The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-17 00:00:00

THE GAME LAWS.

Mr. W. FORSTER then moved for a select committee
to inquire into the operation of the laws relating to game,
and to report whether, in their opinion, any, and it any,

what, alterations are required therein. The hon. member
supported his propo,ition in a long and elaborate address.
Lord ENPIELD seconded the motion,

(LEFT SPEAKING)

SYMPATHY WITH POLAND.

PUBLIC MEETING IN THE CITY-THIS DAY.

A large and influential meeting was held this day at the
Guildhall, for the purpose of expressing sympathy with the
Poles in the struggle in which they are now engaged for
the recovery of their nationality.
The following is a copy of the resolutions submitted to
the meeting :

" 1. That the Poles, after having long exhibited, under
circumsta ces of the most cruel provocation, a calm and
dignifiett demeanour in the firm but peaceable vindication
of their rights, which entitled them to the respect and ad-
miration of all civilized nations, have been forced into their
present insurrection by acts of continued and intolerable
insult and oppression on the part of Russia, and by the ab-
solute necessity of taking up arms in self-defence, and to
preserve their national existence from being exterminated,
and their lives from being barbm °ltaly sacrificed in the com-
pulsory service of their oppressor."
"2. Mat the powers of Europe assembled at Vienna in
1815, when, yielding to the political necessities of the time,
they felt themselves compelled to give a reluctant sanction
to the partition of Poland, affixed to that sanction the
strongest stipulations which they could devise for securing
to every part of Poland thus partitioned the blessings of
just and free Government, and most especially the preser-
vation of its national character as part of the great Polish
nation."

" 3 That the experience of nearly fifty years has proved
incontestably that the Russian Government either cannot,
or will not, observe those stipulations on which alone rests
its title to any share in partitioned Poland."
"4. That Russia, by the violation of her engagements to
Europe on behalf of Poland, and by the system of confis•
cation, exile, and massacre, which she has substituted in
their place, has forfeited all right to the possession of
Poland; and by the condition of normal discontent which
she has thus created in the breast of an oppressed and
gallant people, exposes the peace of Europe to a constant
danger, which it is the interest of all to avert."
"5, That this meeting would, therefore, call upon the
British Government, with such concurrence from other
Powers as can be obtained, to make a solemn declaration
of the withdrawal of their sanction to the dominion by
Russia over any part of Poland."

" 6. That the deep interest which is taken by the people
of England in the righteous and heroic struggle in which
the Polish nation is now engaged, for the recovery of its
independence, imposes on this meeting the duly of giving
the best effect they can to the preceding resolutions, and
with this view, that a petition embodying such resolutions
be presented to the two Houses of Parliament."
In the absence of the Lord Mayor, who was unable to
preside from a severe attack of bronchitis, Alderman and
Sheriff Lawrence occupied the chair.

The Chairman read the following letter from the Marquis
Townshend

15, Park-lane, March 17, 1863.
My dear Lord,—l regret to say I ani prevented attend-
ing the meeting to be held this day at the Guildhall, by
a sharp attack of bronchitis, and do not expect to
be well enough to leave my room for some days. I can
assure you, my lord, that with the great interest I take in
the cause of Poland, I feel it to be a severe disappointment
to me not to be present to-day. I must be allowed to thank
your lordship in my own name as President of the Polish
Association, as also on the part of those noblemen and
gentlemen who attended at my house to draw up reso-
lutions for the promptitude and kindness you showed, and
the evident interest you took in giving us the Guildhall for
this meeting, and of presiding oa the occasion.---I beg to
remain, very faithfully yours,

TOWNSHEND.

