The Sun.
London, England, 1839-11-27 00:00:00

e esterday a most important meeting of the inhabi- .., .. .
all the obloquy. —(Hear, hear.) What does Lord
you,, Le . jigs) wo ,ave the benefit of him to-do so, even for a very few Minutes ; but he con
.ants of Birmingham, convened by the Mayor in accord- sidered that every individual, however humble, was
ante with the wishes of about I,bound to show on which side he was ranged when he
for John say? He says, " Here is a popular party asking
500 ratepayers of the one measure—here is another party, opposed to the borough, was held in the Town.h.ll, for the purpose ofconsidered the rights and liberties of his country in
way of asking
f
o the people, another—and, by
considering whether any and what steps should be taken rights danger.—(Hear and cheers. It was an amiable, but
in consequence of the introduction of the Government
meting out even handed justice, I will at once reject the
sometimes a dangerous, characteristic of Englishmen,
Police into the borough. Eleven o'clock was the hour
that they were slow to suspect the intrigues of those who
fixed upon for the meeting, and at that time the hall was
wishes of the popular, party, and hand them over to
wished to abridge their rights, and never was there a
their enemies.' —( Hear, hear.) This was the sort of
Government.
impartiality manifested by the He had densely crowded with the working men of the town.time when it was more needful closely to wetch them,
been told that the reason why Lord John Russell The side and great galleries were also filled, and around to prevent the usurpations of despotic power, which it
felt angry with the Birmingham Town Council was, the place appointed in the organ gallery for the Chair- was often vain to attempt to destroy when once ac-
manthat they had passed a reeolution, which he thought were the most respectable inhabitants of the town. quired.(Hear, hear.) It was only to such a failing
y
Before the Chair was taken, Mr. SHEARMAN, one of to be disrespectful to himself and colleagues.—(Cries us this that he could attribute the fact that every firm
of •' Hear, hear, hear.") He regretted what had
the Committee, addressed the multitude in the hall, ex- fi•iend of his country had not proceeded as one man
on Liberal, confessedly Liberal principles
pressing a hope that the result of that days' meeting been founded
against the Government police which had been forced
they, the men of Birmingham,
' which
would give the lie to many, many hopes and wishes, and —a Government upon them.—(lmmense cheering.) The Town-Council,
also put an end to the fears of not a few, that it would had helped to fix in their places —he regretted, he in its collective capacity, had done that which they
that
said, that Government, which was the very creature
end in confusion. He knew that there were many whocould to oppose this Bill, but he thought it only an act
should
Birmingham, have forgotten those
wished that there should be a disturbance, and that there of the men of of simple justice to state that they were greatly indebted
d i themselves to
had
rase h hi they
l
rincipes by which were many others who feared it ; but there were some, pto the jealous and able labours of the Town-Clerk for
had smarted
ower.—(reat cheering.) The people
also, and he knew them, who had tried to make a dis- pthe stand that had been made, for witheut them, con-
under a disappointment of which they were undeserving ; sidering the inertness with which they had to contend
ihnayseohmeeen partpara
paralysed.—(Hear,
e(
HCeouur,nchiel
turbance. He hoped, however, that every thing that
they had asked, after patient endurance, to partake
,a
r.a)l l their
uzseualls 0 might
the meeting was a legal, valid, and peaceful one, he had
would be done would be done with good feeling, and if
themselves of the benefits of the Constitution they
had asked to have a voice in the election of their re-
no doubt that it would be a powerful one. that the men of Birmingham should be informed that
presentatives—they had asked for protection in the.
