The National Register.
London, England, 1822-06-23 00:00:00

Dk.TES DE.A OE OF SOL'I'llIV.11(d.

The fourth anniversary of Sir Robert NVilson's election
fur Southwark was cel,•hratrd by '1 festival, at the Horne
Tavern, lientintstott. oft Tues.lay last.
Tile company aswinliled were lit:int-runs beyond any
former oce“ston, acid conta4ted the most
:ectors of S.in.itivark, aiol nt.tity 1111111f1011i fr,eirtli of
freedom, who entoraced the (ippott,,:my of expn•asiuk
their att..chtnent to the clectorsut Southwatk, and 'belt
truly independent reprowil,:ilive.
At •Px o'clock Sir RAwrt 'Alison entered the ►ooltt,
and took the chair, amidst continued titirsii of applause,
the Wild playing " See the Conquering Hero curate,."
Ile was accompanied by a considerable number of the
members of the House or Continuos. amongst whom
were Mesita. Hobhouse, Latubton, 11'hubreaJ, Hume,
Bennet, Hutchinson. Wood, &a.
Ai soon as dinner was over, the chairman gnve " The
Kitaa; may he never forger the principles that placed hi,
faintly au the throne," which was drank with great ap-
plause.
The next toast was "The People—the only source of
Irgi inn e power 1" drank with continued applause.
" Liberty of the Press" was lIcXl giset, which
was drank with eq-sal honour.
The CAM RMAN next give, " A speedy and effectual
Wilms of lilt Couitiloll3 House or Poll Itainent."
toast ►vas receited and drank with a continuation of ap-
plause that evinced tile deepest (veiny, un the subject or
rennin.

As soon as the appiaose had sifnided,
einvotter addressed the ineeting.—lle said
he was called oil by the stewards to propose the health
of the worthy coairman, the anniversary of wloue elec-
tion they were meet to celeorate, It was on the 32d of
Juoe 'the electors of Southwark gained the victory over
'Luse who would have held them in thraldom, which
pie them their gallant slid independent chaiimati for
their representative. The 22il following this year on a
Saturday, the present day, which was the anniversary
of their commeimeitient to the struggle, in which they
had so honourably contended and glutiously triumphed,
%vas chosen to eilebrate their victory. Sir It. Wilson,
as a political character, was at the time they adopted him
on!y known to Meru by report—he was well known to
them and Europe fur his valour and humanity ; he had
but lately emerged hum a French prison, where lie had
been incarcerated fur exercising the finest virtues of the
Lomat' heart, and the fame of his many virtues natu-
rally gained cretin to the totally pledges he gave of poli-
tical consistelicy ; he pledged himself to support parlia-
nt:titery reform, economy its the public expenditure, and
on every ocusiuta to exert liinisell iu suppott of the rights
arid faUtfthil of the people. lie (ilr. Wotherspooll)
might now appeal to all who heard him, tit the whole
people of England—whether Sir Robert Wilson had out
tiobty redeemed every pledge he gave—(the cresol' hear,
beat —lie has—he has, that followed tnis sentence, were
loud aid continued.) Nr. W. proceeded—that Sir It.
NVilson had redeemed all his pledges—had been ever on
his post in deience of the people—was not only grate-
folly acknowledged by to.; constituents, but had also
called forth the applause of the illustrious men, who,
anttious to do honour to their representative. had this
nay hononred them with thell company. A 411011,411 Sir
Robert Wilson's poltheal life hail yet Bern short, yet it
had been euential ; amid in every event he had rowed
lii.nself the same brave, independent, disinterested, and
virtuous patriot..—(hear, hear.) When Mut dreadful
violation of law and liberty, hut could never be butli-
cieisity deploted, took place at Manchester, Sir Hubert
Wilson, who was then abroad, instantly hastened back
to continence wi.h hits ermstituents on the best means of
tin:doing redress; and although the people, instead of
obtaining redress, were virted by the notorious Six
Acs that disgraced Il►e Statute Batik, yet no exertion
hail been WaiditlA on the part of their representative,
Of the viruous man who laboured with him. (Ilear,
hear.) The next occasion on which lie hail an 'ppm-
titimy of ei Loma his hatred of oppression, was in the
close of their late Que•. n, and for that virtuous con-
duct he was eXimSertl to the most bitter perseeetion that
ever disgraced any country ; hut the people of England
felt his cause was their own; they rallied rottlid
and their honour and esteem recompeneed his generous
anima fur the wont injuries of Ministerial vengeance.—
(Hear, near.)—Nlr.lt othursinxna concluded by proposing
•• The health of Sir Robert Wilson, our independeut,
butueue, and gallant repfe.eiitalive; and ally the spirit
of the people fur ever keep pace with the oppression of
the (Lavern inetit."

A cultbitlerahle time elapsed before the often repeated
burets of applause statriured. AS baUll as 5111ClICC was
restored,

Sir limn? WaLSON addressed the Meeting :—He
said, ine friends who had so kindly and atl..ctionaiely
presemed his Wane to their notice. hid reminded them
that it was the anniversary of the clay when they com-
menced that contest by which their independence was
atclitived. In the sante degree that they had acquired
ruble.: esteem, by the manly as,ertion of their rights, he
had acquired constderation as their representative.—lle
was mullein from the country when the hand of powa
was raised to oppress him, but they remembered the
maxim of the British Constitution--that every Mill
should be deemed innocent until proved tube guilty, and
they threw the shield of public support around hint, and
enabled him to vindicate his innocence in the face of his
eneinies.For ..sweli generous confidence h. should ever
feel grateful, and the recollection of it would, if possible,
give ineteased animation to the discharge of his public
duty, which was the only service he could render, or
they would receive. It was a lamentable tact, that cu.
ticroo, not conciliation, was the s)stein of goiernment,
mid that ;Ministers received siippott trout those who ought
to protect the people. l'ita owners of the soil. witm
tney dal not feel distress themselves, did not sympathise
with iliedistressesaf the people—every new tax met their
approbation, and the abolition of an ancient right was
celled a new socptity fur ;digits:, and social order.—Ma-