The Right Hon. the L')rd Mayor.
Letters of apology were also read from Mr. Western
Wood, M.P., Sir Rowland Hill, Mr. J. Hall, Mr. Edward
Romilly (who sent a cheine for £2O), 80., &e.
( n the platform we observed the following noblemen and
gentlemen :—Prince Azen Jahr ; the Earl of Shaftesbury,
B.G. ; the Earl of Harrowby, B.G. ; the Earl of Zetland;
Lord Charles Fitzroy ; Lord Truro ; Lord Ebury ; Colonel
Wilson Patten, M.P. ; Alderman. Sidney, M.P. ; Viscount
Raynham, M.P. ; Sir Harry Verney, Bart., M.P. ; H. D.
Seymour, Esq., 111. P.; R. W. Crawford, Esq,, M.P. ; Col.
Stuart, M.P.; W. Tite, Esq., M.P.; Hon. G. Denman, M.P.;
Colonel Pinney, M.P.; Thomas Alcock, Esq., M.P.; Sir
R, Clifton, Bart., M.P.; E. L. Bryant, Esq., M.P.; Sir G.
Bowyer, Bart., M.P, ; Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P.; M. T.
Bass, Esq., M.P. ; W. G. Duff, Esq., M.P.; H. Lewis,Esq.;
M.P.; Sir F. Goldsmid, Bart., M.P.; J. Abel Smith, Esq.,
M.P.; 3. Pope Hennessy, Esq., M.P.; Colonel Gray, M.P.,
Sir Henry A. Hoare, Bart. , Henry Fawcett, Esq. ; Sir R.
G. M'Donnell, K. C. B.; Lieut.-Col. Townshend Wilson; T.
Chisholm Anstey, Esq. ; David Urquhart, Esq. ; Col. H.
SAlway ; H. H. Lindsay, Esq. ; G. Mitchell, Esq. ; G.
Moore, Esq. ; R. W. Grey, Esq. ; F. Young, jun., Esq. ;
F. Goldsmid, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Worth ngton; E. Beales, Esq.;
W. Gresham, Esq., High Bailiff of Southwark ; Jervoise
Smith, Esq.; Rev. J. F. Rowsell, M.A.; Dr. Challis ; F.
de Meschim, LL.D. ; Hon. Henry Ryder; Hon. Her-
bert; Admiral King, C. 8.; Deputy Rathbone; J.
Richardson, Ebq., J. Young, Esq., C. Marton, Esq.
R. Stapleton, Esq., and W. Brass, Esq., Com-
mon Councilmen; Colonel Graham; Rev. R. Graves;
T. Colley Grattan, Esq. ; J, Sheppard, Esq. ; Benjamin
Scott, Esq., Chamberlain of the City of London; Alder-
men Gibbons, Humphreys, and Abbiss ; Dr. R. Fisher, &c.
The CHAIRMAN expressed his regret at the absence of
the Lord Mayor, and said the object for which they had
met that day had his deepest sympathy. They were met
that day to express an opinion on the gallant struggle at
present going on for freedom in Poland. That nation was
engaged in a contest with despotism such as seldom or ever
had been heard of in modern times, and he hoped an opi-
nion would go forth that day which would be heard in
every part of Europe, and which would plainly show that
the sympathy of England was with every nation which
made au effort to secure that which was the ancient right
of all—its freedom. (Cheers.)
The Earl of HABROWIIT, in coming forward to move the
first resolution, said the question they had met there to-day
was not one simply of right and wrong, but it was to con-
sider that which was believed to be a great breach
of international agreement. They all knew the issue
of the struggle in 1831, and how ineffectual it was, but he
could not help thinking that if a little more encouragement
had been given to the gallant effort the result would have
been different to what it was. (Cheers.) At that time
Europe was weakened by dissensions, and it was well
known that such a circumstance was always Russia's op-
portunity, and an act of unexampled tyranny was perpe-
trated. They had all heard of one of the greatest outrages
that had ever been perpetrated; he meant the conscription,
or rather he should say proscription, in which people were
violently taken from their beds, and not for the purpose of
serving their country. The misery of such a proceeding
had roused the slumbering embers of freedom in Poland,
and a struggle had begun which he hoped would end in
a successful result. They were there not to do what they
would like, for that was impossible ; but they could at
the present moment throw the whole of the moral
weight of opinion in England into the scale, and toll Rus-
sia that, as far as the treaty of Vienna goes, and it was
under that that Russia maintained its hold of Poland, it
had violated its engagements, and therefore the Poles were
free—(Cheers)—and that every country would look upon
them as a nation holding no allegiance to a Sovereign who
had betrayed his trust. He had great pleasure in moving
the first resolution. (Cheers.)

