The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-29 00:00:00

THE DiNNER

was given at the United Institute, which was elegantly
fitted op for the occasion. A gallery was erected for
the ladies, and was completely filled by those who had
been able to obtain tickets. The defendants' wives and
families were chiefly accommodated on the platform,
which was also appropriated entirely to their use. The
►udience was highly respectable, and they appeered to
take a deep interest in the proceedings that took
place. After tie withdrawal of the cloth, the room
was elegantly festooned with flowers and evergreens,
every neighbouring Liberal's garden having been de-
prived of its ornaments for the occasion. On either
side of the room wes suspended a beautiful flag, while
immediately over the platform was a banner, on which
was inscribed " Persecuted, but not forsaken." On a
pedestal, jut behind the chair, was placed a bust of
Mr. Tooke, who has come forward handsomely during
the recent disgraceful proceedings, lending all his aid
in favour of the persecuted individuals, and subscribing
largely for their benefit. It was the first time that the
bust had been seen by the public, and when it was
brought in, there were three tremendous cheers given—
the whole room seemed in raptures. On either side of
this bust was another pedestal and vase, filled with
flowers, the pedestals being also ornamented. In fact,
no pains were spared, no labour saved, no expense.re-
garded, in order to give eclat and brilliancy to an occa-
sion that will be remembered by the youngest person
present to the day of his death. Henry Sewell Stokes,
Esq., presided, and was supported on his right and left by
Messrs. Barrett, Edwards, Randall, Spur, and Ball, all
of whom, being tee-totallers, excepting Ball, were sup-
plied with coffee, &c. When the persecuted indivi-
duals entered the room, they were greeted with the
most deafening cheers, which lasted several minutes,
and was again and again renewed On the withdrawal
of the cloth the ladies were admitted.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said he had been called
upon very unexpectedly to preside to-day, and though
he did so with very great pleasure, yet he regretted
that Mr. Michell, who had taken so honourable a part
in all that related to the late prosecution, had not been
able to attend and fill that situation. He had been
called away by circumstances which he could not con-
troul, but would be there in the course of the evening.
The Hon. Chairman then gave" The Queen, and may
there never be occasion to appeal to her Majesty
again on the subject of Church-rate prosecutions."—
(Cheers.)
Air—God save the Queen. Other tunes were
played at intervals between the toasts.
The CHAIRMAN—I now give you in connexion with
the Royal Family ore of the staunchest friends of civil
and religious freedom in the world—" The Duke of
Sussex, and the rest of the Royal Fatni:y."—(Great
cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN—The next toast was " Her Ma-
jesty's Ministers ;" and in giving them, he would take
the liberty of saying that touch as he dissented from
their general policy, he believed they were most anxious
for the settlement of the question of Church-rates.
Lord John Russell in particular, had moved for an in-
quiry into the letting of Church lands, with a view to
letting them at an increased value, and eaabling the
Government by that means to get rid of Church-rates.
Bat the obnoxious, iniquitous, and persecuting impost
might be got rid of by such manifestations of public opi-
nion as had taken plece this day.—(Loud cheers.) That
Ministers may be brought to do what the people desire,
it is necessary that the people should speak out boldly ;
let the country only do as the people of Truro had
done, and they should very soon see an end put to this
most abominable impost.—(Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN—I now rise to giye you a toast
which I am sure will be received with acclamation.
Gentlemen, we have met to-day in large numbers, not
to show that we despise the laws of our country—not
in any manner to show disrespect to the Judges of our
country, or to the verdict of a Jury ; we would do
nothing of that kind. We meet to-day to express
public opinion, as Englishmen are accustomed at all
times to do, on matters in which they take a deep
interest.—(Cheers.) The other day flee of our towns-
men were arraigned at the criminal bar of their country.
Eight or nine witnesses were examined against them ; as
many were examined in their favour. Those individuals
were, by some perversion of judgment, or construction
of law, if you would rather put it in that form,
found guilty of riot. We to-day have given evidence.—
(Cheers.) The eight persons that came against them
the other day were this day confronted by the
people of Truro.—(Cheers.) That is the way, as
lawyers say, to marshall your evidence, to show that
these whom we believe to be honest, upright, well-
meaning men, have by some legal technicality, been
pronounced guilty of an act of which we in our con-
sciences sincerely believe them to have been innocent.—
(Loud cheers.) You went forth to-day to tell the
world that such was your opinion, and to justify the
sympathy which their case has excited, for from one
end of the kingdom to the other it has been made
known, and has excited universal indignation. It has
been discussed in most assemblies, and at Dr. Ward.
law's lectures the names of these defendants have been
most honourably mentioned.-•.(Loud applause.) And

VENI (-4.- ED VIIO.N.

