The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-18 00:00:00

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meeting, and unanimously voted an address b the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, which, elegantly bound as a thin
quarto volume, and every page illuminated with exquisite
art, has just been presented to Mr Gladstone by a deputa-
tion represented by Mr Westhead, M.P., and Mr Alderman
Leeman. Tha address, which was signed by Mr Charles
Ernest, the chairman of the working class meeting, was as
creditable to its originators, from the terms in which it was
expreissed, as from the taste with which it was executed.
The address, end the answer returned by Mr Gladstone

PRICF ...4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

were the following.;—
" To the Right Honourable •William Evart, Gladstone,
M.P., Chancellor of the Exchcq•:er.
" Honoured Sir,

" We, the working men of the city of York., in public
meeting assembled, dcatre to express to you our apprechtt ion
of your rrns!-erly and courageous speech, delivered in the
House of Commons on the 11th of May last, in defence of
the working classes, and in advocacy of their right to a fair
share of representation in the Parliament of this country.
" 'We read your speech with admiration and a deep
feeling. of gratitude. It is a rare thing for a Minister of
the Crown to spmlk with so much pride and generous
warmth of our order. From the time when you first re-
visedand, standing by the side of Sir Robert
Peel, tbhye
your tariff,
eloquence assisted him to break down the
ramparts
of Protection, and give cheap bread to the
labouring poor, you have, by many acts of statesmanship,
been winning the hearts and affections of the people of this
nation.

" Your great financial scheme of ISGO is still fresh in our
memory. The treaty of commerce with France, and the
abolition of the taxes on knowledge, with both of which
measures your name is honourably and conspicuously asso-
ciated, are producing blessings and benEfits which are
inestimable.

" We have marked the manifestations of your sympathy
with the down-trodden and oppressed of every clime. You
have advanced the cause of freedom in foreign lands by the
withering power and unflinching courage with which you
have from time to time assailed and exposed the misdeeds
and cruelties of continental tyrants.
"To the provident operative you have, by your Post-
office Savings Bank Bill, given security for Lie small sav-
ings; and your Government Annuities Bill of this session
is a measure which will stimulate the people to greater
thrift and forethought, and inspire them with more inde-
pendence. These acts, together with your speeches on the•
last-named measure, end on Mr. Baines' Borough Fran-
chise Bill, make up a life that commands our lasting gra-
titude.

" We believe that when you say it is for the interests of
the country that the question of Parliamentary Reform
should be speedily ascertained and settled, that you will
strive to accomplish a settlement that will be satisfactory to
the people. We believe this because we think you incapable
of deceiving. We have marked the integrity and rectitude

—the deep sincerity—which guide your life,
" We wish to sustain you in your noble efforts to obtain
for us political recognition. Hitherto we have been, and we
now are, aliens in the land of our birth, We have no poli-
tical existence. Against the injustice of our position we
have petitioned and protested. We have ehown, by argu-
ment and conduct, our fitness for the exercise of the Parlia-
mentary franchise,

" But we have been stigmatised as a 'vile mob,' as
brutally depraved,' that would take bribes,' and ' over—
bear the other classes of society.' This has been said by
members of that house which the lustre of your intellect
adorns. Where is our violence? Where our disorder? In
what have we manifested a desire not to submit to the law ?

We are Englishmen : we love our country : we regard her
honour, and should be as ready in the day of danger to shed.
our blood in her defence as the highest in the land.
"Yon, respected Sir, believe this. You have declared it,
and spoken words that have sunk deep into the hearts of
every working man in every corner of the land. We thank
you from our inmost souls. We look to you as a powerful
and consistent advocate of our cause, and may God long
preserve your life. That you may continue to be the sound
and impartial statesman—the friend of the poor—seeking
simple justice to all—is the fervent wish and desire of the
working men of this ancient city."

" Signed on behalf of the meeting,
"June 7, 186 4." "CHARLES ERNEST."

" •11 Carlton House-terrace, June 16, 1864.

"My Dear Sirs,—l have to acknowledge with sincere
gratitude the receipt of the address from the working men of
the city of York, which you have been so good as to place
in my hands,

" The terms and spirit of that address supply me with a
fresh proof of a truth which has long been impressed upon
my mind, namely, that in this country, while the errors
and shortcomings of a public man are regarded with every
indulgence, his well-intended efforts to render service to
the State will never fail to receive an appreciation, which
in some instances, like that now before me, goes far beyond
his deserts.

" I hope that the thanks I now cordially return to those
whom you represent, will be taken as addressed to all who
have expressed, or who might be inclined to express, parti.
cularly with regard to the subject of the franchise, senti-
ments corresponding with theirs,—l remain, my dear Sirs,
very faithfully yours,
(Signed) " W. E. GLIDSTONE,
" To J. P. Brown-Westhead, Esq., 'I.P,, and
Mr Alderman Leeman."

77