The Hon. Mr. PENMAN, in seconding it, said the conduct
of Russia, with respect to Poland, was viewed with detes-
tation by the whole of civilised Europe, and nothing could
be stronger than the opinion that had been expressed by
the Prime Minister, who had said that, of all the violations
of treaties the world had ever seen none had been greater
than that of Russia in the case of Poland, (Cheers,) In
everything Russia had broken her obligations to Poland.
Russia had stipulated that education should be carefully at-
tended to, that all public documents should be published in
Poland; but in plaee of that nothing of the kind had been done,
but a system of confiscation, exile, and massacre had been in-
stituted. (Shame.) Did the Poles rise without provoca-
tion, (No, no.) He felt the noble lord who had alluded
to the conscription had rightly termed it a proscription, and
by that despotic, and savage act Russia had forfeited all
right to the possession of Poland. (Cheers.) He con-
tended that Russia never possessed any right to Poland,
and therefore it was too mild a term to say that Russia had
' violated her engagement, when she never possessed the
slightest right to that country. (Cheers.) The resolution
83id the peace of Europe was in constant danger from the
conduct of Russia, and he did not think there was one pre-
sent who did not believe it was for the interest of all that that
danger should be prevented—(cheers)--but he believed until
some alteration took place in Russia that danger would
never be averted. If they were to let it go forth
to-day that they never were to go to war for Poland they
would be neglecting their duty. (Immense cheering.) He
did not wish the meeting to misunderstand him; he did not
counsel England to gu to war with Russia. because he felt
there were other means by which their object could be at-
tained. (Cheers.) He felt .the proceedings of this day
would go to Poland, for she was sti 1 alive—(cheers)—and
that to the latest hour of her life that oppressed country
would feel grateful for what they
had done in that
hall to-day, he hoped he might say
on behalf of England.
(Cheers.)

Mr. CRAWFORD, ALP , supported the resolution. He
said he felt certain his eolleagues in the representation of
the City fully approved of the object of the meeting, and he
would not detain the meeting further than by saying that
he fully concurred in the sentiments expressed in the resolu-
tion, and that he hoped that the voice of London expressed
that day would go forth and make itself heard to the utter-
most parts of Europe. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried
amidst loud cheering.
Sir 11. HOARE moved the second resolution. He said
that sooner than the domination of Russia should be re
stored in Poland, sooner than the present noble struggle
should be extinguished and put down, th© citizens of Lou-

don would not hesitate to go to war on behalf of suffering
and outraged Poland. (Cheers.)
Mr; Porn HENNESSY said their object that day was not
merely to give a barren expression of sympathy with
Poland, but to strengthen the hand of the Government in a
very difficult position. The meeting was not one of child's
play, on the contrary, they were met to make a solemn pro
test against (24e of the mast shameless violations of obliga-
tions the world had ever kntiwn. He felt the opinions ex-
pressed that day would go forth to Russiai and the Auto-
crat would learn that he cotrd not with impunity attempt
to crush out a nation's freedom. (Cheers.) He had great
pleasure in seconding the resolution.
Mr. H. FAWCETT supported the resolution. He urged
in Very forcible terms the necesssity of compelling the Go-
vernment to give practical expression to the feelings of the
citizens of London on the gallant struggle now being made
by the Poles fur freedom, and at the same time to make
it known that Englishmen would not tamely sit down and
witness a nation's liberty trampled out by the greatest
tyranny that ever ground down a civilised country.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR, M.P,, moved the third resolution,
and suggested that an international subscription should be
at once eorsmenced, for the purpose of giving aid to Poland,
and that the Lord Mayor be solicited to communicate with
the Prefect of the Seine to receive subscriptions, and then
again would be seen the glorious spectacle of two of the
greatest and most powerful countries in the world united
in their exertions to give freedom and liberty to one of the
bravest countries in the world.

Mr. E, BEALES seconded the resolution, remarking that
the best evidence that the feeling for Poland was still alive
was the enthusiastic meeting of that day.
The other resolutions having been proposed and carried,
the meeting separated.