they had used the language of
partiality. Many men could be totted, he was sure, more able than
himself to discharge the high duties of Parliament ; yet he lamented,
in common with others, that for the last thirty years so few could
be found who would combat for the people, though many were
ready to embark in public life when honours were to be conferred.
His friends were aware that he had come forward on this occasion
with reluctance, after recovering from a tedious illness; and thinking
there was not much public spirit alive, it was his intention to retire
from public life, fur it was bis determination never to seek a seat in
the House of Commons, unless supported by the public sense and
public feeling. But he was glad to find that Ida estimate of public
spirit was erroneous; he never knew an instance of a canvass in
which was manifested greater unanimity. It would be sufficient to
state that, during his canvass on Tuesday. lie had received 134
promises and only five refusals (applause) ; nor was that in his own
ward, where such an occurrence would not be beyond expectation,
but the zeal in his behalf was not confined to any district ; that
morning before he entered the room he had received 33 propiises
and only one refusal. (Applause.) He knew some individuals
who had been adverse to him, or who still diffned from him in po-
litical opinions, but who, nevertheless, promised their support on the
pound that he was adequate to represent the commercial and trad-
ing interests of the City. He had canvassed but little; the Livery.had
saved him the trouble, Ind had offered him more than he had solicited.
It had been objected to the friends of reform that they ought to
begin by reforming themselves, and he concurred in that opinion.
It was unjust to criticize the conduct of the Representatives until
votes were given freely and independently. We could not find fault

with Parliamentary john, while we gave OUT 'idea with a view to
privare interest. ( Applause.) ‘Ve ought lira: to vote independently.
and then to find fault. With respect to his own merits, he must he
tried by the past : it would be vain to promise for the future, if not
borne out by the past. Ili:could prontisetnrhix 0,11 sincerity, hat he
was sure that he till short of what he hid been described by the
partiality of his friends. There was one point to which he wished
to advert. There were some who pretended that the tradesmen of
London ought not to be represented by one of their own body.
That was • yoint of great imporiance—thet the great body of
traders, who worked industriously, suffered privations, and were
the customers of the merchants, were not to have a representative
from among themselves. There was nothing so easily manufactured
as a merchant. (Laughter.) He had uefurtunately bad some nier-
candle dealings. and if he had got • counting house and a clerk,
lie might have easily qualified as a merchant ; but nothing could
be more absurd or more stupid than that argument, by which per-
sons not Darien of London, or eten of England, were made pre-
ferable to citizens and traders. lle thanked gentlemen present for
the honour of their attendance. He hoped they would give him
their votes u connected with public principle, and for their own I
benefit. Their votes ought to be given to satisfy themselves, and
the individual whom they supported was sufficiently rewarded by
their confidence. lie begged they would avoid the only rock on
which there was a clanger of splitting, the only thing whic4 would
expivie his success to hazard—that was the belief that exertion was
unneceasary. At the last election 3( of his firmest friends but
remained inactive from a Similar conviction. lie thanked the ges-
t !emelt present sincerely. He would make no professions; he
would evince hie gratitude by his Nutt, conduct, and he trusted he
should never be accused of ingratitude. He would conclude by
telling them the most effectual means of attaining their object,
which was by co-operation—the combined crusts of many would
be more effectual than the greatest exertions of a few. (Great ap-
plause.)

•
A motion of thanks •to Mr. flume was then about to be read
front the Chair, but was withdrawn at the e.uneet desire of that
gentlentan.
Sever il other Resolutions were then agreed to, one of which
had for its object to appoint places to receive subecrinxiortes
for the purpose of returning Alderman Waldman to Paths-
mint free of expense.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the Meeting
broke np.