On the Mayor, Puiai
it HENRY MUNTz, Esq., mak-the Government Police Commissioners had recently
and that of their votes ; the stewards to whom
ing his appearance in the organ gallery, he was received giving
offered the Town-Clerk the solicitorship connected with
should give an
entrusted their rights and liberties with a storm of groans, yells, and hisses, in the midst of theythis obnoxious measure.—( Hear, hear.) account of the trust reposed in them more frequently ThY • knew
which he stood forward, and said he wished no favour at what a wonderful effect these things had upon thlepatrint-
than they had hitherto done—and which, if granted, he their hands for himself, but he wished a favour for them- ism of multitudes—(Laughter)—but he had nobly &- believed would have united the present Ministers
selves.—(Hisses, and cries of " Go away," " You have dined accepting it, or to receive any emolument from a
with
the people, and have rendered their power in-no business here.") As soon as the meeting wassystem which he believed to be dangerous to the liber-
vni ible.--:(Hear.) So deeply was he imbued with ties of his country—(Loud applause)—a measure by
over he would answer any question they might
t ese sentiments that he earnestly desired the people to
have to propose, and give every explanation they which the Minister of the day placed within their town
desired, but so - long as he presided as offi assemble again.—(Cheers.) They should not be
cer a large body of men drilled and organised under the
by previous di i but they h
eus sppontments, sould
of that meeting, it was for the interest of the daunted control of a Commissioner appointed by him, and' who
associate. again—they should form to themselves prin- also acted as a Justice of tho Peace, with between forty
meeting that they should not consider him as Philip
ttlea—insist en having them advanced—and. pursue and fifty officers of various grades
51,ru-j- 31Uutt, but as thc Mayor of Birmingham.—below him.—(Hear,
ituutiledut they were safely and practically established. (Hear.) He was anxious for their sakes, as well •iii •'• hear.) This force be could order to act without a
for his own, that nothing should be done to injure the ( • cheers.) The Rev. Gentleman concluded by moment's notice, with deadly weapons, without even
wring the first resolution, which appears 1.0 another cause in which they were engaged. He would act fairlyreading the Riot Act, as in the case of the Tmi nam—
e() Unlit.
and impartially as Chairman of that meeting, and after (Loud of ' Shame, shame.") If they • inn.
that did not nu-
that they might groan and hiss him for a fortnight if BARTHOLOMEW REDFERN, Esq., seconded the reso- plicitly obey, theere ar S t tof State could
e y
they pleased.—(Cheers and hisses.) He hoped they lution, supplant any of the body, without a moment's notice,
would disprove the charge that had been brought against Before it was put to the meeting, from the lowest to the highest.—(Hear.) The principles
them, that the men of Birmingham were not fit to meet Mr. BROWN, one of the leaders of the Chartist body upon which this despotic measure are based are so en-
to Jether. This was not the proper time to speak regarding in Birmingham, rose to move an amendment. He said tirely repugnant to justice, sound policy, and the British
hims,?lf, so that all the vague reports and aspersions that he had no respect for the police force, and would Constitution, that had it not been hurried through Par-
which had been circulated against him might remain do everything in his power to destroy its efficiency,— liament at the very close of the Session, under the worst
where they were at present, but when the meeting was (Cheers.) He had not intended to address the meeting, possible misrepresentations, and when the Ministers and
over, he would give every explanation they desired. He but feeling the wrongs and insults heaped upon the work- their dependents constituted the majority of the
begged, in conclusion, that they would not allow the ing men he had come forward to do his duty. He cared Members in attendance, that corrupt as was the present
course of the business to be interrupted by any personal not if they had a police force of 20,000 men, providing House of Commons, he could hardly believe that it
feeling towards him, because he had that love and the working classes, in conjunction with their wealthier would have escaped.—(Shame.) He knew there were
friendship for his fellow-townsmen which would cause a neighbours, possessed the power of electing and control- some of his fellow-townsmen who thought that needless
feeling of deep regret in his mind if he should prove an ling them. He cared not whether the police were at the alarm had been taken at the operation of this measure,
obstacle in the way of the proceedings being conducted command of the Government of the country or a small but the most deliberate consideration he could give the
in a peaceable, orderly, and legal manner. section of the people, because under either power the subject, he confessed, tended rather to strengthen his
[The observations of the Mayor, on the whole were force was unconstitutional.—(Cheers.) The object for fears. He would, however, read to the meeting the
well received by the meeting, although some portion of which he rose was to move an amendment on the reso- opinion of some others upon this subject.—[Mr. Sturge
the meeting still testified their disapprobation of his lution—" That the public will never be content with a here read an extract from a letter received from the
preeenete by conticued hisses.] police force of any description under the command of Town Clerk of Arundel, in reference to this infringement
Mr. Seeeafteta.et informed the meeting that the bo. any body or individual, until the people have obtained on the rights of Corporate towns, to which he said that
rough Membt.
