The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-07 00:00:00

.:: NATIONAL CONVENTION.

( Continued from our Paper of yesterday. )
Mr. RICHARDSON then proposed that that part of the
Queen's Speech, which referred to the National Convention,
and to the agitation now going on throughout the country,
be read—which proposition having been seconded—the para-
graphs in question were read.—Mr. Richardson proceeded to
remark that he had been very anxious that this portion of her
Majesty's speech should be read—inasmuch, .as he thought it
had particular reference to himself, and many other gentlemen
in that room. lie for one had always done all he could to ef-
fect legally agitation—but what were they to think, when th
were openly stigmatised as using dangerous and illegal practises.
It was notorious, that Ireland was daily teeming with murder
and insurrection, and while they, against whom not one single
case of this nature could be urged, were stigmatized as common
miscreants, and as such to be put down by the strong arm of the
law—yet, Ireland, in the same speech, was declared to be in
a peaceable and quiet state. The people of the north were
more loyal, and more attached to the laws than these parties
who were daily acting against the laws and against the
Constitution ; but he would throw back the taunt into the
teeth of those Ministers who had concocted the Speech. If
Lord J. Russell were to hear rightly, he would find that the
people of the North were not deaf to the voice of humanity ;
and that they would never allow humanity to be sacrificed for
the purpose of agitation. But they would not obey the titled
mushrooms of the Bench, sprung from the bones of the work-
ing millions. They would not obey the dictates of the cotton-
law Magistrates. Sir Robert Peel had stated in his speech
delivered in the House of Commons last night, that he
(Richardson) had openly declared in his speech delivered in
Palace-yard " that the people of the north were armed against.
the law." What he said was, " that the people of the north'
were armed—their rifles are hung over their mantle-pieces—
they demand (for petition is of no avail) Annual Parliaments—
they demand Universal Suffrage." Mr. Richardson then pro-
ceeded to animadvert on the conduct of Mr. G. W. Wood, the
Manchester Magistrate, and said that his, and the actions of
others of the same class, were to prepare the Magistrates and
the Squirarchy for thesrural police. On this question of the
rural police depended the success of their Charter. In con-
clusion, he hoped that. all now present would agree with
him in the propriety of appointing a committee " to draw up an
address to her Majesty, in answer to that part of her speech
which was supposed to allude to the Chartists."
Mr. WHITTLE • said he would second the resolution, and
would give an entire negation to the parts of the Speech which
made such assertions ; he had no doubt in his awn mind that
the object that the Ministers had in view was the introduction
of the rural police throughout the country. Lord John
Russell some years ago published a trashy book which he called
an Essay on the English Constitution. What did he say
in that work ? " A standing army which destroyed the
freedom of England would not march by beat of drum to West-
minster, and dismiss the House of Commons—it would not
prescribe the House of Lords, and deluge the streets of Len-
don with the blood of its Magistrates—it would appear in the
shape of a guardian of order, and would support the authority
of the two Houses of Parliament—it would be hostile to none
but mobs and public meetings—it would shed the bloostof none
but labourers and mechanics.'' Since he had come to town he
had held a conversation with an elderly gentleman, who had
stated that it was in his recollection to have seen the head of a
traitor fixed on Temple Bar. Should Lord John Russell by
any means prove himself a traitor his head might perhaps be
fixed there also.

An amendment was proposed by Mr. RUSSEY—That the
adtiress should be prepared by the CoMmittee.
Mr. CARPENTER. said that all the arguments which had
been used by the advocates of the original resolution had not
with him, or with, he hoped, the majority of the meeting, a
sufficient weight to make him alter his opinion. Surely this .
Convention is not to be held responsible for the acts of any
single individual who may be a member of it. Surely the
members of .this Convention are not to be held responsible for
every word that may be uttered by those constituencies wies
sent them here. They are not to be held responsible but tot
the consequences of those acts which are produced in the capa-
city of delegates of the people. Collectively they must disclaim
all responsibility with the accusation of one member. He was
of opinion that this so much debated paragraph does not
in the most remote way apply to the Chartists, inasmuch
as all their acts have been such as not to earn the denun-
ciation ; but, on the contrary, it was perfectly evident
that it alluded to those who were agitating for a change ofl
the Poor-laws. This taking so much Notice of a subject that
did not, he was firmly convinced, at all mean to allude to us,
would give those persons who are eager to do so, an opportu-
nity of fastening it on us. Cowardly and vague as this para-
graph was, it will be best answered by our conduct, and by
strictly adhering to this line of conduct, we will convince those
who wish to suspect that it was meant for us, of the falsity of such
a suspicion. lie would vote for the postponement of this ques-
tion. Let the meeting adopt the wisest course, by getting rid
of both the resolution and the amendment. By doing so we
shall attain the chief object we have in view.
Mr. M'DOWZLL said, that in answer to that part of Mr.
Carpenter's speech which stated that the obje ed.paragraph in
the Queen's Speech was meant by the Govaninent to allude
to the Poor-law agitators only,it was fully disproved by the con-
duct of Lord John Russell towards the meetings which were
held in that pit of the country.
Three or four persons at this time rose simultaneously to ad-
dress the Chair, and after some trouble to decide on who was
in possession of the Chair,
Alr. ROGERS was very glad this discussion had taken place,
for it gives us an opportunity of coming to a decision on ques-
tions of this nature. Our duty to our constituents is to do the
utmost towards attaining the object for which we were deputed,
and thereby gain the sympathies of the people.
A DELEGATE said that the enemies of the people were
leaving no stone unturned to annoy them in the progress of
obtaining the people's rights. When they had failed on the
Corn-law question they sought by this course to accomplish
their design.
Mr. IlicwAnnsow, in reply, said that he would not take up
the time of the meeting by going over all the arguments ad-
duced by those who were opposed to the original resolution, but
could not refrain from taking notice of the very warm manner
in which some of the gentlemen had spo'Aen.
Mr. HAIILEY said he had no intention whatever to be per.
sonal, and begged that Mr. Richardson would not for
ono instant think him capable of being so. Was it
not almost too much to strive to induce us to believe
that it was the Poor-law meetings that were alluded to, when
we must recollect that not one of those meetings were held by
torchlight? Indeed, if he followed Mr. Carpenter through all
his arguments, he would inevitably tire the patience of the
meeting. He hoped the Chairman would do his duty fear-
lessly, and that the question would be disposed of in that manner
which will best conduce to our success.

The amendment of Mr. Bussey, referring the consideration
of the address to the Committee, was carried.

Mr. COLLINS requested that those gentlemen who were
about writing to their constituents for the purpose of expe-
diting the receipt of petitions, should direct their correspondents
to have them directed to him, to that house.

It «•as then proposed that this meeting, at its rising, should
DISSOLVE.—Carried accordingly.

CHURCH-RATE

SOCIETY.