The National Register.
London, England, 1820-05-28 00:00:00

174

TRIUMPH UP 11"L'SIMINSPEIt.

On Tuesday was celebrated, at the Crown, and
.knchor Tavern, Strand, the Thirteenth Anniver-
sary of the—" Triumph of Westminster, and •the
Purity of Election." Sir Francis Burdett was in
the Chair. There were near timr hundred persons
present.—About half past five o'clock the Stewards
entered the.wom, followec by Sir F. Burdett, Mr
Hobbouse, (the City's Members) Sir R. Phillips.
&c. The party was received with immense ap-
plause, the baa,l playing—
.. See the conquering hero comes."
After the cloth had Lett removed, the Chairman
have--
" The scwertikony of the People, the only source of I.eg;ti-
nue Fos er."—(Applause.)
The nest toast waS—
" The King, may he rezollect the declaration of the Prince
of \1 alts—chat the Crown is held in trust for die benefit of the
people." (Applause, and three times three.)—Tutie, " Rule
Britannia."
The Chairtnan then gave,
" The only remedy for the people's grievances—a Radical
Reform in the Commons House of Parliament."

It was hailed with loud and long continued ap-
plauscs and huzzas, and three times three. Tune,
•` Kick the roues out," and ‘vhieli excited a good
deal of laughter.

The Chairman said, at the request of a large
portion of the company he gave " The Queen. '
This wet received with tremendous applause and
load huezas, the company exclaiming from all pans,
•` The Q _teen, the Queen " and the ladies in the
cfchestra caught the enthusiasm, and waved their
ltandkerchieti in token of approbation.
A party then entered the room, consisting of a
4cputation of six from the St. James's Committee,
Mr. Wilkinson carrying the silver vase,* and pre-
ceded by Mr Deane. The party approached the
table, and presented the vase to Sir Francis Bur•
den. Mr. Deane (the printer) observing that it
was the token of respect of the parish of St. James.
He then proposed the following toast :
** The brave supporter or our Civil Rights. and undaunted
41rfender of the people against military execution—our beloved
representative Sir Francis Burden." The toast was drank with
loud, embuiriastic, and long continued applause.
Sir F. Burdett ascended the table, amidst the
immense and long continued hazzas and applause.
He said, it was with no common feelings that he
received this fresh mark of their esteem ; for there
vould be no higher compliment to a public man
than the vabeught approbation of his fellow citizens.
It was not in the power of individnals to give
greater satisfaction to him than what he had fre-
tuently received at their hands. It was deemed in
all times that the applause and approbation of fellow
citizens surpassed all other reward. It was esteem
which the ancients of Greece and Rome—of those
who loved liberty most enthusiastically—deemed
the highest reward. (Applause.) He viewed this
fresh mark of their esteem as a proof of their increased
respect. He shotsld go on in the course which he
Lad pursued without mixing with party or intrigue
—(applause)—keeping the polar star of liberty in
view ; and, however untoward circumstances might
be, he hoped that success would crown their efforts.
He prised this mark of favour as peculiarly estima-
ble, because he deemed it the verdict of his neigh-
hours, the verdict of those who knew him best.
(Applause)—The rewards of the Courts were often
bestowed on unworthy objects—were often granted
for any thing but virtuous conduct. Many had
worn coronets that the public had deemed to merit
• * * e • • •. (Applause and laughter.) The public
bestowed their rewards on those who were deemed
to be the most virtuous eitisens; and they always
a7,:landed excellence. If they were deceived, the
s7tarte was on the deceivers. The people had shown
tl•T:.r.seives considerate in this respect—and the more
it :luence the people had in the appointment of the
C,:f.erranent, the more happy was the country.
C.ree hundred years the Romans exercised that
powes., and during all that period they had not to
complain of the appointments. How was it in Eng-
lasl They only asked for a right to represent, and
yet what they required was termed insolent and
visionary. The representation was even in the
House acknowledged to be abominably corrupt—
and the expectation of some that partial Reform
would be granted was now disappointed. But even
the corruptionists now saw that they weresurrounded
with difficulties—and no laczois of extricating them-
saves existed but a Reform. (Hear, bear). He,
however, could not avoid alluding to passing events,
and though there now could be hardly a company
in England into which spies and informers might
not be introduced—and though Sir Charles Wol-
seley had recently been committed to prison
fgr words alleged to have been spoken by him—
let what would be done, he, however, should not
omit any opportunity to speak and to write those
useful truths which he considered requisite for his
countrymen. (Applause.) The meeting at Man-
chester had produced events which astonished him
full as much as he believed the sentences on Mr.
Hunt and others had surprised those who passed