es, Messrs. Attwood and Scholefield, had the same political and local privileges enjoyed by only a " should any attempt be made unconstitutionally
been invited to attend the meeting. The former gen- few."—( Hear, and cheers.) What was the object of to interfere in the local Government of boroughs, the
tleman was at present in Jersey, and they had received the introduction of the police force into Birming- expenses of which were borne by local funds, which
no reply from him, but i'eom Mr. Scholefield the Com- ham ? Briefly for the - purpose of stifling public it was to be hoped no Administration in England, would
mittee had a letter, in which he expressed his willing- opinion ?—(Cheers.) What was the object of the bru- ever venture upon, the Town Council of Arundel, and
ness to propose the resolution: forwarded to him, and cal attack made in that town on defenceless people ? surely every municipal body in the kingdom, would use
expresssing his cordial approval of the object of the Simply because the working people, having been gulled all their influence to prevent such a destruction of the
meeting. He had since, however, written to say, that long enough, had resolved on taking their own affairs liberties of Englishmen."—(Cheers.) The second letter
he was indisposed, and could not attend,--(This an- into their own hands. Then said th Government we he would refer to, was from an influential Alderman of
nouncement was received with general laughter.) will break in upon them, we will destroy their organize- the borough of Manchester, who said "We do not ap-
Mr Shearman also announced that a letter had been tian, and prevent them from uniting. Wheu they prove the principle any more than yourselves. In fact,
received from Mr. Wm. Scholefield, who regretted ina- quietly arid orderly met year after year, and poured in the Whig Ministry, instead of being in the disgraceful
Lility to attend, being detained on business is London. upon the Government their remonstrances, when they plight, not to be able to justify their own act, under
The letter was loudly called for, and Mr. Shearman read proved to them over and over again that they were in the sign manual, ought to have insisted on an Act of
extracts from it to the meeting. They were as follows : deep distress, when they exhibited to them incontestible Parliament to interpret your rate-.paying clause, and
" I much regret that my unavoidable detention here ' proofs of loyalty, and a disposition to support the in- ours also, or else to have resigned ; but they will cling
will not permit my also taking an humble part in your stitutioos of
/the country—what did the reforming Go. to office, no matter what indignity accompanies it."
proceedings, by publicly recording my unqualified ropug-
vernment do Did they sympathize with the poor ? —(Hear, and cheers.) The next letter was from his
nance to the principle of the uneonstitutional measure
No, no. Did they bold out any hopes of relief? . Did friend Joseph Walmslev, who had been this year una-
which it is the object of the meeting to stigmatise and they take any steps to extend to the peeple those rights nimosly elected Mayor of Liverpool. "It appears to
to condemn. I the more regret my necessary absence,
of which they had been robbed? No—they met the me (he said) to be one link of the chain of centrali-
that a communication of my own to Lord J. Ruse!' people with 4i,sdain, they taunted them with their igno- zetiou which the rural police, under irresponsible
has been more than once appealed to as a justification ranee, they detlieed their power—and when their po. power, is intended to fill up, and would be an almost
of the measure, as though I had officially recommended vette', which was their only crime, became too vital blow to the Municipal Act, the spirit ;Ind iriten_
the course pursued by her Majesty s Government. My
great to be endured, and that under the influence of Lion of which was, that they who pay shall have the
'
letter to Lord J. Russell was, however studiously framed despair, they spoke aloud, and proclaimed their deter. management and control of their own local affairs.—
in a private and unofficial shape ; and so far from mination to be free, then they augmented the army, —(Hear.) Mr. Sturge afterwards read the resolutions,
sanctioning the most remote approach to a vesting of initituted police, and rezAlved on cutting down the come to by the Corporation of the City of London, a
the appointment of the police in the hands of the Home people rather than listen to their just complaints or try body, he observed, which, at different periods of their his-
Office, I expressly pointed out the Council as the de- to relieve them. Did the Government think the tory, made such noble stands against the unconstitutional
positaries of the advance required, and the controllers of working classes sure naturally vicious, or anxious to usurpations of' the Crown, and in their successful re.
