The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-18 00:00:00

Tbv

WITH WHICH
THE « TRUE SUN " IS NOW

INCORPORATED.

LONDON :
TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER Is, 1838.

We did our best, immediately the meeting was an
flounced to be held in Palace-yard, to induce intluen
tial men amongst the working classes, to direct their
exertions to obtaining a repeal of the Corn-laws, which
we are assured is immediately within their reach, in
preference to seeking fur Universal Suffrage, which,
in our opinion, they have at, present no chance of oh-
tainine. Oar (flirts were fruitless, though from the
notice taken of our remarks by several speakers, we
are well convinced that they were not thrown away.
No person, either amongst the working classes
or any other classes, made an attempt to divert
the attention of the meeting front the object
for which it was convened, and the resolutions
in favour of the People's Charter were trium-
phantly and unanimously carried. Unthwarted and
unopposed, except by those arms of reason to which
they have themselves so nobly appealed, the working
classes will now have ae. opportunity of learning what
they can achieve. Of cou,-se, we should have been
more pleased had they followed our advice ; but their
not having done so, is no reason why we should
not—agreeing, as we do, with them on many points
tici pate in their satisfaction, at whatever
success they may have achieved.
We believe that the meeting, which on an average
amounted to between 8,000 and 10,000 persons,
rather disapieohitse! the expectations of those who
promoted it. A great concourse however con-
tinued through the whole day to go and come, so
that an immense number of person; nassed as it
were through the meeting, and heard sonic of the
speakers ; but that they did not abide is a proof, we
think, that the inhabitan:s of the metropolis do not take
such a warm interest in this question as the more
suffering and more fervent politicians of the North and
of the manufacturing districts. The number of per-
sons is, for us, however, less a matter of interest than
the earnest and even stern manner in which some of
the deputies from the great hives of our industrious
population, spoke of tine hopes which they nourish, and
of their projects and means of execution. The whole
proceedings are of too much interest, not, we think,
to be read and studied by all, and therefore we
alsall make no selection from the speeches
which refer to those hopes and projects either
for censure or praise ; but we must remark
that the language of every one of the working men
(we say nothing of the practised orators present) be-
spoke a determined purpose which cannot he trifled
with, nor, we apprehend, be turned aside. We have
already said in this Journal that there is no means at
the command of the rest of society to sub-
due the working classes, and if they do not re-
main under the guidance of reason the prospects
of the community are hopeless. Such, we think, also
seems to be the impression which the meeting has made
about this time two years ago,
on the Tintes, which,ago,
was breathing nothing but war and conquest, and this
morning, in relation to that meeting, uses the lan-
persuasion, and we had almost
more of gentleness,
gsaid, of love. Seeing such to be the effect of the strong
and determined language used, and of the quiet,
vve can but partici-
peaceable behaviour of the
pate largely in their satisfaction. Thhi ey have byrtain their
proceeding; read a great lesson, wchcertainly
not be lost either on tine Whigs or the Tories. They
got up the meeting wholly by themselves—they orga-
. raised it—they are at all the expense—and they con-
- ducted it quietly, peaceably, admirably to its conclusion.
The honour which such conduct deserves will
th be refle
sancted
on their principles, and lessen the alarm ofthousands
at their demand for political rights.
Nevertheless we should have been better pleased had
the admirable organization and great meeting been direct-
. ed to getting rid of the Devil's laws. From some similar
txpetience to that of Mr. EBENEZER ELLIOT, and
from a thorough conviction that the unjust and mis-
appropriation by the Legislature of large masses of pro-
perty is endangering the peace and happiness of the
naree with him in opinion that the