we now meet to say that the world has not been de-
ceived—has not in any manner been deluded—that the
public press was right in vindicating the defendants,
and the rights of all conscientious men. (Loud
cheers.) We now meet, and here I consider myself the
representative of the whole of you, we now meet again,
and thank God ! we have them once more to take by
the hand, after having been torn for one month, from
their homes, and from their families, to be confined in a
common gaol, and subjected to the worst of treatment.
We feel proud to say, "we are glad to see you back
again, and that we think none the worse of you."--
(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, the tender mercies of the
law now-a-days, are exceedingly cruel indeed.--(Hear,
hear.) The law has become marvellously jealous about
the rights of the Church—particularly tender about
those rights—about Church-rates, auctioneers, and
others.—(Laughter.) Why, if a Church-rate auc-
tioneer happens to be in a crowd in these days, and to
ose the skirts of his coat, five of our townsmen are to
be sent to gaol for a month, to be bound over to keep
the peace for three years, and three of them to be fined
twenty-five pounds each.—(Cries of Shame.) Why,
Gentlemen, there is not a public assembly that takes
place where some gentleman does not lose a button or
something else. Why were not the parties in those
cases indicted for a riot ? Similar occurrences did
continually take place—riots are committed almost every
day by the most well-intentioned people in the world.
We are committing riots everlastingly ; I might say at
all the meetings in the town.—(Cheers and laughter.)
All our elections are riots. Why have they not in-
dicted us long before ? I say that if our friends have
been guilty. there is not a single man among us but
what has been guilty threeLfold.—(Hear, hear.) This
tail of Oke's coat is a wonderful subject for talking
upon. Why, Oke and his tail will henceforth he as ce-
lebrated as Daniel O'Connell and his tail.—(Cheers
and laughter.) When I first came into Truro Oke
was the staunchest man among the Political Unions, and
the Reformers of Truro. How often have we seen
him under the banners of the party to whom he is now
opposed !—( Hear, hear.) He was then one of the
itio‘t active ; suddenly lie wheeled about with his tail,
and went over to the other side. For old acquaintance
sake, I cannot help feeling for Mr. Oke, for I am ex-
ceedingly sorry ,hat he is made the scape-goat to bear
away all the odium of his party.—(Cheers.) Gentle;
men, I now gi‘e you " The Health of the Defendants •
—(Cliecring)—of those men who, after one months
confinement in a gaol, conic back to us with clear cow
sciences, so that we feel that we may take them by the
hand ; we don't consider that they have in any manner
lowered themselves.—(Cheers.) You will hear from them
whether they feel any compunction for what they have
done. They may regret that any thing like violence was
the result oft heir spirited opposition ; at the same time I
feel convinced they cannot stand up and say, We
ought to plead guilty at the bar of public opinieri,
to the charge that was imputed to us.—(Hear, an
cheers.) Ido think they feel sorry for who:
they have done. I do think the demonstration 0
to-day, when the people, by thousands, when the vvh°l4
city, as it were, went out to welcome them home again
—(Applause)—he proceedings of this day will be
considered throughout the kingdom as a demonstration
of public opinion, with respect to the question Of
Church-rates, and I am sure it only requires some few
such demonstrations to compel her Majesty's Ministers
to take up the question, and to totally abolish the lor
post. The Hon. Gentleman then proposed the health' •
of Mr. Barrett, and the other defendants, which 101
received with repeated rounds of cheering.
Mr. RICHARD BARRITT, on rising, was receive('
with renewed cheering. He very briefly thanked the
company for the attachment that they had manifested
on behalf of himself and his fellow sufferers, and CS-
pressed his determination never to pay another rate"e
(Loud cheers.) He had also determined, in spite 01
what had occurred, to attend to all sales of his property
in future. So long as they found Churchwardens bat
enough to rob them of their property, so long would be
attend the sales, not for the purpose of causing rre;
or a breach of the peace, but for the purpose of vele*
who may become the purchaser of things so obtained.
Mr. JACOB C. EDWARDS was also received with great
cheering. He said be was requested by his friend, M.
Randall, to return thanks on his behalf, as well ate
himself, for the great attachment and the sincere
friendship which had been manifested towards them
that day.—(Cheers.) When he observed the mei
in public opinion on the subject of Church-rates, ae-i,
called to recollection the sentiment that operated on tbel"
minds, when on a recent occasion thee allowed their
perty to be seized for the support of a Church fronslsine
they derived no benefit—when he surveyed their Or
duct with respect to that seizure and the sale, he eel
nothing that was done intentionally on their part that
should cause the slightest regret.—(Hear, haer'„)
Whatever construction might have been put uPe'e,
words made use of by them, not having the control 01
other men's minds,they must rest satisfied with the co:
riction of their perfect innocence of all evil intention
With reference to himself he had lived comparetivell
,in obscure life among the inhabitants of Truro';but
there were those in the country with whom be bad been
long connected in religious communion, and he hoped
that he hod not in the late matter, done anything WI"
could be considered inconsistent with his religious Pre.