the force to be raised. Indeed Lord J. Russell himself destroy their country Did they imagine the people sistance against the present Government police measure,
neither made nor feigned (for of the latter he is inca- had no regard for their country or their comforts ? It they stood alone; but when the Ministry had conquered
pable) any misinterpretation of my meaning. His first would appear they did think so, and hence they had tins and other places, they would probably again renew
impulse was to act in close accordance with the recom-
driven the
rem to desperation. They Wright, however, their attempts upon the City of London —( Hear,
mendation I had offered—a course from which he was rel y upon it the real state of the country must be laves- hear.) But the effects of these police would te,
afterwards diverted by the insidious suggestions of Sir tigdted ; the distress of the people roust be relieved, or more severely felt in the rural districts. Some of
Robert Peel, and to which all the efforts of the Coun- , there would ere long be. 4gablished such a union his friends, in writing to him upon the subject,
cil, the advice of most of the leading Liberal Members of the middle classes as wail),) be irresistab ie. expressed themselves strongly upon this point, in :4-
of the House of Commons, and, above all, a consistent That union had . that day cominenced,Cheers.) much as they could offer no resistance in remote places
obedience to the principles of his own Municipal Bill, He was not more m favour of physical force than an) Lo the introduction of the measure, or the despotic ex.
unhappily failed to induce him to return." of those gentlemen erauMl him, but they must all a, ercise of the arbitrary power with which the body was
The Rev. T. M. M‘DowteeLa (Roman Catholic knowledge, and the G"e'ragiant, no matter of what invested. Contrary to the opinion entertained by some,
priest) then rose to move the first resolution, and was party it might be composed, woukt yet be compelled to although the entire control of the police was vested
received with much cheering. He said that at the pre- acknowledge, that the working-classes had been despised, in some agent of the Government of the day, the whole
sent moment, and under present circumstances, he had neglected, and reduced to that poverty and destitution of the expense was to be paid by a local tax upon the
i which their industry and. well-known skill did not de- town ; and the 10,0001, lent—and which, be it remem-
many reasons, and some very powerful ones, for declin-
• to address the meeting ; and
mg some tried friends, in serve,—(Cheers.) All he then asked of the gentlemen bored, the Council never asked for—was to be repaid
remonstrating with him, had gone so far as to say there aroutul him was, that they would give them their as- by the people of Birmingham, with interest at five per
would be a row there that day ; but his answer had sistance in destroying all faction, Tory or Whig, and in cent. ; and yet the advance of that paltry sun, was the
been, that he never consulted his own interest when he establishing upon their ruins such a just system of !Dais- only excuse made for depriving them of their municipal
thought he could promote the interests of his fellow- lation as would secure to all classes, rich and poor, rights, granted under the seal of their Sovereign.—
townsmen.—(Cheers.) It was for others to misrepre- equal laws, just protection, rose raj of industry, and corn- (Hear.) The high pay,too, which those who:enro le them-
sent and persecute him if they pleased. They were pensation for capital.—(Cheers.) lifi never would selves in this force received, double the sum which a poor
reenonsible for their own conduct ; but having it in his'
igein support Loon who, merely for their own bare pur- agricultural labourer could earn to support himself and
power L's utter sentiments which he believed would be poses, professed Litterel principles, whilst they refuter)his family, while every fifth man was en officer, and
beneficial to
:lie people of Birmingham, and which, he to act upon them.—(efteeeee.)the eos e all, rendered
believed, would co to
He trusted that from p, pet of promotion was held out .
-.`tribute to the peace of the town, that day the middle arid .working pleases of Birmingham them servile instruments in the hands of the party who
Treenrsfelous cheer- happen to be in • • r „eel%) On a late oc-
efforts of the popular tarty . would forget all past anienoeitieser( . „. , P,
Their stand
. power.—(Hear, s Pv4 .1, , . which would consolidate :.6
eeaseential to the happi- f iny,)—and that they would boldly .
taste etand elision. in their town, did not the soldiersseompiele thilt
in the attainment of measures
that he had •igiiinet the common enemy—that thin, would ,see ,the Fic11!:le the London police received five
only 10"ntngsa-d'l
ness of the people at large—briut
the opportunity of doing this, he had come to ti,),e meet- necessity foir xerdial co-operation, and that
who
would g tt
:if P,Puw,4r4s/ they (the soldiers) had
.)....e
In shilling,
Cheney never cease until ,eeeeey honest man contri- I
although"fi t 9
'49y a 4
he
Ficrk )177-* Illeacre.; they 4
ustsay,
ing willing and determined to do his duty.—(Cheers.)
What had they met for ? They' had !net to order to. homed
of: the. ,wegare, the eerptection, and. exist-.n
more f rbgeulit of some acts of VIO !.1
n Lie than showedthe London
!
not e encesociety, had a legitirnsito _ voice i
police.
_uaranee towards tb9 re-,. snuff bo
determine whether they were Englishmen „or
the Gov;es for
In order to determine practically the question, whether thing
ernmeat of the eases:JOT. In .hie there
.was nee .
.Q.„,..._ B
14 t they had heard of no holdStur,e) had
we live under a Constitution, or whether we live under ,
Wa_ip unjust or_ unreasonable.—(Chcere.) An lae.t t . tou ,i_ ( ()lid hisses.) He (A.
late•
one becausespoken
asion,
, dust, and the working classes had now acquired t
.ser , g y of the subecriptiep on a,
a despotism.—(Tremendous cheering.) 'Whether the . •.°
so t group R. knowledge of their rights, that no power it was calculate'd ih 'hid opinion to yofter! very material), People through the regular gradations of authority, dale- n
on earth .coteld n
- ,t,ec,P them from them without the de- the fearful breach already existing between the inicidi'le
gated to others, are fit to goyern themselves.—(Renewed
cheese, struction of tb,e best fltt,re t. f ' It was im- and the workiag classes, and to e3nvey the impression
. A-. 7, P ppmety.
fig,) Or whether they were 19 exchange the so
much boasted but •be feared. . - ..
-r..
possible thins amid, fo op Ls,s'l4e,y wo.e. lie knew the that the Police had acted to the general satisfaction of
nominal, freedom of Engle.. - ' it,, ba3;ii.,•iicre :i4ti,(b.4.akict in sale_ the tnhabitantit. But with resnect tn the subject more
men, for the real ^('Rsp t: .q.ses were -
applause.) He had fi ° ilm of the Continent.—(Great
middle one, • tte• 'eb• '' ' • ' ''' '• . `'''rnedi4tel 'be are' . ' -Ft' L' cr r)• 4 - b
• -etno of the sy,etev, • ete,.
~ e• ,y 1, epthem, re ,youl o servo that tee
eerie a great many things 'in de pre- defence they must demand an
cation of a standing arm , b enema.. - -h.„ (meet gi Ale pbbed 'o6' I f to.' bb' the' rel'ention sift)
•'- - ef --", , g'' , , ••-•'I ' ' tt '
ut the force which they —(Cheers.) The Government :I. :
had met to condemn, anydtai resist it as -- the burgurvpiN poipt §,mll,,ir oiAendets ,
which they had met, he pleased, they might hang trusted entirely to crush, •and imprison men, and render detectiou e. •-- 'Arniete rind aFffivti, ii).r
was neither more nor less than desolate their families, but the evil having its • • in TI new force, however,•
origin re wean . --• night, arrneCi
en ous cheering.) It had, how- bad legislation could only be remedied by good legisla- he had seen one of them himself, On Frida - ...
.-..--..