fessions.—( Loud cheers. As a member of a Christian
community for more than 20 years, not one of that
community he was persuaded would blush to take biot
by the hand.—( Cheers.) He had received from all
putts of England the most delightful testimonies of the
opinions of his friends with regard to his conduct. ril'e
sympathy that he and those who had suffered with bim
had experienced was most gratifying, and he rejoiced
that they themselves stood so firmly on their principle'',
that lie felt justified in saying that if one month of esle./0
year of the remainder of their lives( by being eae3eiuthie.
prison, would help to promote the good cause, en" tip
extension of those principles, they would most reahui,,,
' sacrifice it.—(Long-continued cheering.) The monted
coercion that they had experienced had not Chang
1.0
in any way the principles by which they poi
actuated. Their opponents found it an easy Wito
to coerce the body, but when they camel leap
try its effect on the mind they had to do with 4-,
without a bottom, with an extent without bounds'
(Cheers.) It had been said with reference to ticast
conduct, that they had opposed the law. They,A'be
been told that by their opposing the law they elou.fie
taught that the law was stronger than themselves. 3
would ask what law had they been opposing? Was 10
a Christian law that had been brought to bear •°11:b
them? No ;it was a Pagan law, fraught with re4o
bigotry--(Chears)—chains that were rivetted some ire,
or three hundred years ago. They had, in other
spects, shown due deference to the law. Their '
duct on every occasion had, been in accordance vj,se,
this sentiment, that of a desire to call public at'ait
tion to these old laws. Because they did not e 9
the present state of Christian feeling, and becanseitbe
operated as a persecution upon the righteous set
land, was the reason that bad induced them to bet
as they had done.—( Cheers.) He might on any e" be
occasion hreave said much more on this subject, bu'oes
was not prepared for doing so then fatigued as be
by what had already occurred. The principles elf e-t,
but especially the principles of religious liberty, 'let tbe.
dear as ever to them.—(Cheers.) To show tha;dit,
exaction of Church-rates from them was most
esoeeially from himself, he would state a few flotilla pot'
which they were not acquainted, and which won'
sire&
have been mentioned but for what had recently oecu toe:
Within the last twenty years there had been no lee%
135 chapels erected in the county of Cornwall, It" ode
had given his mite to the erection of nearly evelleteti
of them. Four chapels in the country had been erecest
almost entirely at his own expense, and that at tier, •
exceeding two thousand pounds—(Loud cries of° 'betl
hear")—and to be called upon in the way that:bed in
been, in the way that their forefathers had been, lie bed
the way that he was likely to be again—for thelrste,
made a demand upon his family for another years loaf
while he was in prison—by the aristocracy of the
.0
by men who possessed so great a portion of thew hevoes
of the country—to support a Church with which, ebief
unconnected, was most. unjust.—(Cheers.) Hi
ground of objection, however, was this, that the their,
centers did not apply to the Churchmen for.olled
help, and therefore, why should they be
upon to support the Church ? (Loud cheers.) twee
felt he was under a debt of gratitude te‘iralhpo the
who bad taken a part in these proceedings. "”"ed his,
sentence of the Court was passed upon bins, %a be
fellow-sufferers, he must say it was unexpected) Conrt
felt it considerably. In a brief glance round thenashiP
he saw so many tokens of respect and fr teeing'
evinced towards them, that it was almost overrlewent
'as
tb not
and if he felt any regret at all, it was that he his
sufficiently master of his feelings to return twirl to.
thanks on the spot.—(Cheers.) But he was."ereeeni,
m come aongst them to see the evidence of their two
las it had been shown to-day, and to return his is
though in so inadequate a way.—(Cheers.)es
their
past conduct was just such a line of conduct s,
should pursue. Never more would those ban pow'.
his administer to the support of a religlecil 'or
which he conscientously dissented.—(Loud an o state
continued cheering.) It may be interesting I,irrorer,
that Mr. Edwards is an ironmonger, residing in
_noted
but a native of Penzance. He has long been cfP_lestietesi
with the connection denominated the Bible Cler't
loch.
and an occasional minister. He is a man with?ubbr rr
education, but of good common sense, and is
bigspected by men of all parties for his sterlinF, depo!!
He is extremely quiet and unassuming in withnal him
ment, mixing little with others unconnecteeta
eioterVie
in religious communion. His conviction as
rest 1t1,70
may very naturally be supposed,excited ,oters,
nation. Mr. Randall, one of the other very unasso
about :seventy years of age, and is also a
ming man, and of unimperchable character.e. cheet.',„,
Mr. SPUR next rose, and was recei.r danw'excell:
ng. He proceeded to return thanksme
feltgttbifieeitClol:.,:
havepe ecb
a,
nfo r
opportunity himself andto
Mr. et' pubh ea
ant
so much on his own aeeo..
_itea,.
knowledgments, not were ell " ears')`
account of the cause in which they.
return them
the cause of Civil and
Liberty, he believed, was inherent in es
Religious Liberty
--a coal fr°